Call to Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made! Read the first statement below aloud, and then respond to each statement in the video with “Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!”
At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. And suddenly…
Opening Hymn
Our opening hymn today is“Jesus Christ is Risen Today.”
Please sing along. The words are posted in the video.
Prayer of confession
Place your hands palm up on your lap. Offer this prayer aloud followed with silence.
We rejoice because you, O Lord, are risen!
In our hearts and on our tongues that we confess that you are Lord.
We confess those things that prevent us from trusting you in this moment of silence…
We are forgiven in Jesus Christ. Sing along with this assurance of forgiveness.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
The Word
You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Dianne Gerber read Matthew’s account of the resurrection. You may also read it aloud yourself.
Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.”
With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”
(The birdsong, for better or worse, is sometimes louder than the sermon. An audio file without ambient noise is included below.)
Solo
Tara Downie sings “Because He Lives.”
The Apostles’ Creed
You are invited to recite the Apostles’ Creed. Reflect on it. What phrases, if any, cause you to shake? Feel free to recite the creed with the congregation using the recording.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Welcome & Prayers of the People
Song of preparation
As you prepare to take Communion at 10:30 this morning, use this song for prayer and meditation.
the Lord’s Supper
We received the sacrament on Zoom on Easter morning. Here is some submitted photos of our elements.
benediction
Christ is risen. Do not be afraid. Go and tell this good news to all.
May the peace of Christ be with you always. Amen.
Postlude
Joyce will play the Carillon Bells immediately following the Lord’s Supper. If you can hear the bells from your home, please go outside and join the song. (The video below was livestreamed from Facebook.)