First Presbyterian Church
Order of Worship

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Easter Sunday
April 20, 2025 - 10 a.m. EDT

Order of Worship

Prelude - A Prelude for Easter Morning (Gerald Near)

Ringing of the Church Bell

Invitation to Worship
Wallace Bubar

One: This is the day that the Lord has made.

All: Today we are singing. Today we are full to the brim. Today our joy cannot be contained.

One: This is the day that the Lord has made.

All: Today the stone is rolled away. Today the women see the empty grave. Today we know — death does not win.

One: This is the day that the Lord has made.

All: Alleluia! Amen.

Hymn 232 - Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Gabe Thatcher, Hayden Wells, trumpet
Mirai Nawa, French horn
Ashleigh Mastilak, trombone
Zane Tekaucic, tuba

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured. Alleluia!
Now above the sky he's King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
praise eternal as God's love. Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Prayer of the Day

God of the garden, God of new life, God of the here and now. Our hearts are full to the brim this morning. We rejoice in the promise of new and abundant life that you have shown us in the Resurrection. May Easter be not just a day on the calendar, but a lasting reality in our lives. Help us. Guide the way. Meet us in the garden. Roll back the stones that stop us. Give us the energy to run toward you. And gather us up into your expansive love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Canticle 240 - Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks

Alleluia, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his Name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.

Alleluia, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his Name.

Sharing the Peace

Welcome and Announcements

Scripture Reading - 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Doris Porter, liturgist

Anthem - Joy to the Heart (K. Lee Scott)
Chancel Choir and Angel Choir
Gabe Thatcher, Hayden Wells, Sarah Crestale, trumpet
Ashleigh Mastilak, Jacob Myers, trombone
Tom McLeish, timpani
Max Holtsberry, glockenspiel
Joy Hire, conductor

Word with Children
Jenni Whitford

Scripture Reading - Luke 24:1-12

Sermon - “But ...”

Requiem (Gabriel Fauré)
Chancel Choir
Philip Everingham, director

Hymn 238 - Thine Is the Glory

Thine is the glory,
risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory
thou o'er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment
rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes
where thy body lay.

Thine is the glory,
risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory
thou o'er death hast won.

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 the Lord now liveth;
death hath lost its sting.

Thine is the glory,
risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory
thou o'er death hast won.

No more we doubt thee,
glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without thee;
aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors
through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan
to thy home above.

Thine is the glory,
risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory
thou o'er death hast won.

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in a God who can astound us — a God who created the mountains, the stars on a summer night, the intricate patterns of a butterfly’s wings. We believe in Jesus, whose example changes us — an example of love for those on the fringes, healing for the sick, and welcome for the lonely. We believe that Jesus was abandoned by his friends, wounded, mocked, and killed by the state. And in a garden, three days later, we believe that life began again — the stone was rolled back, as death lost its sting. Ever since that day, we believe the Spirit has been inviting us into an expansive life — a life not measured by wealth or accolades, but a life full to the brim with joy, overflowing with laughter, saturated in hope, and decorated with good news. Death has lost its sting. We believe, and are set free. Thanks be to God!

Prayers of the People

One: For Christ is risen:

All: Christ is risen indeed.

The Lord’s Prayer [unison]

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Offertory - I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (G.F. Handel)
Karen Bovenizer, soprano

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Doxology 606

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 Dedication

Choral Benediction - Hallelujah Chorus (G.F. Handel)

Benediction

Postlude - Toccata in F Major (C.M. Widor)
Philip Everingham

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