April 1, 2018
March 30 (Good Friday 7:30 PM): Join us for Good Friday meditations at the Ligtenberg home.
Before We Worship
As we look forward to celebrating Christ’s resurrection, we look back at the first Easter Sunday recorded for us in John 20:1–18. There we see Mary Magdalene, and the last things she wanted to do was celebrate! Even though Jesus had taught that he would die and rise on the third day, no one really believed what Jesus said. So on this first Easter Sunday the prevailing mood is not one of joy, but sorrow and disappointment.
What is more interesting, perhaps, is the fact that Mary Magdalene, not Jesus’ twelve disciples, was the first to witness and proclaim the Lord’s resurrection. Back then women were considered to be of lower stature than men. Women lacked legal standing in the courts, and their words carried no weight. In addition, Mary had a scandalous reputation as the woman “from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2). So why was it that a woman (first strike) of low reputation (second strike) had the privilege of being Jesus’ first witness?
It, of course, has to do with the very nature of grace and gospel. Jesus died to exalt the lowly, to make the “nothings” of the world be God’s treasured possession. In Jesus the despised of the world find a friend, the hopeless find joy, and the weeping eyes have their tears dried. This is what Jesus’ resurrection accomplishes.
Jesus’ resurrection also grants us a new life. In Romans 6:1–11 Paul unpacks some of the implications of Jesus’ resurrection. Paul draws out the significance of the believer’s union with Christ, and writes, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life.” To believe in Jesus means to be so united with Jesus that we died with him when he died on the cross, and we rose with him to live a new life when Jesus rose from the dead (see also Galatians 2:20). Just as Jesus’ resurrection marks a definitive separation from everything that has to do with sin and death, so our resurrection with, and in, Christ puts us forever at odds with everything that has to do with sin and death. Just as Christ rose to a new resurrected life, we rose with Christ to live a new life to glorify God.
In other words, Jesus’ resurrection gives us a new birth, and is therefore the most definitive and defining aspect of our being. So, then, we ask. Who am I? What do I celebrate? What informs my life’s direction and passion? We are the resurrection people. Our identity rests not in our race, political leanings, likes and dislikes, but in the resurrection of our Lord. He rose from the dead, and it changes everything about us. Indeed, in Jesus’ resurrection we celebrate a new life in Christ.
Call to Worship
John 20:1–18 (p. 906)
Trinity Hymnal #277 “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Romans 6:1–11 (p. 942)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #274 “Thine Be the Glory”
Confession of Faith — The Nicene Creed
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 24:1–43 (p. 878)
Jesus Rose
Rev. Ken Han
The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper
We participate in the Lord’s Supper weekly. We welcome to the Lord’s Table all baptized believers who have sincere faith in Jesus Christ, and regularly worship in a Reformed or evangelical church.
The Lord’s Supper is a sign and a seal of the new covenant blessings. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper with faith, it strengthens our bond with our covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus we participate properly when we come to our Savior with faith and repentance as we renew our resolve to forsake sin and live for his glory.
The Lord’s Supper also renews our bonds with God’s covenant community, the body of believers in the local church. As we receive the Lord’s Supper, we renew our pledge to give ourselves away in loving service.
During the distribution of the bread we will sing “In Christ Alone” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #286 “Worship Christ, the Risen King!”
Benediction
+++
Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The March 25, 2018 sermon is posted to our church website here. You can subscribe to sermon podcast here.
The Shorter Catechism lesson of the week is posted here: Q. 35.
We have some new resources for you at the information table, including several new CCEF mini books, as well as other edifying books. Be sure to check them out!
Upcoming Events and Notices
Every Lord’s Day 10:15 AM: Please join us for Hymnsing, a time of preparing our hearts for worship in praise, and for learning new hymns for worship.
Join us for “12 for 18” as we read 12 great books in the year 2018. For April we are reading “Mere Christianity” by C. S. Lewis. And for May, “Martin Luther: A Spiritual Biography” by Herman Selderhuis. Please let Janny Ligtenberg know if you would like to order a copy of the book.
March 30 (Good Friday 7:30 PM): Join us for Good Friday meditations at the Ligtenberg home.
April 15: The children’s catechism lesson (Qs. 86–87) and the Shorter Catechism lesson (Q. 36) will meet after the worship service.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
April 1: Yoori Han
April 8: Kelly Rogers