Easter Sunday
April 4, 2021
“Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord’s Prayer is about.”
~ N.T. Wright
“What if we lived like Jesus really did rise from the dead?”
~ Sarah Holman
“For me the most radical demand of Christian faith lies in summoning the courage to say yes to the present risenness of Jesus Christ.”
~ Brennan Manning,
“Hearts rebuilt from hope resurrect dreams killed by hate.”
~ Aberjhani
Prelude
“The Strife is O’er” – tune – “Victory”
~ arr. Wilbur Held
“Jesus Christ is Risen Today” – tune – “Llanfair”
~ arr. Rex Koury
“Toccata on Christ the Lord is Risen Today” – tune – “Lyra Davidica”
~ arr. Diane Bish
Call to Worship
Think of a moment when someone
that you least expected to see
suddenly stands before you.
A moment when something you’d lost
is found again and you
can scarcely believe your eyes.
Think of a moment when your fear
was suddenly proved unfounded
and you were surprised by joy.
This morning is such a moment.
We resign ourselves to the worst,
and suddenly life turns around.
So come this Easter morning,
to be shaken from your conviction
that nothing can change your situation.
Come if you look at the world
and feel overwhelmed by its chaos,
or disillusioned by its promises.
On this morning we remember
how Mary went to anoint a corpse,
and was greeted by a Savior.
Come to worship prepared
to see your life and the world
through new eyes.
For Christ is risen,
He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!
– written by Ann Siddall
Hymn
Gareth Williams & John Palmer “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” ~ UMH #302 vs. 1-4
Time for Kids
Scripture
John 20:1-18
Message
Pastor Kate Conolly
“I’ve Seen the Lord!”
Offering Prayer
For the gift of life eternal that we celebrate this day,
we give thanks.
For the way in which these offerings will become life for others,
we give thanks.
For the gift of this community bound and working together,
we give thanks.
Offertory
Virtual Choir video
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn
Sue Livingstone & John Palmer
“Up from the Grave He Arose” ~ UMH #322
Sending Forth
As you go out into God’s world this week, be Easter people! Be those who say, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here. He is risen.” Be ready to be surprised with what God will do next. Look for the risen Christ in those you meet. Let the Holy Spirit nudge and guide you. The tomb is empty because Jesus is out in the world, and now we must go out into the world too! May the joy and wonder of that first Easter morning live in your hearts today and every day. Amen.
– written by Susannah DeBenedetto
Postlude
YouTube video of the Halleluiah Chorus