SCRIPTURE SENTENCE:
Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed.
Alleluia! Luke 24:34
MUSIC PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
"Jesus Christ is Risen Today" VU 155
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE:
At the first light of dawn, the women went to the graveside.
Are not our hearts burning within us?
And there they found - nothing?
Are not our hearts lighted with fire?!
An empty tomb! The grave-clothes lying on the ground! Where is Jesus?
The Christ Candle is lit.
Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed!
Alleluia! Alleluia, amen!
CALL TO WORSHIP:
In this moment -- where mystic and modern meet;
In this moment -- of empty tombs and heavenly messengers;
In this moment -- of life, death, and resurrection;
We come. We come to wonder, we come hope,we come to be.
But most of all - we come to worship God! Alleluia! (Richard Bott, Vancouver)
OPENING PRAYER: (In unison)
Sing praises to God, you faithful, give thanks to God's holy name! Weeping
may linger for a night, but joy comes in the morning. God turns our weeping
to dancing and clothes us in gladness. May we praise God and not be silent!
Thanks to you, O God, forever! Amen.
And now let us continue to pray as we sing together THE LORD'S PRAYER.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HYMN:
"Welcome, Happy Morning" V.U. 161
LEARNING WITH GOD'S CHILDREN:
ANTHEM: "I Know that my Redeemer Lives"
WE HEAR GOD'S LOVING WORD FOR US
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
O God for whom there are no barriers, no stones too big to remove, roll
away our resistance to you. Let your words fill us with new life and bring
us out from the tomb of indifference, alive again in you. In Jesus' name we
pray. Amen.
READING FROM ACTS:
Click on Scripture below for actual Bible passage
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Sanctus and Benedictus:
Kingsfold Communion Set (MV 203)
Memorial Acclamation:
(MV 204)
Great Amen:
(MV 205)
BREAKING THE BREAD, POURING THE CUP
The body of Christ, the bread of life.
The lifeblood of Christ, the cup of blessing.
The gifts of God for the people of God, Thanks be to God!
SHARING THE MEAL: Music
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION:
Thank you, O Christ, for this feast of life. We are fed by your
love; we are strengthened by your life. We are sent forth into this
world to live your way and share your joy. We are now commissioned to:
feed as we have been fed, forgive as we have been forgiven, love as we
have been loved. Thanks be to God. Amen.
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
OFFERING INVITATION:
On this day of joyous celebration our hearts burst with joy, relief and
thanksgiving. So much has been done for us and given to us! Let us now
share a portion of these great gifts as we present our tithes and
offerings.
OFFERING:
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love, and the gift of each
Spiritby which we live, we thank you and give you the
fruit of our hands. May your grace be proclaimed by the
gifts that we (V.U. 538)
OFFERTORY PRAYER:
O God, this is the offering of our time, talent, and treasure. May these
gifts be used with wisdom, and with justice in the church, and throughout
the world. Amen.
HYMN:
"You Shall Go Out with Joy" VU 884
COMMISSIONING:
God of Easter, send us forth to live the power of resurrection, that we and
all creation might be one with the living Christ; to whom with you and the
Spirit, one holy God, be honour and praise, now and forever. Amen.
