The First Congregational Church

of the United Church of Christ

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

April 12, 2020

Easter

10:00 a.m.

You are invited to text the names of those attending to 617-513-0185 that we might welcome

you. You may also include prayers of joys and concerns that will be lifted later in worship.

PRELUDES Tracy Wilson and Andrea Bargabos

Selections from Little Preludes and Fugues, by J.S. Bach Noël Nouvelet Arr. Jennings Meditation from Thais by Massenet

READING & REMEMBERING From Matthew 27 Rev. Brent Damrow

INTROIT Were You There When they Crucified My Lord? Andrea Bargabos, violin

READING Matthew 28:1-10 Josh Hall

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 worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell

my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

EASTER PROCLAMATION

One: Christ is Risen!

All: Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

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HYMN

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WELCOME Rev. Brent Damrow

PASSING OF THE PEACE

TIME WITH CHILDREN Together

HYMN

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READING Jeremiah 31:1-6 Josh Hall

At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and

they shall be my people.

Thus says the Lord:

The people who survived the sword

found grace in the wilderness;

when Israel sought for rest,

the Lord appeared to him 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 virgin 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.’

EASTER MESSAGE Ressurection & Restoration Rev. Damrow

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HYMN

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EASTER PRAYERS

If you have not yet, please Text your Joys and Concerns to 617-513-0185.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Written by Thomas Merton

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though

I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen

INVITATION TO GIVE

OFFERTORYANTHEM I Know That My Redeemer Liveth from The Messiah by G.F. Handel

DOXOLOGY Lasst uns Erfeuen

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low; Alleluia, Alleluia

Praise Holy Spirit evermore; One God, Triune, whom we adore.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

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SENDING CHARGE Adapted from Mike Yager Josh Hall

One: In the dark of the early morning, it descended.

All: The very breath of God.

One: Dawn approached.

All: The Spirit filled the lungs of the Messiah, and his heart began to beat anew.

One: At the rising of the sun,

All: He awoke. He opened his eyes. He smiled. He rose. Victorious.

One: They say the tomb was empty,

All: But we know otherwise.

One: Sorrow and mourning. Left behind.

All: Fear and shame. Left behind.

One: Sin and death. Left behind.

All: Our old ways and our old selves. Left behind.

One: Go now to live and to love.

All: We go to proclaim the Good News with our lips and our lives.

One: Christ is Risen

All: Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia

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HYMN

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BENEDICTION Rev. Damrow

POSTLUDE Alleluia from Exsultate Jubilate by W.A. Mozart Andrea Bargabos, soprano Thank you to all who made this online service possible. We are an Open and Affirming Church, inviting persons of every sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, racial and cultural identity, age, physical ability, economic circumstance, faith background and family structure to share fully in the ministry, leadership and fellowship of this congregation’s life in Christ.

Ways to stay connected:

• Pastor Brent will be out of the Office Monday and Tuesday this week.

• Pastor’s Open Office Hours—M/W/F Noon—2:00 p.m.

• Morning Prayer— Wednesday 8:00—8:30 a.m.

• Bible Study—Fridays 2:00 p.m.

• Coming Soon—Sabbath Small Groups—Email Pastor Brent

(bdamrow@stockbridgeucc.org) or call the church office to sign up.

The Rev. Brent Damrow, Pastor

Will Garrison, Administrator | Ron Hanft, Financial Secretary

(413)298-3137

All hymns reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723107

For information about

First Congregational Church, UCC, Stockbridge,

Please visit our website

stockbridgeucc.org

To receive weekly emails, please contact Will at office@stockbridgeucc.org