Scripture – Matthew 28:1-8
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him’. Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Welcome
The Lord is risen! Hallelujah! A happy and joyous Easter to you! Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. While we cannot be together physically, we can be together in thought and spirit as we celebrate this special day. Let us join our hearts, our hands and our voices in celebration of this miraculous day and the promise it brings to all.
Call to Worship and Hymn of Joy – Christ is Alive! Community of Christ Sings #473 (v. 1 & 5)
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.Christ is alive and comes to bring good news to this and every age;
Til earth and sky and ocean ring with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Prayer of Praise (Please offer your own prayer of praise)
Disciples’ Generous Response
Put your offering aside and bring it with you when we meet again or click here to use eTithing.
Blessing: Through our gifts today, may we proclaim our faith in your power to resurrect all things. Use them to give life and hope to the world. Bless the gift, the giver and all who will benefit from its use. Amen
Prayer for Peace
Our loving and compassionate God, we listen again to the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. Through his life and death, hope re-entered our world. But we know that many today live in such environments that hope is difficult and often not felt.
Each day you continue to reveal yourself in the world around us. Renew our commitment to finding ways to bring hope to the hopeless. Give us new eyes to see the ways you are already working in our homes, communities, schools, businesses, and internationally. Move our hands and feet to become involved in those efforts that bring sustainable changes for good—that bring hope. Help us be disciples like Mary who run to others to share the good news. Amen.
Hymn of Good News – Lift Your Glad Voices #475
Lift your glad voices in triumph on high, for Jesus is risen, and we cannot die.
Vain were the terrors that gathered around him, and short the dominion
of death and the grave;
he burst from the fetters of darkness that bound him, resplendent in glory,
to live and to save.
Loud was the chorus of angels on high; the Savior is risen and we shall not die.Glory to God in full anthems of joy! The being he gave us death cannot destroy.
Sad were the life we must part with tomorrow if tears were our birthright
and death were our end;
but Jesus has cheered the dark valley of sorrow, we’ll rise from the dead
and immortal ascend.
Lift then your voices in triumph on high, for Jesus is risen, and we shall not die.
The Easter Message – Elder Jim Deering
(click on the video)
[evp_embed_video url=”https://cofchristbradenton.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Easter-2020-Deering.mp4″]
Hymn of Rejoicing – Good Christians All, Rejoice (verses 1, 2, and 4) #479
Good Christians all, rejoice and sing! Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring: “Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”The Lord of life is risen today; death’s mighty stone is rolled away:
let every tongue rejoice and say: “Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”Your name we bless, O risen Lord, and sing today with one accord
the life laid down, the life restored. “Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”
Benediction
As followers of Christ, you have God’s kingdom in your heart. Live for the Lord. Remember that the risen one is with you today, tomorrow and all your days! Alleluia! Amen.
Service prepared by Elder Jo Fenn-Martin with Elder Jim Deering bringing the Easter message.