United Church of Gainesville
Easter Sunday
April 9, 2023 – 9:15 am

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WELCOME

PRELUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki

THE EASTER STORY – Matthew 28:1-10 – Rev. Andy Bachmann, Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan, Rev. Talia Raymond     

REJOICING TOGETHER – “The Hallelujah Chorus” G.F. Handel – Led by the UCG Choir. Brass Musicians – Mark Burlingame, Carl Carter, Harper Fitzpatrick, Carlos Frenock, Ewan Johnson, David Martin, Tim Martin, Lucia Nelson, Larry Reimer

CALL TO WORSHIP – Rev. Andy Bachmann

One: Christ is Risen!
Many: Christ is risen indeed!
             All: Alleluia!

OPENING HYMN – “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – Rev. Talia Raymond

INTERLUDE – “Halleluja”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond

OFFERTORY ANTHEM  – “The Day of Resurrection” – UCG Choir, directed by Phillip Herr-Klepacki
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SCRIPTURE LESSON – from Jeremiah 36 

“At that time,” says the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to them from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

“Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O Israel!”
“Again you shall take your tambourines and go forth in the dance of the   merrymakers.”
“Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall ‘enjoy the fruit.’”

“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.’”

READING – “Dawn Revisited,” by Rita Dove – Rev. Andy Bachmann

Imagine you wake up
with a second chance: The blue jay
hawks his pretty wares
and the oak still stands, spreading
glorious shade. If you don’t look back,

the future never happens.
How good to rise in sunlight,
in the prodigal smell of biscuits –
eggs and sausage on the grill.
The whole sky is yours

to write on, blown open
to a blank page. Come on,
shake a leg! You’ll never know
who’s down there, frying those eggs,
if you don’t get up and see.

SERMON – “Roll Away the Stone” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

RESPONSIVE HYMN – “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain”

EASTER LITANY – Daniel Webster
                                                                   
One:   When we are all despairing;
When the world is full of grief;
When we see no way ahead, and hope has gone away:

Many: Roll back the stone.

One:   Although we fear change;
Although we are not ready;
Although we’d rather weep and run away:

Many: Roll back the stone.

One:   Because we’re coming with the women;
Because we hope where hope is vain;
Because you call us from the grave and show the way:

Many: Roll back the stone.                              — Janet Morley

SPECIAL MUSIC – “Roll Away Your Stone” by Mumford & Sons – Andy Bachmann, guitar; Stella Bachmann and Elena Frenock, vocals; Ian Ragsdale, bass

BENEDICTION – The Ministers

HALLELUJA – Reprise

POSTLUDE