Easter Sunday @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

"et resurrectionis erimus" (Resurrection)

Today’s Meditation Verse “All the prophets testify about Him that everyone   who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”  – Acts 10:43

Welcome – Pastor Charles

Prelude  "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" — Lorie C. & Hannah G.

Call to Worship (St. Hippolytus of Rome, 170-236) —Pastor Charles (Leader) and Bob M. (People)  

Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate
Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers,
Glory and power are His forever and ever.

Hymn: “Easter People, Raise Your Voices" (verses 1 & 2) — Lorie C. & Ron R.

A Prayer for Easter Morning (Author Unknown) — Bob M. 

As the world sings triumphant cries to heaven over death that You conquered, help us, Lord, tomorrow as well, when the dresses are put away and the candy is all eaten and on with life we go let us not forget.

The celebration of Your resurrection over death is a celebration of life that should continue well beyond the sunrise service and the music, rehearsed for days prior; it is beyond the sign of spring, beyond the lily, beyond new lambs grazing in open fields.

Resurrection is a daily celebration over fear; man's greatest and most powerful enemy. Fear of tomorrow, fear of our yesterdays, fear of what shall become of our young, our old, our unborn. Resurrection is replacing fear with physical action.

This alone, the most touching and profound of your signs that fear is dead and belief in You brings, not just hope but life. What better living parable could You have brought? All fear death. All. Even in the garden, You took on our fear if for only moments, it was as real as our fears can be real and You knew then that this single enemy must be destroyed.

And, You sacrificed Your life, leaving those who had been comfort, and follower; You left them behind, to conquer fear. I shall cling to this now, and the tomorrows given me. Peace and thanksgiving lifted unto You.  Amen.

Community prayer joys, concerns, and celebrations — Pastor Charles 

Pastoral Prayer                                                               — Pastor Charles

Musical Offering:  "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"  — Worldwide Easter Choir          

Gospel Lesson: John 20:1-10                     — Bob M.                                                                                                                                                     

Musical Offering: “ Risen"                   by Shawna Edwards  

Gospel Lesson: John 20:11-18                    — Pastor Charles                                          

Sermon: “What are we holding onto?”      — Pastor Charles

 

Communion / The Lord’s Prayer 

Musical Offering: “Thine Be the Glory”    — GBGM Virtual Choir

Words for the Journey                               — Pastor Charles

Postlude "Ave Maria" by Bach-Gounod      — Lorie C. & Hannah G.