April 20th, 2025
Easter Sunday
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Dr. John G. Smith
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Reader: Kelly Adam
We Gather Together in Community
WELCOME:
OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND:
CALL to WORSHIP:
*Hymn: VU #155 “Jesus Christ is Risen” (Rewritten)
LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE:
OPENING PRAYER:
*HYMN: VU #409 “Morning Has Broken”
Theme Conversation: The Resurrection Garden
ANTHEM:
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
John 20: 1- 18
SERMON: “Your Body, Your Wounds, Your Love: All of you is sacred”
*HYMN: VU #352 “I Danced in the Morning”
We Respond to God’s Word
INVITATION to the OFFERING:
PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS:
Dear God, as we make this offering, we ask that your Spirit would transform it and us and all people, that your love may be revealed as we use these gifts to invite people into the story of Jesus. We do this and ask this in the name of the risen one. Amen.
PRAYERS of the PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER:
What’s up at Grace?
We Go Out to Serve
*CLOSING HYMN: VU # 173 “Thine is the Glory”
*COMMISSIONING:
*SUNG BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE:
Sonata in E flat, 3rd movement - J. Haydn
April 20th, 2025
Easter Sunday
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Dr. John G. Smith
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Reader: Kelly Adam
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.
We Gather Together in Community
PRELUDE:
Choral Prelude ‘Heut’ triumphiret Gottes Sohn’ - J.S. Bach
“A Stewardship Second:”
Where would we be if the women at the tomb had not shared what they experienced? Or if the disciples had not shared their stories? Or if people of vision had not shared their faith in your community? A legacy of sharing is why we are here. What do you have to share because of the resurrection?
WELCOME:
OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND:
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect. At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community. We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation. We acknowledge that they are the first stewards of this land and we respect their histories and past and present cultures. We will work to recognize and remove barriers to reconciliation.
CALL to WORSHIP:
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah indeed!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Today is the first day of a brand new world!
Today is the first day of a completely transformed world!
Today is the first day of our radically transformed hearts and souls:
We are alive, like we have never lived before!
We have touched the light of Christ,
And the light of Christ has become part of us!
For we have a story, we have a tale so hard to believe it’s hard not to believe it!
We have a promise from God; we have a whole new way of looking at life!
We have renewed hearts, renewed spirits, renewed courage,
Renewed strength, renewed resilience, renewed hope, renewed love,
Renewed compassion, renewed lives!
All through the story of Jesus, who lives again!
So today is the first day to proclaim again:
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Amen.
I’m pretty sure you’ve got the message now:
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
*Hymn: VU #155 “Jesus Christ is Risen” (Rewritten)
Jesus Christ is risen today (Hallelujah!)
Our triumphant holy day (Hallelujah!)
Who did once upon the cross (Hallelujah!)
Suffer to redeem our loss! (Hallelujah)
Truth to power Jesus spoke –
Caesar’s wrath he did provoke
“Love your God alone”, he cried.
For this he was crucified.
Friends all scattered then like sheep,
Mary, at his cross, did weep.
Earth and heaven mourned that day –
Evil seemed to have its way.
But on Sunday – at the tomb
Angel brilliance chased the gloom,
“He’s not here among the dead:
Be no longer filled with dread!”
Let us join those women strong!
Let us share the gospel song!
Youth and children, women, men,
In us all Christ lives again!
LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE:
On this Easter Sunday, we celebrate our new life in Christ:
for now we see the truth:
Jesus Christ was Love, clothed in Light.
We celebrate that Love cannot die, that Love will always win,
that Love will triumph over the worst darkness around us.
On this day, we see and know fully:
Jesus Christ was Love, clothed in Light.
As we light this candle,
Let us remember his love is our light
and it lives in us afresh this day:
We too are Love, clothed in light.
Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!
OPENING PRAYER:
In our prayers today, let us imagine a world completely transformed.
Let us imagine a world where love reigns supreme.
Let us imagine a world which values the things that matter most:
Love, compassion, kindness, hope, the idea that everyone has worth.
Let us imagine a world which is full of light,
which light is strong enough to put out the darkness and fear that is stalking the world these days.
Let us imagine a world where everyone has enough:
Enough to eat, enough rest, enough peace, enough love in their lives,
Enough to survive, enough blessings, enough security.
Let us imagine a world where everyone can be exactly who they want to be, a world of freedom and grace, a world of joy, and music, and dancing!
Now in these silent moments, let us begin to describe this completely new world.
(silent prayer)
Now let us share the thoughts we have prayed, together in this place:
(a time for sharing)
*HYMN: VU #409 “Morning Has Broken”
1 Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!
2 Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.
3 Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!
Theme Conversation: The Resurrection Garden
ANTHEM:
“Because He Lives” - W. J. Gaither
We Listen Together
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
John 20: 1- 18
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed, for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.
RESPONSE:
These words from scripture are meant to guide us, nurture us, and teach us.
Thanks be to God!
SERMON:
“Your Body, Your Wounds, Your Love:
All of you is sacred”
*HYMN: VU #352 “I Danced in the Morning”
1 I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
2 I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the dance went on.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
3 I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
4 I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the dance and I still go on.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
5 They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he.
Refrain
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
We Respond to God’s Word
INVITATION to the OFFERING:
It started thousands of years ago, when women shared their experience of the risen Christ with others in their circle. They in turn shared their experiences, and so on and so on, until here we are today. Now it is our turn. Let us share what Jesus’ resurrection means to us and give out of gratitude to enable the sharing to continue through this church.
PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS:
Dear God, as we make this offering, we ask that your Spirit would transform it and us and all people, that your love may be revealed as we use these gifts to invite people into the story of Jesus. We do this and ask this in the name of the risen one. Amen.
Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca, select “Donate” or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca or phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.
Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
or Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.
Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church Thornbury through CanadaHelps.org. Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register. Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving. Care, Prayer, Share
PRAYERS of the PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER:
What’s up at Grace?
We Go Out to Serve
*CLOSING HYMN: VU # 173 “Thine is the Glory”
1 Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where the body lay.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
2 Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb!
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth: death hath lost its sting.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
3 No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son:
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
*COMMISSIONING:
*SUNG BENEDICTION:
“Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day,
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true,
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, *within, around, above.
Go now in peace, in faith and in love.
Amen, amen, amen.
*alternate words: watching from above
POSTLUDE:
Sonata in E flat, 3rd movement - J. Haydn
SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
Stewardship Second & Invitation to the Offering & Prayer of Dedication of our Offerings from: © 2024 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.
Call to Worship: written by Rev J.G. Smith.
Prayers & Commissioning: written by Rev. J.G. Smith
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES:
-“Jesus Christ is Risen Today:” Juanita Austin © 2010. The Gathering .
-“Morning Has Broken:” Words: © Eleanor Farjeon, Children’s Bells, Oxford University Press. Reprinted by permission of David Higham Associates, 5-8 Lower John St., Golden Square, London W1R 4HA England. Music: Gaelic melody. Harmony: ©1982 Church Pension Fund. Used by permission . Words: David Higham Associates. Music: Public Domain. Harmony: Church Pension Fund. One License #608577.
-“I Danced in the Morning:” Words, Harmony: Sydney Carter 1963 © 1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd. Used by permission of Hope Publishing Company. Music: Shaker melody.
Words, Harmony: Hope Publishing Company, Stainer & Bell Ltd. Music: Public Domain. One License # 608577
-“Thine is the Glory:” Words: Edmond Louis Budry. Translation: Richard Birch Hoyle © 1925 World Student Christian Federation, Ecumenical Centre, 5 route des Morillons, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland. Music: Harmonia Sacra, arrangement from George Frideric Handel. Words, Translation: World Student Christian Federation. Music: Public Domain. One License #608577
-“Go Now in Peace” - Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price © 1988 Harold Flammer
Music, Inc. Alternate words used with permission. Reproduced with permission.
One License # 608577
Scripture Readings:
Holy Bible, New International Revised Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prelude: Choral Prelude ‘Heut’ triumphiret Gottes Sohn’ - J.S. Bach
Anthem: “Because He Lives” W. J. Gaither. Arrangement copyright © 1972 by William J. Gaither
Postlude: Sonata in E flat, 3rd movement J. Haydn
