Prelude
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Welcome
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Happy Easter! As you prepare to worship on this holy day, you can light a candle, like we do at church, to remind you of the presence of the Holy Spirit. You can also have a bowl of water in the vicinity to remind you of your baptism, and to use during the ‘Thanksgiving for Baptism’ portion of worship. If you put away anything on Maundy Thursday, please bring it out and keep it near you as a reminder of God’s presence with you as you worship.
Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we celebrate the resurrection!
Gathering
Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed, alleluia!
Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed, alleluia!
Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed, alleluia!
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
Opening Song Jesus is Risen Today
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Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia! our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia! who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! our salvation have procured; Alleluia! now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia! where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! praise eternal as his love; Alleluia! praise him, all you heav’nly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Thanksgiving for Baptism
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Read these words to yourself or out loud. Mark the sign of the cross on your hand or forehead or in the air space in front of you. If you are with other people, you can mark the sign of the cross for each other.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all. We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray together. O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
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1Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever.
2Let Israel now declare, “God’s mercy endures forever.”
14The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation.
15Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
16The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
18The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death.
19Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
20“This is the gate of the Lord; here the righteous may enter.”
21I give thanks to you, for you have answered me and you have become my salvation.
22The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Anthem Because He Lives
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Reading Colossians 3:1-4
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1If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Children’s Moment Nate Smith
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Reading and Message Matthew 28:1-10
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1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Hymn of the Day Thine is the Glory
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Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won! Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay.
Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won!
Lo, Jesus meets thee, risen from the tomb! Lovingly he greets thee, scatters fear and gloom; let his church with gladness hymns of triumph sing, for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting!
Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won!
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life; life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife; make us more than conqu’rors, through thy deathless love; bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won!
Apostles’ Creed
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With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers
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On this most holy day, we pray for the church, the earth, the world, those in need, and all the members of God’s family, responding to each petition with the words Hear our prayer.
We pray, O God, for all the churches around the globe: for their bishops and clergy; for the newly baptized; for the believers who cannot assemble for worship; for faithful endurance during this time. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray, O God, for the well-being of creation: for the health of seas and rivers and lakes; for the Sheboygan River and Lake Michigan; and for the will to care for your earth. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray, O God, for peace and justice in the world: for an end to war and international turmoil; for harmony in our troubled society; for the heads of state, legislators, and local civic leaders, that they enact wise procedures to deal with the coronavirus. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray, O God for all who are facing the coronavirus: for all who mourn their dead; all who have contracted the virus; those who are quarantined or stranded away from home; those who have lost their employment; those who fear the present and the future. We pray for physicians, nurses, health care workers, and home health aides; medical researchers; and the World Health Organization. Fill the aching in our hearts with your merciful power. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray, O God, for all in need: for those suffering for the faith; for those who are poor, hungry, and homeless; for those who are sick and those awaiting death; and for those who we name now (a brief silence). Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Receive our thanks for all who died in the faith, and bring us at the final resurrection into your everlasting life, where sorrows will be no more. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Into your gracious and mighty hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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.
Closing Song Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds
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Now all the vault of heav’n resounds in praise of love that still abounds: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear! Repeat their song of glory here: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Eternal is the gift he brings, therefore our heart with rapture sings: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Now still he comes to give us life and by his presence stills all strife. “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Oh, fill us, Lord, with dauntless love; set heart and will on things above that we conquer through your triumph; grant grace sufficient for life’s day that by our lives we truly say: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Adoring praises now we bring and with the heav’nly blessed sing: “Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!” Be to the Father, and our Lord, to Spirit blest, most holy God, all the glory, never ending! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Sending
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
Blessing
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The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus. Amen.
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen.
Dismissal
Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God.
Worship Assistants
Music:
Ian Z, Dylan D, Pat D, Lori R, Lea Ann T, Jeremy R
Assisting Minister:
Dawn B
Readers:
Wendy B, Jazzy A, Paul A, Barb A, Mya A
Children’s Moment:
Nate S
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted with permission. CCLI#116214