Father, Into Thy Hands I Commit My Spirit!

A Worship Service for April 12, 2020

EASTER SUNDAY

WELCOME

“He is Risen!”

And I know that wherever you happen to be this Easter morning, you are responding to that bold declaration of faith with, “He is risen indeed!”

For that in a nutshell is the Easter message.
He is Risen!
Love conquers hate!!
A garden tomb is emptied!!!
The grim and haunting outline of the cross fades
in the faint glows of that first Easter dawn.

But before the outline of that cross disappears completely from view,
before we “crown Him the Lord of Life who triumphed o’er the grave”
let’s finish “crowning Him the Lord of love, beholding His hands and side.”

For throughout this Lenten season we have been examining the last sayings of Jesus as He hung upon the cross.

Six weeks ago, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”
The following week, “I thirst”
Then Jim Brandenburg explained the significance of, “Woman, behold thy son; Son behold thy mother”
Next was, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Then, “You shall be with Me in paradise”
Last Sunday, Palm Sunday, “It is finished!”

Today, on Easter we will focus on the 7th and last of those timeless statements that Jesus made: “Father, into Thy hands, I commit My Spirit.”

I pray that your time spent here on CrossPointe’s website will rejuvenate and reinvigorate your faith in the Risen Lord Jesus to more confidently and peacefully face the difficult days in which we are presently living.

But before we begin to worship, I have a few church announcements:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Obviously, we do not know when we will be able to resume corporate worship. I am hopeful that it will be at least by June 13th which will mark the 20th Anniversary of CrossPointe. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!? Actually it will be wonderful whenever that day comes. And believe me that day will come! It’s Friday, Sunday’s a comin’!

Once again, let us open our hearts to praising and hearing the Word of the Lord by reading through the worship service. Please take advantage of the opportunity to read, pause, reflect and pray when you feel led. Many of you have commented to me that worshipping this way has, in some respects, been more meaningful to you. Someone else mentioned that I am working my way out of a job . . . lol! (Hey, someone still has to write this stuff . . . I know, selfless plug . . . forgive me).

I want to thank Lindsay Brandenburg for editing and posting a recorded video of most of this service. It will include the songs led by Lindsay, her husband, Jim and their daughter, Julianna.

I will be at the church building again between 12:00 noon and 1:00pm for those of you who choose to drop off your offering. Look for a box on a stand in the lobby. If you wish to send it in the mail, the address is

CrossPointe Community Church
P. O. Box 126
Chippewa Lake, OH 44215-0126

Last but certainly not least, announcement-wise, here is one of those letters written by members of my Disciple I Bible Study Class, in this case, Darlene Sparks, to the CrossPointe family:

Dear CrossPointe Community Church,
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and words of kindness. We were looking for a church and found a pastor who continues to find ways to touch on things that we need help with. And then there is each of you that encourage us and meet us every time we enter the building with smiles and open arms. We come on Sundays deflated and leave full of God’s word. In fact, every time we come here or take part in an activity or class, it fills us with God’s word. Thank you all for everything, everyday!
Darlene Sparks

And now, let us worship the Lord together.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Matthew 28:1-9

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there. Remember what I have told you.”

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to Him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.

(As I read this text, the thought struck me that it’s one thing hearing about the Risen Lord as did the two Marys from the angel. It’s another entirely to actually meet the Lord. It was after meeting Him that they bowed down and worshipped Him. As they worshipped the Risen Lord many Easters ago, so let us bow down and worship Jesus today as those who have encountered the Lord by faith.)

SONGS OF WORSHIP AND PRAISE

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Charles Wesley

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens and earth reply: Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
©Public Domain
CCLI License No. 1843349

Stronger

Ben Fielding/Reuben Morgan

There is love that came for us;
Humbled to a sinner’s cross;
Broke my shame and sinfulness,
You rose again victorious.
Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free.
Jesus Christ, Who lives in me.
You are stronger, You are stronger.
Sin is broken, You have saved me.
It is written, Christ is risen,
Jesus, You are Lord of all.
No beginning and no end;
You’re my hope and my defense.
You came to seek, and save the lost.
You paid it all upon the cross.
You are stronger, You are stronger.
Sin is broken, You have saved me.
It is written, Christ is risen,
Jesus, You are Lord of all.
So let your name be lifted higher, be lifted higher, be lifted higher.
Let your name be lifted higher, be lifted higher, be lifted higher.
Let your name be lifted higher, be lifted higher, be lifted higher.
Let your name be lifted higher, be lifted higher, be lifted higher.
You are stronger, You are stronger.
Sin is broken, You have saved me.
It is written, Christ is risen,
Jesus, You are Lord of all.
You are stronger, You are stronger.
Sin is broken, You have saved me.
It is written, Christ is risen,
Jesus, You are Lord of all.
©2007 Ben Fielding/Reuben Morgan/Hillsong Publishing (admin. In US and Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music) c/o Integrity Media, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 1843349

He is Lord

Tom Fettke

He is Lord. He is Lord.
He is risen from the dead and He is Lord.
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
©Arr. 1986 by Word Music (a div of Word Music).
CCLI License No. 1843349

OPENING PRAYER

O Risen Lord Jesus, we thank You so much for laying down Your life so that we might be enabled to live, and live forever with You here on earth as it is in heaven. As we worship You on this glorious Easter Sunday, fill our hearts with faith and the resurrection power that we might worship You in in all Your glory. We pray in the name of the Christ, Amen.

THE GIVING OF THE LORD’S OFFERING

(see announcement above)

PRAYER SONG

Jesus Your Name

Morris Chapman/Claire Cloninger

Jesus, Your name is power.
Jesus, Your name is might.
Jesus, Your name will break every stronghold.
Jesus, Your name is life.
Jesus, Your name is healing.
Jesus, Your name gives sight.
Jesus, Your name will free every captive.
Jesus, Your name is life.
Jesus, Your name is holy.
Jesus, Your name brings light.
Jesus, Your name above every other.
Jesus, Your name is life.
Jesus, Your name is life.
Jesus, Your name is life.
©1990 Maranatha Praise, Inc./Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 1843349

THE MORNING PRAYER

Nancy Carr

Gracious Father – Although we, your Cross Pointe church family, are unable to gather together under one roof today we are gathered as one in spirit. This spirit unites us in faith and allows us to celebrate your amazing love.

Thank you for your provisions, your protection, and your guidance while we are sheltered in place. Immersing ourselves in scripture this Holy Week, we have witnessed an emotional roller coaster of events in history.

As Jesus entered the city, He wept for the people Father, not for Himself, not for the betrayals He was about to face. The Messiah willingly accepted, Your will. He did this for Your People – for Your Kingdom.

His true purpose was so much more than the world could comprehend.
Jesus provided us with an unforgettable example of servitude. He loved and served even His enemies……washing the feet of His betrayer. He forgave Peter even though he denied knowing His Savior ….. not once, but 3 times!
He suffered unspeakable atrocities and endured a criminals’ death…a brutal death upon a cross.
He gave us undeserved forgiveness. This amazing gift He did for us.

Oh, how your will for the Son must have pierced your heart Father and “All” of heaven cried out your pain. Our Salvation bought with Christ’s blood.

But today the Grave is Empty! Death did not win! It was defeated! The story did not end! It is only the beginning ….. of life everlasting!

We kneel before your throne of grace. So, Lord we lift our hands and eyes toward heaven. We raise our voices with songs and shout in praise, as we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our King and Lord – Jesus Christ!

HE LIVES! HE’S ALIVE! HALLELUJAH JESUS IS ALIVE! PRAISE GOD FOREVER MORE!

THE SCRIPTURES

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, into Your hands, I commit My spirit!” And with those words he breathed His last.
When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.
As His body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where His body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint His body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.
But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day.”
Luke 23:44-24:7

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. (1-4)
So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. (21-22)
What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (50-57)
I Corinthians 15:1-4, 21-22, 50-57

THE MESSAGE

Randy K’Meyer

“Father, Into Thy Hands I Commit My Spirit!”

From 1997 until 2017, Bob Mankoff had a laugh a minute job as the cartoon editor for The New Yorker magazine. Prior to assuming the job of cartoon editor, he drew thousands of cartoons for 20 years for the same magazine. In an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Morley Safer asked him what character appeared more than any other. And the answer was the Grim Reaper.

For example, in one cartoon the Reaper’s latest acquisition is saying:
“Thank goodness you are here, I can’t accomplish anything unless I have a deadline.”

Another one says, “O, darn, and just as I was beginning to take charge of my life.”

Mankoff told Safer in a rather fatalistic tone, “The Grim Reaper’s going to get the last laugh anyway, until then, it’s our turn.” ¹

Speaking of the grim reaper, once upon a time, a fabled Baghdad merchant asked one of his servants to run an errand for him. While the servant was shopping in the marketplace, he rounded a corner and ran head on into the grim reaper. He was so afraid he returned to his master house in great haste. When the master saw his servant he asked what was wrong. “I ran into the grim reaper, I’m terrified. Please let me borrow your fastest horse that I might ride far away to Samarra tonight.” The master granted the request. Later that afternoon, the master went to the market and he too, met the grim reaper. “Why did you startle my servant?” he asked.
The grim reaper answered, “Frankly, it was I who was startled. I couldn’t understand why your servant was in Baghdad because I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.” ²

Unfortunately, the grim reaper has been appearing on the world’s stage at an alarming rate. As of Friday morning, 97,200 human beings have succumbed to the coronavirus. Here in the United States, that number is 16,703. ³

Because of the nature of this global pandemic, with the constant bombardment from the media, fear of the grim reaper is at an all-time high.

There are plenty of on-line psychological articles addressing these coronavirus fed fears. But one, in particular, caught my attention. It announced that the sale of Bibles is at an all-time high! Lifeway Resources sold 62% more Bibles last month than in March of 2019. And Alabaster Company which sells single books of the bible for the Instagram generation has reported a 143% increase in sales compared to last year. ⁴

Why is that? Because people are afraid and they looking for hope! They are wondering if there is a God out there, and if so, does He care about me? Can I find some peace through knowing more about God? Is death going to be the end of me? When I breathe my last, is that it, is it all over, oblivion, nothingness? When the day of my appointment at Samarra arrives is the grim reaper really going to have the last laugh?

We hope and pray that those who are turning to the Bible, perhaps for the first time, will discover what you and I have discovered:

O death, where is your victory? O grim reaper, where is your sting?” To be sure, “sin is the sting that results in death, but thanks be to God who gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
I Corinthians 15:55-57

Our final victory over sin and death began on a Friday afternoon in the city of Jerusalem as the Lord of glory was hung upon a cross. As He hung there, He took upon Himself the sin of humankind and died. But before He took His last breathe, He bequeathed hope for all when he said, “Father, into Thy hands I commit My Spirit” (Luke 23:46)

In this saying Jesus makes a declaration of faith as He stares into the face of death. A declaration of faith which offers us a way to prepare for that which awaits us all.

“Father, INTO YOUR HANDS, I commit My Spirit.”

Think about it; for more 12 hours Jesus had been in the hands of men. Nine times the four gospels mention that Jesus was handed over to be crucified (Matt. 20:19, 26:2, 27:18, 26; Mark 10:33, 15:10, Luke 18:32, 15; John 19:16). On six different occasions Jesus told His disciples that He would be betrayed into the hands of men as today’s gospel ended:

Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day.” (Luke 24:7; see also Matthew 17:22, 26:45, Mark 9:31, 14:41, Luke 9:44).

Could Jesus have prevented this? Of course, He could have! As He was being arrested in the Garden, Jesus said to Peter:

Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?
Matthew 26:53-54

That’s why a few weeks later, when Peter preached his first sermon he said,

People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed Him to a cross and killed Him.
Acts 2:22-23

Believe it or not, it was God’s plan from the beginning for His Son to die
so that His followers could live! Voluntarily, (John 10:18) the Savior had allowed the hands of men to carry out their absolute worst. And now with a sigh of relief I’m sure, Jesus entrusts His Spirit back into the hands of His Father.

And in so doing, He invites us to do likewise. Which begs the question: In whose hands are you? We all can finish the well-known slogan: “You’re in good hands with – ?

As you already know, we’re in better hands when we place ourselves in the hands of the Father through faith in His Son.

For the hands of God provide a wonderful place of peace and security, especially in these uncertain days. For Jesus said,

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for My Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hands.
John 10:27-29

“Father, into your hands, I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.”

With these words, Jesus died with a Biblical prayer upon His lips. It comes from Psalm 31:5; a beautiful expression of trust in God.

Psalm 31:5 was very well-known because Jewish mothers taught this verse to their children as a prayer to be used before going to bed. ⁵

Today many parents teach their kids:

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

In much the same way, even as He hangs upon the cross, Jesus dies like a child falling asleep in His Father’s arms: “Father, into Your hands, I commit My Spirit.”

Jesus died with this prayer upon His lips because He trusted in His Father’s ability to raise Him up from the dead.

Anyone who has placed themselves in the Father’s hands through faith in His Son can likewise have the same child-like assurance and trust that regardless of what befalls us in this life, God in His mercy, will take care of us.

When Rick and Maureen Barker lost their little five-year-old Rickey to a long term illness, they received hope in an unexpected but powerful way. One of Maureen’s relatives, Mary Jane Shugart was the family’s historian. Her great, great grandfather, the Rev. Rutgers Van Brunt who lived in the 1800’s, had lost three of his children to sudden childhood illness.

In his journal he recorded his grief and his hope. “We now have three sweet children in glory! What dear ties are these to heaven! How near and sweet they make it to us! When shall we go hither and join the sweet ones!”

As they thought about it, those words gave Maureen and Rick great comfort. For the heavenly reunion of which Van Brunt had written was now a reality. 134 years after writing of heaven’s sweet attraction, Mr. Van Brunt and his wife were citizens there, enjoying communion with their sweet children who had preceded them.

And Rick and Maureen understood it really wouldn’t be long before they too would be in Heaven, escorted by their Ricky who is already familiar with its streets. ⁶

I am sure that you, like me, take great comfort in what Paul wrote the Corinthians:

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.
I Corinthians 2:9

We can and should be filled with the hope of heaven!

Don’t get me wrong, I am not running the race towards death with open arms. I fear a lingering illness or worse; losing my mind among other things (lol). And yet, of one thing, I am sure. I may not know exactly what lies beyond the grave, but at least I know who is and I trust in His ability to safely get me into His Father’s hands. For Jesus said:

Let not your hearts be troubled, nor let them be afraid. For in My Father’s house, there are many rooms. I am going to prepare a place for you and when everything is ready, I will come and get you and take you to be with Me so that we will be together forever.
John 14:1-3

This is the hope that we need to be reminded of to help get us through these days. This is the hope the world needs to hear!

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Christian author, Tony Campolo, tells the story of being one of several speakers at a church conference.

Tony preached first.

He was “hot,” so “hot” he says, that he even stopped and listened to himself. When he was finished, he sat down next to a black Baptist minister and said, “Now see if you can top that one!”

“Son,” said the pastor, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

For an hour and a half that pastor repeated two phrases over and over again: “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s a comin.”

“I’ve never heard anything like it,” Tony said; “he just kept saying it. The congregation was spellbound by the power of it.”

“It’s Friday, Mary, Jesus’ mother is crying her eyes out. That’s her son up there on the cross. He’s dying the agonizing death of crucifixion as a criminal. But it’s only Friday,” the preacher said. “Sunday’s a comin’.”

“It’s Friday, Mary Magdalene was out of her mind with grief; her Lord was being killed. Jesus had turned her life from sin to grace; now he was dead. But it’s only Friday. Sunday is a comin’.”

“It’s Friday, the apostles were really down and out; Jesus, their leader, was being killed by evil men. But it was only Friday. Sunday is a comin’.

“It’s Friday, the Devil thought he had won. ‘You thought you could outwit me,’ he said, ‘but I’ve got you now.’ But it was only Friday. Sunday is a comin’.”

Tony says he went on like that for 30 minutes, 40 minutes, an hour. Each time he said, ‘It’s Friday,’ the crowd began to respond, ‘but Sunday’s comin’.

“It’s Friday and evil has triumphed over good. Jesus is dying up there on the cross; the world is turned upside down. This shouldn’t be happening. But it’s only Friday. Sunday’s a comin’.”

The place was rocking. For an hour and a half. “I was exhausted,” Tony said; “It was the best sermon I’ve ever heard.” ⁷

If I might borrow that refrain:

It’s Friday, all over the world people are suffering and people are dying. Shadows of death and despair and gloom threaten to engulf us.
But it’s only Friday, Sunday’s a comin.

It’s Friday, people cannot even gather together to honor and bury their loved ones and are living with defeat lying as ashes in their mouths.
But it’s only Friday, Sunday’s a comin.

It’s Friday, the grim reaper is lurking around every corner. He has a wily grin on his face.
But it’s only Friday, Sunday’s a comin.

It’s Friday, the coronavirus seemingly has us in the palm of its hand. Everywhere we look its coronavirus, coronavirus, coronavirus.
But it’s only Friday, Sunday’s a comin.

It’s Friday, people are standing in lines waiting to receive food or unemployment; things look extremely bleak.
But it’s only Friday, Sunday’s a comin.

It’s Friday, we have had it up to here with social distancing and many are having to lives on the shore called loneliness and it is very discouraging to not be able to see face to face the ones we love.
But it’s only Friday, Sunday’s a comin.

It’s Friday, we cannot gather together to worship and praise our God in heaven for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on this Easter Sunday.
But it’s only Friday, Sunday’s a comin.

Sunday’s a comin! And when it does, we will celebrate like we have not celebrated before.

Sunday’s a comin! And when it does, we will sing and pray and listen and respond like we have never sung, prayed, listened and responded before.

Sunday’s a comin! And when it does, we will pour out our hearts in thanksgiving for who God is and for what He has done for us in His Son Jesus like we have never done before!

Sunday’s a comin! The grim reaper didn’t get the last laugh for Jesus and he’s not going to get the last laugh at our expense either!

For God is the strength of His people! He has won the victory over death and the grave!! Amen? You better believe it . . . Amen and amen!

In a play titled Fences, the main character, a retired baseball player, Troy, responds to his wife, Rose, who has just brought up the subject of death.

Death, death ain’t nothing. I done seen the grim reaper. Done wrassled with him. You can’t tell me nothing about death. Death ain’t nothing but a fastball on the outside corner. And you know what I’ll do to that! You get one of them fastballs, about waist high, over the outside corner of the plate where you can get the meat of the bat on it; and good god you can kiss it goodbye! ⁸

In that same vein, my friends, the message of Easter is that Jesus kissed death goodbye, with a prayer of confidence and trust: “Father into Thy hands I trust My Spirit.”

He is risen?
He is risen indeed!

CLOSING PRAYER

Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father . . .
(I encourage you to pray as you feel led).

CLOSING SONG IN PRAISE OF THE RISEN CHRIST

Alive Forever, Amen!

Cottrell, Moffitt and Smith

Let the children sing…a song of celebration,
The God of our salvation set us free.
Death where is thy sting?
The curse of sin is broken.
The empty tomb stands open, come and see.
He’s alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb.
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive forever amen!
Let my heart sing out,
For Christ the One and Only,
So powerful and holy, rescued me.
Death won’t hurt me now,
Because He has redeemed me.
No grave will ever keep me from my King!
I’m alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb.
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive forever amen!
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb.
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive forever amen!
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy of our praise,
Worthy is the One who has overcome the grave.
Let the people dance, let the people sing.
Worthy is the Mighty King!
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy of our praise,
Worthy is the One who has overcome the grave.
Let the people dance, let the people sing.
Worthy is the Mighty King!
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy of our praise,
Worthy is the One who has overcome the grave.
Let the people dance, let the people sing.
Worthy is the Mighty King!
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy of our praise,
Worthy is the One who has overcome the grave.
Let the people dance, let the people sing.
Worthy is the Mighty King!
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb.
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive forever amen!
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb.
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah!
Alive forever amen!
Alive forever amen!
Alive forever amen!
Alive forever, amen!!!!!!!!!!
©2003 New Spring Publishing, Inc. CCLI License No. 1843349

SCRIPTURAL BENEDICTION

Now may the God of peace; who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood; may He equip you with all you need for doing his will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen!!
Hebrews 13:20-21

1 Adapted from Ron Jones, Mysteries of the Afterlife (Harvest House, 2016), page 37. https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2016/february/8022916.html

3 https://www.foxnews.com/

4 https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/coronavirus-bible-book-update-sales-record

6 SOURCE: SermonCentral staff. Citation: Rick and Maureen Barker live in Northern California, and have 2 daughters.

7 Quoted from www.mthollywood.org/sermon12.htm

8 https://genius.com/August-wilson-fences-act-i-scene-i-annotated