Easter Sunday

April 12, 2020

A Liturgy of Resurrection

We are five weeks into these living-room-liturgy experiences, and this is a big one. It’s Easter! Not just another normal Sunday, although it seems like there is no such thing as a normal Sunday anyways. Traditionally, every Sunday is to be understood as a little resurrection day. Every Sunday a little Easter. We could all use more of that right now. So today we are sharing an Easter liturgy with you all. May it be a blessing in times of disruption.

Today we have a few special surprises. Our kids will help us begin worship with our Easter refrain: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! You can watch a video of that right above 👆. Also, we found a way to create a community choir for our last song, “This Little Light of Mine.” Y’all sound brilliant!

I recognize that this is not the same as being together. How could it be? So if you are a twinge somber this morning, that is okay. As we will repeat throughout the liturgy, Easter takes time to embrace. So be patient with yourself and whatever you are feeling this morning. The tomb is empty, and it will still be empty when you are ready to peak inside. This morning we are showing you the door to resurrection. Walk through at your own pace. See you on the other side.

less without you,

Pastor John Jay and the community at First Baptist Church of Pasadena

You can give here! ❤️

How to listen

Liturgy is an ancient word for worship that is usually translated as “the work of the people.” This is a very different kind of work than our normal Sunday morning worship, but it is worship all the same. This liturgy is still very much the work of our people, as you will hear each week.

Making this worship experience together was a balm for our soul. It is a kind of sacred offering at a time when it feels so precious to share something good. So I hope you receive this in gladness. As best as possible settle into this present moment of your day. Close your news feeds, your social media, and find a quiet place to listen. At the bottom of this page is a special video from Pastors Lindsay and Mary for families with kids. If you are listening with young ones, check out the video either before or after you listen to this episode of Liturgy For the Living Room.

You can also share share your prayers and blessing updates with us right here. We have a Prayer Wall page that has all of our community prayers (those we have received permission to share!). This morning I invite you share your prayers and blessings with us so we can share them with our community. You can use the buttons below to send those prayers to us.

Each Sunday we will post an offering here, until such a time as it is unnecessary. We pray for that day.

Lyrics

Resurrecting

The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now
The Savior knelt to wash our feet
now at His feet we bow

The one who wore our sin and shame
now robed in majesty
The radiance of perfect love
now shines for all to see

Your name, Your name is victory
All praise will rise to Christ our King

The fear that held us now gives way
to Him who is our peace
His final breath upon the cross
is now alive in me

By Your Spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat
The resurrected King is resurrecting me
In Your name I come alive to declare Your victory
The resurrected King is resurrecting me

The tomb where soldiers watched in vain
was borrowed for three days
His body there would not remain
our God has robbed the grave

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.
Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.
Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Credits

Our kids brought the joy with the opening video, and a big thanks to Dustin and Stormie Miller for turning a bunch of cell phone videos into a final composition! John Jay Alvaro played his standard role of directing and producing, as well as speaking and music making. Leslie Cheng continues to steer this ship through uncharted waters with directing, producing, playing and singing. She also keeps everyone on schedule—no small task! David Turner returns with beautiful musical scoring, and our House band of Theo, Rick and Jason shared our offertory medley, composed by Theo himself. Gretchen Saalbach was on Scripture, and Mary Winchell was on prayer. We had a whole bunch of singers and musicians this week. Warren Tang and Corrie Alvaro joined again. And then our community choir all shared This Little Light (see their beautiful faces below). Lindsay Dorman shared the teaching time with John Jay. And Barbara Walker led our time of offering. Lastly, Harriet Tam put all of these voices and sounds together into this Easter liturgy.