THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
ST. MARK’S COMMUNITY OF FAITH
Port Hawkesbury, NS
Easter Sunday Service
April 4, 2021, 3:00 p.m.
Pulpit Supply: Pastor Keith Wiseman, DLM
Pianist: Mr. Adam Cooke
WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AND APPROACH GOD
Introit: “God Is Not Dead, God Is Alive”
Lighting of the Christ Candle:
Welcome:
May the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.
And also with you.
Call To Worship:
Jesus said to Mary, “Woman, why do you weep?”
Mary wept because all she could see in front of her was death!
She had lost her beloved teacher and friend.
Jesus says to us, “My people, why do you weep?”
Because, so often, all we can see in front of us is death.
We often lose sight of our path because of the tears and fears.
When Mary recognized the Christ, he said,
“I am ascending to my father and your father… to my God and your God!”
And so, we look for the Christ in the new life that grows within and without.
We remember that death has lost its sting.
We celebrate that we are one with the risen Christ, and part of the family and household of God.
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen!
Hymn: “Morning Has Broken” VU #409
Gathering Prayer, Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance:
WE LISTEN FOR GOD'S WORD
Prayer of Illumination:
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm118: 1-2 & 14-24
A Reading From the Hebrew Scriptures: Isaiah 25: 6-9
Reading from the Gospel of Jesus Christ: John 20 1-18
Hymn: “Welcome, Happy Morning” VU #161
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD
Sermon: “Signs of Life Everywhere” Pastor Keith Wiseman
Hymn: “Spirit of the Living God” VU #376
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Prayers of the People:
THE LIFE AND WORK OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Announcements & Minute For Mission:
Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” VU #541
Dedication of Offering:
Jesus gave all he had, and continued to give even beyond the grave. He just couldn’t help it. Bless these gifts with that extraordinary love.
SENDING FORTH
Closing Hymn: “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” VU #155
We bless one another as we go into the world:
Go with Easter joy deep within your heart.
Go with Easter songs singing on your lips.
Go with the message of Easter in your heart that God loves us and will
never leave us.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Church Services for April
Scripture Readers
April 11th – Iaian Langley
April 25th – Vida Hood
Minute for Mission Readers
April 11th –Yvonne Fox
April 25th – Katherine Langley
Memorial Donation
To the General Fund: In Loving Memory of parents Hazel & Harry Smith and brother Sonny from Roy, Sharon and families.
St. Mark’s will resume weekly Church services when Barbara Blois MacNaughton begins her ministry on May 2nd at 9:30 am.
Committee Meeting - Worship & Pastoral Care
Tuesday April 13th – 7PM
The next Prayer Shawl Knitting meeting will be April 19th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the Church hall. Masks must be worn. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed regarding safe distancing and sanitizing. There will be no access to the kitchen.
Volunteers are needed to help with the Collection Counting. There is a Sign-Up sheet in the Narthex. Your willingness will be greatly appreciated.
Food Bank donations will be received on the last Sunday of each month.
Can You Help?
On April 26th, 27th and 28th from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm we will be doing the following: Cleaning windows & floors in the lobby, church and hall, cleaning the washrooms, wiping down the pews, dusting & vacuuming, and refreshing the Parlor. This is a general spring cleaning all in preparation of the arrival of the Minister on May 2nd.
Should you be physically unable to help, could you be able to make a donation for the purchase of cleaning supplies?
Thanks in advance for your anticipated cooperation.
The Bulletin and Announcements are now published in full
on the blog. The address is: ourcontactonline.blogspot.com
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Marks’s United Church accepts
and welcomes all people as we
grow in acceptance, learn, love,
and share our Christian faith in
God’s love. We will celebrate
God’s presence and advance
God’s purpose within our local
community and the global village
by applying Christ’s teachings to
our daily lives.
