PROVIDENCE CHURCH

APRIL 9, 2023

Welcome

Passing of the Peace: Though we are separated by distance our hearts are one in Christ. The peace of Christ be with you!  And also with you!

 

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.

Amen

 

 

Call to Worship:   1 Cor 15: 51-58

Leader:   Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

Congregation:  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.   When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

Leader:  “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

Congregation:  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.   But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

ALL:  Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 

Songs of Praise:

Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Charles Wesley, 1739; tune Lyra Davidica, 1708)

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia!

Sing ye heavens and earth, reply:  Alleluia!

 

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia!

Christ has burst the gates of hell:  Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids his rise; Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!

 

Lives again our glorious King; Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting?  Alleluia!

Once he died, our souls to 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!

 

Up from the Grave He Arose (Robert Lowry, 1874)

Low in the grave He lay—Jesus my Savior,

Waiting the coming day—Jesus my Lord.

 

Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with his saints to reign.

He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah! Christ arose!

 

Vainly they watch his bed—Jesus, my Savior;

Vainly they seal the dead—Jesus, my Lord.

 

Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with his saints to reign.

He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah! Christ arose!

 

Death cannot keep his prey—Jesus, my Savior;

He tore the bars away—Jesus, my Lord.

 

Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with his saints to reign.

He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah! Christ arose!

 

 

King of Kings (Brooke & Scott Ligertwood & Jason Ingram, 2019)

In the darkness, we were waiting
Without hope, without light
Till from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes.

To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt.

 

CHORUS:  Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings!

 

To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross.

For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side,
Knowing this was our salvation,
Jesus, for our sake You died.

 

CHORUS:  Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one.
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings!

 

And the morning that You rose
All of Heaven held its breath

Till that stone was moved for good,

For the Lamb had conquered Death.

And the dead rose from their tombs

And the angels stood in awe

For the souls of all who’d come

To the Father are restored.

And the Church of Christ was born

And the Spirit lit the flame

Now this gospel truth of old

Shall not kneel, shall not faint.

By his blood and in his name

In his freedom I am free

For the love of Jesus Christ

Who has resurrected me.

CHORUS:  Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings, Praise forever to the King of Kings!

 

 

He is Lord (Claire Cloninger, Linda Johnson, Tom Fettke, 1986  CCLI #1515225)

He is Lord, He is Lord!

He is risen from the dead, and He is Lord.

Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess

That Jesus Christ is Lord.

 

 

Confession/Assurance    2 Corinthians 4:7-18

 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power of God may be in Him and not of us.   We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.   For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

 

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.   For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.   For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are unseen are eternal.

 

Respond in Praise: 

 

Musical Offering: Hallelujah Chorus (G.F. Handel, arr. Hal Hopson) – Providence Choir

Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth,

Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world has become

the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,

And He shall reign for ever and ever:

King of kings and Lord of lords,

And He shall reign for ever and ever,

Hallelujah!

 

Scripture   Luke 24:1-49

  

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.   And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.   While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.   And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek 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 delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.   Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.   But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

 

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.   While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.   But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.   Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”   And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.   But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.   Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.   Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”   And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!   Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”   And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

 

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.   When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.   And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.   They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”   And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”   Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

 

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”  But  they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.   And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?   See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”   And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.   And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”   They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

 

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”   Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.   You are witnesses of these things.   And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.

 

”This is the Word of the Lord.   Thanks be to God!

 

Sermon  “Christ is Risen!”                                          

 

Hymn of Dedication

In Christ Alone (Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, 2002 CCLI #3350395)

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.

This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

 

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.

For every sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live.

 

There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His, and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

 

No guilt in life, no fear in death; this is the power of Christ in me.

From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand,

Till He returns or calls me home; here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

 

 

 

Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil:

for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.  Amen

 

 

 

Hymn of Thanksgiving

Crown Him with Many Crowns (Matthew Bridges, 1851; tune George Elvey, 1868)

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne;

hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,

and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

 

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,

and rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high,

who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that Death may die.

 

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose pow’r a scepter sways

from pole to pole that wars may cease and all be prayer and praise.

His reign shall know no end, and ‘round his pierced feet

fair flowers of paradise extend, their fragrance ever sweet.

 

Crown Him the Lord of love: behold his hands and side,

those wounds yet visible above, in beauty glorified.

All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me!

Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

 

 

 

Benediction 

 

KNOW

Welcome to Providence Church! We are glad that you are here, joining us in person or via Zoom!.

Sunday School:   Sunday School is at 11:15. Adult – Paula Rhodarmer will be teaching AND   Will/Christina are leading a study in Exodus.  Youth – Boyd Allsbrook is teaching.    Children’s Sunday School – boys meet downstairs and girls upstairs at the end of the hall.

Children of all ages are invited to participate in the entire service of worship.  Childcare for children up to 6 years of age, in our downstairs Christian Ed wing (on the left) at the end of the hallway.

Holy Week Schedule –

4/7 – 6:30pm – Good Friday Service

4/9 – 8:30am – Church wide Pancake Breakfast

4/9 – 9:45am –  Easter service (NO Sunday School)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! – Spring is just around the corner. With its arrival comes beautiful spring grass around the church. Unfortunately, that green grass needs cutting but this gives you an opportunity to serve in a unique, “cutting edge” way. If you are interested in helping us this summer we would love to have you come on board. We have the necessary equipment (riding mower, weed eaters and petro to feed them). We work in groups of two or more with a rotation of about once every 6 weeks. If you are interested, which I KNOW you are, please call Sam M.  at (828)734-1392.

 

 

GROW

Women’s Prayer Group – 10:15am Tuesday mornings, contact Linda Roberts,  828) 506-3101

Men’s Prayer Group – 6:45am Thursday mornings, contact Sam Mitchell,        (828) 734-1392

 

GO

Prayer Requests

Deaths:  Bill Silverthorne (prayers for Silverthorne family)

For Healing:  Renee Mitchell

For Mercy and Grace:  Bill and Glenda White, Robbie Hargrove