Welcome
Happy Easter!
I am Russell Clark and I am the senior minister here at Azle Christian Church. Today is Easter Sunday where we celebrate that Jesus Christ has risen from the grave!
We like for everyone to know a few things before we begin worship every week.
(1) If you’re a guest today, we’re so happy you’re here! Filling out the attendance registration in your pew helps us connect names with faces and sharing your e-mail helps us to connect you to our weekly newsletter. There are information brochures in your pew to get to know us more and there is information about our weekly activities and calendar in your bulletin.
(2) Second, we love our children here in worship and we always welcome them here. There is a kids corner in the back if your children need a space to move around. There is also a nursery available if you’d like. [TBD - We’re in the process of improving our nursery and bringing back children’s church soon. Parents, we’re asking you to get in the habit of signing in your child before the service if you plan to take them to the nursery or children’s church after children’s moment.]
(3) Finally, our liturgy is posted each week on the website if you would like to follow along with our service.
Will you pray with me as we begin this time of worship?
Lord – We rejoice in your resurrection and new life on this Easter Sunday. May we feel the power of your love in our hearts this morning releasing us from our junk to truly come alive in you. Amen.
Opening Songs: Blessed Assurance #543
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Perfect submission, perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphans a son and daughter?
The King of glory, the King of glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy, worthy, worthy
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
All that You've done for me
Litany of Faith – Susie Hiles
One: This is the day the Lord has made!
All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
One: Christ is risen!
All: He is risen indeed!
One: This is our story! This is our song!
All: Life is worth the living because we know He lives. Amen.
Scripture Meditation – John 20:15-16
“Jesus asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). – John 20:15-16
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
We are starting a new sermon series today called “Questions Jesus Asked.” Questions are not something to shy away from, but are a vibrant part of our spiritual growth. We can’t find the answers if we don’t ask the questions. Questions help us grow.
Jesus asked 307 questions that are recorded in the bible. We’ll look at some of these questions and what Jesus taught us by asking these questions for us to ponder.
Today we’ll be looking at Jesus’ question to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection:
“Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Consider the answer to this question in your own life today as we prepare for the sermon and enter our time of prayer.
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Lord, we lay before the empty tomb today looking for you. We sit in the upper room with our friends waiting for a sign of where to go next.
Reveal yourself to us today, O Lord. Show us your resurrected body. Show us the rest of the story.
Bring freedom and grace and healing and joy and new life that only you can bring. Bring resurrection in our lives today where we are filled with your Holy Spirit and commissioned to go out into this world to transform lives by this good news of your unconditional, everlasting love.
“I have seen the Lord!”
Let us cry out just as Mary Magdalene did. Let us share this good news that oppression should cease, that those outside might be included, and that all persons may receive this love.
For those suffering, those who have been through a tragic event, and those still grieving their own losses at the tomb, may you appear to them in their grief and wipe away their tears.
May you resurrect us all from our broken and imperfect lives to live this day anew. May you roll away the tomb that keeps us from seeing you in our midst.
And Lord, will you hear us as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us…
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
Forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation
But Deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
RESPONSIVE HYMN – Because He Lives #562
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he brings;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Children’s Moment – Joey Garcia
Sharing Our Resources
There are many ways to support the ministries of Azle Christian Church. You can give online on our website, on Venmo, use the QR code in your bulletin, or place it in the offering plate as the deacons come by during our anthem. You can also put in a prayer request card or information card in the plate.
Anthem – Mary Magdalene – Ashley Lagunas
Doxology - Praise God from whom all blessing flow; praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer – Susie Hiles
Sermon Series: Questions Jesus Asked
Sermon: “Woman, Why Are You Crying? Who is it you are looking for?” – Rev. Russell Clark
Holy Communion Meditation & Prayer – Susie Hiles
Communion Song – How Great Thou Art #33
Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
We believe Jesus Christ is the gracious host at this table.
Everyone is welcome to participate in communion. Please pass tray to your neighbor after receiving your communion cups. Please help those who need assistance. Hold cups until instructed by Elder to take in unison.
Holy Communion Words of Institution – Susie Hiles
Invitation – If you would like to make your statement of faith or become a member of ACC, you may come forward after the benediction or talk to our minister after worship.
*Announcements & Benediction – Rev. Russ Clark
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A few announcements for this week before our benediction:
You can find information on the back of your bulletin about our weekly activities, such as Sunday School, our Ukulele Group, our Wednesday dinner and bible study, and our prayer group. In the insert, you will find our calendar to transfer to your personal calendars. We also have a google calendar on our website to add to your personal calendar.
This Tuesday I will be at central park at 9:30 in the morning to walk the circle and pray for our church & community if anyone would like to join me!
This Saturday we will have a work day from 8-11am to prepare the outside of the church for our Block Party. So come ready to do yard work!
Next Sunday, the youth will have a fun park day from 3-5 at central park and they’ll be passing out flyers for our block party.
Also next Sunday, we will have Bible & Beer at Rick Seed’s house at 5pm. At bible & beer, we have a bible study, great conversation, and we always have snacks and beverages. You don’t have to drink beer, but of course you can!
Our Community Block Party will be Saturday, April 13 from 11-2. We will have live bands, food, frios gourmet pops, bounce house, petting zoo, face painting from our very own Carol, and crafts with Kathy & Jeannie. The purpose of this event is to make our church more visible by throwing an epic party for our community! As Rick said, “Azle Christian Church is the best kept secret in Azle.” I don’t want us to be a secret anymore! We need to show our community who we are because we’re OWESOME!
We will be making an order for t-shirts with our logo and “be who you are with us” very soon. One of the main things to make this event successful is we need everyone to have one of these shirts. T-shirts will be $25(?) and will help offset some of the cost for the event. Jessie, Joey, Beverly, Jackson, and I have all been involved in planning this event. We need you to (1) buy a shirt and (2) spread the word & invite your friends to this block party!
Again, be sure to check our calendar for all we have coming up in April! Can you believe it’s already April tomorrow?!
Finally, If you or someone you know needs a visit OR has a prayer request OR would like home communion, you may contact the church office or contact me directly.
BENEDICTION –
Will you please rise in body and in spirit to receive this benediction?
May you see the Resurrected Jesus in your midst. May more of Jesus be revealed to you as you ponder the questions Jesus asked us… and as you find yourselves free to ask more questions yourselves.
Have a blessed Easter with your loved ones!
Amen.
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing #16
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here by Thy great help I've come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
(Precious blood)
Oh, that day when freed from sinning
I shall see Thy lovely face
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace
Come my Lord, no longer tarry
Take my ransomed soul away
Send Thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless days
Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Here's my heart
Oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above