April 17, 2022 – 9:15am
Join us here for a live stream beginning at 9:15
WELCOME
INTROIT – “The Trumpets Shall Sound on Easter Morn” (David Lantz III) – Offered by The UCG Choir, Mark Burlingame and Larry Reimer, trumpets
THE EASTER STORY – Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Christ is Risen
Many: Christ is risen indeed!
All: Alleluia!
*OPENING HYMN – “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
INTERLUDE – “Halleluja”
SCRIPTURE LESSON – from Isaiah 24
READING – “Still I Rise” Maya Angelou – Offered by Pam Smith
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
SERMON – “It Starts With An Earthquake” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
HYMN – “Easter People, Raise Your Voices”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond
OFFERTORY – “All Creatures of Our God and King” – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
In many ways Easter seems so long ago.
But there is something here today.
Many: As we sing, as we pray, as we celebrate
One: As we speak of earthquakes and change
Many: As we speak of fear and resurrection
One: As it was in the beginning
Many: is now and ever shall be.
One: Christ is alive! God’s love triumphs at Easter.
Many: May everyday to us be Easter. Alleluia!
All: Alleluia! SINGING TOGETHER – “The Hallelujah Chorus”
BENEDICTION
ALLELUIA!
POSTLUDE – “Immortal, Invisible”
(Traditional Welsh melody, arr. Phillip Keveren)
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
|
Finn |
DeMouey |
04/17 |
|
Hannah |
Norton |
04/18 |
|
Christine |
Denny |
04/19 |
|
Nikolai |
Gutierrez-Hernandez |
04/19 |
|
Leslie Wade |
McLendon |
04/19 |
|
Shartel |
McVoy |
04/19 |
|
Valerie |
Aslakson-Jennings |
04/20 |
|
Maxwell |
Burger |
04/20 |
|
Ian |
Ragsdale |
04/20 |
|
Alyssa |
Collins |
04/22 |
|
Jill |
Ragsdale |
04/22 |
|
Melissa |
Varady |
04/22 |
|
Beth |
Dovell |
04/23 |
|
Ann |
Pursell |
04/23 |
|
Sally |
Chesrown |
04/23 |
Announcements
Today at UCG
Easter Sunday
9:00am Childcare
8:00, 9:15 & 11:15 am Worship
9:00am Fellowship & Beverages
9:30am United Tribes – Egg Hunt
10:15am Fellowship & Beverages
United Tribes – We have egg hunts for Easter! Bring your children to the 9:15 service and after the children’s story we will go to our age relevant playgrounds. Children may bring baskets, but we will also have paper bags on hand for those who forget. If any caregivers wish to watch we ask that you remain on the outside of our playgrounds to observe for safety and care reasons.
No Sunday Seminar this Sunday. Looking ahead: Sunday, April 24 – “Imagining the New Normal” with Connie Caldwell.
One Love Café Get-together – The Board of Children, Youth and Families invites all of our families to a get-together at One Love Café at Magnolia Park at 10 am on Saturday, April 23. There will be coffee, lemonade, and donuts and lots of lawn games for the kids to play. Join us for a celebration as we near the end of our program year and look forward to a relaxing summer!
The Youth “Noodles and Doodles” pasta dinner and art auction is coming up on April 24th. If you have artwork that you have made or that you would simply like to re-home, we are accepting donations! Please leave it in the office for Talia by Wednesday, April 20. We appreciate your support of this fun event and of our youth!
Grushers Needed! We are in need of more Grusher volunteers (aka greeter/ushers) at both services this spring. No experience necessary. Come 15 minutes early and basically be a welcoming presence for our friends and families returning to UCG after the long pandemic-related pause. Email
denalidar@gmail.com for information or to help!
UCC Ukraine Relief Fund- The United Church of Christ is appealing for support for refugees, elderly and other people who are displaced within Ukraine and unable to leave. Gifts made to UCC Ukraine Relief Fund will provide shelter, food, and other care to war refugees and internally displaced people. Please submit your support via check to UCG or scan the QR code below to give directly. Thank you for your support.
Next Sunday, April 24
New Worship Theme – “Forgotten Bookshelf”
9:00am Childcare
9:15 & 11:15am Worship – Larry Reimer
9:30am United Tribes
10:15am Fellowship & Beverages
YU & MST
Puzzlers
10:30am Financial Stewardship & Sustainability Committee
12:15pm Young Adult (YA) Lunch
5:30pm Noodles and Doodles Fundraiser
UCG is now following Endemic Response Guidelines which are based on the risk for serious disease and not the risk for transmission. We will be using a color zone approach based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s revised focus on the risk for serious disease. When we are in the yellow or green zone, our gatherings at UCG will be mask-optional environments. Please note that UCG will continue broadcasting one Sunday worship service on YouTube.
