Matthias Grünewald, Resurrection of Christ (Isenheim Altarpiece, c.

1515)
Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons)

First Congregational Church of

Evanston
United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Church
Founded 1869

Sunday, April 17, 2022 | 10 o’clock in the morning

Easter Sunday
 ORDER OF WORSHIP
We invite you to sing the hymns while masked.
Responses (in bold type) may be spoken out loud.
Please stand as you are able at places marked by an asterisk (*).

Prelude Danserye Suite Tylman Susato

La Mourisque
Pavanne Battaille

Rigaudon Andre Campra

Rejoicing George Frideric Hanel

Introit Easter Fanfare E. E. Ferguson

Christ is risen, Christ is risen, Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, Christ is risen, Christ is risen!
Christ the Lord, is risen from the tomb,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Welcome

*Easter Acclamation
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Today is the day mystery unfolds.
We glimpse it at the dawning of light.
We yearn to hear our Lord calling us:
sister, brother, sibling.
Today we recall again God’s trustworthy promise:
The tomb is empty!
The Lord is risen!
The enemy of death is destroyed!
We delight, saying: Alleluia!
We wonder, singing: Alleluia!
We are witnesses shouting: Alleluia!

*Hymn 232 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

*Gathering Prayer

*Prayer for Forgiveness

On this bright and joyful day, we bring our whole selves to you,
great God, honestly naming the truth about our lives. We are
sinking under piles of shame, judgment, and self-pity, feeling
closer to hell than heaven. Christ, rend our veil of tears. Restore
us. Renew us. Revive us.
In the name of the risen Christ we pray. Amen.

(Moment of silence and reflection)

*Words of Grace and Mercy

From generation to generation, God’s love overcomes human
sinfulness. God is committed to fresh starts and new creations. This is
good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

*Prayer Response  (Hymn 327, stanza 3)

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; eternal truth attends thy word:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, 
till suns shall rise and set no more.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  Alleluia! Alleluia!

Children’s Message Sarah Petersen

*Greeting of Peace

Announcements and Signing of Friendship Pads

Reading Luke 24:1-12 Julie Captain

Isaiah 65:17-25

Sermon What’s New, Pussycat? Rev. Jason Coulter

*Hymn 234 Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain

Prayers of the People | Pastoral Prayer | Silent Prayer | Prayer of our
Savior

Prayer of Our Savior

Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy
kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive
our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for
ever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to Offering

Offertory Anthem The Day of Resurrection Thomas Matthews

The day of resurrection, Earth tell it out abroad;

The Passover of gladness, The Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, From earth unto the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over With hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, That we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
And, listening to His accents, may hear so calm and plain
His own "All Hail!" and hearing, May raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens by joyful, Let earth her song begin,
The round world keep high triumph, And all that is therein;
Let all things seen and unseen Their notes together blend,
For Christ the Lord is risen, Our joy that hath no end.
Alleluia!

*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune whom we adore. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication
We know, O God, that the good news of the resurrection is not to
be kept a secret, hidden away as the private promise to a few.
Rather, it is to be universal communication of hope and joy to all
 people; and to that worldwide proclamation we dedicate our gifts
today. Amen.

*Closing Hymn 246 Christ Is Alive!

*Benediction

*Choral Response Seven-Fold Amen Peter Christian Lutkin

Postlude A Festival Flourish William Ferris

The Call to Worship , the Prayer for Forgiveness and Words of Mercy are from Call to
Worship: Lectionary Aids for 2021-2022. The Prayer of Dedication is from “Life In
Liturgy” (https://lifeinliturgy.wordpress.com).

The German Renaissance artist Matthias Grünewald painted the Resurrection of Christ
(1515) for the Monastery of St. Anthony in Isenheim, France, which specialized in
hospital work, treating the victims of the plague. His painting of the crucified Jesus
depicted his tortured, emaciated body, covered with sores. The patients of the hospital
would have seen that Jesus had suffered just as they were suffering. They would have
recognized his compassion, forgiveness, love, and solidarity with their own experience.
In Grunewald’s Resurrection painting, Christ emerges from the tomb, his countenance
transfigured and luminous, but he still bearing the marks of crucifixion in his hands, feet,
and side.
 Mission Statement
We express God’s love in action, compassion, and justice. 

Open and Affirming Statement

As an inclusive congregation, we welcome all faith experiences and family
types; we are an open and affirming community of faith who welcome and
celebrate differences of age, ability, race, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, and national origin.

Immigrant Welcoming Statement

We commit to take actions consistent with the values and resources of our
community to oppose xenophobia and to protect undocumented immigrants
from deportation and the hardships such deportation will cause them and
their families. 

First Congregational Church of Evanston, UCC

Sanctuary: 1445 Hinman Avenue (at Grove Street)
Mailing address:  1417 Hinman Avenue,  Evanston, IL 60201
Phone:  847-864-8332 | Email:  info@firstchurchevanston.org
Website:  www.firstchurchevanston.org
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/firstcongregationalchurchofevanston/
Instagram: @fcce.ucc

Church Staff
Rev. Jason W. Coulter, Senior Minister jason@firstchurchevanston.org | ext.21
Sarah B. Petersen, Director of Learning & Outreach
spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org |ext. 24
Mahdia Lynn-Greene, Church Administrator mahdia@firstchurchevanston.org | ext. 22
Kelly Tran, Nursery Supervisor
Julie Captain and Sarah Pressly, Co-Moderators

Chancel Choir Quartet

Cindy Senneke, soprano | Hannah Busch, alto
Michael Brauer, tenor | Joseph Roberts, baritone

Interim Organist and Music Director

Robert Woodworth

Trumpets: Isaac Brown & Joshua Becker

 COVID Protocol Updates from the Regathering
Committee
The Regathering Committee continues to meet and
review recommendations from the City of Evanston,
the CDC, as well as to center the needs of our most
vulnerable to best keep us all safe and included in
response to COVID. Due to an expected increase in the number of people
worshiping in person for farewells, celebrations and holy days ahead, as
well as our plan for robust singing, we will continue requiring masking in
the sanctuary building for worship, during choir rehearsals, and during
indoor youth programming through Easter. We also plan to keep sanctuary
windows open for extra ventilation when temps reach above 50 degrees.

As of March 30th, we will follow the city’s lead in lifting our indoor mask 
requirements for the Church House, except during communal worship,
indoor youth programming and church choir rehearsals, where masks will
still be required. Outside of the activities listed above, we recommend but
do not require mask wearing, honoring what individuals feel is best for them
and the wider community. We continue to strongly encourage vaccination
and boosting to everyone who is eligible. Individual programs and space-
sharing tenants in our building may set their own guidelines for those
participating in their activities. These guidelines are subject to change in
response to new public health experts' recommendations as the pandemic
evolves. Thank you for your understanding and care for our community.

Welcome Children and Families!
We are so glad you are here today! Children enrich our community and add
vibrancy to our congregation. Please don't fret about coos or cries during
the service. All ages are welcome here. Review these special COVID
guidelines to help keep you and all little ones safe at FCCE:
 Babies, toddlers and children are always welcome to stay with
their families during worship.
 Children older than 2 must wear a mask inside for youth programming.
 Children should stay with their families during Children's Message
(rather than coming to the front). After the Children's
Message, children ages 5-12 are invited to walk with our teacher team to
 our socially distanced Sunday School classroom in the Church House,
½ block down Hinman Ave. Teachers will walk children back to the
sanctuary to meet their families following the service.
 Families with children aged 3 and under can reserve a spot in the indoor
nursery by emailing spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org before 9 am, or
check with the nursery for availability Sunday morning. Due to COVID-
19 protocols, only 2 infants/toddlers are allowed in the nursery at a time.
Our Nursery Supervisor is vaccinated and wears a mask. Additional little
ones are welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their families, make use
of our books and coloring supplies in the rocking chair area at the
entrance to the sanctuary, or head with their adult downstairs to
fellowship hall where speakers play the audio from the service.
Please ask a deacon if you need help finding the nursery or have questions.

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What’s happening at First Congregational…
 
Easter Egg Hunt!
 All young people and families of all shapes and sizes are invited to join us
outside on the church lawn following the Easter service for the return of our
annual Easter egg hunt!
 
Earth Day Celebration on April 24th

 
Celebrate the Earth and all of creation with us on April 24th. Hear hymns and holy
words honoring the earth during the service, as well as tips for taking action to care
for the earth. Young people, join us in Sunday School where we'll be making heart-
shaped seed bombs to help spread love and flowers. Happy Earth Day!