He Is Risen Indeed!
Lent/Easter
Traveling Calvary's Road
From Ash Wednesday Through Easter
Object:
Introduction
There is one morning in the year when churches can get away with scheduling worship at a very early hour. That is Easter morning, of course! Some people will be there because they want to make the resurrection of Christ a reality in their lives. Others will come because their teenagers are in the youth group that is serving breakfast after the service. But whatever the motivation, it is a unique opportunity for a meaningful worship experience.
A sunrise service can be scheduled at one of the usual times: 6 a.m. or 6:30 a.m.; but some like to schedule it at whatever actual time the weather bureau predicts the sun will rise. It could be 6:13 a.m. or 6:27 a.m.
The entire service may be held outdoors. Select a site where the morning sun will be visible. If a site other than the church grounds is preferred, consider such locations as a nearby park, a dock, lakeshore, a cemetery, a hill, an outdoor amphitheater, or someone's farm.
If it is preferred to hold the service in the church, the congregation may assemble outside the building to begin the service, and proceed into the sanctuary after the psalm. The procession may include an Easter banner, a crucifer, lay readers, and minister. Some may want to use balloons or colorful streamers. Make it joyful! It's a celebration of a victory!
Lay participation is encouraged for responsive readings and the lessons.
He Is Risen Indeed!
Worship Service
Invocation
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
Leader: Christ is alive! Christ is among us!
People: He lives, all glory to his name!
Leader: He said, "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live;
People: And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."
Leader: Do you believe this?
People: Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.
Leader: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
All: We greet the risen Lord, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives!"
Prayer
Gracious God, we have come to celebrate the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. You sent him to us out of love. You raised him that we might have hope. Today we join with your people throughout the world to praise you and to give thanks for the new life we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Psalm
Psalm 118:1-6, 15-24
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good, and his love is eternal.
People: Let the people of Israel say, "His love is eternal."
Leader: Let the priests of God say, "His love is eternal."
People: Let all who worship him say, "His love is eternal."
Leader: In my distress I called to the Lord; he answered me and set me free.
People: The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid; what can anyone do to me?
Leader: Listen to the glad shouts of victory in the tents of God's people: "The Lord's almighty power has done it!"
People: His power has brought us victory; his mighty power in battle!
Leader: I will not die; instead, I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.
People: He has punished me severely, but he has not let me die.
Leader: Open to me the gates of the temple; I will go in and give thanks to the Lord!
People: This is the gate of the Lord; only then righteous can come in.
Leader: I praise you, Lord, because you heard me, because you have given me victory.
People: The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.
Leader: This was done by the Lord; what a wonderful sight it is!
People: This is the day of the Lord's victory; let us be happy, let us celebrate!
Processional Hymn
"Jesus Christ Is Risen Today" or "Beautiful Savior"
First Lesson
Jonah 2:1-10
Reader: When Jesus was asked for a sign, he said no sign would be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. He compared Jonah's experience in the fish to his own death. This is Jonah's prayer from within the fish. (reads Jonah 2:1-10)
Second Lesson
2 Corinthians 4:16--5:10
Reader: Saint Paul compares our limited and troublesome span of life to God's promise of eternal glory. We have this hope because of our faith. (reads 2 Corinthians 4:16--5:19)
Gospel
Luke 24:1-12
Reader: Luke's gospel describes the women at the tomb, who were the first ones to receive the news of the resurrection. (reads Luke 24:1-12)
Message
Statement Of Faith
The good news has come in Jesus Christ. He is the sign of the Father's love for us. He reveals to us that we are the children of God. He went about bringing joy to life. He gave himself, as he gave the fish to the poor, and as he provided bread and wine for his friends. He suffered for us and overcame death.
We, therefore, proclaim his death for us every time we gather. We proclaim his resurrection as we stand with other humans. We expect his return as we work for the world of tomorrow.
We know that we have received his gifts and that we are his church. In the newness of the spirit of this day, and with the grace of the sacrament made ours, we will live as the church for others. May it ever be so.
Share The Peace Of Christ With One Another
(Worshipers may greet one another with the words, "The peace of the Lord be with you," then respond, "And also with you.")
Hymn
"Break Now The Bread Of Life"
or "Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees"
The Holy Communion
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise!
Leader: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat, this is my body, given for you."
People: We do this in remembrance of him.
Leader: 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."
People: We do this in remembrance of him.
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil; for the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
(Worshipers receive the elements of communion.)
Prayer
Gracious Lord, we give thanks for you have nourished us at your table, assured us of your love, and strengthened us to walk in faith. Go with us as we go our separate ways, filled with your Spirit, for you have revealed yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. In Christ's name we ask . Amen.
Blessing
May the blessing of the eternal God be upon us, and upon our loved ones: His light to guide us, his presence to strengthen us, his love to unite us, now and always. Amen.
Hymn
"I Serve A Risen Savior"
There is one morning in the year when churches can get away with scheduling worship at a very early hour. That is Easter morning, of course! Some people will be there because they want to make the resurrection of Christ a reality in their lives. Others will come because their teenagers are in the youth group that is serving breakfast after the service. But whatever the motivation, it is a unique opportunity for a meaningful worship experience.
A sunrise service can be scheduled at one of the usual times: 6 a.m. or 6:30 a.m.; but some like to schedule it at whatever actual time the weather bureau predicts the sun will rise. It could be 6:13 a.m. or 6:27 a.m.
The entire service may be held outdoors. Select a site where the morning sun will be visible. If a site other than the church grounds is preferred, consider such locations as a nearby park, a dock, lakeshore, a cemetery, a hill, an outdoor amphitheater, or someone's farm.
If it is preferred to hold the service in the church, the congregation may assemble outside the building to begin the service, and proceed into the sanctuary after the psalm. The procession may include an Easter banner, a crucifer, lay readers, and minister. Some may want to use balloons or colorful streamers. Make it joyful! It's a celebration of a victory!
Lay participation is encouraged for responsive readings and the lessons.
He Is Risen Indeed!
Worship Service
Invocation
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
Leader: Christ is alive! Christ is among us!
People: He lives, all glory to his name!
Leader: He said, "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live;
People: And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."
Leader: Do you believe this?
People: Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.
Leader: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
All: We greet the risen Lord, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives!"
Prayer
Gracious God, we have come to celebrate the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. You sent him to us out of love. You raised him that we might have hope. Today we join with your people throughout the world to praise you and to give thanks for the new life we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Psalm
Psalm 118:1-6, 15-24
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good, and his love is eternal.
People: Let the people of Israel say, "His love is eternal."
Leader: Let the priests of God say, "His love is eternal."
People: Let all who worship him say, "His love is eternal."
Leader: In my distress I called to the Lord; he answered me and set me free.
People: The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid; what can anyone do to me?
Leader: Listen to the glad shouts of victory in the tents of God's people: "The Lord's almighty power has done it!"
People: His power has brought us victory; his mighty power in battle!
Leader: I will not die; instead, I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.
People: He has punished me severely, but he has not let me die.
Leader: Open to me the gates of the temple; I will go in and give thanks to the Lord!
People: This is the gate of the Lord; only then righteous can come in.
Leader: I praise you, Lord, because you heard me, because you have given me victory.
People: The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.
Leader: This was done by the Lord; what a wonderful sight it is!
People: This is the day of the Lord's victory; let us be happy, let us celebrate!
Processional Hymn
"Jesus Christ Is Risen Today" or "Beautiful Savior"
First Lesson
Jonah 2:1-10
Reader: When Jesus was asked for a sign, he said no sign would be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. He compared Jonah's experience in the fish to his own death. This is Jonah's prayer from within the fish. (reads Jonah 2:1-10)
Second Lesson
2 Corinthians 4:16--5:10
Reader: Saint Paul compares our limited and troublesome span of life to God's promise of eternal glory. We have this hope because of our faith. (reads 2 Corinthians 4:16--5:19)
Gospel
Luke 24:1-12
Reader: Luke's gospel describes the women at the tomb, who were the first ones to receive the news of the resurrection. (reads Luke 24:1-12)
Message
Statement Of Faith
The good news has come in Jesus Christ. He is the sign of the Father's love for us. He reveals to us that we are the children of God. He went about bringing joy to life. He gave himself, as he gave the fish to the poor, and as he provided bread and wine for his friends. He suffered for us and overcame death.
We, therefore, proclaim his death for us every time we gather. We proclaim his resurrection as we stand with other humans. We expect his return as we work for the world of tomorrow.
We know that we have received his gifts and that we are his church. In the newness of the spirit of this day, and with the grace of the sacrament made ours, we will live as the church for others. May it ever be so.
Share The Peace Of Christ With One Another
(Worshipers may greet one another with the words, "The peace of the Lord be with you," then respond, "And also with you.")
Hymn
"Break Now The Bread Of Life"
or "Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees"
The Holy Communion
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise!
Leader: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat, this is my body, given for you."
People: We do this in remembrance of him.
Leader: 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."
People: We do this in remembrance of him.
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil; for the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
(Worshipers receive the elements of communion.)
Prayer
Gracious Lord, we give thanks for you have nourished us at your table, assured us of your love, and strengthened us to walk in faith. Go with us as we go our separate ways, filled with your Spirit, for you have revealed yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. In Christ's name we ask . Amen.
Blessing
May the blessing of the eternal God be upon us, and upon our loved ones: His light to guide us, his presence to strengthen us, his love to unite us, now and always. Amen.
Hymn
"I Serve A Risen Savior"
