First Presbyterian Church

One Symphony Circle ▪ Buffalo, New York 14201-1213

(716) 884-7250 ▪ email@firstchurchbuffalo.org
www.firstchurchbuffalo.org

The mission of historic First Church is to bring diverse

people of metropolitan Buffalo together to follow Jesus
Christ through worshiping God, fostering spiritual growth,
and serving the community.

Wherever “◊” appears, you are asked to stand if you are able to do so.
Text in bold print indicates congregational responses.

Easter Sunday
April 17, 2022
Prelude Festival Prelude Trumpets & Organ
Introit Alleluia, Christ is Risen! Arr. James Kirkby
Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts to heav’n and voices raise: sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a
hymn of praise. He, who on the cross a victim, for the world’s salvation bled, Jesus Christ, the King
of glory, now is risen from the dead. Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to God in high; Alleluia! To the
savior who has gained the victory.
◊Call to Worship (Psalm 118:14-24)
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous:
"The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
\This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
◊Hymn 123 “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” Easter Hymn
◊Prayer of the Day
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray:
We give you thanks, great God, for the hope we have in Jesus, who died but is risen
and rules over all. We praise you for his presence with us. Because he lives, we look for
 eternal life, knowing that nothing past, present, or yet to come can separate us from
your great love made known in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

◊Confession and Pardon

Trusting in God’s promise of salvation, let us confess our sin and repent:

Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave and crowned Him Lord of all.
We confess that we have not bowed before Him or acknowledged His rule in our lives.
We have gone along with the way of the world and failed to give Him glory. Forgive us
and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, His body.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
◊Canticle “Glory to the Father” Richard Wetzel

◊Passing of the Peace

In Jesus Christ, we know God’s forgiveness and peace. Let us share that peace with one
another. The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

News of the Community

Children’s Message Maria Oakley
.

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Anthem Rise Heart, Thy Lord is Risen Arlen Clarke
Rise, heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise without delays, who takes thee by the hand, that thou
likewise with him, may’st rise: That, as his death calcined thee to dust, his life may make thee gold,
and much more, just. Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song pleasant and long: Or since all
music is but three parts vied, and multiplied; O let thy blessed spirit bear a part, and make up our
defects with his sweet art. I got me flowers to strew thy way ; I got me boughs off many a tree, but
thou wast up by break of day, and brought thy sweets along with thee. Can there by any day but this?
Though many suns to shine endeavor, we count three hundred but we miss. There is but one, and that
one ever — George Herbert, 1593-1633
Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:50-24:12 NT pages 54-55
Easter Meditation "Seeking the Kingdom of God?" Rev. Justin Marple
◊Hymn 108 “Christ Is Alive!” Truro
Invitation to the Offertory
Christ gave his own life for the life of the world. As Christ’s body, we are called to give our
lives for others, stretching out our hands to share the gifts we have received.
Offertory Laudate Dominum W. A. Mozart
Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
Emily Tworek-Helenbrook, soprano
◊Doxology With Alleluias Lasst uns erfreuen
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Alleluia, alleluia.
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
◊Prayer of Thanksgiving
We praise you, O God, and give you thanks that you have given us such joy, such grace, and
such hope, in the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. Let our lives be proof of that good
news. Let all our words and actions, our love and service bear witness to your resurrection
power; for the sake of our living Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Invitation to the Lord's Table
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
The Minister continues and then says:
Therefore we join our voices with saints and angels and all the faithful of every time
and place, singing:

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 The Minister continues and says:
Praise to You, Lord Jesus:
Dying, You destroyed our death; rising, You restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
The Minister continues and says:
Therefore hear us as we pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray, saying,
Our Father, 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, forever. Amen.
◊Affirmation of Faith
Our Savior invites those who trust in Him to share the feast that He has prepared. Thus let us
stand, if you are able to do so, and proclaim our faith together as a kind of pledge of allegiance
confessed today by all baptized and believing citizens of His kingdom in heaven.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born
of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he
descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of the God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come
to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the
forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

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Observing the Covenant Meal in Celebration
Prayer after Communion
Glory to God the Father, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ and
crowned Him with glory and honor. Glory to God the Son, who lives to plead our cause at
the right hand of the Father and who will finish making all things new when He comes
again. Glory to God the Holy Spirit, who brings us the taste of the good Word of God and
the power of the age to come. Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and
honor, power and might be to our Lord for ever! Amen.
◊Hymn 118 “The Day of Resurrection!” Lancashire
◊Charge and Benediction
Postlude Carillon de Westminster Louis Vierne
◊◊◊◊◊◊

Household Prayer: Morning

God of endless life, in the light of this new day we see the dawning of your new creation. Give
us wonder and delight to enjoy this day that you have made; through Jesus Christ, our living
Lord. Amen

Household Prayer: Evening

Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening and the day is almost over. Help us to know that you are
with us—through the promise of your Word, in the sharing of a meal, and by the power of
your Spirit that burns within our hearts. Bless and keep us, this night and always. Amen.
.

First Church Choir

Director, Dr. David Bond
soprano alto
Emily Helenbrook* Denise Blackmore
Michelle Marple* Katy Miner
Adrienne Tworek-Gryta
tenor bass
Alfonzo Tyson Victor Schuel
Frank Wesselenyi
*guest of the Choir