Welcome
Welcome to Cazenovia Presbyterian’s online Easter service. Today we celebrate the miracle of Easter in our homes. Christ’s tomb is empty this morning, but sadly, so are many churches. During this time of digital worship, we miss gathering together under one roof, singing, praying and celebrating as a united, loving, church family. However, Jesus assured his followers that “whenever two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there.” Whether you are alone or with a few friends and loved ones this Easter, we remain bound together as Christians. We follow after Christ with our hearts. We share the gift of God’s grace wherever we are. The Virus Crisis may have temporarily separated us physically, but our faith unites us. Have a wonderful Easter!
Prelude
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands – J.S. Bach
Call To Worship
(words inspired by Isaiah 25:6-9)
This Easter morning, we remember the promises of our gracious God.
This is our Lord, in whom we trust. Let us rejoice!
Our God is preparing a feast for all people;
a wonderful banquet for the whole world!
This is our Lord. Let us rejoice!
Our God will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples and the sheet that covers all nations;
God shall swallow up death forever.
This is our Lord. Let us rejoice!
Our God will wipe away the tears from every face,
and God shall lift the despair and disgrace from every heart.
These are the promises of our God. This is hope of our faith.
Let us rejoice in our salvation! Amen.
Hymn
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Call to Confession:
(words inspired by Isaiah 43:1-3)
Hear these words from the prophet Isaiah:
But now thus says the Lord who created you,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the water,
I will be with you;
and through the rivers,
they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire
you shall not be burned,
and the flames shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Prayer of Confession
God of Love, we confess that there are times when we allow the worries of the world to consume us, and we struggle to celebrate the joy of the resurrection. We confess that there are times when we are anxious and discontent that we struggle to live in the spirit of hope that you have given us. Forgive us for not always trusting in your Good News. Ease our worries. Surround us with the peace of your love. And raise you to new life in you. In the name of the Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon:
On this Easter morning, our Faithful God shows us a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, where everyone will live in peace. Death will be no more, and there will be no more mourning or crying or pain. Trusting in this great promise, know that through the power and love of Christ you are forgiven. Amen.
Children’s Worship Aids
Kidsword Bulletin
Little Kidsword Bulletin
Easter Coloring Pages
Easter Surprise wordsearch
Sharing our Gifts
Due to current circumstances, we kindly ask you to submit your offering by bank account or credit card through our online donation platform, Tithe.ly. There will be significant delay in processing checks mailed to us.
One Great Hour of Sharing
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Offertory
Hymn
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
First Reading
Jeremiah 31:1-14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Joyful Return of the Exiles
31 At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
2 Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
3 the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall take your tambourines,
and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
5 Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant,
and shall enjoy the fruit.
6 For there shall be a day when sentinels will call
in the hill country of Ephraim:
“Come, let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God.”7 For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
“Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.”
8 See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
9 With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.”
11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again.
13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
14 I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,
says the Lord.
Sermon
“With Fear and Great Joy, Rise!” by Rev. Jenna Heery
Hymn
Christ is Alive!
Charge And Benediction
This year, more than other years, perhaps… the world needs to hear this good news.
Jesus tells the women to go and tell his brothers to go to Galilee where they will see him.
Who will you tell?
Be blessed by the One who has created you, and redeemed you.
Know that our God will sustain you.
Now. Now and forevermore.
Amen.
Postlude
Finale from Organ Symphony No. 2
Charles Marie Widor
Michael Guarneiri, Organ
Thank you Jenna for this beautiful message .Blessed Easter greetings from Florida too my church family.
The perfect message at the perfect time. A glorious and uplifting service at a time when it is most needed. Thank you to all who worked so hard to put this together for us. Yes although we leave this service in fear we rejoice in the knowledge that our Lord has risen indeed!
Thank you to Rev. Jenna Heery, and Vince and Michael Guareiri for making this Easter Sunday so special in so many ways. Gratefully, Nancy and Bill Hall
This was very exciting and uplifting. we are in Florida and missing our congregation, especially now, so I feel refreshed and and happy to be apart of this celebration. He is risen, indeed!
Missing all of you,
Pam Blom