Easter 2005

Easter Day: The Coming of New Light

This service calls for the Pastor and Assistant(s) to move from symbol to symbol in the sanctuary. You may need to adapt the movement to suite your situation. The lights are set to low, although still enough to allow for the congregation to read. If you do not have blinds on your windows, perhaps you could bring up other lights, section by section. The idea is to create a sense of dawning, of light coming back into the world.

Order of Worship

Prelude: Christians, to the Paschal Victim

Lutheran Book of Worship 137

Tune Name: VICTIMAE PASCHALI

(vocal solo or instrumental)

The Coming of the Light

Pastor, Assistant and Acolyte enter the main door with the lighted Pascal Candle.

P: Behold! The Light of the World!

C: The Light the darkness cannot overcome.

A: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

P: And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters."

A: So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

P: And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so.

A: The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

P: And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so.

A: God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

P: And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky." So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind.

A: And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

P: And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so.

A: God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.

P: Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."

A: So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

P: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

EASTER REFRAIN: Alleluia Psalm Refrain (Music: Easter Refrain 1)

Sing verse 1, then verse 2. Repeat as necessary. Verses may be sung together in harmony.

O give thanks . . .

As the refrain is sung, the first window blind is raised. The Pastor, Assistant and Acolyte move to the Baptismal Font.

P: Behold! The Life of the World!

C: The Life that death cannot overcome.

A: After these things God tested Abraham.

P: God said to him, "Abraham!" And Abraham said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him.

A: On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away.

P: Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.

A: So the two of them walked on together.

P Isaac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son."

A: So the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.

P: But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." God said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

A: The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,

P: and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice."

Genesis 22:1-18

EASTER REFRAIN: Alleluia Psalm Refrain (Music: Easter Refrain 2)

Sing verse 1, then verse 2. Repeat as necessary. Verses may be sung together in harmony.

For he is my chosen . . .

As the refrain is sung, the second window blind is raised. The Pastor, Assistant and Acolyte move to before the altar.

P: Behold! The Living Water of the World!

C: The Wellspring that time cannot overcome.

A: Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.

P: I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

A: Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

P: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:1-11

EASTER REFRAIN: Alleluia Psalm Refrain (Music: Easter Refrain 3)

Sing verse 1, then verse 2. Repeat as necessary. Verses may be sung together in harmony.

O give ear . . .

As the refrain is sung, the third window blind is raised. The Pastor, Assistant and Acolyte move to behind the altar.

P: Behold! The Savior of the World!

C: The Champion that the enemy cannot overcome.

A: Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

P: The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:14-20

EASTER REFRAIN: Alleluia Psalm Refrain (Music: Easter Refrain 4)

Sing verse 1, then verse 2. Repeat as necessary. Verses may be sung together in harmony.

Sing a new song . . .

As the refrain is sung, the fourth window blind is raised. The Pastor, Assistant and Acolyte carry the Pascal Candle into the congregation and continue with the Easter Proclamation.

Stand

Easter Proclamation:

During the Easter Proclamation the altar candles are lighted.

P: (Spoken over music) In the beginning was the Word and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And that Word was Christ Jesus.

From before the foundation of this world Christ has been our means of grace and the way to eternal life. In full knowledge of the consequences of our creation God loved us so much that God brought us into being, sought us out, and redeemed us from the separation caused by our sin, the rejection of God’s plan for us.

You have heard his story: How he took on our humanity becoming a man, how 2000 years ago he lived for thirty-three years among us, how he walked with God and changed all who followed him, how he was crucified for his righteousness, dying a tortured death.

Hear now the ending that is a beginning: On the third day after his death, Jesus the Christ rose from the dead and made himself known to his friends. He touched them, ate with them and taught them, completing God’s plan of salvation, the plan that was in place before the creation of this universe, this world, and each one of us.

P: Christ is risen! (Bright lights are turned on.)

C: He is risen indeed!

EASTER HYMN: Let All Things Now Living

Lutheran Book of Worship 557

Tune Name: THE ASH GROVE

During the hymn the flowers are uncovered.

Let all things now living . . .

His law he enforces, . . .

Praise, glory, thanksgiving

To Christ we are giving,

For he is our future: our death and our life;

Our alpha and omega,

Our champion, our savior,

Our wellspring of life in a world full of death.

Alleluias we’re singing,

Our voices are ringing

Our joyful oblations to him now belong;

For Christ is arisen;

The tomb is now open;

We are new creations in Christ our firstborn.

Greeting:

P: Rise and shine for your Light has come. You are a holy people, the rescued children of God. The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day:

A: Let us pray,

C: 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, so that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Sit

PSALM: Praise To The Lord, The Almighty Congregation & Choir

First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:1-6

At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the LORD: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim: "Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God."

Second Lesson: Acts 10:34-43

Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Stand

Anthem: The Hallelujah Chorus (Handel arr. Wilson) Choir

Holy Gospel: John 20:1-18

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. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "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 Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Sit

Music for Meditation & Message

Stamd

THEME SONG: Thine Is The Glory

Lutheran Book of Worship 145

Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939

Music: George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt.Tune Name: JUDAS MACCABAEUS

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.

Refrain:

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! Refrain

No more we doubt thee,

glorious Prince of life;

life is nought 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. Refrain

Testimony of Faith:

I believe in God, Creator of the universe, who is mother and father of us all.

I believe in God, Christ Jesus, who, leaving his divinity, became a human, a man who walked this earth. He was born of a woman, grew up, and became a teacher and healer, the Light of the World. He was executed by Pontius Pilot. He conquered death, rising to true life, whole and real. He returned to his Father and will come again will come again to judge this world.

I believe in God, the Holy Spirit, our comforter and guide, who with the Creator and the Christ is God, now and before and after all time.

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer:

(Spoken over music) 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.

Greeting of Peace:

P: As Christ gave us peace, let us show that peace among ourselves. Peace be with you.

C: And also with you.

Sit

Offering/Special Music

Stand

OFFERING SONG: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! Verses. 1, 5

Lutheran Book of Worship 130

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.

Tune Name: ORIENTIS PARTIBUS

"Christ the Lord is ris'n today!"

All on earth with angels say;

raise your joys and triumphs high;

sing, ye heav'ns; and earth, reply.

Hail the Lord of earth and heav'n!

Praise to thee by both be giv'n.

Thee we greet triumphant now;

hail, the resurrection, thou!

Offering Prayer:

A: Let us pray,

C: Almighty God, author of our salvation, we give you our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us, returning to you a fraction of what you have given us. For you have not only provided all that we are and have, but through your Son’s death and resurrection you have brought us into new life with you. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer:

P: Rejoice and be glad for God has remembered the promise. The promise given to Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Rachel, to David, to Zachariah, to Mary and Joseph, the promise of a Savior and the redemption of the world.

(Spoken over music)

On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this often in remembrance of me.”

After supper Jesus took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this often in remembrance of me.”

When you eat this bread and drink this cup you make public Jesus’ death until he comes. Come, take in this lifesaving meal.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

COMMUNION SONG: Arise, My Soul, Arise!

Lutheran Book of Worship 516

Tune Name: NYT YLOS, SIELUNI

Arise, my soul, arise! . . .

Now hear the harps of heav'n! . . .

P: Come, for Christ has set this table that you may eat and live.

Sit

Distribution of Holy Communion

Stand

Dismissal:

P: May the most precious body and blood of Christ Jesus nourish you and keep you always in loving relationship with God.

C: Amen.

POST COMMUNION SONG: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Lutheran Book of Worship 151

Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4; tr. Lyra Davidica, London, 1708, sts. 1-3

Music: Lyra Davidica, London, 1708, Tune Name: EASTER HYMN

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!

Prayer:

A: Christ Jesus has opened the floodgates releasing life like a geyser, renewing us and all creation. As God has poured out grace and mercy like a living stream, so may we be poured out in a never-ending flow upon a thirsty world.

C: Amen.

BLESSING: The Lord Bless You

Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon

Sit

Community Announcements

Stand

SENDING SONG: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia!

Text: Latin sequence, c. 1100; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882, alt.

Music: Robert Williams, c. 1781-1821, Tune Name: LLANFAIR

Christ the Lord is ris'n today; Alleluia!

Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!

offer praise with love replete, Alleluia!

at the paschal victim's feet. Alleluia!

For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!

sinless in the sinner's stead. Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!

now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

Hail, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!

God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!

when contending death and life, Alleluia!

met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!

Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!

all your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!

now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

A: Go in peace. Serve the risen Lord!

C: Thanks be to God.

Postlude