# EASTER SUNDAY: BREAD FOR FEASTING *Please stand in body or in spirit* ## Gathering Music *“Sanctuary at St. John’s (Easter Version)”, “This is the Day” (EV)* ## Unison Welcome “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here” ## 📢 Announcements - 🗓️ **Monday, April 21** - Church Office Closed – Easter Monday - 10:00 am Meditation Group – Parlor Room 104 - 6:30 pm Bible and a Beer – Trojan Diner - 7:00 pm Boy Scouts – Fellowship Hall - 🗓️ **Tuesday, April 22** - 5:30 pm Yoga – Room 202 - 6:00 pm Ladies Bible Study – Zoom - 6:45 pm Amistad Praise Band Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall - 🗓️ **Wednesday, April 23** - 6:30 pm Council Meeting – Conference Room 111 - 🗓️ **Thursday, April 24** - 6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice – Choir Room 103 - 6:00 pm Dance Classes – Fellowship Hall - 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room 103 - 🗓️ **Saturday, April 26** - 8:00 am Spring Clean Up @ St. John’s Camp - 🗓️ **Sunday, April 27** - 8:45 am Godly Play Class – Room 119 - 8:45 am Spark! Elementary Church School Class – Room 115 - 8:45 am Teen Discussion Class – Youth Room 206 - 8:45 am Wired Word Church School Class – Room 116 - 10:00 am Sunday Service – Sanctuary - 🎉 **Easter Monday**: The Church Office will be closed on Monday, April 21 in observance of Easter. Pastor Caroline will be available via phone/text for pastoral emergencies. - 😂 **Holy Humor Sunday** will be celebrated on Sunday, April 27. This service is designed to tap into the lighter side of our faith. Don’t forget to bring your jokes! - 📚 **Monday Afternoon Book Study**: Will take Monday, April 21 “off” for Easter. Our next selection is _How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith_ by Mariann Edgar Budde. We begin on Monday, April 28 at 1:30 pm in Conference Room 111. - 🎈 **Birthday Balloons**: Celebrate April birthdays on Sunday, April 27 during coffee hour. - 🤝 **Congregational Care**: As part of our Future Together Strategic Plan, we focus on: 1. Supporting and encouraging members and friends of St. John’s. 2. Encouraging small‑group formation for a variety of opportunities. 3. Expanding our church‑wide culture of caring. Join us Monday, April 28 at 3:00 pm in Conference Room 111. - 📖 **Sunday Night Bible Study**: Sundays at 8 pm via Zoom focusing on Daniel. April 27 session covers Daniel 7. Zoom ID: 836 0593 5961 | Passcode: 277938. - ☕ **Join us for Life Talk**: After Sunday services in the parlor for 15–20 minutes. Share concerns, vent, or just talk—everyone’s welcome. - 🍻 **Bible and a Beer**: 3rd Monday of the month at Trojan Diner, 6:30 pm. Next: April 21. - ✝️ **Lenten Projects**: Our collection for four organizations continues through April 27. - 🏃 **Race Against Poverty**: Sponsor of the 15th Annual Race on Friday, June 6. Join our St. John’s team or support our First Fruits recipient in May. - 💃 **Evening of Ballroom Dance**: Friday, May 9, 6–9 pm in Fellowship Hall—dance the night away! - 🙏 **Thank You** to everyone who helped with our pancake breakfast and egg hunt on April 19. ## Chiming of the Trinity ## Prelude *Lift High the Cross* — S. Nelson setting by L. Shackley _from Bread of Life_ ## Call to Worship Christ is risen! **Christ is risen, indeed!** The bread of life has broken the power of death! Let no one go hungry again! **Alleluia! Jesus is alive! Let all creation rejoice!** Christ is risen, conquering hate and violence! Let the people of God find wholeness and healing. **Alleluia! Let restoration begin! The kin(g)dom of God is at hand!** Let us join in the eternal feast, where hope overflows and the despair of this life is vanquished by love. **The bread of life is risen and alive.** Let us worship the one who leads us now in compassion and justice! ## 🎵 Hymn #194 **Christ the Lord Is Risen Today** *By Charles Wesley, 1739 – Public Domain* 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 thy victory, O 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! ## Opening Prayer _from Bread of Life_ Spirit of the risen Christ, you dwell among us as we sing, pray, and rejoice in your victory. Because you have conquered death, nothing can separate us from your presence. So, with full hearts and nourished souls, we celebrate this day of extravagant love. Let our worship be a reflection of the feast you have prepared, where no one is left hungry, and all are made whole. May our work in this world bring the table of heaven to earth. We pray this in the name of the bread of life, who was born in a town called House of Bread. Alleluia! Amen. ## Passing of the Peace _from Bread of Life_ Siblings in Christ, today, we celebrate the bread of life, broken and risen to satisfy our deepest hunger. Christ has conquered death, hate, and despair, bringing wholeness and healing to all who believe. As we join in the eternal feast, let us share a sign of that peace with one another. The peace of the risen Christ be with you. And also with you. Let us pass the peace of the risen Christ. ## Prayer for Illumination _from Bread of Life_ Risen Christ, open our hearts to hear the great story of resurrection once again. May we feel the disciples’ exhilaration as they encountered you in living flesh, and may we embody the scripture’s message of hope today. Amen. ## Scripture Reading ### 📖 Acts 10:34–43 (NRSVue) 34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” --- ### 📖 John 20:11–18 (NRSVue) 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her. ## Responsive Reading *“Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken” by Reginald Heber* > Bread of the world, in mercy broken, > Wine of the soul, in mercy shed, > **By Whom the words of life were spoken,** > **And in Whose death our sins are dead.** > Look on the heart by sorrow broken, > Look on the tears by sinners shed; > **And be Thy feast to us the token,** > **That by Thy grace our souls are fed.** ## Anthem *This is the Day* — Natalie Sleeth / arr. Robert Lau ## Children’s Message Roxanne Davenport ## Scripture Reading ### 📖 John 21:1–17 (NRSVue) 1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. --- tags: [Easter, Resurrection, Bread for Feasting, Love, Abundance, Agape Love, Philio Love] title: Easter Sunday: Bread for Feasting linter-yaml-title-alias: Easter Sunday: Bread for Feasting date created: 2025-04-20 --- ## Easter Sunday: Bread for Feasting ### Sermon Summary - The central message emphasizes that love and resurrection prevail over fear and death. - The sermon ties directly into the liturgical focus of Easter, reflecting on Jesus’ resurrection as a promise of new life. ### Preaching Style - Narrative: The preacher uses Gospel stories, highlighting the disciples’ encounters with the risen Christ. - Inclusive examples: Peter’s redemption, the disciples’ miraculous catch of fish, and the communal breakfast with Jesus illustrate the message. ### Intonation and Delivery - The preacher’s tone is warm and inviting, engaging the audience with varied pace and vocal delivery. - Visual descriptions (e.g., Peter leaping from the boat) and reflective questions cater to different learning preferences. ### Content Structure - The sermon is well-structured: a reflective beginning on Easter’s significance, a compelling middle recounting biblical events, and a concluding call to live out love. - Transitions between scripture and application are smooth, ensuring clarity and accessibility. ### Engagement and Application - The congregation is encouraged to embody love and promote inclusion, reflecting Jesus’ actions. - Practical steps, such as caring for others and building equitable communities, are integrated into the message. - Reflective questions, like “Do you love me?” help foster personal and communal engagement. ### Scripture Breakdown - **John 21:1–17**: The resurrected Jesus meets the disciples on the shore, fills their nets, and invites them to breakfast. - Theological implications: a shift from scarcity to abundance, forgiveness, and vocational renewal are emphasized. - Equity and inclusion are drawn from Jesus’ actions and words, which demonstrate care for all people. ### Logical Reasoning - **Positive reasoning:** 1. **Sound deductive reasoning:** The sermon logically connects the disciples’ experiences with the broader theological message of love overcoming death. 2. **Inductive reasoning:** The narrative builds on patterns of Jesus’ consistent care and forgiveness, illustrating abundant love. 3. **Causal reasoning:** Jesus’ invitation to breakfast directly leads to the disciples’ deeper understanding of their calling. - **No logical fallacies detected:** The arguments presented are coherent and supported by scripture. ### References - The sermon includes insights from theologians like Reverend Benjamin Kramer. - References to marginalized voices and inclusive theology strengthen the message of equity. ### Quotes and Illustrative Stories - Memorable quotes: - “Love, he is risen, he is risen indeed.” - “Eat, for this is bread for feasting.” - Stories: Peter’s redemption, the disciples’ communal meal, and Mary Magdalene’s recognition of Jesus make the message relatable and memorable. ### Calls to Action - The preacher urges the congregation to live out their love by caring for others and building inclusive communities. - Reflective moments and direct questions (e.g., “Do you love me?”) inspire personal growth and a commitment to love and service. ## 04-20 Lecture: Resurrection of Jesus and Agape Love > Date & Time: 2025-04-20 10:31:24 > Location: [Insert Location] > [Insert Title] `Resurrection of Jesus` `Agape and Philio love` `Easter` ### Theme This lecture explores the significance of Jesus' resurrection, his post-resurrection appearances, and his conversation with Simon Peter. It delves into the concepts of agape and philio love, highlighting Jesus' teachings on love, community, and care. The resurrection is portrayed as a victory over death, symbolizing eternal life and the foundation of Christian faith. The lecture emphasizes the importance of love and community, with Easter celebrated as a day of rejoicing. ### Takeaways 1. Resurrection of Jesus and its significance 2. Jesus' appearance to his disciples after resurrection 3. Miracle of catching 153 fish 4. Jesus' conversation with Simon Peter 5. Concept of agape and philio love 6. Jesus' role as the bread of life 7. Importance of love and community 8. Jesus' teachings on love and care 9. Easter as a day of rejoicing 10. Jesus' final instructions to his disciples ### Highlights - ` "Love gets the last word." ` ### Chapters & Topics #### Resurrection of Jesus and its significance > The resurrection of Jesus is a central event in Christianity, symbolizing victory over death and the promise of eternal life. It is celebrated on Easter and marks the foundation of Christian faith. **Keypoints:** - Jesus appeared to his disciples multiple times after resurrection. - The resurrection signifies that death does not have the last word. - It is a day of rejoicing and celebration of life. **Explanation:** The resurrection is seen as a fulfillment of Jesus' promise and a demonstration of divine power. It reassures believers of life after death and the triumph of love and faith over fear and doubt. #### Jesus' conversation with Simon Peter > Jesus' conversation with Simon Peter after the resurrection involves asking Peter three times if he loves Him, paralleling Peter's earlier denial. This conversation emphasizes forgiveness, love, and the call to serve. **Keypoints:** - Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, using different Greek words for love. - Peter is given a chance to redeem himself after his denial. - Jesus instructs Peter to 'feed my sheep,' symbolizing care for others. **Explanation:** The conversation is a moment of reconciliation and commissioning. Jesus uses the Greek words 'agape' and 'philio' to explore different dimensions of love, ultimately accepting Peter's capacity for brotherly love and entrusting him with the responsibility to care for others. #### Concept of agape and philio love > Agape and philio are two Greek words for love used in the New Testament. Agape refers to unconditional, selfless love, while philio denotes brotherly love or friendship. **Keypoints:** - Agape is unconditional and self-giving, not seeking anything in return. - Philio is associated with friendship and warmth, but not unconditional. - Jesus uses these terms to explore Peter's love and commitment. **Explanation:** In the conversation with Peter, Jesus initially asks for agape love, which is the highest form of love. Peter responds with philio, indicating his current capacity for love. Jesus meets Peter at his level, showing acceptance and understanding of human limitations. In the conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter, forgiveness and love are illustrated through Jesus' repeated questioning of Peter's love for Him. After the resurrection, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, mirroring Peter's earlier three denials of Jesus. Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus responds with a command to "feed my lambs," "take care of my sheep," and "feed my sheep." This exchange signifies Jesus' forgiveness of Peter's past denials and His trust in Peter to take on a leadership role among His followers. The use of different Greek words for love in their conversation further highlights the depth of this interaction. Jesus initially uses "agape," referring to unconditional love, while Peter responds with "philio," indicating brotherly love. By the third question, Jesus uses "philio," meeting Peter at his level of understanding and capability. This demonstrates Jesus' acceptance and understanding of Peter's current state, showing love and forgiveness by meeting him where he is and encouraging him to grow. Overall, this conversation underscores the themes of forgiveness, restoration, and the transformative power of love, as Jesus entrusts Peter with the responsibility to care for His followers despite Peter's previous failings. ## Special Music *Jesus Christ* — Amistad Praise Band ## Sharing of Joys and Concerns ## Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (Debts) ## Invitation to Giving ## Offering Song *Easter Offering* (words are on the screen) ## Offertory Response _from Bread of Life_ ## Prayer of Dedication _from Bread of Life_ Holy God, we bring to you our gifts and offerings with the same spirit of abandon that inspired Peter to jump into the sea to greet Jesus. Let our generosity flow from the joy of knowing that the bread of life has come to heal us and restore us to wholeness. Use our gifts to nourish our communities and satisfy the hunger of our world. Amen. ## Holy Communion *(follow along on the screen)* We celebrate communion this day by passing the plates of bread and cup. ## Affirmation of Faith _from Bread of Life_ (on screen) ## Hymn #214 ### 🎵 *The Day of Resurrection* **Text by John of Damascus, trans. John Mason Neale (Public Domain)** 1. The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad; the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God. From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky, our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory. 2. Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright the Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light, and listening to his accents, may hear so calm and plain his own “All hail!” and hearing, may raise the victor strain. 3. Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth the song begin, the round world keep high triumph, and all that is therein. Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend, for Christ the Lord has risen, our joy that has no end. ## Commission & Benediction _from Bread of Life_ ## Postlude (seated) *The Trumpet shall Sound* — G. F. Handel _All are welcome at Christ’s table. To let the church office know that you communed today, please sign the black attendance pad found in each row._ --- **Nursery & Narthex** The “Nursery Nook in the Narthex” quiet area and infant/toddler space in the Parlor are available for children and families to use during worship. Age‑appropriate activity bags are also available. See the deacon for assistance. **Birthdays this week:** 4/23 Elijah Herbert; 4/26 Harold Collier ### Worship Participants | Role | Name | |----------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Pastor | Rev. Caroline E. Saxton | | Organist | Barbara Motichka | | Amistad Praise Band | Guz Mora, Roxanne Davenport, Kathleen Mooshian | | Deacon in Charge | Diana Kongkeattikul | | Lector | Chris Willman‑Bunge | | Media Coordinators | Calvin Frantz & Ginny Cairns | | Bulletin Cover | “Christ is Risen!” by John (traqair57 on Flickr) | **The Flowers at the Foot of the Cross** are given in memory of Harry and Ida Funk by Lynann Funk and Doreen and Kenneth Horn. Please see the insert for information about the beautiful Easter tulips decorating the Sanctuary this morning. **St. John’s Vision** > We are called to love, to learn, to worship and to witness in Christ > as a congregation that welcomes everyone, > and seeks service that will advance God’s realm on earth. **St. John’s Mission** > To grow in love of God and neighbor **Worship Resources:** *“Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken” by Reginald Heber (1783–1826)* <https://www.journeywithjesus.net/poemsandprayers/570-reginald-heber> *“Bread of Life” Lenten liturgy & commentary © 2025 Illustrated Ministry*