We have come to the end of what some observers have called the Lentiest Lent of all Lents. The 40 days that lead up to Easter are usually a season of voluntary asceticism, when we choose if we will give something up, and what we will go without, but this Lent those decisions were made for us, and now the mother of all Lents is over, even if the giving up yet remains.
With Muslims who are celebrating Ramadan at home, and Jews who are observing the Passover without most of their friends and family, we will be celebrating Easter from our homes this year. Of course, we would rather be worshiping with you in person, but we also think we have an amazing online Easter celebration prepared for you.
If you are visiting today, we hope you’ll fill out our online Visitor Card at mpcfamily.org/hello .
You can also submit comments and prayer requests via our Comments Form at mpcfamily.org/comments . We’d love to hear from you!
View April 12th Easter Celebration online
- We have Al Flood bringing us into celebration with “When the Saints Go Marching In.” This Sunday would have been the 50th Easter in which Al and his Barrel House Band would have played for us in celebration. We will miss the whole band, but we are so happy to have Al and his soprano saxophone.
- Talitha will welcome us to celebration, and then
- We will have the most amazing video call to celebration ever, featuring a traditional Easter greeting and the poem “i thank You God” by e. e. cummings.
- The opening hymn is “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”. (3 verses, lyrics below)
- The prayer for peace is the poem “A Thousand Mornings” by Mary Oliver, read by Liam Gray.
- Kim Rankin is bringing us special music “Alleluia, the Great Storm is Over”.
- Dolores is bringing us an Easter Godly Play story.
- The scripture lesson comes to us from Linda Spencer, who is sheltering in the Sierra.
- Ben is preaching from in front of his apple tree, which has almost come back to life after a winter of pruning and dormancy.
- Talitha will lead us in a prayer.
- The Rankin-Keys Family Band will lead us in “Down By the Riverside”.
- Ben will lead us in our charge and give us a benediction. (Words to charge listed below)
- For a postlude, Marcia will play “Thine Is the Glory” by GF Handel, arr. Richard Warner.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR: Sunday at 11 AM please pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us via Zoom meeting on any computer, phone, or mobile device. Talitha will host virtual coffee hour, including small group conversations, and it’ll be nice to see one another. Email Rev. Ben or email Rev. Talitha for the Zoom meeting password.
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is risen today, alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, alleluia,
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, alleluia,
unto Christ, our heavenly King, alleluia,
who endured the cross and grave, alleluia,
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, alleluia,
praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, alleluia,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alelluia!
The Charge (say together)
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.