Return to Year A: 2007-2008 Resource Index

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Jesus Lives!

Easter

Scriptures: Acts 10:34–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; Colossians 3:1–4; Matthew 28:1–10/28:1–9 IV; John 20:1–18; III Nephi 5:13–17; Doctrine and Covenants 162:8c

Sharing Christ’s Peace

Become a sanctuary of Christ’s peace.—Doctrine and Covenants 163:8c

Worship Setting

Arrange six white candles in a prominent location on the rostrom as a major portion of the worship setting.

Prelude: Play CD, Zen Garden: Restful Earth, ©2003 Compendia Media Group. ASIN B00008DKBJ. Use cut 2, “Etched in Time.”

Light first candle.

Welcome

This week we have shared many emotions, from the joy of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the sharing of the Passover, and Jesus’ last supper with his disciples and us, through the agony of Good Friday. Today we celebrate his victory over the cross.

*Invocation

*Response

Ministry of Music

“Are You Amazed” on DVD from Igniter Videos, Vol. 1. Available at http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv or by contacting Igniter Media Group, 9330 LBJ Freeway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75243; phone: (214)340-1826; toll-free: 866-340-1826; fax: (214) 341-7081.
OR Hymn: “Were You There” HS 267

Light second candle.

Poem: Read “Footprints in the Sand.” See http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com for the words.

Meditation Music: Play CD, Zen Garden: Restful Earth. Use cut 4, “No Man’s Land.”

Scripture: John 20:1–10

Ministry of Music

“You Are My King: Amazing Love” from the Worship: the Ultimate Collection CD, ASIN B000F0Q0V4
OR Hymn: “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing” HS 275

Light third candle.

Scripture: John 20:11–18

Ministry of Music:

Grace Like Rain, Todd Agnew, ©2003 Chordant CD. ASIN B0000CG86G. Use cut 8.
OR Hymn: “Let Us Sing of Easter Gladness” HS 279

Light fourth candle.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1–4

Ministry of Music:

The Very Best of Avalon: Testify to Love, Avalon, ©2003 Sparrow CD. ASIN B00008L3R2. Use cut 5.
OR Hymn: “Make Me a Servant” NS 35

Light fifth candle.

Scripture: III Nephi 5:13–17

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. Offertory 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/offertory to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 162:8c

Blessing and Offering of Mission Tithes

Scripture Lesson

Matthew 28:1–10

Ministry of Music or Hymn: “Morning Has Broken” HS 22

Light sixth candle.

God’s Word to the People: Based on Matthew 28:1–10/28:1–9 IV

*Hymn

“Companions on the Journey” NS 7
OR “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” HS 278

*Benediction

*Postlude

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Acts 10:34–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; Colossians 3:1–4; Matthew 28:1–10/28:1–9 IV; John 20:1–18; III Nephi 5:13–17; Doctrine and Covenants 162:8c

Exploring the Scriptures

While each of the Gospels tells the story of Easter in a slightly different way, in each the Resurrection comes as a wonderful surprise! Matthew provides a vivid portrait of what Mary Magdalene and the other Mary found when they reached the tomb. An earthquake moves the ground and an angel, whose appearance is like lightning and is dressed in snow-white clothing, rolls back the stone slab that was probably hewn from the side of a cliff and used to seal the tomb.

Of course the women are afraid of the guards who look like “dead men.” Possibly the guards were so terrified of what had occurred, they fainted. The angel has removed the stone, not to release Jesus’ body from the tomb but to provide an opportunity for the women to see that the body is gone.

The angel tells the two women not to be afraid and to look inside the tomb. Preparing them for what they will see, the angel says, “He is not here; for he has been raised.”
In confusion, the women must have peered inside, not understanding what the empty tomb would mean for them and for future Christians. They looked quickly in awe and surprise. The angel and then Jesus himself commissioned them: Go quickly and tell the disciples that Jesus lives.

With fear and great joy they shared the good news and were blessed by Jesus’ appearance in their midst. Together the women and the disciples knelt down, clasped Jesus’ feet, and worshiped him. In awe-inspiring worship they received their life-long commission to go and tell others that Jesus lives.

Even though they did not completely understand what had happened, in faith they became the first witnesses of the Resurrection news.

Today we gather at the empty tomb, we worship the living Christ, and we receive our own personal commission—“Go and tell others that he lives!”

Central Ideas

1. The Resurrection expresses God’s great love for all of creation.

2. Spirit-filled worship inspires the faithful to move out in faith.

3. In fear and joy, Christians go and tell others that Jesus lives, aware that Jesus walks with them and commissions them to witness of him.

Questions for the Speaker

1. How is the Resurrection real to you?

2. How does the experience of the Spirit being alive and working in you enable you to proclaim that Jesus lives?

3. How does the witness of Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and the disciples inspire you to go and tell others that Jesus lives for them, too?
   
    

Return to Year A: 2007-2008 Resource Index