The Lord’s Day, March 31, 2024

10:30 AM Morning Service

 

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25

Prelude

 

Welcome and Announcements

 

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

 

*Call to Worship

Minister:   Alleluia! Christ is risen!

People:      The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Minister:   This is the good news: the grave is empty.

People:      Alleluia!

Minister:   This is the good news: the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never put it out.

People:      Alleluia!

Minister:   This is the good news: once we were not a people; now we are God’s people.

People:      Alleluia!

Minister:   This is the good news: Christ is our peace, the indestructible peace we share with God and each other.

Unison:     Come, let us adore Him! Alleluia!

 

*Hymn of Proclamation: “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (No. 277)

 

1 "Christ the Lord is ris'n today," Alleluia!
sons of men and angels say; Alleluia!
raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia!
Sing ye heav'ns, and earth, reply. Alleluia!

2 Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell: Alleluia!
death in vain forbids his rise; Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!

3 Lives again our glorious King; Alleluia!
where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died, our souls to save; Alleluia!
where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
4 Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
foll'wing our exalted Head; Alleluia!
made like him, like him we rise: Alleluia!
ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia!

5 Hail, the Lord of earth and heav'n! Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be giv'n; Alleluia!
thee we greet triumphant now; Alleluia!
hail, the Resurrection, thou! Alleluia!

 

 

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Invocation

Almighty God: Great was the joy in Israel when Egypt died upon the shore; but far greater is our joy since the Redeemer’s foe lies crushed in the dust! O, Jesus, you stride forth as the victor; conqueror of the grave, hell and all opposing might. You burst the bands of death, trampled the powers of darkness down, and now live forever. Give me the assurance that in You I died, in you I rose, in your life I live, in your victory I triumph, in your ascension I shall reign, in your glory I shall be glorified, all to the praise of your glorious grace. Amen.

~from Valley of Vision

 

 

 

*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed

Minister:   Christian, what do you believe?

People:      I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

*Gloria (Tune:  Lauda Anima)

Glory be to God the Father,

glory be to God the Son,

glory be to God the Spirit:

great Jehovah, Three in One!

Glory, blessing, praise eternal!

While unending ages run.

 

New Testament Reading: Ephesians 1:3-23

 

*Hymn of Response: “Crown Him with Many Crowns” (No. 295)

 

1 Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne;
hark! how the heav'nly anthem drowns
all music but its own:
awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.

2 Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified:
no angel in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends his burning eye
at mysteries so bright.

3 Crown him the Lord of peace;
whose pow'r a scepter sways
from pole to pole, that wars may cease,
absorbed in prayer and praise:
his reign shall know no end;
and round his pierced feet
fair flow'rs of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet.

4 Crown him the Lord of years,
the Potentate of time;
Creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime:
all hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me:
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.

 

 

A Litany for Easter

Minister:   In the peace of the risen Christ, we pray to you, our Father: that our risen Savior may grant us victory over all our enemies, seen and unseen.

People:      That He may crush beneath our feet the prince of darkness and his power.

Minister:   That He may raise us up and seat us with Himself in heaven.

People:      That He may fill us with the joy of His holy and life-giving resurrection.

Minister:   That He may, through us, provide for those who lack food, work, and shelter.

People:      That isolated and persecuted churches might find fresh strength in the Paschal mystery.

Unison:     Lord, hear our prayer.

Pastoral Prayer

 

Words of Encouragement

Minister:   Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning…. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;  you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!  (Psalm 30)

 

Unison:     Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

 

*Hymn of Praise: “Up from the Grave He Arose” (No. 276)

 

1 Low in the grave he lay–
Jesus, my Savior,
waiting the coming day–
Jesus, my Lord.

Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose,
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2 Vainly they watch his bed–
Jesus, my Savior;
vainly they seal the dead–
Jesus, my Lord. [Refrain]

3 Death cannot keep his prey–
Jesus, my Savior;
he tore the bars away–
Jesus, my Lord. [Refrain]

 

 

Worship of God through Tithes and Offerings

 

*Doxology (Tune: Old Hundredth)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Amen!

 

*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

 

*Reading of the Holy Scriptures: I Corinthians 15:12-20

Minister:   This is the Word of God.

 

Unison:     Thanks be to God for his Word!

 

*The Prayer for Illumination

 

Sermon: “The Hope of the Resurrection” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

 

 

*Hymn of Response: “Thine Be the Glory” (No. 274)

 

1 Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment
rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.

Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conqu'ring Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won.

2 Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the church with gladness,
hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting. [Refrain]

3 No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conqu'rors,
thro' thy deathless love;
bring us safe thro' Jordan to thy home above. [Refrain]

 

*The Benediction

 

Postlude

*Denotes congregation standing, if able.

Announcements

 

• Women’s Book Group

Ladies, you are invited to participate in a book group meeting, which will take place at the church on April 4 and 11, beginning at 10:30 AM. We will read and discuss Joni: An Unforgettable Story. Pastor Seth referred to Joni in one of his recent sermons, and the leaders of Bible Study thought it would be inspiring to learn more about Joni’s journey. Books may be purchased online for around $14. At each session, we will also have a time for praise, prayer, and petition. Bring a friend!

 

• Women’s Spring Luncheon

All women of the church are invited to attend our annual Spring Luncheon at the church on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 11:00 AM. Come and enjoy the food and the sistership, and learn from our three speakers: Melissa Backus, Susan Kershaw, and Audrey Seim. There is no cost for the luncheon, but donations are accepted. Please help us plan by signing up on the sheet in the foyer or online at www.ctkvb.org. Feel free to bring your friends and neighbors and include them on the sign up.

• Men’s Fellowship Time

Men’s Fellowship Time is every Wednesday at 7:00 AM at Nettie’s Roadside Restaurant, 2555 27th Ave Suite G-6 in Vero Beach.