Enoch - Genesis 5
A service plan for the first Sunday after Easter focused on the life and faith of Enoch in an Eastertide series focusing on Bible stories that occurred before Christ's resurrection but which shed light on how we should live after his resurrection.
Also in this Series
Resurrection Previews
This is a series of five services examines previews of Christ's resurrection
Theme of the Service
Easter worship should not be limited to Easter Sunday. The songs and themes of Easter's victory should continue during the fifty days of Eastertide that lead up to Pentecost. During Eastertide we can engage in continuous celebration and explore the implications of Easter's victory.
For the next four Sundays we will examine narratives that occurred before Christ's resurrection but which shed light on how we should live after his resurrection. As part of these four Sunday services, we encourage you to consider using different settings of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" each week. These anthems could be placed within the call to worship. You will find resources for these settings in the music notes following the service. Following these four weeks of narrative services, we will focus on our resurrection for one week and then celebrate the ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The theme of this particular service will center on the brief account of the life and faith of Enoch who "walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." (Genesis 5:24) All this happened "by faith" according to Hebrews 11:5.
* * * * *
We Gather Before God
Prelude: "This Joyful Eastertide" [see music notes]
The Call to Worship [see liturgy notes]
*Song of Praise: "This Joyful Eastertide" PsH 403, RL 328, TH 284
*Our Declaration of Trust and God's Greeting:
Congregation of Christ, who do you trust?
Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.
Grace, mercy and peace to you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen!
* Song of Response: "Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God" PsH 547, RL 147, TH 589
The Children's Moment
We Are Renewed in God's Grace
The Call to Confession
Our Prayer of Confession
The Assurance of Pardon
Our Song of Dedication: "Christ, You Are the Fullness" PH 346, PsH 229, SFL 232
God's Guide for Grateful Living: Colossians 3:1-17 [see liturgy notes]
Our Profession of Faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Offertory Prayer
The Offering of Music: "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" [see music notes]
We offer our gifts for..
God Speaks from His Word
*Song: "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" RN 152, SNC 77, TWC 539, UMH 206, WOV 649
The Prayer for Illumination
The Old Testament Reading: Genesis 5:21-24
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The New Testament Reading: Hebrews 11:5-6
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Sermon: Resurrection Previews: Enoch
The Prayer of Application
We Respond to God's Word
*Songs of Faith: [see liturgy notes]
"Everywhere I Go," SFL 211 [for when we are young] (see music notes)
"O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee," PH 357, PsH 573, TWC 651, UMH 430 [for when we are adults]
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand," PH 404, PsH 493, TWC 638, UMH 474 [for when we are older]
Anthem: "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," Lojeski
The Prayers of the People [see liturgy notes]
Sung Prayer: "Lead Me, Guide Me" PsH 544, RN 176 , refrain [see music notes]
Spoken Intercessory Prayers
Sung: PsH 544, RN 176 refrain
We Leave with God's Presence
*Song of Praise: "Jesus Lives, and So Do We" PsH 399, TWC 246 [see music notes]
*The Benediction with Congregational Amen!
Postlude: "Jesus Lives, and So Do We" [see music notes]
* You are invited to stand.
Liturgy Notes
1. We remind you that the visual appearance of the worship space is important in the Eastertide season. Undoubtedly, much effort was put into the colors and visuals of the worship space for Easter. Be sure they are not taken away prematurely.
2. We suggest that the Call to Worship include not only a welcome to all worshipers, but that it also include an explanation that, though last Sunday was called Easter, Easter did not end last week. We will continue in the spirit of Easter as we worship in coming weeks, called Eastertide. The theme of this series of services might even be introduced and explained at this point.
3. For the Children's Moment, it might be helpful to explain that Easter did not end last week. We do not "put Easter away," but now we think, belief, live and serve in a different spirit because of Easter.
4. Since Colossians 3 is one of the passages in which Paul spells out how to live the Easter-life, we suggest that it be included in each of the coming weeks. The length of this passage probably means it should not be read in its entirety each week. We suggest that verses 1-3 be read every week and that it be combined with a selected variety of other verses in this chapter.
5. The Songs of Faith after the sermon have been selected with each age group in mind. If they are introduced as suggested, singing our faith becomes an intergenerational worship event. The same is true with the Intercessory Prayer. Either one leader or several leaders may be involved to bring the experiences and needs of each age group before the Lord. Note: If multiple prayer-leaders are involved, it is necessary to coordinate carefully what each will include to avoid overlap.
Sermon Notes
Preaching on Enoch is a fun thing to do! Everyone remembers Enoch as the man who never died. The Scriptural material about Enoch, though limited, tells us that we should remember him more for his life of faith than for escaping death. When we put the information from Genesis 5 and Hebrews 11 together, we learn several very important things about Enoch.
- He was not old, comparatively speaking. Note his age and compare it with others who lived at that time, especially his son Methuselah!
- He did not live in an easy time. The world was nearing the judgment of God in the flood.
- There is no indication that he lived apart from the world; rather, he remained part of society, marrying, having sons and daughters, and serving as the head of a clan.
- He didn't die. While Genesis 5:24 says, ".he was no more; for God took him away", Hebrews 11:5 is more explicit and says he "was taken from this life so he did not experience death"(NIV).
- What is most notable about this man was his faith and that he walked with God. See Genesis 5:22, 24 and Hebrews 11:5.
Our preaching on the life of Enoch should emphasize that his life of faith distinguished him. This life of faith enabled him to live well in a wicked world and experience a release from this world that prefigured the victory for Christians through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (though he probably realized little of that).
In developing the theme of walking with God, it would be helpful to note:
- The life of faith is integral to walking with God. Hebrews 11 says that the New Testament remembrance of Enoch is faith above all other considerations.
- Walking together obviously involves intimacy. Enoch and God must have been recognized as friends.
- Walking with God ends with being taken by and to God. The phrase in both Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5 that God had "taken him away" (NIV) can certainly be explored and explained on the basis of other material in the New Testament. He didn't just disappear. A deliberate act of God took Enoch and "rewarded" him (see Hebrews 11:6) in a way than can only be adequately clarified by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what that promises for us.
Music Notes
The following are anthem suggestions on the text "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," one of which could be included as part of the call to worship each week of this Eastertide series. You may consider also reading the text from Job 19:23-27 in place of a choral setting or having solo rendition of the text from Handel's "Messiah." You could also repeat the same setting of the text from week to week.
- Bach, Johann Michael. I Know That My Redeemer Lives. Schirmer 8418 [1940] (SATTB, a cappella; M)
- Bunjes, Paul. I Know That My Redeemer Lives. Concordia 98-1462 [1958] (SATB, congregation with organ; concertato; E-M)
- Courtney, Craig. I Know That My Redeemer Lives. Beckenhorst BP1563 [1999] (SATB and keyboard; E-M)
Suggestions for the prelude can be found in the following resources:
VRUECHTEN ["This Joyful Eastertide"]
- Organ:
- Beck, Theodore. Five Hymn Preludes. Concordia 97-5391 [1976] (M)
- Bender, Jan. Five Festive Preludes on Easter Hymns. Concordia 97-5495 [1979] (M)
- Bouman, Paul. Partita on This Joyful Eastertide. Concordia 97-6060 [1990] (E-M)
- Burkhardt, Michael. Five Easter Season Hymn Improvisations. Morningstar MSM-10-403 [1990] (E-M)
- Burkhardt, Michael. This Joyful Eastertide. Morningstar MSM-10-401 [1993] (E-M)
- Cherwien, David. Seasonal Interpretations Lent-Easter. Summa SP-112 [1998] (E-M)
- Clarke, Andrew. Easter Triology, set 2. Morningstar MSM-10-405 [1991] (M)
- Hildebrand, Kevin. Easy Hymn Preludes for Organ, vol 3. Concordia 97-7052 [2004] (E-M)
- Kolander, Keith. (1998) Augsburg Organ Library - Easter. Augsburg 11-11075 [2000] (E-M)
- Handbells:
- Tucker, Margaret R. This Joyful Eastertide. Morningstar MSM-30-400 [1988] (3 octaves, E-M)
- Tucker, Sondra K. This Joyful Eastertide. Choristers Guild CGB341 [2003] (4-5 octaves, Level 3)
Suggestions for offertory music and alternative harmonizations for the hymn following the offertory can be found in:
HOUSTON ["I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light"]
- Organ:
- Biery, James S. Twentieth Century Hymn Tune Settings. Morningstar MSM 10-863 [1995] (E-M)
- Osterland, Karl. Lift One Voice. Augsburg 11-11039 [2000] (E-M)
- Wold, Wayne L. (1998) Augsburg Organ Library - Epiphany. Augsburg 11-11073 [2001] (E-M)
- Piano:
- Hamilton, Gregory. As the Grains of Wheat. Augsburg ISBN 0-8006-7577-0 [2003] (M)
- Handbells:
- Behnke, John. I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light. Concordia 97-6611 [1996] (3 or 5 octaves, level 2)
- Alternative Harmonization for Organ:
- Burkhardt, Michael. As Though the Whole Creation Cried. Morningstar MSM-10-555 [2001]
- Alternative Harmonization for Piano:
- Sedio, Mark/Cherwien, David. Let It Rip! At the Piano, vol. 2. Augsburg ISBN 0-8006-7580-0 [2003]
The first Song of Faith following the sermon "Everywhere I Go" could also be sung by a child or a children's choir instead of congregationally.
The anthem "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" by Ed Lojeski is published by Hal Leonard 08330750 [1975]. It is scored for SATB voices with piano and opt. bass, guitar and percussion in black gospel style. (M)
Notice that the refrain of "Lead Me, Guide Me" serves as a sung prayer which frames the spoken prayer.
The closing song has historically been sung to the tune JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT. We are including an alternate tune that also sings well with this text. While the original tune is well constructed and serves the text well, if your congregation is not familiar with it, the congregation could struggle. We wouldn't recommend that for the close of the service! Select the tune based on the knowledge of your congregation.
The postlude suggestions are based on pieces based on the closing hymn:
JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT [ "Jesus Lives, and So Do We"]
- Organ:
- Bender, Jan. Five Festive Preludes on Easter Hymns. Concordia 97-5495 [1979] (M)
- Cherwien, David. Interpretations, bk. 8. AMSI SP-105 [1991] (M)
- Leupold, A. W. An Organ Book. Chantry Music Press [1960] (E-M)
- Leupold, Anton Wilhelm. Augsburg Organ Library - Easter. Augsburg 11-11075 [2000] (E-M)
- Manz, Paul. Ten Chorale Improvisations, set 5. Concordia 97-5257 [1974] (M)
GROSSER GOTT [Alternative tune for "Jesus Lives, and So Do We"]
- Organ:
- Bish, Diane. The Diane Bish Organ Book, vol. 1. Fred Bock B-G0548 [1980] (E)
- Dahl, David P. Hymn Interpretations. Augsburg 11-10972 [1999] (E-M)
- Hobby, Robert A. Three Hymns of Praise, set 5. Morningstar MSM-10-760 [1998] (E-M)
- Manz, Paul. God of Grace. Morningstar MSM-10-599 [2004] (D)
- Manz, Paul. Ten Chorale Improvisations, set 8. Concordia 97-5342 [1979] (D)
- Peeters, Flor. 30 Chorale Preludes, set 3. Peters 6025 [1950] (M-D)
Glossary of Hymnal Abbreviations:
PH The Presbyterian Hymnal (Presbyterian Church USA; Westminster/John Knox Press)
PsH The Psalter Hymnal (Christian Reformed Church; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
RL Rejoice in the Lord (Reformed Church in America; W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
RN Renew! (Hope Publishing Company)
SFL Songs for LiFE (children's songbook; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
SNC Sing! A New Creation (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Christian Reformed Church,
Reformed Church in America; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
TH Trinity Hymnal (Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church in America; Great
Commission Publications)
TWC The Worshiping Church (Hope Publishing Company)
UMH The United Methodist Hymnal (United Methodist Publishing House)
WOV With One Voice (Augsburg Fortress)