Fairfax Presbyterian Church

Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008

Mission-Minded, Small-Group Centered

Prelude Prelude in D Major JS Bach
I Know That My Redeemer Lives arr J Biery
Donna Whited, Organist, and Brass Ensemble

Welcome and Concerns of the Church Jessica Tate
You are encouraged to greet people you don’t know during our welcome. Please print your name in the friendship pad
and return it to the end of the pew. If you are visiting, please include your name, address, and phone number.

Introit Look! Here Is the Light K Martin
Look! Here is the light that reminds us that Christ shines among us;
For Christ is the light that lightens the whole world,
And Christ is the light that brightens our worship, Yes, . . . (repeat)

The Lighting of the Christ Candle

Choral Fanfare Christ Is Risen! O Be Joyful DE Wagner
Sanctuary Choir with Brass Ensemble

Call to Worship (responsive) Henry Brinton
L: At the break of dawn, a bird sings.
P: The long night of darkness is over.
L: The stone is rolled away.
P: The tomb is empty.
L: The sun begins to shine.
P: The Son has risen!
L: It’s a morning of glory,
P: Of love overcoming death,
L: Of women spreading Good News,
P: Of men turning from despair.
L: It’s a morning of joy,
P: For Easter has come again.
L: Love is stronger than death,
P: And we lift our voices in song.

* Hymn 123 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Easter Hymn

* Call to Confession
L: On this day of resurrection, God gives us power to change the world. But first we must turn away from actions and attitudes that do not reflect the way of Christ. Together, let us confess our sin.

* Prayer of Confession (unison)
Mighty God, when we are truthful with ourselves and with you, we realize that we have sinned. We have hurt others instead of helping them. We have spoken words of hate, rather than acceptance. We have fled from neighbors instead of walking beside them, and have been quick to condemn those we do not understand. We confess that we have been fast to fight, slow to love, unwilling to care, and more guided by the world than by the way of Christ. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to show the love, peace, and justice of Jesus to neighbors, friends, co-workers, and strangers. In the name of our risen Lord we pray. Amen. Time for Silent Confession

* Assurance of Forgiveness (responsive)
L: Christ forgives the most difficult sins, overcomes the greatest fears, breaks down the strongest barriers to his love and peace.
P: Through the resurrection, Christ’s power is at work right here, right now.
L: Brothers and sisters, know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
P: Alleluia! Amen.

* Response to Our Assurance The Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, amen.

Conversation with the Children
Storytime is available in room 252 for children age 3 to 5.
The nursery (in room 245 for children under 3) is available during all services.

Anthem Bright Easter Morn
Sanctuary Choir, Kenneth Martin, Director

Prayer for Illumination Sheri Zimmerman (8:45), Serena Mercer (11:15)

Scripture Lesson John 20:1-18
1Early 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. 2So 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.’ 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12and 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. 13They 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.’ 14When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ 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.’ 16Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to 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.” ’ 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Massive Void Henry Brinton

* Hymn 104 Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Hymn to Joy
(Pass Prayer Cards to the center aisles.)

Morning Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

Offering of Christ’s people
Call to Respond
Offertory Fanfare for Easter JM Marshall
Sanctuary Choir, Brass Ensemble, Flutes

* The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise God, all creatures here below,
Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* The Prayer of Dedication (unison)
O Christ who lives among us, make these gifts a part of your healing and saving activity on earth. Bless them and send them throughout the world, to those who are in special need. May our giving not deplete us, but instead fill us with new life, on this day of resurrection and throughout the year. Amen.

* Hymn 118 The Day of Resurrection! Lancashire

* Extroit Now Carry the Light K Martin
Now carry the light that reminds us that Christ goes before us,
For Christ is the light that lightens the whole world,
And Christ is the light that brightens our living. Yes, . . . (repeat)

* Benediction

* Benediction Response Alleluia! Lyra Davidica

* Postlude Jesus Christ Is Risen Today arr P Davis
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing J Leavitt
*CCLI License #824089

Christian Education/Children’s Activities

There are No Christian Education Classes at the 10 o’clock hour this week.
Please join us for Easter Breakfast in fellowship hall!

The Nursery is open Sunday mornings in room 245 for infants from 6 weeks to 3 years of age. Storytime is held for children ages 3 through 5 during the 8:45 a.m. service and for children ages 3 through 1st grade during the 11:15 a.m. After the Conversation with Children, please take your child up to room 252. During the 10 a.m. Sunday School hour, Fairfax Kids normally meets as follows:
Ages 3-4 in room 255 * Ages 5-K in room 257 * Grade 1-2 in room 244
Grade 3-4 in room 234 * Grade 5-6 in room 233

Youth Classes
There are no youth activities today.

10 a.m. Adult Christian Education, Winter 2008
The following classes will resume next week:
Basic Bible. This in-depth look at the week’s lectionary reading is led by Pastor Henry Brinton in the multipurpose room. No previous Bible study experience required!
Jessica Tate & Cate Rodman’s class on individual and corporate Christian practices will continue through spring, using the book Christianity for the Rest of Us.
Parenting Your Teenager. Celebrate with fellow adventurers on the path to raising adolescents. This class will meet in room 134.
Morning Mingle. This casual, drop-in class uses videos and short studies to explore faith and life connections. They’re found in room 135.

This Week at FPC

Sunday, March 23
Easter Sunday
6:30 a.m. Sunrise service, sanctuary
7:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast, FH
8:45 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
11:15 a.m. Worship, sanctuary

Monday, March 24
Church Office Closed
7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts, various
7:15 p.m. Radiant Ringers, 232, sanctuary

Tuesday, March 25
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting, 110
10:00 a.m. Purly Gators, library
7:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers, 235, sanctuary

Wednesday, March 26
7:00 p.m. Companions in Christ, parlor
7:30 p.m. Quilters, 110

Thursday, March 27
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir, 235, sanctuary

Friday, March 28
11:00 a.m. Basic Bible, parlor
12:00 p.m. Midday Prayer, sanctuary

Saturday, March 29
Mulch Day!

Sunday, March 30
8:45 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
10:00 a.m. Church School, various
11:15 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
12:30 p.m. Teen Choir, 235
4:30 p.m. Youth Fellowship, various
4:30 p.m. Chapel Choir, 235
4:30 p.m. Carol Choir, 233
7:00 p.m. Youth Sunday Rehearsal, sanctuary

NEWS OF FPC

OUR WORSHIP today is enhanced by a brass ensemble consisting of Matthew Huddleston & Jeffrey Roskos, trumpets; Cecil Key & Robert Skanse, trombones; and Janis Paulson, timpani. The Sanctuary Choir shares an outburst of joy at the beginning of the service. Their Anthem is a narrative of the resurrection of Jesus set to music. Then their Offertory expresses Paul’s interpretation of the resurrection as found in I Corinthians.

ONE GREAT HOUR of Sharing envelopes are available in your pledge envelope packets. This special Lenten offering supports ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Please make out a check to FPC, marked “One Great Hour” on the memo line.

SERVICE and STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

THE 2008 NOMINATING COMMITTEE needs your help to identify the next leaders of our congregation. We seek FPC members ready to answer God’s call to serve as Elders, Deacons and Trustees. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please fill out the FPC nomination form found on the kiosk in the narthex, or e-mail Lee Phillips.

DID YOU KNOW that our Deacons carry communion to members who are not able to attend church? They need your help in making sure that they offer this service to all our homebound members. If you know a member who is unable to attend services, please e-mail Marylove Klein or Nancy Kay.

REBUILDING TOGETHER (Christmas in April) is fast approaching. Mark you calendars for Sat, Apr 26 and help us make a difference in the life of Mrs. O’Brien of Falls Church. We will hold a planning meeting Thur, Apr 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Please contact Sal Sparacino, Mac Mercer or Kevin Strickler with questions. To confirm your availability, please complete the form on the kiosk and put it in the offering plate. Thanks for your involvement in this important local mission project.

BREAD TEAM ambassadors needed: each week, first-time visitors to FPC receive a loaf of home-baked bread, a special way of welcoming them made possible by our volunteer bakers and the “ambassadors” who make the deliveries. Ambassadors deliver only to visitors who live within 2 or 3 miles of their homes and make deliveries only 4 to 6 times a year. We are in particular need of ambassadors in the Vienna area. For more information, contact Esther Bevis or Mary Ann Campbell..

FPC’S ABENDMUSIK concert is Sun, Apr 20 at 7 p.m. The Sanctuary Choir is preparing selected choruses from Handel’s Messiah for this event. Plan now to attend, and invite some friends to join you!

YOUTH NEWS

THEOLOGY CLUB. This new youth small group is dedicated to studying the roots of Christianity. What does it mean to be a Christian? What does it mean to believe in God? Any 9th to 12th grade youth is welcome to join us for open discussions on Sun, Apr 13 and Sun, May 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the parlor. Contact Abbey Giordano or Jessica Tate for more information.

MULCH MADNESS, our spring youth fundraiser, is upon us. Deadline for orders is Sun, Mar 23; forms are available in the narthex. Sat, Mar 29 is the day for pick-up and delivery.

FPC YOUTH, as part of their “Be the Change” 30 Hour Famine for the World Vision campaign, will fast from April 11 to 13 to raise money for starving children around the world. It is their mission to help prevent the deaths of some of the 29,000 children who die from hunger every day. Help by writing a check to FPC with “30 Hour Famine” on the memo line.

THE GOD AND COUNTRY program will begin Sun, Apr 20 at 4 p.m. for boys and girls in scouting programs who wish to earn a religious medallion. Led by Henry Brinton, the program will be held every two weeks through June 1, with medallions presented at worship on June 15. Interested? Call Henry Brinton at 703 273-5300 by Apr 6.

ON THE CALENDAR

VISITORS are invited to a New Members Seminar on Sunday, April 6 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in room 110. Lunch will be served! Led by the pastors and elders of FPC, this is an opportunity to learn what it means to be a Presbyterian, to hear about the ministry and mission of FPC and to reflect on God’s involvement in your life. At the end of the seminar, you are welcome to join the church. Please RSVP to 703 273-5300 by Wednesday, April 2 to let us know if you will need childcare.

CALLING ALL WOMEN, young, old and in between! You are invited to the Generations of Women luncheon Sun, Apr 6 at 12:15 p.m. in fellowship hall. We’ll explore “Praying in Color” as we enjoy food, fun and fellowship! This is an annual tradition at FPC that we hope you can experience this year. It’s potluck, so bring anything you want (really!). Need more information? Contact Cate Rodman.

CAROL CHOIR will not rehearse today, Sun, Mar 23. Rehearsals will also not be held on Sun, Apr 20, when the Carol Choir will sing at a service that morning, or on Mother’s Day, Sun, May 11.

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Fairfax Presbyterian Church - Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-6985
(703) 273-5300 - FAX (703) 591-4246
fpc@fairfaxpresby.com
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