Alleluia! Christ is Risen! (Easter)

We gather today to praise God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through Christ's death and resurrection that we receive eternal life. Let us praise him!

Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Let us praise the Lord with Psalter Hymnal 388 “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”

PsH 388 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

It is in confidence that we can approach our God. Christ died for us, and Christ rose from the dead so that we too may live. Through this, he gives us forgiveness so we can confess our sins to him, knowing that he will forgive our sins and make us whole. Let's pray…

Glorious Lord of life, by the mighty resurrection of your Son, you overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him. Grant that we who celebrate with joy Christ's rising from the dead, may be raised from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The good news is that there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.  
His death and resurrection has freed us from our sin.

We praise him for what he has done for us with Psalter Hymnal 400 “Praise the Savior, Now and Ever.”

PsH 400 Praise the Savior, Now and Ever

As we prepare to hear God's word, let's join in prayer.

Lord of our salvation, open our eyes
as we hear your word.  
May we see the glory of your resurrection
through it. Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:16-19              
Matthew 28:1-7                       
1 Corinthians 15:20-26

We proclaim that Christ has indeed overcome death through Psalter Hymnal 402 “Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks.”

PsH 402 Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks

Along with giving us forgiveness and eternal life, his resurrection changes our daily life. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.” Let us give thanks to Christ for the benefits of his resurrection.

O Christ, in your resurrection,
the heavens and the earth rejoice. Alleluia!
By your resurrection you broke open the gates of hell,
and destroyed sin and death.
Keep us victorious over sin.
By your resurrection you raised the dead,
and brought us from death to life.
Guide us in the way of eternal life.
By your resurrection you confounded your guards
and executioners and filled the disciples with joy.
Give us joy in your service.
By your resurrection you proclaimed the good news to the women and apostles,
and brought salvation to the world.
Direct our lives as your new creation.

[Since the prayer continues with the song and again after it, it would be ideal to lead into this song unannounced and simply continue with the prayer afterwards if the service is printed or projected. However, if it is not consider using a brief transition line, such as “we continue our prayer in song with SNC 215 “Take, O Take Me as I Am.”]

SNC 215 Take, O Take Me as I Am (sung 2-3 times)

God of mercy,
we no longer look for Jesus among the dead,
for he is alive and has become the Lord of life.
From the waters of death you raise us with him
and renew your gift of life within us.
Increase in our minds and hearts
the risen life we share with Christ,
and help us to grow as your people
toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. (TWS N.4.4.8)

We can live as new creations in Christ with confidence because of what Christ has done for us. Let us declare that it is in Christ alone that we have victory over death and confidence in life by singing “In Christ Alone.”

In Christ Alone

We leave this place with the promises of God.  
We go to be his new creations in this world
with comfort and confidence:
God so loved each one of us
that he gave his only Son that we might have eternal life.  
It is in the hands of that loving God that we live.
Thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen! Alleluia!

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Leadership Notes

1. The italic words are meant to be spoken transitions, not included in a written order of worship. Additional notes in brackets provide additional options or suggestions but are not intended to be read in worship.

2. If you have a printed order of worship, project the songs on a screen, or include the songs on a handout, feel free to shorten or adapt the transitions (ie. Remove the book and number of the song title if it is provided in other places.)

3. This service uses a variety of music. If it is unfamiliar to the group, it may be helpful to play an entire verse of a song before it is sung. Another way to introduce an unfamiliar song is to play it as people are gathering for worship.

4. Although it is possible to have one person lead the whole service, consider having two readers for the scripture readings in order to emphasize the resurrection story that is interjected in the 1 Corinthians account of its significance for us.

5. Since we are celebrating the amazing resurrection of Christ, each song, except SNC 215, should be sung joyfully and enthusiastically. SNC 215 is more reflective, yet it is still joyful.

6. SNC, Sing! A New Creation (Grand Rapids: Faith Alive Christian Resources, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2001). TWS, The Worship Sourcebook, ed. Emily R. Brink and John D. Witvliet (Grand Rapids: Faith Alive Christian Resources, Baker Books, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2004)