Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17–25; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; I
Corinthians 15:19–26; John 20:1–18; II Nephi 11:22; Doctrine and
Covenants 76:3f–g
Display a potted plant with new buds on it in front of the
congregation.
Welcoming and Focus Statement
We come today to delight in the new life of Jesus Christ. Just as this
small plant has new buds and new growth on it, so, too, are we growing and
ever changing. We are given new life through the sacrifice of Jesus on the
cross, and his ongoing resurrection in our lives gives us hope for the
future. May we, like the plant, continue to reach toward the light of God’s
love.
Song of Gathering: “Gather Us In” SP 4
OR “Now the Green Blade Rises” HS 280
Call to Worship: Doctrine and Covenants 76:3f–g
Scripture for Peace: Isaiah 65:24–25
Prayer for Peace
Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:21–24
*Hymn: “Now Sing to Our God” NS 40
OR “Let Us Sing of Easter Gladness” HS 279
*Invocation
*Congregational Response: “Come, Holy Spirit, Come” NS 6
OR “May Thy Presence Be Ours” HS 102
Scripture Reading: John 20:1–18
Communion Message
Based on John 20:1–18
Hymn: “Eat This Bread” NS 8
OR “Beneath the Forms of Outward Rite” verses 1 and 2 HS 339
Scripture for Confessional Reflection and Communion Preparation
I Corinthians 15:19–26
Even as Christians, Lord, we sometimes have hope for this life only. Even
as we believe Christ was raised from the dead, as symbolized at this
table, let us believe in our own eternal life.
Blessing and Serving of Bread
Hymn: “Eat This Bread” NS 8
OR “Beneath the Forms of Outward Rite” verses 3 and 4 HS 339
Blessing and Serving of Wine
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your
pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Scripture: II Nephi 11:22
Blessing and Receiving of Oblation and Mission Tithes
Responsive Reading
Leader: We know the future is unclear.
People: Let us save wisely for tomorrow.
Leader: We are tempted by our pride and ego.
People: Let us spend responsibly so there is enough for all.
Leader: We know others have less than we do.
People: Let us give generously of what we have.
All: Let our giving be a light unto this world.
*Hymn: “Take My Life and Let It Be” HS 408
OR “Christ Is Alive” HS 272
*Sending Forth
Although we can’t see it, while we have been worshiping together this
morning, this plant has been slowly growing and changing, responding to its
surroundings and becoming a new creation. We, too, have grown and changed in
the course of this service and in response to being in fellowship with one
another. May we delight in the new life that we see before us, as well as
the new creation blossoming within us.
*Benediction
*Response
*Postlude
The letters of the apostle Paul are the earliest Christian writings, so this
passage is one of the very earliest reflections on Jesus’ crucifixion and
resurrection. Paul has no doubts in his mind of both the death and resurrection
of Jesus. Earlier in this chapter, he lists the witnesses to whom Jesus
appeared: Cephas, the Twelve, and more than five hundred others—“most of whom
are still alive” (I Corinthians 15:4–6). Certainly his own encounter with Jesus
on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19) is part of his conviction. In I
Corinthians 15:19, Paul sums up things bluntly: “If for this life only we have
hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
Paul goes on to testify that the resurrection of Jesus sets in motion the
renewal of the earth and the transformation of human society. There shall be a
day when the kingdom of God is fully come. Then those people and systems that
violate human dignity and the earth shall end. The kingdom that Jesus brings is
not death but life! All will be made alive in Christ (v. 22) and death is the
last enemy to be destroyed (v. 26).
Let the apostle Paul’s testimony shake our understanding of reality with
God’s new reality this Easter morning!
Paul in Corinthians speaks of many witnesses. But John’s Gospel tells us what
the first Easter morning was like, firsthand, for three people: Mary Magdalene,
Peter, and John. All four Gospels speak of Mary Magdalene being an eyewitness of
the empty tomb. That story is expanded in John’s Gospel. Mary returns to tell
Peter and John, scared and dismayed from finding an empty tomb. They run and
find it empty, too, also believing.
Mary, weeping, is distressed that the body of Jesus has been moved. We then
have the touching story, unique to John, of Mary meeting Jesus and thinking he
is the gardener who perhaps has moved the body. Mary does not recognize Jesus,
which also happens in other stories in the Gospels, when Jesus appears as the
resurrected one. This perhaps is not surprising as her eyes may simply have been
blinded by tears. But more likely is that she was focused on the grave and not
anticipating the Resurrection. However, Jesus only has to say, “Mary,” for her
to know immediately who he really is. Now she sees him through the eyes of
faith. Jesus calls us all by our name in an intimate way. Mary most likely
hugged Jesus at this moment, as Jesus tells her that she must let go of him.
John might say through this that the old bond of disciple and Jesus has now
changed, but certainly he is telling us that Jesus’ task is not yet complete. He
is yet to ascend to the Father. So Mary, a woman and the first witness to the
Resurrection, goes and tells the disciples her story: “I have seen the Lord!”
This Sunday is also Communion Sunday. The Communion prayers remind us of the
central spiritual discipline that we are to “always remember him.” We are lost
if we forget the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We are saved
by remembering, for in remembering we are confronted with the new reality that
both Paul and Mary saw. It was a reality that transformed their lives. Life
overcomes death, love overcomes human stupidity, and grace overcomes sin. Touch
the living body of Jesus this morning through the symbolism of bread and wine.
Feel Jesus’ Spirit among us.
