Service of Worship
Prelude – Hani
Welcome Happy Morning
Arr. Arthur S. Sullivan
Call to Worship
Pastor: Resurrection starts with the cry of grief, an empty place, a familiar voice.
Leader: It’s tiny… like the fingers of a newborn. Seemingly insignificant… like the grain that lands in the clam’s open mouth. Often overlooked… like the leaf bud on the tree.
Pastor: Christ has risen.
People: Waiting for us to take notice.
Pastor: Christ has risen.
People: Waiting for us to respond.
Pastor: Christ has risen.
People: Christ has risen indeed!
Opening Hymn — #322 Up From the Grave He Arose
1. Low in the grave He lay
Jesus my Saviour
Waiting the coming day
Jesus my Lord
Chorus
Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose He arose
Hallelujah Christ arose
2. Vainly they watch His bed
Jesus my Saviour
Vainly they seal the dead
Jesus my Lord
Chorus
3. Death cannot keep its prey
Jesus my Saviour
He tore the bars away
Jesus my Lord
Chorus
Up From the Grave He Arose (Christ Arose)
Robert Lowry
Public Domain
Invocation (in unison)
Holy God, we gather in manic confusion. Christ rose, but Jesus died. As we struggle to grasp your majesty our fingers are burned by your passion. We live, but first we die. Holy God, we gather in manic confusion. Meet us here among the lilies. Amen.
Scripture Reading — Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV)
1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Children’s Time with Ms Becky
Litany of Easter Celebration
Pastor: Our story is a resurrection story.
People: Christ has risen! Christ has risen indeed!
Pastor: We come to wanting to celebrate an extraordinary historical event.
Leader: Be gentle with us as we remember that our story has a context.
Pastor: Our story surges with life.
People: Christ has risen! Christ has risen indeed!
Pastor: We come ready to celebrate the extravagant welcome of a hero.
Leader: Be gentle with us as we remember that the radical inclusivity of Jesus wasn’t always welcome.
Pastor: Our story is an invitation to insurrection.
People: Christ has risen! Christ has risen indeed!
Pastor: We come with reserve to celebrate the exceptional life of a saint.
Leader: Be gentle with us as we remember that Jesus asked us to follow.
Pastor: Christ has risen! Let the resurrection insurrection begin!
People: Christ has risen indeed!
Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.
Offertory Hymn — #310 He Lives
1. 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
Chorus
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
2. 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
Chorus
3. 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
Chorus
He Lives
Alfred Henry Ackley
© 1933 Homer A. Rodeheaver. Renewed 1961 Curb Word Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain
Offertory Prayer
God of great gifts: This morning we give you praise, we give you glory, we give you thanks! With resurrection humming in our hearts, our minds are tuned to your song of peace! We joyfully present these gifts to you, a tangible chorus of thanksgiving, a harmony of hope for your kingdom come! Amen.
Response
Reader: Christ has risen!
People: He has risen indeed!
Sermon – Pastor Stacy Dickson
Unexpected Joy
United Methodist Choir Video
Holy Communion
Closing Hymn — #302 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
1. 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!
2. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where O death is now thy sting, Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory boasting grave, Alleluia!
3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
4. 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!
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (Easter Hymn)
Charles Wesley
Public Domain
Benediction
Postlude – Hani
Festival Postlude on “Llanfair”
Arr. Robert Williams
CCLI Streaming Licence: CSPL052773