Video – Christ The Lord Has Risen Today
Call to Worship: Adapted from Ann Siddall
We are not eye-witnesses to an event,
as were Mary and the disciples;
we have not journeyed
through a dangerous city
to seek answers or consolation;
we have not seen angels
gathering at the rim of this day,
or wept in the garden this morning
because we could not find Him.
But we are here to attest to a story
that has not lost its power
during twenty centuries
of change and conflict.
We are here because those before us
carried this story
as if it were precious gold;
cherished it as if it were
the key to a hidden wisdom.
Siblings in Christ,
take your places here today
in celebration and in awe.
What you are about to hear again,
has the capacity to change the world.
Your very presence attests
to the rising up of life
from the tomb of despair,
and to the uncontrollable power of God.
Leader: He is Risen
All: He is Risen Indeed!
Leader: Christ is Risen.
All: Christ is Risen indeed!
Song Video – Living Hope by Phil Wickham
Scripture Reading: John 20:1-10 (ESV)
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them,
3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Prayer of Reflection
When the day is quiet
and the world still sleeps
and the morning is crisp
and love breathes again
we praise you, O God of resurrection
When the time is now
and the moment is on us
and the place is here
and the grave clothes are folded
we praise you, O God of renewal
When the day is new
and the sun is fresh
and the light is clean
and the stone has rolled
we praise you, O God of empty tombs
Now we see the world differently
What we thought was the way of things, yesterday
is no longer the way of things today
death was yesterday
new life is today
tombs were sealed
now they are open
love was dead
now is alive again
death has been given a make-over
endings have a new perspective
things work differently now
When the shouting has stopped
and the suffering ended
and the betrayal complete
and the darkness stolen
then we praise you, O God of life
Song Video – Ain’t No Grave
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry, and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak, and abuse the earth you made. Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, eternal God, creator and ruler of the universe. At your word the earth was made and spun on its course among the planets. Your hand formed us from the dust of the earth and set us among all your creatures to love and serve you.
When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us, your love remained steadfast. When we were slaves in Egypt, you broke the bonds of our oppression, brought us through the sea to freedom, and made covenant to be our God. By a pillar of fire you led us through the desert to a land flowing with milk and honey, and set before us the way of life. You spoke of love and justice in the prophets, and in the Word made flesh you lived among us, manifesting your glory. He died that we might live, and is risen to raise us to new life!
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Declaration of Forgiveness + Lord’s Prayer
Siblings in Christ, hear the good news of the Gospel:
The tomb is empty! Our Lord and Savior has risen from the grave!
That which has been dead is alive!
No barrier, none whatsoever, can keep us from the love of God!
I announce to you this day that our sins, in their entirety, are utterly forgiven!
Join me as we pray together, the prayer Jesus taught us: Saying…
Scripture Reading:John 20:11-18 (ESV)
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her,
She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Video of Sermon
Communion
When our congregation gathers for the sacrament of communion with all the saints from every time and place, we hear again the story of God’s mighty acts and the love shown us in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Jesus broke bread with his disciples prior to his death, and again not long after his resurrection. This Easter, whether online or onsite, we take part in Jesus’ banquet with gratitude and reverence.
On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again.
As you take the simple elements in your home, state, “The body of Christ” and “The blood of Christ.” Know that God is with you, loves you, and is committed to you. May his resurrected presence be tangible and real to you this very morning. Amen.
Parting Song – Hallelujah Chorus
At Emmanuel, we have a long standing tradition to sing the Hallelujah Chorus at the conclusion of every Easter service. Typically, the choir would invite everyone onto the stage to sing along. We can’t do that this year, but I thought it would still be nice to end the service that way.
This video of the Hallelujah Chorus was done in a shopping mall. It is a flash mob, which basically means unsuspecting crowds were about to be in store for a special treat. I know flash mobs are dated now, but this feels especially poignant this year. The resurrection was a great surprise to all. Although God planned it, orchestrated it, discussed it, and Jesus hinted at it over and over again, the world stood amazed at the empty tomb. Like the folks in this mall, who were shocked by Hallelujah Chorus, may we too be surprised by God’s great love for us and his resurrection!
Benediction
