Welcome to First Christian Reformed Church! Pastor John Knoester

April 3, 2016

10:30 AM Worship Service * Please stand if you are able.

“Come to us, beloved Stranger, as you came that Easter day.” Prelude: Marjo Rouw Welcome & Announcements * Call to Worship:

Leader: This is the good news— the grave is empty; Christ is risen.

People: Hallelujah!

Leader: This is the good news— the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never put it out.

People: Hallelujah!

Leader: This is the good news— once we were no people; now we are God’s people.

People: Hallelujah!

Leader: Christ is our peace, the indestructible peace we now share with each other.

People: Hallelujah! Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, CRC Publications

* Opening Hymn of Praise: LUYH #191:1-4 “Praise the Savior, Now and Ever”

1. Praise the Savior, now and ever; praise him, all beneath the skies; self denying, suffering, dying, on the cross a sacrifice. Victory gaining, life obtaining, now in glory he doth rise!

2. Our work faileth, Christ’s availeth; he is all our righteousness. He, our Savior, has forever set us free from dire distress. Through his merit we inherit light and peace and happiness.

3. Sin’s bonds severed, we’re delivered; Christ has crushed the serpent’s head. Death no longer is the stronger; hell itself is captive led. Christ has risen from death’s prison; o’er the tomb he light has shed.

4. For his favor, praise forever unto God the Father sing. Praise the Savior, praise him ever, Son of God, our Lord and King. Praise the Spirit; through Christ’s merit he doth us salvation bring. Words: Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, 569; tr. Augustus Nelson (1863-1949), alt., P.D.;

Music: Then Swenska Psalm-Boken, 1697, P.D.; CCLI #678905

* God’s Greeting/We Greet Each Other

* Opening Songs of Worship

Read Psalm 66:1-3a 1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!

3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!

“Glorious Day”

1. One day when Heaven was filled with His praises, One day when sin was as black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, dwelt among men. My example is He. The Word became flesh and the light shined among us, His glory revealed.

Chorus Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He’s coming; Oh, glorious day,

Oh, glorious day.

2. One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain. One day they nailed Him to die on a tree. Suffering anguish, despised and rejected, bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He. The hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree and took the nails for me.

Chorus

3. One day the grave could conceal Him no longer. One day the stone rolled away from the door. Then He arose; over death He had conquered. Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore. Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him, from rising again.

Chorus Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He’s coming; Oh, glorious day, Oh, glorious day, glorious day.

Bridge

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming. One day the skies with His glory will shine. Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing. My Savior, Jesus is mine.

Final Chorus Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He’s coming; Oh, glorious day,

Oh, glorious day, glorious day, oh, glorious day. “Glorious Day”, Words & Music by Mark Hall & Michael Bleaker; © 2009 Zoo Music, My Refuge Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Word Music; All rights Reserved. Used by permission. CCLI # 678905

"Sing Praise to the Lord, You People of Grace" LUYH #7:1-4

1. Sing praise to the Lord, you people of grace; fill heaven with the songs that sound from this place; since you are God’s servants and meet in his name, his wonders declare and his glory proclaim.

Refrain Halle! Hallelujah! Halle! Halle! Hallelujah! Halle! Hallelujah! Halle! Halle! Hallelujah!

2. His greatness exceeds what words can explain, and his is the power no force can restrain; with fanfares of horns and crescendos of strings raise anthems to honor the King of all kings.

Refrain

3. Where music is made, let rhythms abound: let cymbals and drums add weight to the sound; with dance that is graceful and words that are clear, bring joy to the God you adore and revere.

Refrain

4. Yield all that you are to worship the Lord— see life as a psalm, each moment a chord; let harmonies flourish and melodies soar— let all that has breath praise the Lord evermore.

Refrain PSALM 150; Words: Martin Leckebusch © 2006 Kevin Mayhew Ltd.; Music: Swee Hong Lim, Singapore © 2000 and arr. © 2010 Swee Hong Lim, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik; All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-711218

“Walk with us to our Emmaus, for we need you still today.” Call to Confession:

We know that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Let us in freedom confess the wrong we have done. —based on Romans 8:39

Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, CRC Publications

Prayer of Confession Words of Assurance:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 15:54-57, NRSV

Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, CRC Publications The Law

We respond to God’s forgiveness by living our thanks according to God’s Word. Hear now God’s will for our lives: God spoke all these words:

“I am the LORD your God.

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol,

whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above,

or that is on the earth beneath,

or that is in the water under the earth.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them.

You shall not make wrongful use

of the name of the LORD your God.

Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house;

you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,

or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

—from Exodus 20:1-17, NRSV

Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, CRC Publications

Song of Response: LUYH #624:1-3 “Not What My Hands Have Done” 1. Not what my hands have done

can save my guilty soul; not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole. Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God; not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

2. Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace; your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase. No other work but yours, no other blood will do; no strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.

3. I praise the Christ of God; I rest on love divine; and with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine. My Lord has saved my life and freely pardon gives; I love because he first loved me, I live because he lives. Words: Horatius Bonar; Music George William Martin; Public Domain; CCLI #678905

During the singing of the last verse, children ages 3-first grade are dismissed to the Koinonia room for Children & Worship.

Offering: General Fund * Hymn of Preparation: LUYH #207:1-3 “Come to Us, Beloved Stranger”

1. Come to us, beloved Stranger, as you came that Easter day. Walk with us to our Emmaus, for we need you still today. Come to us when we are broken, when our dearest hopes are lost, speak to us the prophets’ message you fulfilled upon the cross. 2. Stay with us and give us blessing, that our hopes again may rise. Offer us your broken body; open our unseeing eyes. Come to us, God’s love embodied; touch our hearts with burning flame. Risen Christ, once dead, now living, come to us through joy, through pain.

3. We would never fail to see you as you walk with us each day. As a friend and not a stranger you would join us on our way. Help us trust that through your mercy we can doubt and fear transcend, and to others be a blessing. Keep us faithful till life’s end. Words: Edith Sinclair Downing (b. 1922), 1993, 1995 © 1998 Selah Publishing Company, Inc.;

Music: The Sacred Harp (1844); harm James Wood, 1958, © 1958, ren. 1986 Broadman Press, admin. Music Service; CCLI #678905

“Come to us when we are broken, when our dearest hopes are lost,”

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35 (pg. 1047) Read by Juliana LeClair Prayer of Illumination Message: “On the Road to Emmaus” Time of Prayer * Hymn of Application: LUYH #378:1-3 “Lord of All Hopefulness”

1. Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy, whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy: be there at our waking, and give us, we pray, your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day. 2. Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith, whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe: be there at our labors, and give us, we pray, your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

3. Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace, your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace: be there at our homing, and give us, we pray, your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day. Words: Jan Struther (1901-1953) from Enlarged Songs of Praise, 1931, used by permission of Oxford University Press;

Music: Irish; harm. Hymnal, 1982 © Church Pension Group/Church Publishing, Inc.; OneLicense.net License #A-711218

“Speak to use the prophet’s message you fulfilled upon the cross.” * We Profess our Faith: Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 57 & 58

Q 57. How does "the resurrection of the body" comfort you?

A. Not only my soul will be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, but even my very flesh, raised by the power of Christ, will be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body.

Q 58. How does the article concerning "life everlasting" comfort you?

A. Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart ever imagined: a blessedness in which to praise God eternally.

* God’s Parting Blessing

* Parting Song of Praise: “Benediction’ (May the Peace of God)” 1. May the peace of God our heav'nly Father, and the grace of Christ the risen Son, and the fellowship of God the Spirit keep our hearts and minds within His love.

Chorus And to Him be praise for His glorious reign, from the depths of earth to the heights of heav'n. We declare the name of the Lamb once slain: Christ eternal the King of kings.

2. May this peace which passes understanding, and this grace which makes us what we are, and this fellowship of His communion make us one in spirit and in heart.

Chorus 2x And to Him be praise for His glorious reign, from the depths of earth to the heights of heav'n. We declare the name of the Lamb once slain: Christ eternal the King of kings.

Final Ending: Christ eternal the King of kings. “Benediction” Keith Getty / Stuart Townend, © 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing); All rights Reserved. CCLI #678905

* Postlude Welcome! The psalmist wrote: “I will exalt you, my God and King. I will praise your name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:1). With a similar attitude, let us praise God joyfully. After joining us in worship, join us in the fellowship hall next to the sanctuary for a cup of coffee or juice and continued fellowship.

Pastor Andy Carlson will lead our evening service today. He is a candidate for the ministry and is currently serving at Awake Church in Seattle. Pray that God will give him the words to speak.

Next Sunday morning, April 10, Pastor Jon Westra will lead us in worship and his wife, Karen will accompany on the piano for our Worship Team. May God bless us all as we worship together. Sunday School & Catechism classes will not meet on April 10. They will resume again on April 17.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Membership Transfers: At its joint meeting on Monday, March 28 the council approved the membership transfer of Bill and Susan Schaletzke to Third Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, WA. The council also approved the release of membership of Dick and Mary Jo Reitsma to Christ the King Church here in Mount Vernon. May God bless both the Schaletzke's and Reitsma's in their new church homes.

OUR CHURCH EVENTS

FAMILY VISITING: The following is the family visiting schedule for March and April. If your family is included in the list please expect a call from the listed Elder to arrange the day and time for the visit. If you have questions about the schedule please call the listed Elder or call Henry Hammingh at 360-424-3019.

Today you will have opportunity to sign up to bring a casserole or dessert for the Friendship House on Wednesday, April 13. Servers are also needed. There will be a table in the Fellowship Hall where you can sign up and pick up a recipe. Monetary donations are accepted also. Any questions? Give Glenda Kok a call.

The Youth Group will meet tonight at 7:45 p.m. in the Youth Group room in the Education Wing. The Men's Bible Study will meet on Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30 a.m. at Shari's Restaurant in Burlington. We are studying the book of I John. You are welcome to join us. The Cascade Family Bible Conference will be held from July 7-11, 2016. Registration forms can be found on the walkway shelf.

ADVANCED NOTICES Golden Hour will not meet this Thursday, April 7. We meet again on Thursday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. We will be watching the movie "War Room". Anyone is invited to join us. The Council will meet on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. The Cadets will meet on Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. Ladies Craft Night will be held on Friday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. Bring something to work on and come and go as you please.

Our Church Potluck will be held on Sunday, April 17, after the morning service. Please bring a 9x13 inch hot dish (enough to feed 12-15), and salad or dessert. Table service is provided as well as juice and coffee. Mariners - Save the Date! This year's Faith and Family Night at Safeco Field is scheduled for Friday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. with a fireworks show immediately after the game. Tickets will be $15.00 per person. Last year we had over 50 people from our church attend and a fun evening was enjoyed by all. Sign-up sheets for this year's game are on the coffee table with the 'deadline date' for sign-ups being May 22.

ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT

Today, you have opportunity again to bring your donations of canned and non-perishable items for the food drive for “Neighbors in Need”. Please bring your donations in the morning or evening to the church and place them in the baskets located in the foyer and the Fellowship Hall. Christ Came to Save Sinners: Is it ever possible to sin more than Christ can redeem? In 1 Timothy 1 the Apostle Paul makes a powerful statement so all faithful believers can clearly identify the truth about Christ’s salvation. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes. Dirty Jobs: Chance Calhoun and the Rodeo are in town! Liz wonders what it takes to be a true cowboy, even if it means he has to get a little dirty. Follow the adventures of Liz and his pals every week: subscribe for free at getkidscorner.com. Find more great resources for kids and parents at kidscorner.net. This month's offer is a special "Pray the Scriptures" bookmark for both parents and kids! Seeing God in Science: How do we discuss God's Creation as it is revealed by science? A special series from Think Christian sets a framework for engaging with science from a Biblical standpoint. Subscribe to TC at ThinkChristian.net/Science, and get this new e-book free. Join Online Study with World Renew this Spring: Are you looking for an in-depth study about following Jesus more closely in your everyday life? Live Justly is a 6-week web-based curriculum that includes honest discussions about justice in our lives and our world. Study begins April 13 and concludes the week of May 18, 2016. The course is FREE, and study guides are available for purchase at worldrenew.net/order. To find out more and to register, contact ckritikos@intern.crcna.org. Randy Oostra, Jayne Hammingh and Eliot Blom would like to let you know that as School board members of Mount Vernon Christian School, we invite you ALL to the Annual Auction. Support from 1st CRC has been a vital part of the school and we feel it would be great to show the community that it continues today. Please help us fill tables by sitting together supporting Christian Education. Contact any of us to reserve your spot at this year’s fundraiser auction. The cost is $30.00 person. After April 12 it will be $35.00 per person. "Night at the Nursery" will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. The Proceeds go to benefit Family Promise of Skagit Valley. It will be held at Skagit Valley Gardens (18923 Peter Johnson Road, Mount Vernon, WA). Cost of tickets are $20.00 and can be bought at the church office or online at: fpnight.brownpapertickets.com. For more information contact Becky 2 360-755-3044.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK

SUN 4:00 pm Vida Nueva 6:30 pm Evening Service 7:45 pm Youth Group TUES 7:00 pm Vida Nueva WED 6:30 am Men's Bible Study at Shari's Restaurant

NURSERY: Today: Infants & Toddlers Juli Oostra, Kyler Houck, Kylie Boon Next Week: Infants & Toddlers Julie Houck, Nathan Van Beek, Kennedy Donaldson GREETERS: Today Rovers: Rich & Elly Cuperus AM: Daniel & Briana Vander Kooy, Henry & Anjean Vander Veen Next Week: Rovers: Dennis & Melba De Kok AM: Duane & Trudy Van Dyke, Minne & Trudy Vander Hoek USHERS Today: Darin Kuipers, Tim Hibma Next Week: Kendall Van Zanten, Tim Van Hofwegen CHILDREN & WORSHIP Today: Teacher: Michele Feddema Assistants: Brooke Knoester, Rayahna Oostra Next Week: Teacher: Michele Feddema Assistants: Janelle Donaldson, Kylie Boon COFFEE HOSTS Today: Minne & Trudy Vander Hoek, Henry & Pam Van Zanten, Jack & Trudy Van Klaveren Next Week: Larry & Margaret Vander Pol, Bryan & Deanna Van Beek, Henry & Anjean Vander Veen SOUND SYSTEM Today: Kendall Van Zanten Next Week: Henry Van Zanten PROJECTION Today: Devin Van Zanten Next Week: Tim Hibma VIDEO TAPING Today: Tim Hibma Next Week: Mike Hibma VIDA NUEVA CHILDCARE Today: Jayne Hammingh, Brooke Knoester Next Week: Jill Haagsma, Betty Postma MINISTRY OF PRAISE Next Week: Katie Jungquist Accompanist: Sylvia Van Zanten OFFERING: April 10, 2016 AM: General Fund PM: Faith House

6:30 P.M. Worship Service Guest Pastor - Andy Carlson

Pianist: Marjo Rouw Welcome/Announcements Prayer for Worship Opening Songs of Praise: Led by Henry Hammingh "Oh, to See the Dawn" LUYH #177:1-4 "The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done" LUYH #185:1,4,5 "Crown Him with Many Crowns" LUYH #223:1-3 Scripture Readings: Mark 1:40-45 Message: “Clean, then Sober” Time of Prayer Offering: Faith House Song of Application: LUYH #746:1-3 “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” * God’s Blessing * Parting Praise: LUYH #965 "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

People to be remembered with prayers, cards, letters & words of encouragement. Call the church office at (336-2405) or e-mail: secretary@firstcrcmv.com by Thursday of each week with your prayer items.

NEW CONCERN: Ina Greydanus suffered a fall on Saturday night and broke her hip. She had surgery on Easter Sunday and it went well. She is now at Mira Vista recuperating. Please pray for a swift recovery in the days and weeks ahead. SHUT INS: Nell Annema at Creekside in Burlington, Grace Faber at home in Mount Vernon; Ina Greydanus at Mira Vista in Mount Vernon; Helena Kuiper at Creekside in Burlington; Mary Koopmans at home in Mount Vernon; Adrianna Swanson at Creekside in Burlington; Bev Van Slageren at home in Clear Lake, and Rena Wester at the Lynden Manor. OTHER CONCERNS: Pray for students and teachers as they have some time off during Spring Break. Pray that they will come back refreshed and ready to finish the rest of the school year. Pray for those traveling during the Spring Break and that they may have safe travels. Back to God Ministries International: Yemen - "All I see around me is suffering, destruction, and death—all in the name of Allah. I no longer believe in this terrible Allah. Thank you for showing me a different way,” shares a person following our Arabic ministry. Pray for people who are daring to step away from an empty faith. Pray for their strength and perseverance. Christian Reformed World Missions: Nigeria - Missionaries and local leaders in Nigeria are working on a new initiative in the development of Christian education. Pray for wisdom as they move toward the launch of this initiative. Pray that participants will gain a better understanding of teaching from a Christian perspective. Christian Reformed Home Missions: Black and Reformed Conference - Pray for this gathering of leaders who will meet in South Holland, Ill., April 28-30 to learn, worship, and have fellowship with a diverse group of Christ followers. Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will be the plenary speaker. Back to God Ministries International: Cuba - Leticia is a regular reader of the Spanish devotional guide Cada Dia. She asks for prayers for her friend, 24-year-old Mairelis, who has a rare lung disease (LAM) and will be undergoing a double lung transplant in the United States. Please pray for healing and ask that Leticia may be able to minister to her friend through this procedure. World Renew: Nigeria - World Renew is providing an opportunity for healing in hurting communities through peace-building and trauma-healing programs. Participants have been able to process their experiences and to extend forgiveness to one another. Please pray for these persons as they continue to heal deep wounds. Pray that they will look to God as the source of their strength. Christian Reformed World Missions: International - Several CRWM missionaries are taking part in language training. Pray that they will have patience as they learn a language different from their native tongue. Pray that they can use their language skills to make deeper connections with the people they are serving. Candidacy Committee: Prospective candidates - Please pray for prospective ministerial candidates as they complete their final weeks in the classroom, prepare for candidate interviews, and begin interaction with inquiring ministries. Pray for discernment, focus, and peace.