Welcome Home to Zion!
April 5, 2026 - 9:15 AM
Easter Sunday
Welcome and Announcements
The Lighting of the Paschal Candle
Pastor: Welcome Easter! The light of Christ rises in glory, overcoming the darkness of sin and death.
People: Christ is our Light!
Prelude
Easter Proclamation
Pastor: Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing Choirs of Angels! Exult all creation around God’s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation!
People’s Response (R): Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing Choirs of Angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Pastor: Rejoice O Earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of our King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes forever!
People ( R above)
Pastor: Rejoice, O holy church, exult in glory! The risen Savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!
People: (R above)
Pastor: It is truly right that we should praise you, invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your Son, Jesus Christ. For Christ ransomed us with his blood and paid the debt of Adam’s sin to deliver your faithful people.
People: (R above)
Pastor: Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to your honor. Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning for all creation.
Hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today” No. 302
Psalter Psalm 118:14-24 (R2) No. 839
The Gospel Matthew 28:1-10
Hymn “Christ Is Risen” No. 307
Sermon “Looking for Jesus”
The Service of Baptismal Covenant pg. 50
The Service of Communion
Confessions and Pardon p. 8
Offering “Give Thanks” No. 2036
The Great Thanksgiving p. 9
The Lord’s Prayer
Giving the Bread and Cup
Sending Forth
Hymn “Christ Has Risen” No. 2115
Dismissal with Blessing
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! AMEN
Response “Bind Us Together’’ No. 2226
Postlude
Worship: def. - to give praise and thanksgiving to God. This is what we do as faithful people of God; we gather weekly to return to God our praise and thanks.
Word and Table
Worship is a balance of Word and Table, as the early church worshiped, as reported in the Bible (The book of Acts).
The Word is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as found in the Bible books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The sermon is a vital tool for the pastor and spiritual leader of the congregation to teach the meaning of the Gospel passage and how it can be applied to the lives of the faithful.
The Table refers to the prayers and gifts we bring to the altar for the Lord. Prayer is a two-way means of communication with God. Our gifts are bread, wine, tithes, and donations. The Lord returns to the faithful the gifts of bread and wine in the sacrament of the Eucharist (also known as Mass or Holy Communion).
In the United Methodist Church we recognize two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.
Baptism is what makes a person a Christian- a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is God’s gracious acceptance of the person into the community. It is God’s acceptance; therefore, Baptism may take place at any age. Because it is the initiation into the community of faith, it is most appropriate to take place in the worship setting. Baptism can only be done once in life, is done using the symbolism of water sprinkled or poured over the head, and is recognized by most other mainline Christian denominations.
If Baptism takes place at an early age, children have an opportunity to confirm what was done on their behalf by taking Confirmation classes and formally joining the membership. This is generally done when the child is in the 7th or 8th grade. Confirmation classes are held in the Spring of each year. For more information, read our FAQs about Baptism.
Holy Communion, also known as Eucharist, is generally held the first Sunday of each month and on other special days. The liturgy is the same at all services. We alternate between using a common loaf and cup (which necessitates Intinction- the dipping of the bread into the wine) and using prepared bread and individual communion cups. We also alternate the practice of being served at the altar rail and being served at the front of the aisle. At all times, people are welcome to sit, stand, or kneel at the altar rail in prayer.
Gifts for the Walworth Food Pantry may be left at the altar rail during any service where Eucharist is celebrated. Non-perishable food items, personal health care items, and gifts of money are gratefully received. This continues the first century practice of tying the Eucharist with mission for those in need.
All who desire to draw close to Jesus are welcome to receive communion in The United Methodist Church. The table is open to people of all ages, races, and conditions. All those physically unable to approach the table may be served in their seat- please make your needs known to an usher.
A Note on Weddings and Funerals:
Weddings. Weddings are a joyous time, marking one of life's most wonderful passage. It is appropriate to call the worshiping community together to witness the making of vows and to give God thanks for the love that brought the bride and groom to this moment. To schedule a wedding- call (315) 286-7001 cell or email (rjefnowak@gmail.com) pastor Jeff. Include your name, address, phone number, and requested date. A confidential form will be sent to you by the pastor for you to fill out and return. Once returned, the rehearsal and wedding dates will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. The pastor will call the couple to set up a time for a pre-marital consultation (1 to 2 hours) before the rehearsal. There are no fees for contributing members and friends of Zion. For those not already recorded as contributing, the fees are as follows: $150 church, $150 pastor, $50 pianist, $20 custodian. A valid marriage license must be presented to the pastor, along with payment of all fees, at the rehearsal.
Funerals. Funerals are a time to grieve the loss of a loved one and to give thanks to God for their life. Calling hours, funerals, and memorial services can take place at the funeral home or at the church building. It is greatly suggested that funerals and memorial services be held at the church building, with a closed casket, for church members and friends. The family entrusts the arrangements to the funeral director. The pastor is entrusted with the worship and rituals of the church. It is helpful that the pastor be notified of impending sickness or death, so that pastoral care can begin at the earliest possible time. When the family makes arrangements with the funeral director, they are to request that the funeral, memorial service, and / or internment be conducted by Zion's pastor. It is the responsibility of the funeral director to contact the pastor and to finalize arrangements for the worship and ritual components. The pastor will arrange to meet with the family to plan the services and to consider other church arrangements. There are no fees for members and friends of Zion. The funeral director may request that a gift be made to the pastor. For funerals of those not affiliated with the church family, the fees are collected by the funeral director, and are $100 - $150 for the pastor and $50 - $100 for the pianist. Additional services will require additional fees.
Scripture
∑ for year A (Dec 2023- Nov. 2024): https://www.lectionarypage.net/CalndrsIndexes/Calendar2023.html
∑ for year B (Dec 2024 - Nov 2025): https://www.lectionarypage.net/CalndrsIndexes/Calendar2024.html
∑ for year C (Dec 2021 - Nov 2022): http://www.textweek.com/yearc/yearc.htm
A Note on the Holy Bible, Translations, and the Place of Scripture: When in seminary, I learned the value of keeping up to date with the latest, most scholarly, best translation available. Therefore, I use the New Revised Standard Version, (NRSV) and would encourage my parish to do likewise. As United Methodists, we honor the living Word, Jesus Christ. To learn more go to: www.UMC.org > About Our Church > What We Believe > Our Doctrinal Heritage > Section 4 - Our Theological Task > Scripture. The direct address is http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1665
