Easter Sunday
VISUAL ARTS (PARAMENTS, GENERAL DECORATIONS, SPECIFIC DECORATIONS)
Brim: Creative Overflow in Worship Design
Banner Designs for the Church Year
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CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Christ is risen!
Many: He is risen indeed!
Voice 1-Child: But why did Jesus die?
Many: For us, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death¾even death on a cross.
Voice 2-Youth: But why was Jesus raised from death?
Many: To give us new birth into a living hope through his resurrection.
Voice 3-Adult: But why do we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection?
Many: For God so loved the world that God gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Voices: Christ is risen!
Many: He is risen indeed!
(adapted from 1 Peter 1:3, Philippians 2:8, John 3:16-17)
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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INVOCATION
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MUSIC (HYMNS, SONGS, ANTHEMS)
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
The Day of Resurrection
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!
Christ Is Alive!
In the Bulb There Is a Flower
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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CALL TO CONFESSION
For our sins Jesus died. From death he was raised. In thanksgiving for this sacrificial gift, we offer our repentance to God. Let us pray.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Easter, amidst all the lilies and new clothes, and smiles, we know that all is not right with you until we confess our sins. Scripture says that we have died with Christ and are risen with Christ and yet we find we don’t feel like we are deserving. We have waved the palms, but we still hold grudges in our hearts. We have flowered the cross, but still do not love others as we love ourselves. The good news that Christ was born for, lived for, died for, and was resurrected for, is that if we confess these sins, they will be washed away, and our hearts will be whiter than snow. Forgive us O God. Let your Easter miracle enfold us. In our savior’s holy name. Amen.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Here is the good news: Christ died for our sins and he does not condemn us. On this Easter morning, let us remember, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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CHILDREN’S SERMON
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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Open our eyes to the truth of your word. Open our hearts to the meaning of your word. Open our hands to the call to action of your word. Amen.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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SCRIPTURE TEXTS/SERMON IDEAS
- Matthew 28:1-20
- Mark 16:1-20
- Luke 24:1-35
- John 20:1-31
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS (VIDEOS, TAPED SONGS)
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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LITANY
Voice 1: Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise him, alleluia.
Voice 2: For our redeemer burst from the tomb,
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.
All Voices: Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
All: Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
Voice 3: Go spread the news: he’s not in the grave.
He has arisen this world to save.
Voice 4: Jesus’ redeeming labors are done.
Even the battle with sin is won.”
All Voices: Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
All: Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
Women: Christ has arisen to set us free.
Alleluia, to him praises be.
Men: Jesus is living! Let us all sing.
He reigns triumphant, heavenly King.
All: Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!
(adapted from the hymn “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia,” Glory to God, Westminster John Knox Press
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
An old gospel hymn says this: Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe. My sins had left this crimson stain. He washed it white as snow. Truly this is what we celebrate. After Jesus paid it all for us, he was raised from the dead and lives within us. We owe God all and yet God asks only for us to give regularly, and sacrificially. At this time, let us generously give back to God.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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OFFERTORY PRAYER
O God, what an honor and privilege it is to offer back to you a portion of what you have already given to us. We pray that the offerings we bring express our gratitude for the many ways you show that we are your children and that you love us. On this Easter morning, may we be reminded that our lives are yours. Let us use them to tell the glorious news: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
As Jesus charged his disciples at the end of the gospel of Matthew, I charge you:
“Go out and train everyone you meet,
Far and near, in this way of life,
Marking them by baptism in the three-fold name:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.
I’ll be with your as you do this,
Day after day after day,
Right up to the end of the age.”
Go in joy and peace! He is risen indeed!
(adapted from Matthew 28 The Message)
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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OTHER HELPS (COMMISSION, COMMUNION, BLESSINGS)
Listening to Your Life by Fredrick Buechner
- April 18—The Risen Christ
- April 19—No Metaphor
- April 20—The Resurrection
- April 21—His Living Presence
- April 22—All is Well
- April 23—Easter Thoughts