Resurrection Sunday
Order of Worship
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Glory and honor,
dominion and power,
be to God for ever and ever.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Song – This is Amazing Grace
Song – Turn Your Eyes
Song – In Christ Alone
Call to Confession:
Scripture tells us that those whom God has saved are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. While surrounded by this mortal flesh, this does not mean that we already made perfect – not at all! In our ongoing sanctification, we want to cultivate a life full of grace and mercy as we rise from the ashes of past sins in our lives and turn and return to live for Christ.
Confession is the act of the recognition of sin, and choosing to turn from it and experience the forgiveness of God. As Christians, we need to develop a regular practice of asking the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal any sin in our lives. We need to allow the light of the Gospel to reveal areas in our lives that need changing and confess those things and turn away or repent from them. We come before God now to confess together as one people, as God’s people, knowing that His mercy is near.
Please pray with us this prayer of confession beginning with the words “God of Mercy”.
Prayer of Confession:
God of mercy,
you sent your son Jesus
to seek and save the lost and the broken.
We confess that we are often twisted by pride and selfishness,
and that, caught up in our false independence,
we have turned away from friendship with you.
We have failed in love,
forgotten to be just,
and have turned away from your truth.
Judge us with love,
and lift the burden of our sins.
Have mercy, O God,
and forgive our sin,
for the sake of Jesus your Son,
our Savior and our Friend.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon:
When we find ourselves choosing to live in the light of the Gospel we are able to live free, unburdened or hindered by the sin that so easily entangles, so that we can run the race set before us.
Romans 8:1 tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. In light of that and many other Scriptures, receive and rejoice in these words of pardon:
While it is true that we have sinned,
it is a greater truth that we are forgiven
through God’s love in Jesus Christ.
To all who humbly seek the mercy of God I say,
in Jesus Christ your sin is forgiven.
Song – Living Hope / What a Friend
Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.
For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity.
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.
Praise God for all that he has done
Praise him for he has overcome
The grave is beaten, love has won
Praise God our Saviour, Christ the Son
Amen.
Welcome to our United Community Church family this morning, and a special welcome to any visitors joining us today!
If you’d like to get connected or find out more about UCC, please see our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service.
After the words of welcome, all children are invited to Sunday school. We offer classes ranging from age 3 to Grade 2.
Information is on the screen for where to go – if in doubt, ask with our welcome team or any of the Sunday School teachers.
Scripture texts:
John 15:12–15, Luke 24:36–49
1. Jesus rises to be YOUR friend.
2. Jesus rises to be a life-giving friend
3. Jesus rises so you can BE a friend
Today’s message is by a visitor to UCC, Dr. John Avant. John is the director and president of Life Action Ministries in the USA. www.lifeaction.org
Song – Oh Happy Day
During the distribution of the elements we will sing a song, Man of Sorrows.
Please hold the bread and the cup until all have received; we will partake together as one body.
The bread is gluten free; the wine is alcohol free.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
Song – May the Peoples Praise You!
For all announcements, please see our digital announcements page: ucclife.fi/announcements
