OPENING PRAYER (in unison) on it.

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white

Quote for Reflection: We praise you, Jesus, because Good Friday as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead
May God bless you with enough foolishness met Easter Day and Life has won! (clap 1X) men.
to believe that you really can The grave could not hold Jesus! (clap 2X) But the angel said to the women, Do not be afraid; I know
make a difference in this world, Faith and love are stronger than death! (clap 3X) that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here;
so that you are able, with God's grace, Christ is Risen! Christ is risen indeed! (clap 4X) for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he
to do what others claim cannot be done. lay. Then go quickly and tell the other disciples, He has been
Alleluia and Amen! (applause!)
Franciscan Blessing 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.
PRAISE Shine, Jesus, Shine! 2173
Christ the Lord Is Risen, Yesu 2116 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran
-We Gather as Gods People- Easter Siyahamba 2235b to tell the disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said,
vs.1 We are marching in the light of God . . . Greetings! And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and
PRELUDES Christ Burst the Bars of Death! Lani Smith vs. 2 We are loving in the light of God . . . worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid; go
Easter Fanfares Arr. Lau vs. 3 Alleluia, Jesus lives today (4x) and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will
Alleluia, Alleluia, Oh! see me.
Alleluia, Jesus lives today
WELCOME
One: Can you hear the sun rise? WE GREET ONE ANOTHER ANTHEM The Angel Rolled the Stone Away
Many: Shhhhhhh!
One: Can you hear the stone roll away?
Many: Shhhhhhh!
YOUNG PEOPLES MESSAGE -We Respond to Gods Word-
One: Can you hear the angels laugh? OPENING TO GOD REFLECTION Lifequakes
Many: Shhhhhhh! God, grant me to be silent before You
One: Can you hear the silence break? that I might hear You. HYMN Alleluia, Alleluia 162
Many: Alleluia! At rest in You that You might work in me.
One: Nothing can keep us quiet any longer Open to You that You may enter. PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
for Christ is risen! Empty before You that You may fill me. God of resurrection,
Many: Alleluia! (getting louder each time) Let me be still and know that You are God. Where there is fear today, bring hope
Alleluia! -Silence- Where there is death today, bring love
Alleluia! Let me bathe in your words. Where there is injustice today, bring freedom
Let me soak up your silence. Where there is oppression today, bring life
HYMN Christ the Lord Is Risen Today 302 Let me hear your voice. Where there is brokenness today, bring reconciliation
Let me enter your quiet. Where there is numbness today, bring grace
CALL TO WORSHIP based on Acts 4:33 Let me tell out your stories. May your story of resurrection come to life again today.
Testify, Church! Christ is risen! Let me enclose them within me.
Testify! Christ is risen! Let me be the spaces PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORDS PRAYER
With your voices! Christ is risen! between phrases
Testify! Christ is risen! where you make your home. OFFERING & DOXOLOGY
With your love! Christ is risen!
Testify!
With good works!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen! -We Listen for Gods Word- -We Are Sent Into Gods World-
Testify! Christ is risen! BENEDICTION
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 28:1-10
Let your light shine! Christ is risen!
Testify! Christ is risen! After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, RESPONSE Halle, Halle, Halleluja 2026a
Hear the good news! Christ is risen! Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And
Christ is risen indeed! suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, POSTLUDE Easter Fanfare Paxton
descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat
 Birthdays & Anniversaries Announcements, cont.
April 16 - Otis Cleveland April 18 - Nancy Bartlett Nursery Help Needed! Our church is blessed with toddlers and
April 19 - Marjorie St. John April 21 - Noah Heffernan preschoolers! Our gallant nursery crew aim to provide the parents of

Easter Sunday
April 21 - Max Phillips April 22 - Angela Scott these children with some spiritual time away from their little ones.
Sally Jablonski, our nursery coordinator, is looking for a couple
Essex Eats Out Schedule more volunteers to help staff the nursery. If you would like to help
please contact Sally at sallyjablonski317@gmail.com or
Apr 21 - St. James Apr 28 - EUMC (319)321-2118 (volunteers will need to have a background check.)
May 5 - 1st Congregational May 12 - Holy Family
May 19 - St. James May 26 - EUMC Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no longer
get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor, Anne
Kennison (new address: sticky labels with her new address available
Calendar on Heidis desk), Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma Strickland,
Nancy Bartlett. The other addresses are in the church directory.
Mon, 17 Apr: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm.
Finish The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

Tue 18 AprilThu, 27 April: Pastor Mitch will be in KS for his Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
fathers 80th birthday. He then will be in North Andover, MA for Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Board of Ordained Ministry interviews of ministry candidates. Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
The Rev. Barb Lemmel is available for pastoral emergencies.
Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont.
Sun, 23 Apr: Zach Hoag preaches. 10:00 am Tim John & Nancy Bartlett
Lenore Judy & Diezela
Fri, 28 Apr: WoWW Luncheon - at Pork & Pickle (behind Michael Parker Matthew C.
Karen's Kloset on Park Street) 11:30am Ralph & LeeAnn Brenda
Keenan
Essex Eats Out at Essex UMC 5:30 pm
Arlitha Lifted Up Last Sunday
Tues, 2 May: Office Hours: Callie Judy - joy for granddaughters
Phoenix Books 10:00 am Grace Naylor graduation & that she has found a job
Church Office noon Anne Kennison in Burlington
Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm Gloria McKeen Gil - friend, procedure
Mary Willard Roger - celebration of Passover
Wed, 3 May: Green Mountain Nursing Home 2:30 pm
Norma Strickland

Announcements
The Food Shelf needs Vegetables (no green beans!) Soup, Peanut Essex Center United Methodist Church
Butter, Tuna, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans. essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox Empty Tomb, artist unknown
Jars Needed! A collection box for small, clean, label free baby jars
is downstairs for recycling. We will refill them with fresh jam for Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
our holiday baskets. Questions, call Vickie (879-7515). cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net

Prayer Cards available on the narthex table- let someone know we

Office Manager: Heidi Evans
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard Essex Center
are thinking & praying for them. Guitar: Richard Randazzo Song Leader: Dana Thomas
Projection: Sam Evans United Methodist Church
Usher & Greeter Schedule for May & June is in the Narthex Greeters - Norm Thompson
Ushers - Craig & Heidi Evans, Jan Randazzo 16 April 2017