Introduction
Welcome to Worship!
Today is Resurrection Day! But it is different than a typical Easter. We celebrate the raising of Jesus from the dead–this changes everything. And yet, our celebration of His resurrection is very different this year. Like Maundy Thursday–it seems everything has been stripped away. As such, this worship experience provides a different tone and posture than we typically hold on Easter. Yes, we still cry out Alleluia! We still join the ancient chorus of proclaiming Christ is Risen! He is risen Indeed! The truth of this day remains. The hope of this day remains. The promise of this day will never be muted. Even still, today feels different.
This worship service begins similar to how that first resurrection morning begins. Quiet. Dark. Stuck in our homes. In fear. In grief. With heavy hearts. That first Resurrection day, the disciples were grieving because their hopes had died–died upon a cross. Their joy was sealed behind a giant rock that sealed a tomb. Jesus was supposed to change everything. And so, we begin with this beautiful prelude.
Order of Worship
We call on the Name of the Triune God: An adult can say: We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
An Opening Reflection
a Litany: spoken in two parts
Person/Group A: We thought you were dead. We thought the cross was the end.
Person/Group B: We thought that when the stone rolled over the tomb, that was it. But this is it:
the dead are living; the cross is empty;
the stone is rolled, and one phrase describes it all:
Everyone: Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
We thought you had said your final word. We thought those with the power had won.
We thought that when you cried out, that was it. But this is it:
the word breathes; the powers are defeated;
the final cry was only the beginning, and one phrase says it all:
Everyone: Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
We thought the story was finished. We thought the hope had ended.
We thought that when the tomb was sealed, that was it. But this is it:
the story has just begun; the hope is newly born;
the tomb is empty, and one phrase says it all:
Everyone: Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
This is the news:
Jesus is risen!
This is the moment
Jesus is alive!
This is the gospel
Jesus is with us!
We thought that when they crucified you, death had defeated life,
We thought all was lost and that was it. But this is it:
Everyone: Love is stronger than death, and one phrase says it all:
Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
An Opening Song
Openning Prayer
Lord of Life and Power, Through the mighty resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, You have overcome death, And opened the gate of everlasting life. Grant that we, being dead to sin And alive to you in Jesus Christ, May reign with him in glory, Who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, One God, now and forever. Amen
Jesus Christ is Risen today
Resurrection Proclamation
The stone has been rolled away!
Death has been swallowed up in victory!
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
CHRIST IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!
HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA
CONFESSION
Living Lord, when we stand before the empty tomb we don’t always feel the joy of resurrection.
We feel fear, doubt, and distrust. We feel empty. Forgive the fear that paralyzes us at the brink of new life.
Forgive our doubt of your love. Forgive our distrust of your surprising, joyous plan.
Fill our emptiness with your glorious light. Raise us to abundant new life for the glory of your name.
Words of HOPE and Assurance
Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Sisters and brothers, Christ has forgiven our sins. Christ calls us to new life. Christ will lead us into righteousness. Amen.
Reading God’s Word
Acts 10:34-43
So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Sharing Option: What speaks to you about this brief description of Jesus’ victory?
Another Song for Worship
Living Hope
Thine Is the Glory
Today’s Gospel: John 20:1-18
Today’s Sermon
Profess the Apostles’ Creed Together:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen
Prayer
May this song and video invite you into a time of prayer. That as you hear the words, you would lean into the beautiful name of Christ Jesus. And as you see the crosses–each belonging to members of our congregation–that you would be led to pray for the people that we long to assemble with to praise our unmatched savior.
A quick word and Update regarding Offerings and Finances at POP
Follow the Button to Worship with your Offering and Tithes
Pray together the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory
Forever and ever. Amen.
A Closing Song
Raise a Hallelujah
Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds
A Closing Benediction for your family
Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
CHRIST IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!
HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA
Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again;
death no longer has any power over him.
The life he lives, he lives to God. Alleluia!
Because of our sins, he was handed over to die;
and he was raised to life in order to put us right with God.
The life he lives, he lives to God. Alleluia!
May the God of peace, who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus, provide us with every good thing we need in order to do his will; and the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever. Amen.
The Hallelujah Chorus
May your day be filled with the promise and hope of our Resurrected Lord–the risen and conquering Son!
Blessings and Love to each of you from the staff at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. You are loved more than you know!
