March 31, 2024

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is one of the “best things Methodists do,” according to many people around the world. UMCOR is known for its quick and effective response to natural disasters in every part of the globe. I have personally been on mission trips where UMCOR is present to help with the cleanup, planning, and recovery in the aftermath of hurricanes and floods. I have seen first-hand the dedication, training, and recovery work that is possible.

When the Marshall Fire struck 1000 homes and 6000 acres in northern Colorado in December 2021, UMCOR provided immediate emergency assistance and continued restoration funding in the following year. Because UMCOR is one of the most tangible ways we, as United Methodists, live out our faith in the world, we at St. Paul's UMC have decided that 100% of our March Mission AND Easter Offering will support this incredible and essential work.

Just as the message of Easter is about restoring life after death, the work done through UMCOR helps restore people's lives after tragedy has struck. I encourage you to give generously this month to aid in the work of restoration and resurrection - here in Colorado and worldwide.

~Missions Committee

Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts

*Opening Hymn Processional
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Vs. 1-4 UMH #302
 
1. Christ the Lord is
risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in
chorus say, Alleluia!
 
Raise your joys
and triumphs high,
Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens
and earth reply,
Alleluia!
 
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!
 
3. Lives again
our glorious King,
Alleluia!
Where, O death,
is now thy sting?
Alleluia!
 
Once he died
our souls to save,
Alleluia!
Where’s the victory,
boasting grave?
Alleluia!
 
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!
 
Welcome and Announcements
Rev. David Petty

*Calling on God Prayer
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
 
Leader: Let us pray together:
 
People: Holy One, You whose love endures forever,
you keep offering us new life and hope, no matter what.
We praise you, for you are our strength and our salvation.
We shall not die, but live, for you call us into the light–
encouraging us to reach for the sun, unfurl our full colors,
and know that we are held in the deep and rich soil of your garden–
this is more than good enough for us!
Amen.

Mystery Box
 
Honest Questions, Compassionate Response
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
 
Leader: Easter is tricky when it comes to faith. We come for the happy ending–the “and then they lived happily ever after.” The resurrection story proclaims hope over despair and life over death, yet we know that life continued, and continues for us, as a story of spiking heartbreak moments that are not forever fixed. The nature of being created for love is that we will always hunger for more, that there is never enough life and love to satisfy. And endings are often too soon. But perhaps a good enough faith is one that moves through the chronic nature of being incurably human with an eye for resurrection moments that assure us that this good enough life is worthy of our amazement. I invite you imagine in this silence the deep seed and shoot that is growing within you, yearning for light and life.

Silent Reflection

Leader: Hear this compassionate word from the prophet Isaiah: “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.”
Know that already, God is offering us freedom from the fear of isolation and anguish at endings, inviting us to community and creativity for birthing new life–unexpected life, unending love.
And know, that despite our sometimes faltering steps, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are being forgiven, even now.

People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.
 
*The Peace

Gospel Reading
Mark 16:1-8
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

Sermon
A Good Enough Faith for a Good Enough Life
Rev. David Petty

Easter Cantata
Requiem for the Living:
    Introit – Kyrie
    Vanitas Vanitatum
    Agnus Dei
    Lux Aeterna

A Blessing for You Who Are Being Planted
Rev. David Petty

Blessed are you who are buried. You who feel stuck in the depths of grief and despair or who sit in the pit of unknowing. You who are learning to trust the timing of a tender Gardener.

Blessed are you who are growing, you who burst with new life, fresh creativity. Who understand the pain that sometimes comes with stretching and changing, pruning and being cut back.

And blessed are you in your season of fruitfulness. You who are learning to abide in the vine, and who taste the sweetness of God’s loving-kindness. The God who was there all along—planting, waiting, watering, pruning, delighting. The God who pays careful attention to God’s garden
Please stand for the benediction and for our closing song.
CHRIST IS RISEN (He is Risen indeed!)

Good friends, God has planted you in God's garden of a world and God expects to see you flourish, grow, be nurtured, and bear good fruit. You will go out into the world and just in your being present in it, you will make a difference as the people of God. Go forth, Easter people, RAISE your voices, Love Jesus, Love One Another, Go forth in Love and change the world. Amen.
Now let us sing...
 
*Hymn
Christ Is Risen
UMH #307
WORDS: Brian Wren, 1984 © 1986 Hope Publishing Co.
 
1. Christ is risen!
Shout Hosanna!
Celebrate this
day of days.
 
Christ is risen!
Hush in wonder;
all creation is amazed.
 
In the desert
all surrounding,
see, a spreading
tree has grown.
 
Healing leaves
of grace abounding
bring a taste of
love unknown.
 
2. Christ is risen!
Raise your spirits
from the caverns
of despair.
 
Walk with gladness
in the morning.
See what love can
do and dare.
 
Drink the wine
of resurrection,
not a servant,
but a friend;
 
Jesus is our
strong companion.
Joy and peace
shall never end.
 
3. Christ is risen!
Earth and heaven
nevermore shall
be the same.
 
Break the bread
of new creation
where the world
is still in pain.
 
Tell its grim,
demonic chorus:
“Christ is risen!
Get you gone!”
 
God the First
and Last is with us.
Sing Hosanna everyone!
 
*Postlude
Hallelujah Chorus