April 21, 2019
Please join us at the Ligtenberg home this Friday, April 18, at 7 PM, for a time of worship and meditations.
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Before We Worship
As we look forward to celebrate 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 Shorter Catechism Qs. 27–28
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”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 22:1–23 (p. 881)
The New Exodus
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
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The April 14, 2019 sermon, Luke 21:20–38. “The Lord Will See to It” is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and subscribe to sermon podcast here.
The Shorter Catechism lesson of the week is posted here: Qs. 70–72.
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 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. For April we will read Paul Tripp’s “Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.”
April 19 (Good Friday 7 PM): Please join us at the Ligtenberg home for a time of worship and meditations.
April 21 (Easter Sunday): There will be no Children’s catechism lesson or Shorter Catechism lesson. The lessons will resume in May.
April 28 (Lord’s Day): Join us as we discuss Paul Tripp’s “Parenting: The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.”
May 5 (Lord’s Day): Please note that the location and the time of our worship service will change to Zion Lutheran Church, 1405 E. Fallbrook Street, Fallbrook CA 92028 at 11 AM.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
April 21: Liza Beede
April 28: Michelle Kay