Easter Worship Service
Resurrection Celebration
Easter Sunday
Worship setting: Drape the cross with white fabric. Decorate the
sanctuary with flowers and greens. Provide flowering potted plants to be taken
to the rostrum during the offering. Arrange for these flowers to be delivered
to the sick, hospitalized, or members of the congregation otherwise unable to
attend.
Come, Praise and Celebrate
Prelude
Call to the Community: Psalm 118:1–4, 19–29 adapted to be read
boldly
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Reader 1:
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Oh, give thanks, for God is good;
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Reader 2:
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God’s steadfast love endures forever.
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Reader 1:
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Let all those who fear the Lord say:
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Reader 2:
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God’s steadfast love endures forever.
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Reader 1:
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Now open to me the gates of righteousness,
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
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Reader 2:
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This is the gate of the Lord through which
God’s people may enter and give thanks.
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Reader 1:
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We give thanks for you have answered us,
O God and you have become our salvation.
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Reader 2:
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This is the day that the Lord has made.
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Readers 1 and 2:
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Let us rejoice and be glad.
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Reader 1:
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Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
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Reader 2:
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We bless you from the house of the Lord.
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Reader 1:
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You are our God. We give you thanks.
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Reader 2:
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You are our God. We lift you up and praise your name.
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Readers 1 and 2:
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Give thanks for God is good.
And God’s steadfast love endures forever! Amen.
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*Hymn: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
OR "Hosanna"
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HS 20
NS 14 |
*Prayer of Praise
*Response
Share Your Witness
First Witness: Matthew 28:1–10; Mary of Magdela
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Hymn: "Angels, Roll the Rock Away"
OR "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
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HS 277
HS 274 |
Prayer for Our Witness
Music Response
Testimony: Witness of the Risen Christ
Share a recent situation when you observed or participated in providing
the ministry of Jesus Christ. When have you felt his Spirit with you?
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Ministry of Music: "Open Our Eyes"
—Bob Cull, Cokesbury Chorus Book, Expanded Edition
(Nashville:
Abingdon Press, 1999), 77. ISBN 0-6870-7028-7
OR Hymn: "Lord, I Was Blind: I Could Not See"
Community Reading
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HS 178 |
Reader 1:
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Open our eyes, Lord.
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Community:
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Open our eyes. We want to see Jesus.
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Reader 1:
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Behold, I will be with you always until the end of time.
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Reader 2:
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I see Christ in the eyes of a friend.
I see Christ in the tender touch of wrinkled hands.
I see Christ in the arms of a mother cradling a child.
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Community:
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Open our ears, Lord. We want to hear Jesus.
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Reader 1:
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Behold, I will be with you always until the end of time.
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Reader 2:
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I hear Christ in the cry of the hungry.
I hear Christ in the songs of the oppressed.
I hear Christ in the praises of the grateful.
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Community:
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Open our hands, Lord. We want to help Jesus.
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Reader 1:
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Behold, I will be with you always until the end of time.
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Reader 2:
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I see Christ serving soup on the streets.
I see Christ teaching people self-care.
I see Christ nursing the sick and disabled.
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Community:
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Open our mouths, Lord. We will witness of you:
We see Christ in the eyes of our neighbors.
We hear Christ in the sounds of pain and joy.
We see Christ in action in the world.
Lord, you are risen indeed. We are your witnesses.
You are at work in the world today.
You still call disciples to assist in the work.
We will be your disciples.
We are the disciples of Jesus Christ.
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Reader 1:
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Behold, I will be with you always until the end
of time. |
Hymn: "Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
OR "Community of Joy, Proclaim the Living Christ"
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HS 19
R-16 |
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—By Request: Songs for the Community of
Christ (Herald House, 2004).
Prayer for Effective Discipleship
Disciples’ Generous Response
Scripture: John 21:15–17
Invitation to Share Generously
What does it mean to feed the lambs and sheep?
Invite the congregation to bring their Mission Tithes and flowers
forward to the cross. Be prepared to assist those who cannot come forward.
The flowers will be taken to the sick, hospitalized, and disabled after
the service.
Prayer of Consecration
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Hymn: "If Suddenly upon the Street"
OR "Just as I Am, Thine Own to Be"
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HS 389
HS 421 |
Go, Witness of the Risen Christ
Statement of Challenge
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16–20
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*Hymn: "Lift Your Glad Voices"
OR "Lift High the Cross"
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HS 271
HS 263 |
*Benediction Statement: Philippians 4:8–9 or Hebrews 13:20–21
*Response
*Postlude
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