SUNDAY WORSHIP AND PRAYER
During the Time of Coronavirus
PREPARE
Set aside 1 hour of uninterrupted time.
Put on your best clothes.
Choose a good location in your home, a living room or around the kitchen table.
Set out a bouquet of flowers (if you are able).
If you have very young children who will not be able to engage, consider choosing your time of worship during their nap time or after bedtime.
If you have young children who may be able to engage with part or all of the time, tell them ahead of time and think about some things they might do while you listen to the sermon and discuss it. (Craft projects like coloring a picture, writing a letter to a neighbor, building a bible scene with legos or blocks, etc.)
Resist the impulse to multi-task. When you are praying, listening, and singing - let it be the only thing you are doing.
Leader:
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People:
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
[ring bells, clap, shout, dance - and say the above a few more times for good measure]
Leader:
Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels.
People:
Let your trumpets shout salvation
For the victory of our mighty King.
Leader:
Rejoice and sing now, all round the earth,
People:
Bright with glorious splendor,
For darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.
Leader:
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
[light a candle]
Leader:
The light of Christ!
People:
Thanks be to God!
SING:
[Singing together:]
CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY
Charles Wesley, Paul Sjolund / CCLI #4665089
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
All creation, join to say Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise. 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!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
READ: John 20:1-10
LISTEN:
SING:
[Singing together:]
JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE
Henry Van Dyke, Ludwig van Beethoven / CCLI #25321
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the dark of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!
All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus
which the morning stars began;
love divine is reigning o’er us,
joining all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward
in the triumph song of life.
[Singing together:]
CHRIST HAS ARISEN, ALLELUIA
Bernard Kyamanywa, Howard S. Olson, Tanzanian Folk Tune / CCLI #4449212
Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb,
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
For three long days the grave did its worst
Until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo;
And in its conquest His might did show.
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
The angel said to them, “Do not fear!
You look for Jesus who is not here.
See for yourselves the tomb is all bare;
Only the grave cloths are lying there.”
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!“
Go spread the news: He’s not in the grave;
He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done;
Even the battle with sin is won.”
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
Christ has arisen; He sets us free;
Alleluia, to Him praises be.
Jesus is living! Let us all sing;
He reigns triumphant, heavenly King.
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
CONFESSION [Silence is kept. All kneeling.]
People:
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done;
and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare all those who confess their faults.
Restore all those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
Leader:
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS OF HOPE & THANKSGIVING [all kneel]
For the peace of the whole world, and for the well being and unity of the people of God.
For the faithful ministry of our Parish, our Diocese, our Province, and the global Anglican Communion.
For the good and fruitful proclamation of the Gospel in our city and in the world.
For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith.
For our city and nation, for those in authority, and for all in public service who serve the common good.
For all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
For all who have departed this life in the certain hope of resurrection, in thanksgiving, let us pray.
For all other needs that weigh heavy on our hearts and all blessings for which we are grateful.
Leader:
Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED [all stand]
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER [all kneel]
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
COLLECT FOR EASTER DAY
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may, by your life-giving Spirit, be delivered from sin and raised from death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
COLLECT FOR THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Great Physician, who healed the sick, cured the blind and deaf and raised the dead, and who throughout all history holds dominion over disease and death: Arrest, cure, and eradicate the Coronavirus COVID-19, heal those who have been afflicted, and comfort those who have suffered due to this scourge; that those who suffer may know your healing heart and hand, that those who are anxious or burdened may know your comfort and your peace that passes understanding, that the watching world may know your sovereign authority, [prevailing] power, mercy, and grace, and that all may come to know and worship you; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
When you are finished, extinguish the candle, thank each other for their prayers,
and return to your work with glad and grateful hearts.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAY WITH A MEMBER OF THE CARE TEAM
Members of the Care Team will be available to pray with you Sunday morning, April 12 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Please text Halie Comeau (804-501-6077) or Josh Betts (804-399-1227) before calling so that if they are on the phone with someone else they can call you back. Click below to call Halie or Josh.
BRING A GROWING FAMILY A MEAL
Congratulations to Malcolm and Jess Norris and Nelson and Anne Smith! Both couples recently welcomed children into the world. Please consider signing up to drop off a meal on their porch and join us in giving thanks for the gift of these precious new lives!
MEET YOUR NEW VESTRY MEMBERS
Bethany Lansing and Matt Morgan were elected to the vestry by the popular vote of Redeemer members. Please welcome them and thank David VanEsselstyn and Mae Carlson who are stepping down in April after finishing their terms. We're grateful for the leaders the Lord has given us!
STAFF TRANSITION FOR REDEEMER KIDS MINISTRY
Click here to read a letter from Nancy Reynolds, Redeemer Kids Ministry Director.
JUSTICE & MERCY UPDATE
There are many practical ways we can serve and love our neighbors during this time of social distancing. See the list below and email Teryn Morgan for more information on where you and your family would like to serve.
Note: We need LOTS of prayer for the Virginia Home. They have had several positive cases of COVID-19 and have residents who are at a higher risk for complications.
For individuals - 1) Become a driver to deliver food and other supplies to Richmond public school students + families, foster families, and other homes within our missional partner network. 2) Sew masks to support our missional partners and volunteers in the city.
For families - 1) Pray for and reach out to residents of the Virginia Home. According to Annie Kennedy, they could use "lots of encouragement and positivity in the form of letters, emails, facebook posts, etc." 2) Add "wish list" items to VA Kids Belong foster care kits to support foster families.
For small groups - Create a full foster family care kit through guidelines from VA Kids Belong.
ONLINE GIVING
If you're accustomed to giving during worship on Sunday mornings, you can use Redeemer's online giving option to make a one-time gift or set up recurring gifts. Click here.
