Easter Day
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle A
Hymns
Thine (Yours) Is the Glory (NCH253, PH122, CBH269)
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (CBH185)
O Day Of Radiant Gladness (PH470)
This Is The Day (NCH84, UM657)
Rejoice, The Lord Is King! (CBH288)
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (NCH240)
Celebrate With Joy And Singing (PH107)
The Strife Is O'er (CBH263)
Come Ye Faithful, Raise The Strain! (CBH264, 265)
Anthems
The Whole World Sings Alleluia, Wayne Wold, CGA, Unison
Let Us Rejoice And Sing, Schultz, Unison/2--part
Easter Morning, Paul Christiansen, SATB, Augsburg Fortress
Alleluia, Randall Thompson, SATB, Schirmer
Easter selections from Messiah, G. F. Handel
An Easter Festival, Sharon Rogers, Lorenz, 2 to 3--octave handbells
Before the service begins, have the sanctuary decorated with lilies and other flowers, but the altar or communion table should be empty except for a pile of white linen cloths.
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 118)
Leader: Open the gates of righteousness, that we may enter through them and give thanks to God.
People: This is the gate of God, the righteous shall enter through it.
Leader: Thanks be to God for answering us and becoming our salvation.
People: This is God's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes.
Leader: Alleluia, Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen, indeed!
Opening Hymn
Thine (Yours) Is The Glory
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Jubilant and all--powerful God, we give you great thanks for this glorious day. Death has been swallowed up in victory. As we recount the events of Christ's resurrection, give us ears to hear this ancient story with new commitment. Help us to walk beside the risen Christ in our daily lives. May we truly rejoice at this incredible news. Alleluia! May we shout it out to the whole world! Amen.
Scripture Readings
Acts 10:34--43: Have someone in the congregation be Peter preaching to the congregation as he did long ago. It would be best if he could memorize the part and say it in "first person."
John 20:1--18: Have a narrator tell the story while it is acted out. Have the different characters say their own lines. Have the altar or communion table be the tomb where Jesus had lain. It is now empty except for white linens lying on it in two places - at the head and in the middle.
Narrator: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. (Mary Magdalene comes in from one side. She sees the tomb [altar or communion table] and looks amazed and frightened, with her hands on her face. She turns and runs up the middle aisle where two Disciples are waiting near the back of center aisle) So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them,
Mary: They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.
Narrator: Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. (Two Disciples begin hurrying up aisle toward table. Mary is about three steps behind them. She stops at base of steps to the nave) The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (One Disciple stops about three feet from table, and notices linen wrappings) He looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came (Peter walks past other disciple and stops at table), and went up to the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there (Peter touch cloths in middle of table), and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. (Peter touch cloths at head of table) Then the other disciple came up to the tomb, and he saw and believed. (Disciple 1 joins Peter behind table. They look at each other incredulously and bow heads) For as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. (Disciples leave off toward right. Mary now comes up steps and walks to the table) But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she went to look in the tomb. (Two angels come from each side and take their places at each end of the table) And she saw two angels in white, standing where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her:
Angels: Woman, why are you weeping?
Mary Magdalene: (Very sadly) They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. (Jesus comes out and stands about three feet away from the table in front of it)
Narrator: When she had said this, she turned around (Mary turns to leave) and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus: Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?
Narrator: Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him,
Mary: Sir, if you have carried him away (Looks around frantically), tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus: Mary!
Mary: Rabbouni! Teacher! (Starts to throw her arms around Jesus or grab his hand. Jesus puts hand out to stop her from touching him. Angels leave, go off to each side)
Jesus: Do not hold on to me, because 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."
(Mary turns, and walks out to edge of steps or in front of congregation)
Mary: (Speaks to whole congregation) I have seen the Lord!
(Jesus walks off to right. Mary walks right down the center aisle, looking at different folk saying, "I have seen the Lord" quietly)
Hymn
Christ The Lord Is Ris'n Today
(During the singing of this hymn, women will come up the middle aisle with flowers, a cross, and candles to place on the table. Remove the white cloths when the women depart)
Call to Offering
Peter said that God shows no partiality, but loves all people. Jesus of Nazareth healed all who were oppressed. May our offering today serve all people as they hear the good news of salvation. The ushers will now wait upon us for the morning offering.
Prayer of Dedication
"Christ has risen! Shout hosanna! Celebrate this days of days!" God, bless these gifts joyfully given to honor you and the Risen Christ. May this offering serve people who need it, no matter their happenstance in life, and may they find peace of mind in you. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: The strife is o'er, the battle done. The victory o'er death is won.
People: But the battle for a godly, peaceful life continues.
Leader: Go with joy and fortitude to live as the Risen Christ would have us live.
People: We go, believing anew in the love and graciousness of a caring God.
All: Share the good news! Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Thine (Yours) Is the Glory (NCH253, PH122, CBH269)
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (CBH185)
O Day Of Radiant Gladness (PH470)
This Is The Day (NCH84, UM657)
Rejoice, The Lord Is King! (CBH288)
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (NCH240)
Celebrate With Joy And Singing (PH107)
The Strife Is O'er (CBH263)
Come Ye Faithful, Raise The Strain! (CBH264, 265)
Anthems
The Whole World Sings Alleluia, Wayne Wold, CGA, Unison
Let Us Rejoice And Sing, Schultz, Unison/2--part
Easter Morning, Paul Christiansen, SATB, Augsburg Fortress
Alleluia, Randall Thompson, SATB, Schirmer
Easter selections from Messiah, G. F. Handel
An Easter Festival, Sharon Rogers, Lorenz, 2 to 3--octave handbells
Before the service begins, have the sanctuary decorated with lilies and other flowers, but the altar or communion table should be empty except for a pile of white linen cloths.
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 118)
Leader: Open the gates of righteousness, that we may enter through them and give thanks to God.
People: This is the gate of God, the righteous shall enter through it.
Leader: Thanks be to God for answering us and becoming our salvation.
People: This is God's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes.
Leader: Alleluia, Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen, indeed!
Opening Hymn
Thine (Yours) Is The Glory
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Jubilant and all--powerful God, we give you great thanks for this glorious day. Death has been swallowed up in victory. As we recount the events of Christ's resurrection, give us ears to hear this ancient story with new commitment. Help us to walk beside the risen Christ in our daily lives. May we truly rejoice at this incredible news. Alleluia! May we shout it out to the whole world! Amen.
Scripture Readings
Acts 10:34--43: Have someone in the congregation be Peter preaching to the congregation as he did long ago. It would be best if he could memorize the part and say it in "first person."
John 20:1--18: Have a narrator tell the story while it is acted out. Have the different characters say their own lines. Have the altar or communion table be the tomb where Jesus had lain. It is now empty except for white linens lying on it in two places - at the head and in the middle.
Narrator: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. (Mary Magdalene comes in from one side. She sees the tomb [altar or communion table] and looks amazed and frightened, with her hands on her face. She turns and runs up the middle aisle where two Disciples are waiting near the back of center aisle) So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them,
Mary: They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.
Narrator: Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. (Two Disciples begin hurrying up aisle toward table. Mary is about three steps behind them. She stops at base of steps to the nave) The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (One Disciple stops about three feet from table, and notices linen wrappings) He looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came (Peter walks past other disciple and stops at table), and went up to the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there (Peter touch cloths in middle of table), and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. (Peter touch cloths at head of table) Then the other disciple came up to the tomb, and he saw and believed. (Disciple 1 joins Peter behind table. They look at each other incredulously and bow heads) For as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. (Disciples leave off toward right. Mary now comes up steps and walks to the table) But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she went to look in the tomb. (Two angels come from each side and take their places at each end of the table) And she saw two angels in white, standing where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her:
Angels: Woman, why are you weeping?
Mary Magdalene: (Very sadly) They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. (Jesus comes out and stands about three feet away from the table in front of it)
Narrator: When she had said this, she turned around (Mary turns to leave) and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus: Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?
Narrator: Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him,
Mary: Sir, if you have carried him away (Looks around frantically), tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus: Mary!
Mary: Rabbouni! Teacher! (Starts to throw her arms around Jesus or grab his hand. Jesus puts hand out to stop her from touching him. Angels leave, go off to each side)
Jesus: Do not hold on to me, because 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."
(Mary turns, and walks out to edge of steps or in front of congregation)
Mary: (Speaks to whole congregation) I have seen the Lord!
(Jesus walks off to right. Mary walks right down the center aisle, looking at different folk saying, "I have seen the Lord" quietly)
Hymn
Christ The Lord Is Ris'n Today
(During the singing of this hymn, women will come up the middle aisle with flowers, a cross, and candles to place on the table. Remove the white cloths when the women depart)
Call to Offering
Peter said that God shows no partiality, but loves all people. Jesus of Nazareth healed all who were oppressed. May our offering today serve all people as they hear the good news of salvation. The ushers will now wait upon us for the morning offering.
Prayer of Dedication
"Christ has risen! Shout hosanna! Celebrate this days of days!" God, bless these gifts joyfully given to honor you and the Risen Christ. May this offering serve people who need it, no matter their happenstance in life, and may they find peace of mind in you. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: The strife is o'er, the battle done. The victory o'er death is won.
People: But the battle for a godly, peaceful life continues.
Leader: Go with joy and fortitude to live as the Risen Christ would have us live.
People: We go, believing anew in the love and graciousness of a caring God.
All: Share the good news! Christ is risen! Alleluia!
