Preparing for the Lord's Day
As I reflect on my time as a pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, one thing I remember is that we used the same Call to Worship every Sunday. No matter where we were in the church calendar, we used the same one, and it wasn't because we lacked the creativity or effort to come up with different ones. It was that the one we used framed not only our worship, but our very lives. What was that Call to Worship?
Christ is risen...he is risen indeed!
The resurrection changed not only the day we worshipped as a church but it changed our lives and gave us hope that the kingdom of this world would not last. That because of Christ's death and resurrection, the kingdom of this world would be made new, it would be more alive than it had ever been before. But not only this world, we would be more alive than we'd ever been before.
And yet, before resurrection, there is death. And what we'll see from our text, which comes from Luke 24:1-12, is that death, specifically Christ's death, seemed too true to be good and his resurrection seemed to good to be true. But what the angels told the women, which they told the others, is that Christ's death and resurrection are both good and true. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and meditate upon Luke 24:1-12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Hebrews 7:22-28, 1 Peter 1:3-5, and this article on Why Female Eyewitnesses Authenticate The Resurrection" from The Gospel Coalition website.
As you know, the music is always a highlight of Easter Sunday and we'll begin the service by singing the processional hymn, "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today," which will be followed by the Acclamation of Praise, "Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks." We will prepare for the Lord's Supper by singing "I Am The Bread of Life" and will conclude the service by singing, "Thine Be The Glory." Special music will be provided by our Carillon Handbell Choir, Brass Quintet/Organ and our Sanctuary Choir. I eagerly away celebrating the Resurrection with you this coming Lord's Day.
Sermon Information:
Text: Luke 24:1-12
Title: What Happens Next
Outline:
- Too True To Be Good?
- Too Good To Be True?
- True and Good Too!