Converted Heart Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Guest (Male): Welcome to Converted Heart Church. Whether you're joining us for the first time or are a valued member of our community, we're delighted to have you with us today. As we continue to navigate through these challenging times, we believe that every person who enters our virtual doors is guided by the Lord.

Though we may be apart physically, we greet you with a smile and embrace you with a virtual hug. On behalf of our pastor, Dr. Darryl and First Lady Burton and the entire Converted Heart family, we joyfully welcome you into our spiritual home. We are Christ-centered, preaching messages of love and hope, community-minded, being aware of the needs of the community, cultivating relationships, partnering with businesses who have the same vision and caring hearts, connecting the heart of God with the heart of the people.

Thank you for being with us. We're thrilled to have you here and look forward to sharing this journey of faith and fellowship. Please enjoy the service.

Dr. Darryl A. Burton Sr.: Welcome to Converted Heart. Let's worship the Lord today. He is worthy of the praise. We are grateful and thankful to have this wonderful opportunity to come before the Lord with thanksgiving in our hearts on today. This is Resurrection Sunday. This is when Jesus got up from the grave with all power and authority in His hand. We are grateful to be here to testify of the goodness of the Lord on today.

I will keep our call to worship very simple today. Our call to worship comes from Psalm 150. Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power. Praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet. Praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with the timbrel and dancing. Don't you know you can dance in here if the Holy Spirit is leading you? Praise Him with the strings and flute. Praise Him with the clash of cymbals. Praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Open your mouths this morning and shout Hallelujah. Give God some praise for waking you up this morning and starting you on your way. I don't know what happened last night. I don't care about that. But I'm thankful today to know that we are here because He lives. I can face tomorrow because He lives. I can face tomorrow and I'm glad to be here on today to worship with you.

We are going to come with a few announcements real quick. They are in our program. Monday Matters of the Heart with Dr. Darryl is tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. on our YouTube channel. You can go to Converted Heart CME Church and you can watch. Then on Wednesday, we have our Journey Through the Word Bible Study. Come and study the Word of God with us as we learn together God's Word. Again, that is on our YouTube channel at 8:00 p.m.

On Friday, we have our Corporate Prayer Time, which is at 7:00 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join us for prayer. How many of y'all believe in the power of prayer? Don't you know that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than what we can think or ask? Hallelujah. So come and join us every Friday at 7:00 p.m. The number is 605-313-5682 with the access code of 785-343 pound.

Of course, we want to be recognizing our Bishop. This is his final rodeo with us. He'll be leaving and going to another Episcopal region, but we're going to be celebrating him on May 1st and May 2nd in our Quadrennium and Spring Convocation. We want you to come and partake of that event if you're able. The registration is $150. That includes your dinner and some other festivities that will be happening that weekend. That information is in the program.

And then, of course, let us remember our sick and shut-in that are among us. We've got brothers and sisters who are in pain, who are hurting, who are just going through life challenges. We all go through life challenges. Me and Sister Jack were talking about some things as we were driving down the highway today and she's 97 years old and she's seen some life challenges in her life. So she can testify that the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever. For those of us who are sick among us, we want to pray for those. We want to lift those up in our prayers.

And then, of course, we want to celebrate those who are celebrating birthdays in the month of April. Any April birthdays in here? We've got one, two right here. That's my son, so I know his birthday is coming up. We're going to celebrate them probably in a couple of weeks. Again, we want to just thank God for you being here.

Lastly, before I forget, if you have not signed up, we are going to Baltimore for brunch next week. We'll be taking a bus immediately leaving this worship service. We'll be going to Baltimore for brunch and having a good time up there. Let me get out the way because I'm ready to worship. I'm ready to see the skits. I'm ready to hear the homilies and I'm ready to give God praise. Today is the first Sunday of April, so we will be serving communion. Communion is open to all at the conclusion of the homily on this morning. Reverend Kim, come and lead us in praise and worship on this morning.

Reverend Kim: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. Not only on Easter, but every time I get to come into the house. Let me just put this seed out there. We are looking to grow the music ministry. We are looking to grow the music ministry. If you have a call to be a worship leader, to sing, or to play something, please let me know. We are looking to grow the music ministry. I don't need to be always up here by myself. We are looking to grow. If you have a hymnal, you can turn to page 102. The song says, "He Lives."

Reverend Kim: (Singing) I serve a risen Savior. He's in the world today. I know that He is living, whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care, and though my heart grows weary I never will despair; I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast, the day of His appearing will come at last.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King! The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find, none other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

That song was more for the words than it was for the song. The song is that He lives, and where should He live? In our heart. I thank God that the Holy Spirit allows God to live in our heart.

Guest (Male): (Singing) Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised.

I lift my hands and praise You, Lord. I bow my head to honor You, Lord. I lift my hands to praise You, Lord. I bow my head. I worship. I honor You, Lord.

Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised.

I lift my hands. I praise. Praise You, Lord. I bow. I bow my head. I honor. I honor You, Lord. I lift my hands. I praise. I praise You, Lord. I bow. I bow my head. I honor. I honor You, Lord.

Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised.

Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised. Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praised.

He alone is worthy for all that He has done for you. Hallelujah. Lord, we lift You up. Hallelujah. We praise Your name. You're worthy. Lord, we lift You up. Hallelujah. We praise Your name. You're worthy. Lord, we lift You up. Lord, we lift You up. We praise You and magnify You, for You alone are a worthy God. We exalt Your name. We believe in Your promises. God, we thank You for Jesus. God, we exalt Your name. We know that there is power in the name of Jesus. God, we lift You up. We love You, Lord, today for all that You do.

Lord, we lift You up. You're worthy. Hallelujah. We praise Your name. Hallelujah. You're worthy. Hallelujah, Lord. Lord, we lift You up. Hallelujah. You're worthy. Hallelujah. We praise Your name. Hallelujah. So worthy. Hallelujah. Lord, we lift You up. Hallelujah. You're worthy. Hallelujah. We praise Your name. Hallelujah. So worthy. Hallelujah. Lord, we lift You up. Hallelujah. Lord, we praise Your name. Lord, You're worthy. Lord, we lift You up on this Easter Sunday morning. Hallelujah. I am thankful.

Dr. Darryl A. Burton Sr.: Come on, let's go to the Lord in prayer at this time. After we have our prayer, we'll have our scripture reading from Luke 24:1-8.

Father God, we want to thank You for this day. Yes, Lord, we want to thank You for this day. Where would we be, Lord God, if it wasn't for Jesus, who went to Calvary's cross on Friday? But Lord God, this morning He is lifted up. He is alive. He has risen. And so Lord God, we thank You. This is a prayer of thanks. This is a prayer of thanks this morning, for it was You that watched over us last night. Kept us as we slumbered and slept in our beds, Lord God, and early this morning You allowed us to wake up still clothed in our right mind with our health and strength.

Lord, we thank You. Thank You, Lord God, that we are here gathered in this place. Thank You, Lord God, that You have been with us from ages past. Thank You that You have been with us in our trials and tribulations. Thank You that You have brought us out of our mess, out of our despair, out of our oppression. We are free, Lord God, because Jesus took it to the cross.

All the issues of life, all that we go through, it has been nailed to the cross. And it was His shed blood, Lord God, that we are now free. We are free to worship. We are free to love. We are free to forgive. We are free, oh Lord, Lord God, because Jesus freed us from the bonds of sin. We are no longer condemned according to Romans 8:1.

Lord God, so thank You for not condemning us but giving us life again today to come, Lord God, and to worship You because of the great work You did for us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and whoever believe on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That's Your Word, Lord God.

Lord God, we thank You today. As we come into this worship setting, Lord God, we pray that everything we do, Lord God, will honor You, glorify Your name. Let us hear from You today, Lord God, through the skits, through the scripture reading, through the homilies, through the music. Lord God, have Your way in this place today. Have Your way in this place today. Begin to move. Fall fresh upon us Your Holy Spirit right now. Somebody needs You, Lord God, right now.

We thank You, Lord God, for we know that You are a God who answers the prayers of Your people. Lord God, we know Your Word said that You can do exceedingly abundantly more than what we can think or ask. So we bless Your name right now. Bless every person, Lord God, within the sound of my voice, those who are listening near and far. Whatever they stand in need of right now, touch them in a special way.

Lord God, thank You. We know that You're here because Your Word says where two or more gathered in Your name, You would be in our midst. So thank You, Lord God, for Your presence this morning. Lord God, I don't need to inform You what's going on, Lord God, with the war. You know what's happening over in Iran. We just pray, oh Lord God, a covering over our military. We pray a covering over, Lord God, those who are operating, Lord God, behind the scenes.

Lord God, but we also pray for our government. We pray for our political leaders. Lord God, that they may be humble enough to come on their knees, oh Lord God, and ask for forgiveness. And yes, Lord God, ask oh Lord God, that You would make their hearts right. And then ask, oh Lord God, that You would help them and guide them in every decision that they make.

Lord God, Your Word says if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, pray and seek Your face and turn from turn from our sins, then You will hear from heaven, heal our land and forgive us of our sins. That's what Your Word says, Lord God. We got to first repent of our sins. Lord God, we praying for our leaders, that they don't think that they are kings or mightier than all everybody else, but humble themselves before the mighty hand of God. Lord God, and call upon Your name while it's still day.

Lord God, we are thanking You right now for what You would do. Bless our mothers and fathers, our children, our communities, Lord God, where there is lack of resources. Bless our teachers, Lord God, who are teaching. Bless, Lord God, the school system. Bless, oh Lord God, our communities of faith. Our brothers and sisters this morning that's proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

Lord God, we will be ever so careful to give Your name the honor, the glory and the praise in all that we do here today. This is Your servant's prayer in Jesus' name. Let every heart say amen.

Dr. Darryl A. Burton Sr.: We'll have our scripture reading again. After our scripture reading, we'll have our poem written by our sister, Sister Valerie Baker. And then we'll have our first skit performed by Sisters Phyllis Rinders and Denise White. Let the church say amen.

Guest (Male): Good morning, church. It's Easter Sunday Resurrection Day. Hallelujah. I'll be reading Luke 24:1-8.

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words. May God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His words. Amen.

Guest (Female): Good morning, everybody. My poem is named Born to Rise. Before I say it or recite it, I didn't realize until after I wrote it, this is for every one of us who are born again. You weren't born again to stay down, you were born again to rise.

I never had it easy in life and I never knew why, because most of my life I was living a lie. Too many lows, not enough highs. But through it all, I finally realized, it was all because I was born to rise. I was born to rise above what I'd been told to keep me and my mind under control. I had to go through the heartache and pain to realize that there was great power and strength I could gain.

I am learning the difference between the truth and a lie. The truth will make me wise so I can repel the lies, while the lies will weigh me down so I cannot rise. But you don't understand, I was born to rise. I'll rise up against anything negative you throw my way, your harmful actions, your hurtful words you continuously say. No longer am I the young girl with low self-esteem and shy, who only knew who she was through someone else's eyes.

I can't deny I do cry, but when the tears dry, I still rise. I now feed off what the world meant for my demise. It's actually helping me rise, rise to greater supernatural highs. There are parts of me that must die so that the greatness that has been buried inside can finally rise. You will never see me if you look at me with your natural eyes. You will never understand or know why I continue to rise. But don't be so surprised. Remember I told you, I was born to rise.

Guest (Female): Oh God. I still don't understand how everything changed so fast. Last week, we were here for the opening. We were laughing and now we're putting down flowers.

Guest (Female): I didn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I kept hearing his voice. It felt wrong to just stay home.

Guest (Female): Well, at least this gives us something to do. Closure, they call it. Wait, where is it?

Guest (Female): What do you mean, where is it? This is the spot.

Guest (Female): No, the plaque, the picture, it's gone.

Guest (Female): Well, no one said anything about moving it. You don't just remove someone like they never existed.

Guest (Male): Why are you looking for the living among the dead?

Guest (Female): Did you hear that?

Guest (Female): Yes, but there's no one here.

Guest (Male): Yes, he isn't here. He has risen.

Guest (Female): Risen? That's impossible. Remember what he used to say about not staying dead, about coming back?

Guest (Female): We thought he meant spiritually, metaphorically. What if he meant literally?

Guest (Female): Then this isn't the end.

Guest (Female): We have to tell others.

Guest (Female): They won't believe us.

Guest (Female): Well, maybe not, but hope is too big to keep quiet. Amen.

Guest (Male): I can't stay here anymore, Casey. When I look around, everything reminds me of him.

Guest (Male): Mind if I join you?

Guest (Male): Sure.

Guest (Male): You two look like y'all have lost something. Can I help y'all find it?

Guest (Male): You could say that. Haven't you heard what happened? Are you the only person that hasn't seen the news? Jesus of Nazareth, teacher, miracle worker, executed three days ago.

Guest (Male): We thought he was the one who would fix everything, and now what do we do? Now they are saying his body is missing and angels told them he's alive. Sounds like grief talking to me.

Guest (Male): But maybe it's just not what you expected, the way you expected it. But wasn't it always this way? Didn't he tell you he was going to come back? He had always projected he would come back.

Guest (Male): Yeah, he did say something like that. We just didn't want it to be true.

Guest (Male): Well, he's closer than you think. Well, hey, many thanks. Talking helped. Here comes the bus. Did you feel that, Casey?

Guest (Male): Yeah, Jordan. Like something inside me just lit up.

Guest (Male): Yeah, let's go back and tell the disciples we saw Jesus.

Guest (Male): Yeah, let's do that. All right, come on.

Dr. Darryl A. Burton Sr.: Give our first skit a round of applause and our second skit a round of applause. Amen. After we read scripture, I need y'all to start time and you have five minutes. Let me pray.

Father, it's in the name of Jesus that I come before Your awesome throne. We thank You, God, for Your grace and Your mercy. Now God, I ask if You would bless the word, that it would enrich our souls. In Jesus' name we pray and for His sake. Amen.

The road to Emmaus. Now that same day, two of them were going to the village called Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. And as they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him.

They asked Him, what are you discussing together as you walk along? They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them named Cleopas asked Him, are you the only visitor in Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened in these three days? What things? He asked.

About Jesus of Nazareth, they replied. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death and they crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one that was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all of this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early in the morning but did not find His body.

They came and told us what they had seen, a vision of an angel who said He was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see. He asked them, how foolish are you and how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken? Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His eternal glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning Himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if He were going further, but they urged Him strongly saying, stay with us, for it is nearly evening. The day is almost over. So He went in to stay with them. Key verse: when He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him and He disappeared from their sight. Amen.

I would like to ask sister, yes, I would like for you to read that 30th and 31st verse out loud with your big outside voice. Your outside voice. Stand up and read that for us from the Message Bible. Thank you.

Guest (Female): He sat down at the table with them, taking the bread, He blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized Him and then He disappeared.

Reverend Kim: He disappeared. If I were to tag this sermon, I would tag it and say actions speak louder than words. Actions speak louder than words. These two disciples were leaving Jerusalem on a two-hour walk to Emmaus, recalling the events that they had experienced. Apparently, they may have been in the room when the women came and told the 11 disciples and others. So they knew that part.

And they knew that Jesus had said something was going to happen on the third day. And they knew that these other disciples had gone to the tomb and they knew that they did not see the body of Jesus. And they knew that the angels had talked to the women that were there. And they knew that He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. And they knew all of this, and they still, when they saw Jesus, did not recognize Him. Their eyes were closed. Actions speak louder than words.

So Jesus asked them, what's going on? What is the problem? Why are your faces looking so sad? And they explained to them all that they knew. And He said, basically, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?

So Jesus Himself reminded them of what they'd already known. Then Jesus Himself explained Moses and the prophets on that two-hour walk. I did some little math in my head. Most people walk about three miles an hour and they said this was a seven-mile walk, so a little over two hours of walking with Jesus and they still didn't know who He was. They still didn't know who He was.

Even though what Jesus was saying after the fact, they said it warmed their heart and they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples about this Jesus. It wasn't until Jesus actually sat down with them. And the Bible says that He broke the bread. He received the bread, He blessed the bread. He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them.

I recall another time where Jesus did that, where He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them. Do you recall? Yes, the Last Supper was one time. And then it was another time when Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them. Do you recall that time where there were two fishes and five loaves of bread? That time, that same way.

After Jesus did that after the meal, their eyes were open. My mind said, why did it take so long? They were walking with Him for over two hours, listening to His voice. Their eyes were blinded. At least if I hear Your voice, I've been listening to You for years and years, I should recognize who You are by Your voice. No, they still didn't know who He was. It wasn't until He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them.

Why is this the time that they recognized Him? Because that breaking of the bread solidified who He was. Actions speak louder than words. Actions help define the relationship. Actions can open up one's eyes to see if your words match your actions. People can talk a good game, but it's a consistent behavior that people base their understanding of who you are based on. It's your actions.

It wasn't until they saw the actions of Jesus that reminded them of who in fact that they were in the midst of. These two were consistent. Look for consistency in the fellowship when they were fellowshipping with Jesus. This wasn't the first time that He had received the bread, prayed for it, broke it and gave it to them. So actions speak louder than words.

I would like for us, at the close of my five minutes right now, I would like for us to understand that our actions too speak louder than words. We can say that we love people many times, but if we treat them with regard to our actions unlovingly, guess what that's going to say? That we are not in fact in love with them. Actions speak louder than words. I ask that a blessing be added to what you have heard just now in these five minutes and that you go forth in your communions today with your friends and loved ones in a place of love where your actions speak louder than your words. Amen.

Reverend Kim: Eating together symbolizes social bonding, community and trust, acting as a fundamental way to strengthen relationships and foster unity. It represents a shared experience that offers comfort, care and a sense of belonging, often acting as a sacred ritual that connects people through shared stories and togetherness. I didn't have my phone, but that's one of the reasons why they recognized who Christ was at that eating when He broke the bread. Amen.

Guest (Male): Lock it again.

Guest (Male): It's already locked.

Guest (Male): Check it anyway.

Guest (Male): What's wrong?

Guest (Male): I think that we're okay, but I'm kind of worried about that. Easy for you to say. If they came for him, they'll come for us.

Guest (Male): And now people are saying they've seen him alive. That's not helping.

Guest (Male): But if it is true? Then why isn't he here? I don't see anybody. Where is he?

Guest (Male): Peace be with you.

Guest (Male): Who said that?

Guest (Male): Why are you afraid? Come. Look.

Guest (Male): I think it is him.

Guest (Male): No, that's impossible. He's not here.

Guest (Male): Look at my hands.

Guest (Male): It's really you?

Guest (Male): Yes, and now I'm asking each of you to go and tell the world.

Guest (Male): Who, us? We can't even get out of this room.

Guest (Male): You won't go alone. I'll always be with you. All you do is open the door. Just open the door.

Guest (Male): What if they're out there?

Guest (Male): If he defeated death, what else is there to fear?

Guest (Male): Oh yes. Okay, let's go. Let's go. Come on, Alex. Get yourself on out the door. Now, now. Let's go. Let's go find them and tell the world that Jesus has risen.

Dr. Darryl A. Burton Sr.: Luke chapter 24 verses 44 to 49. He said to them, this is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets and the psalms. Then he opened their minds so that they could understand scripture.

He told them, this is what is written. The Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things and I'm going to send you what my father has promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power on high.

There is something powerful, my brothers and sisters, about this phrase: then He opened their understanding. In that moment, the resurrection moved from being an event that they witnessed to a truth they understood. Because before you can rise in purpose, your mind has to be open to Christ. Amen, somebody.

The disciples had seen the empty tomb, they have heard the reports and even encountered Jesus, but confusion still lingered. And many of us live right here today. We have experienced God, but we haven't fully understood what He has done in us. But when Jesus opens your understanding, everything shifts. Turn to your neighbor and say: everything shifts.

You begin to see what that resurrection was not accidental, but it was necessary. He says, thus it is written that Christ should suffer and rise. In other words, the cross and the resurrection are always part of God's plan. And here is the connection to our theme. You were born to rise because the Savior rose on purpose. His victory wasn't random, it was intentional. And if His rising had purpose, then your life, after your struggles, after your setbacks, after your season of suffering, can also rise in His divine intention for your life.

Then Jesus moved them from understanding to identity. He says, you are witnesses of these things. Not spectators, not just sitting there warming a pew, if you will, but you are witnesses, my brothers and sisters. That means your life now becomes evidence of the resurrection power that is real. And this is where it gets personal. You got to make it personal now, right? Being born to rise is not about what God brings you out of, it's about what your life now proves to others.

Your healing is a witness. Your endurance is a witness. How you go about doing the day-to-day activity is a witness. When you are in the grocery store, you are witness. When you at work, you are a witness. When your children are around you, you are a witness. Now y'all need to talk back to me for real. You are a witness of what God can do through you. Because you've been through some things. You have lived some life. You've had some setbacks. You've had some struggles in life, but you are a witness of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Your faith after the storm is a witness. Anybody been in the storm before? Yeah. Your life, your faith is a witness after you've been through some storms. But Jesus doesn't stop there. He gives them an assignment. Say: I got an assignment. Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name. In other words, the resurrection power is not meant to stay contained in a bottle. It's meant to be carried inside of our vessels, which is our bodies.

When you rise, it's never just you. It's for the nation. It's for the community. It's for someone who still thinks they're stuck in their grave. And I'm here to let you know today, my brothers and sisters, that the devil is a liar. You're not stuck in a grave. You're not defeated. You're not worthless, but you are something special in the eyes of God. You are a holy nation. You are a royal priesthood. You are God's special people. Why? Because He sent Jesus to die for our sins on the cross at Calvary. Somebody should get excited about that. Somebody should glorify the name of the Lord of what Christ did for us at Calvary's cross.

And finally, He gives them the means to live it out. I send the promise of my Father, until you are clothed with power from on high. Because rising is not sustained in human effort. It is empowered by the Spirit. Let me say that again. Rising, my brothers and sisters, is not sustained by human effort. It is empowered by the Holy Spirit. You may be born to rise, but you are clothed to rise through divine power.

So here is the truth of the text on today. Jesus rose with purpose. He opened our minds to understanding. He declared your life as a witness. He gave you a mission to carry out. He promised to give you power to sustain you, no matter what you're going through, no matter if it's an illness, no matter if it's a divorce, no matter if you've lost your job, God give you the power to be able to be sustained through the situation.

Which means this: you were never created to stay down. You were never created to be walked on. You were never created, amen, to be in the back. You are the head and not the tail. You were created to stand up with all power and rise and walk as God give you purpose to walk on this day. You were born to rise above confusion because He opens your understanding. You were born to rise upon your past. I don't know what happened last year. I don't know what happened last week. I don't even know what happened last night in your life, but because He lives, we can face tomorrow. You were born to rise with purpose because you are a witness. You were born to rise in power because His Spirit rests on you.

So don't just celebrate that He got up. Live like somebody who has been born again to rise. Hallelujah. Can we give our actors a hand on this morning? Tremendous job. Can we thank Reverend Kim for our homily? Just gave us a whole word. Can we just thank God for all who participated and sister Valerie for the poem? God bless you. She memorized that thing. She lived it. She has lived it. That's why she can recite it without having to know the words. So we thank God for all of you for being here.

I want to recognize our guests this morning. I believe it's your parents, your sister, your father, okay. And this is Val's granddaughter and her husband. Hallelujah. Whole family today. You brought the whole family. Would y'all have any words or any hellos or good mornings that you'd like to extend to us this morning? Want to give you the opportunity to say something to us if you want to. You don't have to, but if you want to.

Guest (Male): Just wanted to say good morning to everybody. Enjoying it so far.

Dr. Darryl A. Burton Sr.: Amen. Well God bless you. Make sure you fill out a guest card so we can stay in touch with you. That's how we do here at Converted Heart. We want to reach out to you and keep you abreast of all the things that we're doing here. God bless you. Let's give them some praise again.

This is communion Sunday and this is the time now we take to partake of the communion. For those who are watching us on this day, you can have your bread, your cracker, your juice or your water to partake and share with us in this communion celebration. Why don't you go ahead and do that now? Because we're going to go ahead and prepare to consecrate the elements and share with one another on today. This has been a wonderful, wonderful day and certainly just all that the Lord has allowed us to do with this presentation of these skits, the homilies and now we get to do as Reverend Kim read earlier, when she said that Jesus took the bread, He blessed it, then He broke it and then He gave it to them.

And so we're going to do that. Isn't it symbolic and so special that Resurrection Sunday would fall on this particular Sunday of communion? Isn't that really special? That's really symbolic that we would have this opportunity to come and break bread today. So let me go ahead and consecrate the elements and then we will partake of this blessing.

We do not presume to come to this thy table, oh merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table, but thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink His blood, that our sinful souls and bodies may be made clean by His death and washed through His most precious blood, and we may evermore dwell in Him and He in us. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercies did give thy only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption, who made there by His oblation of Himself once offered, a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction of the sins of the whole world, and did institute and in His holy gospel commanded us to continue a perpetual memory of His precious death until His coming again.

Hear us, oh merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and grant that we receive these thy creatures of bread and wine according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ's holy institution in remembrance of His precious death, His death and His passion, may be partakers of His most blessed body, who in the same night He was betrayed gave, betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He break it and gave it to His disciples saying, take eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

Likewise after supper He took the cup and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, drink ye all of this for this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. Do this as often as ye shall drink it in remembrance of me. Amen.

Before you, you have the bread which represents the body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us now take it, break it and let us eat it together. Let us feast on it. Remember what Christ did for us. The body of our Lord and Savior was given for us and to preserve our soul and body to everlasting life.

We have now the cup. Let us take the cup and let us drink of it. It too is to preserve our soul and body unto everlasting life. We can be thankful. We can be joyful. We can certainly give God praise for this day and to partake of this communion on this day. Hallelujah, somebody. Hallelujah. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Before you leave, we have some gifts for everybody today. But let's go ahead and prepare for our benediction. And also, we also like to also lift up an offering. We have offering envelopes in the back if you'd like to give. Sister Jennifer can give you an envelope and we will be gracious if you would be gracious enough to just put it in a box as you departing out, we would certainly appreciate that.

Can we once again just give all of our actors and everybody that participated in our skit, the poem, homily, the whole worship experience today was fantastic. And we did it in just a couple of weeks of coming together. Amen. So we got a benchmark y'all. There's a benchmark we've set. I'm looking forward to the next thing that God gonna have us to do.

For those who are watching, want to thank those who are watching on our YouTube channel, also those who are watching via lightsource.com and those who are watching via theoneplace.com networks and platforms. We want to thank each of you. We are praying for you. Continue to pray for us. If you'd like to give again, you can text the word give to 240-269-5193.

Also, I always do this and I failed to do it. If there's anybody who don't know Jesus in the pardon of your sins, we want to extend opportunity for you to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen. So if you don't have a church home, I believe I see everybody here is associated with a church home. I want to believe that's the case but I don't want to assume that. And so if you are here and see me immediately after worship and we can certainly have that conversation of allowing you to come and accept Jesus as Lord or rededicate your life to Christ. And if you're looking for a church home, we would love to have you. Amen. We would love to have you here at Converted Heart. Amen.

(Singing) The Lord bless you and keep you. Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace. The Lord bless you and keep you. Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Dr. Darryl A. Burton Sr.: Let us pray our final blessing before we leave this place. Father God, thank You for all that You have allowed us to hear and experience in this worship service today. Thank You, Lord God, because He lives we can face tomorrow. Thank You, Lord God, for Jesus. Oh Lord God, rising up, Lord God, from the grave. Thank You, Lord God, that our sins now and forevermore have been nailed to the cross and that You see the blood, Lord God. Oh Lord God, we are just grateful for this time today. We love You. We honor You. And it's in Jesus' name that our hearts say amen. Amen. Hallelujah. Give God some praise. God bless you and hope to see you again soon. God bless you.