Sunday, May 3 | Fourth Sunday of Easter

we’re glad you can join us for worship!

This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!

PRELUDE: Judy Fiske

CALL TO WORSHIP: “Alleluia No. 1”

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: “Peace be with you,” the risen Christ said three times to his disciples. We gather together in the name of the Prince of Peace.
All: Let us hear the words of the One who is the Prince of Peace.
Leader: “My Lord and my God!” as Thomas said to the risen Christ. We gather together in the name of the Lord our God.
All: Let us worship the One who is our Lord and our God.


HYMN #72: “Day by Day” (BLOTT EN DAG)

V.1 Day by Day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here; trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.  He whose heart is wise beyond all measure gives unto each day what He deems best—lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.
V.3 Help me them in every tribulation so to trust Your promises, O Lord, that I lose not faith’s sweet consolation offered me within Your holy Word.  Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting e’er to take, as from a father’s hand, one by one, the days, the moments fleeting, til I reach the promised land.

Gospel Lesson: John 20:24-29

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

TRIO: Ron Simmons, Terry Witt, and Tori Tyndall, “He Touched Me”


OFFERTORY

During this offertory, please share a time in recent days when God has given you peace concerning an issue that was causing you doubt or anxiety. When have Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you,” come alive for you?

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.


Whether you’ve been coming to Tabernacle for years, or just started worshiping with us online recently, we are glad you’re here, and invite you to participate in other opportunities for fellowship and discipleship as well! There are several new groups starting up or starting new studies, and our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. The Soul Care Project is a new digital series that started this week. It will offer a weekly theme promoting practices to help us care for our souls by connection with ourselves, God, and the world. We encourage you to listen to this week’s podcast and interact with the resources available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Sunday, April 26 | Third Sunday of Easter

we’re glad you can join us for worship!

This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!

PRELUDE: Judy Fiske

CALL TO WORSHIP: “We have not seen…and we believe” (Joseph T. Nolan)

We believe in God whom we do not see because of Jesus who was seen and people who live by His Spirit.
We believe in God whom we do not see because of truth and beauty, love, goodness, and integrity, which make the divine a part of human life.
We believe in a heaven we have not seen because love is stronger that death and all our hopes cannot find fulfillment in this life.
We believe in the Spirit we cannot see because we see the Creator Spirit at work in our lives and hear the Spirit’s voice in our silence.
We believe in the earth and its people in spite of the evil we see because we have shared their goodness.
We believe in a providence we do not always see because God made us, and here we are, with ten billion years behind us.
We believe in the resurrection in spite of the death we see because we have been raised up many times, and passed from death to life.
We believe in God whom we do not see because of the One who said, “He who sees me sees the Father.”
We have seen him in our humanity, in His risen body, and we believe.


HYMN #606: “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”

Lord, I lift Your name on high,
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I’m so glad Your’re in my life,
I’m so glad You came to save us!
You came from heaven to earth to show the way;
from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay.
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky,
Lord, I lift Your name on high.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-29

SOLO: Anna Tuckwiller, ““I Never Leave Your Hands” by JJ Heller


HYMN #196: “Alleluia No. 1”

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

V.1:  Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation.

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

V. 2: Spread the good news o’er all the earth; Jesus has died and has risen.

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

We hope you’ll join us this afternoon at 2PM for our quarterly Church-Wide Business Meeting! Members and visitors are welcome; this is a key opportunity to participate in the life of our church. This will be one of the more unique business meetings we’ve had over the last 130+ years, but we look forward to praying together, celebrating the ways God is at work among us, and offering updates on our financial status and other operations of the church. We encourage you to read through the written reports before the meeting.

We also have a need for members to vote before 5PM today on a decision about whether or not to accept funding from the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program in order to help with payroll expenses for our Childcare Center Ministry and church staff. Additional information and instructions for voting are available in video and audio formats, as well as a written Q&A, here.


Whether you’ve been coming to Tabernacle for years, or just started worshiping with us online recently, we are glad you’re here, and invite you to participate in other opportunities for fellowship and discipleship as well! There are several new groups starting up or starting new studies, and our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. The Soul Care Project is a new digital series that started this week. It will offer a weekly theme promoting practices to help us care for our souls by connection with ourselves, God, and the world. We encourage you to listen to this week’s podcast and interact with the resources available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.

MEMBER ACTION REQUIRED: THIS WEEK’S VOTE ON RECEIVING FUNDS FROM THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM.

Member Action Required. from Sterling W. Severns on Vimeo.

This video features Kristen O’Sullivan, Director of our Child Care Center Ministry, and Terry McMahon, Chair of our Administrative Board. They offer timely and specific information on this week’s vote on church approval of receiving funds from the Paycheck Protection Program. 

We have no idea when to expect a call from the bank to secure the $212,900 grant/loan. However, when the call comes we need to be ready. If we miss our window, we may not have access to the funds anytime in the foreseeable future. Thus, we need to break our usual protocol in providing two weeks notice prior to this type of vote. The grant/loan effectively becomes “forgivable” as long as we abide by the specific guidelines. It will make a significant/positive impact on life and ministry in the church. The Administrative Board unanimously recommends that we proceed with securing the grant/loan.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO VOTE and the Q&A Sheet.

Please help us spread the word, church members can vote anytime BETWEEN the bookends of Thursday, April 23 through 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 26.

We’re in this together!

Communion

Partaking in Communion this Sunday.

We will partake of communion each Sunday during this Easter Season.

The diversity of our unique theological heritages is one of our God’s greatest gifts at Tabernacle. One of markers of the gift is our diverse convictions about the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Jesus opens the table to everyone. That said, we also believe that each person should remain true to their convictions.  Some of us were raised in traditions that believe communion should only be received after someone has been baptized or confirmed, while others were raised to believe that no specific criteria is required for participation. There is a wide assortment of beliefs about the symbolism and meaning of communion.


We are a priesthood of all believers, an eclectic and beautiful circle of Jesus followers. We celebrate our differences. We make space for people to grow in their understanding of theology while also honoring the places we’ve come from. 


We want you to know that it’s okay for you, or your loved ones, to partake of the elements if you feel that it is appropriate.

Easter Ritual

We gather in quiet. Sunlight streams into the darkness as doors are opened. The very candle we extinguished on Good Friday enters the room. The candle is passed throughout the Sanctuary until it is finally placed amid a wreath of flowers. 

We light the candle and proclaim, “He is Risen”!

….and the celebration begins. 

Sunday, April 19 | Second Sunday of Easter

we’re glad you can join us for worship!

This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!

PRELUDE: “In the Garden,” Judy Fiske

This hymn is a favorite from 1912, about the time our 1st building was built on this corner of Grove Avenue and Meadow Street. The hymn is often criticized because he does not mention the name of Jesus in the text, but rather relies on the capital H in he and him to let us know that Jesus is the central person in this song. This song does paint a beautiful picture of encountering Jesus in the garden.
“In the Garden”
V. 1 I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. 
Chorus: And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.  
V. 2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing; and the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.
V. 3 I’d stay in the garden with Him, though the night around me be falling; but He bids me go; through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling.

CALL TO WORSHIP: “I’ve Just Seen Jesus” (Gaither/Daniels)

This song was presented by Susan Braden on April 1, 2018. This was one of the few times, if not the only time, that she stood at the pulpit at Tabernacle to sing with Ryan Corbitt accompanying her. She usually sang from the piano accompanying herself. This is a powerful reminder of what Mary Magdalene was feeling as she left the empty tomb and encountered the risen Jesus Christ. Susan was deep into her cancer treatment when she sang this song for worship. She lost that battle this year, 2020, on March 27. We are blessed to have these recordings of her powerful testimony.

POEM: The Magdalene’s Blessing for Easter Day

You hardly imagined standing here, everything you ever loved suddenly returned to you, looking you in the eye and calling your name.  
And now you do not know how to abide this hole in the center of your chest, where a door slams shut and swings open at the same time, turning on the hinge of your aching and hopeful heart.
I tell you, this is not a banishment from the garden.  This is an invitation, a choice, a threshold, a gate. This is your life calling to you from a place you could never have dreamed, but now that you have glimpsed its edge, you can not imagine choosing any other way.
So let the tears come as anointing, as consecration and then let them go.  Let this blessing gather itself around you. Let it give you what you will need for this journey. You will not remember the words—-they do not matter.  All you need to remember is how it sounded when you stood in the place of death and heard the living call your name.


HYMN #223: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”

V. 1 Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne; Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own: awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

V. 2 Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save; His glories now we sing who died, and rose on high, who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

V. 3 Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways from pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise: His reign shall know no end, and round His pierced feet fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

V. 4 Crown Him the Lord of love! Behold His hands and side, those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified: all hail, Redeemer, hail! for Thou hast died for me! Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Gospel Reading: John 20:11-17


HYMN #196: “Alleluia No. 1”

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

V.1:  Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation.

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

V. 2: Spread the good news o’er all the earth; Jesus has died and has risen.

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.


We know many of you are longing for deeper connections and spiritual sustenance during this season of isolation. In order to help you find the right places to connect, we have created an online interest form. Whether you regularly attend TBC, or have found us online more recently, we would love for you to join us for some of these opportunities!


Our Community Ministry is currently open for no-contact emergency food pickup each Saturday morning. Volunteers are packing bags on Fridays, and there are also opportunities to help from home! Sign up if you’d like to help, and email April Kennedy with any questions.

COVID-19 Update: 2 of 5

This episode speaks to the unique role that each staff member is playing at this critical moment in the life of the church. We encourage you to listen to it….pray for each staff member in the days ahead….and offer assistance if you feel called to do so.

Sunday, April 12 | Easter Sunday

we’re glad you can join us for worship!

This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to Hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!

PRELUDE: “Noel Nouvelet” (Pethel), Judy Fiske

This organ piece is based on the French Noel “Noel Nouvelet.”  The tune is used at both Christmas and Easter. The Easter text is “Now the Green Blade Riseth.”
V. 1 Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain, Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain; Love lives again, that with the dead has been: Love is come again like wheat that springeth green. 
V. 2 In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain, Thinking that He never would awake again, Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen: Love is come again like wheat that springeth green. 
V. 3 Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain, Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain, Quick from the dead the risen One is seen:  Love is come again like wheat that springeth green. 
V. 4 When our hearts are wintry, greiving, or in pain,Jesus touch can call us back to life again, Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been: Love is come again like wheat that springeth green. 

CALL TO WORSHIP: “Easter” (Cherwien)

From the way things appear on earth when a person dies it seems the end.
But Christ has shown us otherwise.
Spring follows winter.
Trees which dropped their leaves and slept through the dark time now bud and leaf again.
Crocus blossoms burst from snow.
Christ bursts from the grave.
Spring follows winter.
The sun follows the night.
Easter follows Good Friday.
Do not be afraid, said the angel at the empty tomb.
Do not be afraid, he is risen from the dead.
The dark of night is past.
The sun arises for the new day.
All shall be well. All shall be well.
All: CHRIST IS RISEN, CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED! (3 times)


HYMN #194: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” (EASTER HYMN)

V. 1:
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven join to say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, Ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

V. 2:
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! 

V. 3:
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!

V. 4:
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!


THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.


Solo: “They Could Not” (Cloninger/Harris), Terry Witt

Gospel Reading: John 20:1-10


HYMN #196: “Alleluia No. 1”

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

V.1:  Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation.

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.

V. 2: Spread the good news o’er all the earth; Jesus has died and has risen.

Chorus: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.


OFFERTORY: “Rise Again” (Holm), Ron Simmons

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Continue to Connect

We know many of you are longing for deeper connections and spiritual sustenance during this season of isolation. We are working hard to create new opportunities for community and support for those connected to Tabernacle both locally and globally. In order to help you find the right places to connect, we have created an online interest form. Whether you regularly attend TBC, or have just found us online this Holy Week, we would love for you to join us for some of these opportunities!