Order of Worship April 17, 2022
UJCC Sunday Worship Service
April 17, 2022 * Easter
“This is the Easter message, that awakening is possible: to the goodness of God, the sacredness of human life, the sisterhood and brotherhood of all.”
-Anne Lamott
We Gather Together
You are invited to the spiritual practice of returning thanks to God. You can try our online giving option HERE. Thank you and peace be with you!
Prelude
We recognize that some of you may have had a crazy week and need some space or quiet time. So, 5-10 minutes prior to the service, we will play some music that you can listen to while you meditate. Otherwise, feel free to let us know that you're here by saying hi in the chat!
Words of Welcome
Around 10:30AM, our service will start. During this time, our worship leader will offer a greeting, introduce special guests, or provide important information for the service. Ultimately, we want to show how much we appreciate you joining us today despite your busy schedule.
Passing the Peace
Passing of the peace may merely seem like a time to greet one another. However, it also serves as a reminder of the peace that we have with God and the peace that we have with each other due to Jesus’ sacrifice. Please take this time to greet one another at church and online!
Song of Centering - “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
Joy Gaje, Cherish Aw, Irene Ikeda
“Improvisation in C Major, Op. 1,” by Danny Chan
In the same way that we get ready for a date, it is important for us to get ready to hear God’s Word. So, during the songs of centering, we intentionally try to lay aside our busy lives, worries, and distractions in order to focus on God. For if we have too much noise in our minds, this can leave little room for God. Please feel free to sit quietly in meditation, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, sing along, or use your body as you are able.
Call To Worship
We believe that God hears us when we call for help and that God answers our prayers too. So, we use this time to invite God to be present and working among us in our church service. Feel free to read along with the parts marked "All" below:
Leader: The tomb is empty!
All: Christ Is Risen!
Leader: The soldiers have returned home.
All: Christ Is Risen!
Leader: The anger of the crowds is gone.
All: Christ Is Risen!
Leader: The time of grieving has ended.
All: Christ Is Risen!
Leader: Violence, fear, and death have disappeared!
All: Christ Is Risen!
Leader: Come, let us go to the house of the Lord!
All: Christ Is Risen! Christ Is Risen Indeed! (mw-m)
Children's Time
At UJCC, we value young families and children. So, whenever we have family worship, we try to make short, fun, educational videos or skits in order to be more inclusive of our younger audience. Feel free to enjoy this material with your kids and talk about it later too!
Sermon - “Resurrection…More Than A Morning Walk”
We believe God still speaks to us today through the Bible, people, and many other sources as well. As a result, we listen to Rev. Akiko during this time and try to discern what God is trying to tell us through his message. Feel free to listen, take notes, or meditate on something that stuck out to you. Here is the Scripture text that Rev. Akiko will be reading from this passage today:
Luke 24:1-12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
Choral Anthem - “Beautiful Savior”
It is our responsibility to respond to God’s message. So, the song after the sermon gives us a little more time to digest God’s message and think about how we can respond appropriately. So, feel free to meditate on the message, pray, or simply enjoy the music.
Baptism of Charlene Kiyuna
Leader: We are all witnesses to this celebration of grace. And so, I ask you, will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Charlene now before you in your care?
All: With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Charlene with a community of love and forgiveness, that she may grow in her trust of God, and be found faithful in her service to others. We will pray for her, that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.
Leader: Friends, do you believe in God?
All: Yes, I believe in God.
Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
All: Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ.
Leader: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
All: Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Leader: Now I ask you, what is your response to Charlene’s baptism? Would you please rise as you are able to read the congregational response
All: We rejoice in Charlene’s baptism! We celebrate her coming into the family of God. We remember that God has called us by name, loving us even before we could understand love, loving unconditionally before we could even return love. Charlene, we will uphold you with our love and prayers.
May God’s grace and peace be with you.
Welcoming New Members
Jody Hironaka-Juteau, Charlene Kiyuna, and Nobie Osato
Leader: And to you, congregation, I again ask, do you, as Christ’s body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
All: We do.
Leader: Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?
All: With God’s help, we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.
Leader: Members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
All: We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the Body of Christ and in this congregation of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, presence, our gifts, service, and witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Dance - “Revive Us Again" by Kairyn & Kiara Kreller
Joys and Concerns
We believe God hears and answers our prayers. Not only that, but we believe in praying together so that we can encourage and support those going through difficult times, or celebrate our many blessings. For we are all God’s family. When one of us suffers, we all suffer. When one of us rejoices, we all rejoice. You are not alone. If you have any prayer requests, feel free to raise your hand until you are called upon. After each prayer request, we will say “O God of mercy” and everyone responds, “This is our prayer.” Finally, once all the prayer requests have been heard, we will close with a final prayer followed by the Lord’s prayer. If you do not know the Lord’s prayer, it will be up on the slideshow for you.
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer
All: 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Announcements
The announcements provide opportunities for us to put our faith into action throughout the week. Please try to see if anything interests you or challenge yourself to try something new. Volunteering is a great way to bless others, but we are often blessed ourselves in the process. You can sign up by clicking on the purple footsteps button in the bottom right corner.
Song of Sending - “The Day of Resurrection”
Joy Gaje, Cherish Aw, Irene Ikeda
The song of sending forth prepares our hearts to go back out into the world. You can use this song as a final opportunity to decide how to respond to the message, pray for God’s guidance, or simply enjoy the music by humming along.
Benediction
Benediction is another word for blessing. It is a short prayer said in order to bless everyone as we get ready to go back out into the world. Feel free to close your eyes and receive the blessing so that you may be strengthened and encouraged.
Postlude -“Up From The Grave He Arose”
Joy Gaje, Cherish Aw, Irene Ikeda
This is the final ending song for the worship service. Once the song is finished, feel free to check out the church entrance for event information, talk with someone new, or go about the rest of your day!