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Sunday Worship
Harbor Church First Gathered on October 23, 1765
He is Risen!
e April 4th, 2021, 10:00 a.m.f Our 256th year WELCOME TO OUR WORSHIP SERVICE April 4th, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday!
WE GATHER TOGETHER
Prelude “Variations on Ode to Joy” (L. van Beethoven)
The people living in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land and shadow of death, a light has risen.” (Matthew 4:16)
Call to Worship (from the Iona Community)
Leader: Friends, Christ is Risen!
People: Christ is Risen Indeed!
Leader: Have you seen the risen Christ with your own eyes?
People: We have seen him in lives transformed by grace.
Leader: Have you experienced the empty tomb?
People: We have! In hope reborn, joy renewed, and life restored.
Leader: Death can never again be the final word.
People: We gather to celebrate the new life in us and in all creation.
Leader: Christ is Risen!
People: Christ is Risen indeed!
Song “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and Heaven join to say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
CCLI License # 20007620
A Unison Prayer for Easter
Holy God, you have given us another Easter morning to proclaim, once again, Christ’s victory over death and the power of life. In this uncertain time in which we live, open the tombs that keep us oppressed, breathe life into our fearful spirits, and shine the light of your truth over our limitations. Today we offer you the best we have; our thanks and praise as we open our hearts and minds to the miracle of Easter. As we celebrate the Resurrection, lead us to the joy which is found through loving and serving in Jesus’ name. Today and every day, may our lives testify to the presence and power of the Living God! Amen. Disciple’s Moment “Hidden Flowers”
Gospel Reading Luke 24:1–13
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.
An Easter Affirmation (with one voice) “We believe.”
We believe in an astounding God, who surprises us on Easter morning, who reveals through an empty tomb how overflowingly full of God the creation is. We believe in God, who is light in the darkness, who never gives up on love, who is always working for our good, who weeps when we weep and laughs when we laugh, who calls us to be more than we are as God relentlessly transforms our tears into alleluias.
We believe in the Christ, present at and in the creation, heard in the words of prophets, come in the birth of a long-sought Messiah, alive in the lessons taught to disciples, not stuck in a tomb of despair, nailed to cross, or buried in the past, but living forever, and walking with us on our journeys today, seen in our stories, present in everything we can see, touch, and imagine.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the invisible presence of God, the joy, hope, and peace of possibilities opening all around us all the time. We believe the Spirit calls us to community, to compassion, to welcome, and to acts of mercy and justice, so that the whole world will awaken with wonder and hope.
We are people of faith in the risen Christ, and we see our Christ in everyone and in everything. We strive to live in such a way that the world will see Christ rising again, in us and through us, with the message of Easter.. God lives. Christ is risen. Alleluia. Amen.
GOD DRAWS US NEAR
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-5
Arise, shine! For your light has come; the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For look! Darkness will cover the earth and thick darkness is over the people, but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings before your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather together, they come to you; your sons and daughters come from far away. Then you will look and be radiant; your heart will swell with joy, because the abundance of the seas will be flow to you, and the abundance of the nations will come to you.
Message “Every Day Can Be Easter!”
WE RESPOND IN FAITHFULNESS
Musical Meditation “What Wondrous Love Is This ?” (The Southern Harmony)
What can I do in my life to make every day an ‘Easter day’?
Song “Easter People, Raise Your Voices”
Easter people raise your voices
Sounds of heaven in earth should ring
Christ has brought us Heaven's choices
Heavenly music let it ring
Alleluia alleluia
Easter people let us sing
Fear of death can no more stop us
From our pressing here below
For our Lord empowered us
To triumph over every foe
Alleluia alleluia
On to victory now we go
Every day to us is Easter
With its resurrection song
Even when life overwhelms us
Easter people sing this song:
Alleluia alleluia
Everlasting Sunday song.
Our Offering & Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise God all creatures here below! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Praise God the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Sharing our Joys and Concerns
For Passings
For People we Know
For our Nation and the World
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (…forgiven us our sins)
Song “The Illumination”
Chorus
Come and let Your light shine
Bright across the nations
Speed the light of Jesus we are the illumination
Come and let Your light shine
Shout the invitation
Speed the light of Jesus we are the illumination
Verse 1
Wake up oh sleeper wake up and hear
The sound of a movement the song of a revolution
Wake up oh dreamer wake up your leader
Has called you to action
Take hold of His heart of passion
Fan the flame and let it shine
The world will see and glorify
The living God the source of life divine
Verse 2
Rise up oh dead man
Rise up and shed then
The darkness that binds you
The power of God's behind you
Fan the flame and let it shine
The world will see and glorify
The living God
The source of life divine
Bridge
Speed the love speed the fight
Speed the freedom speed the light
(REPEAT 3X)
Fan the flame and let it shine
The world will see and glorify
The living God the source of life divine
CCLI Song # 4631446Jesse Butterworth, © 2005 Designer Music Group, Inc.,CCLI License # 20007620
Passing of the Peace & Benediction
Leader: Christ has been raised from the dead – Alleluia!
People: We have been raised to new life – Alleluia!
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen indeed!
Leader: Go in the peace and joy and hope of life everlasting, Amen.
Special Thanks to our Worship Music Team, who continue to inspire us: Carrie Johnson, Cameron Greenlee, Alton Bentley, Lisa Sprague, and Steve Miller
Information & Events:
After the Easter worship experience, we continue our celebration with a Coffee Social in Memorial Garden and on porch. There will also be an Easter Egg Hunt for children of all ages on the Lawn at 11 a.m!
Movie Night Returns to Harbor Church! Upcoming Films:
SEATING IS LIMITED. No food will be served and all pandemic protocols will be observed. We hope you will come out to start socializing with us again as soon as you are ready!
The Senior Ride Service “SRS” is up and running! Courtesy of Block Island Senior Advisory Committee, provided through the taxi service of Sue Ann Miliken (401.742-0436) Cost is only $3.00 Round Trip. For more info, contact Gloria Redlich/ Sr. Coordinator: 401.486-9278 gloryb311@gmail.com or
A New Afghan! Thank You to Judy Mitchell for creating a work of art in the beautiful new Block Island Afghan for our raffle fund-raiser this year!
Virtual Worship Experience Sunday mornings at 10 am via live-stream.
With the reality of the ongoing pandemic, we have now expanded our viewing options: Live On our Facebook page:
Live On Zoom.
Meeting ID: 787 167 9609
** PASSWORD IS “worship”
One tap mobile +13017158592
Landline Phone Dial-in 301 715 8592 Passcode: 9767731
Recorded for later viewing On Youtube Channel “Pastor Peter Preiser” (‘Catch Up’ with past worship services here!)
Connections: Pastor Peter Preiser
For more resources:
• Our website: www.harborchurchblockisland.org
• Email Pastor Peter directly at: petrospaulos@hotmail.com
Electronic Giving Options are now available if you wish to donate to Harbor Church. Harbor Church is now offering the following options for those who wish to support the ongoing ministries of our church:
All Charitable contributions to Harbor Church are tax-deductible. Year-end statements are sent to all donors. All transactions are securely protected and encrypted. Info:
��Birthday Club News��
Hillary April 2
Edie Blane April 13
Donna Corey April 26
Easter Flowers Donations
The Flowers beautifying the sanctuary this morning were given by the following families in memory of loved ones:
Peggy & David Lewis For Alyce & Rob Lewis
Michele & Blake Phelan For Phelan & Ziobro Families
Bill Penn For Sally Stephens
Hillary & Andy Transue For Our Parents-Ethel & Colman Ives, and
Sally & Paul Marte For our Parents
Peter & Carrie For Frank Leslie and Bob Johnson
Renee Batchelder For the children
Lisa Sprague For Mom & Dad
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
The First Baptist Church of Block Island
Ministers to the World: All Members of the Harbor Church
Rev. Peter P. Preiser, Jr., Pastor
Contact Pastor Peter at 860-970-5695 or by email:
Church Office: 401-466-5940 Email: Website:
We are an affiliate of the American Baptist Churches, USA
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