Easter Sunday
We Gather as the Body of Christ
Hymn: Christ the Lord is Risen Today
UMH #302
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
and FUNNY STORY
Pastor Bob
CENTERING WORDS
Pastor Bob
Turn your eyes to the heavens. Turn your gaze to hope and life.
For in hope and life, we find Jesus, the Risen Christ who shines in our midst with the light of heaven above.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Responsive Reading Sharon Stewart
L: Christ is alive,
P: moving among the living.
L: Christ is risen,
P: inviting us to rise in fullness of life.
L: Christ is calling,
P: proclaiming life and hope for all.
INVOCATION FOR EASTER SUNDAY Sharon Stewart
Dear God, this past week has been one of mixed emotions; of
faith struggling to understand. We have greeted you with palm branches; we have sat at a table with you to share a farewell meal. We have witnessed your death on a simple wooden cross. Yet on the third day, you come to us again in victory. By this, we know that death is not the final word. As the sun boldly rises to meet a new day, rise in our lives this Easter morning, for you are our hope, our life, and our joy. Amen.
HYMN: Crown Him with Many Crowns
UMH #327
EPISTLE READING
Collossians 3: 1-4 Sharon Stewart
CHILDREN'S TIME with Pastor Bob
PREPARATION to PRAYER
I Love You, Lord
TFWS #2068
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor Bob
We Attend to the Word
HYMN: Halle, Halle,Halleluja
TWFS #2026
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 28: 1-10 (NLT)
MEDITATION Pastor Bob
I AM the Resurrection and Life
We Gather at Christ's Table
INVITATION to the OFFERING
Pastor Bob
God gives us steadfast love and abundant mercy. Now, we are
invited to bring our gifts to God as tokens of our thanksgiving and praise.
OFFERTORY Erin Tellier
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
UMC Hymnal # 94
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING (John 11)
(Unison) Pastor Bob
We give you thanks, O God, for you are good. You have been our
help and hope, calling us to be help and hope for the world. You live among us, calling us to share life and love with all creation. Bless the gifts we share before you, that they may be signs of your life, hope, and love. Amen.
HYMN: Up From the Grave He Arose
UMC Hymnal # 322
We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
BENEDICTION
Pastor Bob
Go and proclaim the Risen Christ.
Go and live as the risen children of God.
Go and be Easter people-
People filled with hope and life and love for all the world.
SENDING FORTH HYMN
Let There Be Peace on Earth
UMC Hymnal #431
DEPART IN PEACE...SHALOM!
Worship Liturgy is taken from two sources: Lectionary Liturgies and the Abingdon Worship Annual 2023.