Not an easy Sunday sermon with so much going on this week - the Boston Marathon bombings, the explosion in West, Texas, the earthquake in China. But these are the Sundays it's especially a blessing to come together for worship, prayer and mutual support.
Dan's offertory, God Bless the Child, was especially wonderful this morning.
We find the disciples heading for escape, only to be met by Jesus on the shore. And Peter, so sad at his betrayal of Christ on the night of His arrest, gets a second chance. (We shared communion at the end of the sermon, so it's not as easy to hear the benediction and blessing, but if you listen, you'll get it!)
The choir's anthem this morning was especially beautiful.
Blessings
Words and music by Laura Mixon Story
We pray for blessings. We pray for peace. Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.
We pray for healing, for prosperity. We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.
And all the while, You hear each spoken need, Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear. And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near.
We doubt Your goodness. We doubt Your love, As if every promise from Your word is not enough.
And all, the while, You hear each desperate plea, And long that we’d have faith to believe.
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win, we know The pain reminds this heart that this it not, this is not our home.
This is not our home!
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life Is a revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?
What if the trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are your mercies in disguise?
Amen.
The men's trio really enjoyed the offertory... and so did we!
This morning's anthem was great fun and their usual "spectacularness"! (Listen for Whitney at the end!)
Give to us laughter, O Source of our life.
Laughter can banish so much of our strife.
Laughter and love give us wholeness and health.
Laughter and love are the coin of true wealth.
Give to us laughter as sign of deep joy;
let us in laughing find Christian employ,
joining with stars and with bright northern lights,
laughing and praising and sharing delights.
Why do we worry that we will lose face?
Why act like king for the whole human race?
Often in family, and often with friend,
laughing at pride causes anguish to end.
Even in sorrow and hours of grief,
laughter with tears brings most healing relief.
God, give us laughter, and God, give us peace,
joys of your promise among us increase.
words by Walter Farquharson
We share the joy of Easter with a reminder that the crucifixion and resurrection are all about LIFE!
Whitney's offertory this morning was so incredibly beautiful.
Whitney and Doug sang "Because He Lives", a quickly growing Easter tradition at First Church.
Time to listen to the voices on the streets of Jerusalem and walk into Holy Week.
Andy's beautiful rendition of "The Palms" set the tone for the day.
Without doubt, this is a Palm / Passion Sunday favorite and this morning's choir was spectacular.
