THE EASTER FESTIVAL SERVICE
IN CELEBRATION OF
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
April 5, 2015
Covenant Presbyterian Church
230 E. Jefferson Street
Butler, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. James E. Swanson, Pastor
Home Phone: (724) 752-8383
Church Office: (724) 287-7731
Fax Number: 866-309-2674
Website: http://covenantbutler.org
The Order of Worship
for Celebration of
THE RESURRECTION OF
JESUS CHRIST
Eleven O’clock
Easter Sunday ~ April 5, 2015
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!” ~ Matthew 28:6
Pastor: Dr. James E. Swanson
Liturgist: Nancy Blewett
Organist / Choir Director: Miss Beverly Antis
FESTIVAL PRELUDE
The Morning of the Third Day
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Lani Smith
G. F. Handel
arr. /abr. Franklin Ritter
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Robert Lau
Fanfares on "Easter Hymn"
Robert Lau
*THE EASTER PROCLAMATION
Pastor:
People:
Pastor:
People:
Come and see: the tomb is empty! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN 123
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
EASTER HYMN
*PRAYER OF ADORATION
PSALM OF THE DAY
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
(Pew Bible OT p. 542)
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
CORPORATE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, who on this day brought from the dead our
Lord Jesus Christ: we confess that we have not lived in the
certainty of Easter’s triumph.
Our Savior reigns, yet we have not trusted Him fully. The
powers of darkness have been defeated, yet our hearts have
been faint with fear.
Pardon us, O God, for all our offenses. Forgive our sin and
restore to us the joy of Your salvation. Amen.
A TIME FOR SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Pastor: Friends, hear the Good News! The powers of darkness
have been put to flight and the chains of death have been
removed.
The Lord chastens us but does not surrender us to defeat.
He delivers us and in him we win the battle.
Worshipping friends, let us proclaim the Good News!
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
*THE GLORIA PATRI 579
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
GLORIA PATRI
The Apostles’ Creed (Traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived
by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended
into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the
Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick
and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the
communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection
of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*THE GREETINGS OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
SHARING OF JOYS, CONCERNS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHORAL PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks
Donald Fishel
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His Name.
Spread the good news o’er all the earth,
Jesus has died and has risen.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His Name.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Isaiah 25: 6-9
(Pew Bible OT p. 619)
Liturgist: This is the word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Acts 10: 34-43
EPISTLE LESSON
(Pew Bible NT p. 51)
Liturgist: Here ends the reading of the epistle.
People: Praise be to you, O Lord.
Mark 16:1-8
*GOSPEL READING
(Pew Bible NT p. 109)
Pastor: This is the word of our Lord.
People: Glory to you, O Christ.
*CONGREGATIONAL CANTICLE
(Hymn 111, vs. 1 and 2)
Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!
GELOBT SEI GOTT
Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Lord of life is risen today!
Bring flowers of song, bedeck the way;
Let every tongue rejoice and say:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
“ I TOLD YOU SO ! ”
SERMON
PULPIT HYMN 115
Dr. Swanson
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
ST. KEVIN
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER (using debts and debtors)
THE CHORAL AMEN
Three Fold Amen
Beverly Antis
PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, GIFTS
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Rejoice! Our Christ Is Risen!
Jonathan Willcocks
Rejoice, our Christ is risen! He died that we might live!
His promises are faithful, our faults He will forgive.
Rejoice, rejoice forever, our peace He will restore.
His blessings are unfailing, His love is evermore.
The Easter bells are ringing. They sound the news today.
He's risen unto glory, to show us all the way.
Rejoice, rejoice forever, our peace He will restore.
His blessings are unfailing, His love is evermore.
Rejoice, the Lord victorious, Hear the voices swell!
He reigns above all glorious, our God, Immanuel1
Rejoice, rejoice forever, our peace He will restore.
His blessings are unfailing, His love is evermore.
Rejoice, our Christ is risen! His love is evermore!
—G. E. Oliver, adapted by Niel Lorenz
*THE DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
*THE UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Almighty God, who in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
has given us victory, we yield our lives and our substance
to you.
Consecrate these tithes and offerings, and empower us,
through the ministries you have given, to work for the
establishment of your reign and to proclaim Christ’s
triumph over death and despair.
Unto you alone do we give all the glory and honor.
Amen.
*THE RECESSIONAL HYMN 122
Thine Is the Glory
JUDAS MACCABEUS
*THE BENEDICTION
*THE CHORAL RESPONSE
Alleluia Chant Mode VI
*THE TIME OF SILENCE
*THE CHARGE & DISMISSAL
Pastor:
People:
Pastor:
People:
Pastor:
People:
May our risen Lord Jesus Christ himself, and
God our Father, who loved us and graciously gave us
eternal encouragement and good hope,
now encourage our hearts and strengthen us
in every good deed and word.
Amen.
Christ is risen, just as he said!
He is risen indeed!
So let us go in peace and serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
THE POSTLUDE
Toccata for the Morning of Easter
Gilbert M. Martin
_________________________________________________
* THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND
YOU WERE GREETED TODAY by John Prichard.
Welcome !
Grace and Peace to All !
We are delighted to have you with us in worship today!
If you are visiting, please sign one of the cards in the pew rack,
and place it in the offering plate when passed.
Following worship, please join us for Fellowship Time in the
Assembly Room downstairs, so we may meet and greet you.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR EASTER FELLOWSHIP TIME !
Immediately following worship each
Sunday we gather for a time of “food and
fellowship.”
On this Easter Sunday, please help
yourself to pastries and beverages
provided in the Assembly Room
downstairs.
Please linger a bit longer after worship…
enjoy the fellowship and food!
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED
IN OBSERVANCE OF EASTER
Tomorrow, Monday, April 6th
You may still leave voice mail on the
church phone 724-287-7731 or call
Pastor Jim – 724-712-1407
___________________________________________
Flowers may be picked up
today … IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING THE EASTER
WORSHIP SERVICE.
Remember to first check the
master list so that you receive the
flowers you ordered and that your name is marked as having
received your plant(s).
___________________________________________
THE ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING …
If you have not had a chance to
contribute to this special offering, you
may place your One Great Hour of
Sharing envelope on this morning’s
offering plate.
Extra envelopes are available in the
narthex. Make checks payable to
Covenant Presbyterian Church, marked
One Great Hour in the memo portion.
The People for Peace
This Thursday, April 9th
@ 11AM ~ Assembly Room
ASSIGNMENT: Ch. 15, 16 (pp. 113 - 130)
REMAINING CLASSES:
Apr. 9; Apr. 23; and May 14
Study Book: “Respectable Sins”
by Dr. Jerry Bridges
See Nancy Rice for more information.
FYI: No Choir Rehearsal
this Thursday, April 9th.
______________________________________________________
In The Life of Our Church
______________________________________________________
Prayer Concerns, Birthdays and Anniversaries:
available in the printed bulletin
but removed from the online version
to ensure confidentiality
_________________________________________
Spring Concert
The Bach Society Presents
“Wondrous Love”
(under the direction of David T. Mruk )
 Friday, April 24th @ 7:30 p.m.
Center Presbyterian Church, Slippery Rock
Saturday, April 25th @ 7:30 p.m.
Tower Presbyterian Church, Grove City
Admission is free
A CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
201 W. Jefferson St., Butler, PA
(724-287-6741)
Sunday, April 26th @ 3:00 PM
(in St. Mark’s Sanctuary)
Featuring …
GOSPEL MUSIC, SPIRITUALS, & OLD TESTAMENT PSALMS
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MUSIC AND ARTS ACADEMY
under the direction of Sandy Rubright
Freewill Offering ~ Reception to follow
HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE
The Butler Musical Theatre Guild
presents
MUSIC BY ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER / LYRICS BY TIM RICE
The rise of the First Lady of Argentina who won the
love of her countrymen after marrying military
leader-turned-president Juan Peron.
Succop Theater
Butler County Community College Campus
April 24th (Friday) @ 8 PM
April 25th (Saturday) @ 8 PM
April 26th (Sunday Matinee) @ 3 PM
TICKETS: $17 – adults / $15 – students / $12 – groups
To Reserve Tickets:
Call 724-287-8243
(Sundays through Wednesdays 7-9 pm)
To Pay The Ultimate Price…
The last few weeks have been a reminder of the “cost” of claiming
Christ as Lord and Savior.
The Somalian Islamist group al-Shabab has
claimed responsibility for several recent
attacks as retaliation for Kenyan military
operations in Somalia.
Following a deadly siege at the Westgate shopping complex in
Nairobi, Kenya where at least 62 people were killed and more than
170 were injured, the group struck again in Pakistan, killing at more
than 80 people when two suicide bombers blew themselves up
outside All Saints' Church in Peshawar as worshippers were leaving
Sunday Mass.
Then last Thursday, April 2, al-Shabab massacred 147 people and
wounded scores of others at Garissa University College in Kenya.
Hurling grenades and firing automatic rifles, the gunmen stormed
the university as students were sleeping, shooting dead dozens
before setting Muslims free and holding Christians and others
hostage.
The death toll is the highest in a terror attack on Kenyan soil since
the U.S. Embassy was bombed in 1998. More than 200 people died
in that Nairobi blast.
According to The Pew Research Center, over 75% of the world's
population lives in areas with severe religious restrictions (and
many of these people are Christians). Also, according to the United
States Department of State, Christians in more than 60 countries
face persecution from their governments or surrounding neighbors
simply because of their belief in Jesus Christ.
The Bible calls us to be a voice for the voiceless. Psalm 82:3 says,
"Stand up for those who are weak and for those whose fathers have
died. See to it that those who are poor and those who are beaten
down are treated fairly." Let us not forget to pray for our
persecuted Christian sisters and brothers, wherever they may be.
Easter Song
--Hymntext by M. Allen Pote
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing
That You can be born again.
Here the bells ringing, they're singing
Christ is risen from the dead.
The angel up on the tombstone
Said “He has risen, just as He said;
Quickly now, go tell His disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead!”
Joy to the world
He has risen, Hallelujah, He has risen, Hallelujah!
He's risen, Hallelujah!
Easter & Spring
Flowers of Remembrance
April 5, 2015
Beverly Antis
in honor of the Musicians
who enrich the worship services
Amy Cannard
in memory of James & June Cannard
Audrey Carlson
for the splendor of Easter worship
Rosamond Curry
in memory of my husband, Jim
Debbie Enyeart
in memory of Herbert & Grace H. Enyeart
Helen Ferguson
in memory of Romaine MacDonald
Donna Hobaugh
in memory of Richard W. Hobaugh (husband)
in memory of Richie B. Hobaugh (son)
Vivas Macoskey
in memory of Loved Ones gone
Bob & Ione Mathias
in memory of Loved Ones
Joe Nemmer & Bob Young
in memory of Betty Nemmer
& in memory of Earl & Mary Young
John Prichard
in memory of Anna Marie Prichard
John Reefer
in memory of my aunts, Roberta & Florence Bauer
Bill & Nancy Rice
in memory of Our Parents and Grandparents
Tom & Debbe Snow
in memory of Romaine MacDonald
The Swanson family ~Karen, Jim, Danny, Leah,
Andy & Shari
in memory of Our Parents & Grandparents
-- Vernon & Betty, George & Helen
in memory of Rogelio Guimong, Shari’s father
This Wednesday, April 8
The People for Peace will be taking a trip to the
Phipps Conservatory
& Botanical Gardens
SPRING FLOWER SHOW
If you plan to make this trip,
You’ll need to be at the
Trinity Lutheran Church Parking Lot
no later than 9:00 a.m.
this Wednesday, April 8.
We will be riding together in the
Trinity Church van,
generously offered to
Covenant Church for this trip.
Trinity Lutheran Church is located at:
120 Sunset Drive (just at the edge of Clearview Mall)