April 9 – Easter Sunday – He is Risen!

Christ is risen! Alleluia!

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus – Bedford

*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather to worship Living God!
The tomb is empty!
Rejoice!
Our Savior is alive!
Jesus Christ is risen today!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!

*HYMN – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today – #268

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

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!

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!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Life-giving God, you are the One who sends the dawn, who relieves our fears, and who fills people with hope. On that first resurrection morning, your angels appeared to women who were your followers bringing them news more wonderful than they had dared to imagine – “Christ is risen!” In equally astonishing ways, you are blessing human lives today. Your power amazes us! Christ Jesus, you so thoroughly love humankind that you sacrifice your life on our behalf. To top it all off, you display your supreme power by rising from the dead! Christ Jesus, you have blessed the world forever through the miracle of your resurrection. Your empty tomb proclaims that you are alive! Alleluia! Amen!

*PRAISE RESPONSE – He Is Lord – #103

He is Lord, He is Lord!
He is risen from the dead and he is Lord!
Ev’ry knee shall bow, ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

*HYMN – Were You There? – #266

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when He rose up from the dead?
Were you there when He rose up from the dead?
Oh, sometimes I feel like shouting, glory, glory, glory!
Were you there when He rose up from the dead?

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

SPECIAL MUSIC – Was It a Morning Like This? – Croegaert
Valerie Waterman, Vocalist

GOD’S WORD – John 20:1-18

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Thine Is the Glory – #281

Thine is the glory, Risen conquering Son!
Endless is the victr’y Thou or death has won!
Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave clothes Where Thy body lay.

Refrain:
Thine is the glory, Risen Conquering Son!
Endless is the victr’y Thou o’er death hast won!

Lo! Jesus meets us. Risen from the tomb,
Lovingly He greets us, Scatters fear and gloom.
Let His church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth; Death has lost its sting. [Refrain]

No more we doubt Thee, Glorious Prince of Life!
Life is naught without Thee; Aid us in our strife;
Make us more than conqu’rors, Through thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan To Thy home above. (Refrain)

*RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION
Do not look for Christ Jesus only in a church building.
We will seek God in all places.

Do not hold tightly to fixed, static views of life, God, or Christian faith.
We will be open to new horizons God provides.

Do not limit yourself only to what’s familiar.
We will dare to explore the unfamiliar.

God’s gift to the world today is “great news!” Receive it, and give it away.
This is “news” that has to be shared: Christ is risen! Alleluia!

*POSTLUDE – At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing – Bedford