Easter Day: Morning Breaking
Below are some worship resources which you are welcome to use at no charge. Please just use a copyright acknowledgment "Copyright Lisa Frenz. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."
Notes:
Lights off. Shades down (if any). No candles lit.
Baptismal Font covered with “pall”. An unlighted candle is placed in or on the Font where all can see it. If your Font is portable, you might consider placing it near the front or center of the room.
Processional Cross and Pascal Candle will be carried into the sanctuary.
Obviously, the instructions re the lights and shades are based on this physical plant. You will have to adapt the instructions to your sanctuary's lighting, etc. Basically, the point is to start as if this were an Easter Vigil and bring the lights and mood up to the full Easter celebration by the end of the Easter Proclamation.
.Service written by Lisa Frenz © 2009.
Order for Worship
▲ = Stand as you are able ▼ = Sit
Prelude
Open of Window Blinds and/or Liturgical Dance:
Suggested Duet or Solo: I See The Morning Breaking (Allen Pote)
Lights are out. Candle in Baptismal Font is lit. Dancers finish filling Baptismal Font with water. Window shades are opened one at a time.
▲ Easter Proclamation:
A: On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
P: On the mountain of the Lord light breaks upon the land, revealing a world of new-born colors, revealing the wonders of creation, delighting the eye, warming the skin, caressing the face, singing a song of life. On the mountain of the Lord clear waters flow, sparkling in the new day, rippling over rocks, enchanting the eye, misting the skin, filling the soul, singing a song of life.
A: Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:6-9
P: On the mountain of the Lord, God's promises are fulfilled. Hope is restored. Creation is renewed. Life replaces death, for the Word of God which came among us has triumphed, returning all creation to the path and purpose lost long ago. Christ Jesus is that Word. And Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
Turn on all the lights, Light Candles
Gathering Song:: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia!
Tune Name: LLANFAIR
Text Source: Text: Latin sequence, c. 1100; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882, alt.
Music Source: Music: Robert Williams, c. 1781-1821
1 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!
2 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!
3 Hail, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
when contending death and life, Alleluia!
met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!
4 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!
Prayer of the Day:
▼ Choir Anthem
Lesson: Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (chanted)
Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
▲ Gospel Song: Hail Thee Festival Day (Easter) Vs. 1, 2
Tune Name: SALVE FESTA DIES
Text Source: Text: Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, 530-609; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978
Music Source: Music: R. Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
Gospel: Mark 16:1-8
▼ Music for Meditation
Message
▲ Theme Song: Thine Is the Glory
Tune Name: JUDAS MACCABAEUS
Text Source: Text: Edmond Budry, 1854-1932; tr. R. Birch Hoyle, 1875-1939
Music Source: Music: George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt.
(There are some nice choir/congregation arrangements of this which could be fun to use.)
.Testimony of Faith:
P: Clap your hands!
C: (X xxx X!)
P: Jump for joy!
C: (jump or stomp your feet)
P: High five!
C: (high 5 your neighbor)
P: Shout it to the world!
C: Jesus is risen!!!!
All: HALLELUJAH!!! (whistles & cheers)
Prayers of the Church
Greeting of Peace:
P: Lord Jesus Christ, you know our faults and have heard our prayers. You have ripped apart the barriers that separate us from God and opened us to the grace of God through your sacrifice of love on a cross, and your resurrection from the dead. Promise of God, fill your people and give us peace.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
(All share a greeting of peace.)
▼Offering of Gifts & Music
▲ Offering Prayer:
A: We stand before you, O God, on the pathways of our lives, and offer you our thanks and praise.
C: God of all power and might, the world and all that is in it belongs to you. Our gratitude and devotion are yours for all the wonders of the sacred life you have bestowed in our care, for the skills, understanding and gifts you have given us to preserve that life. From you come all good things and out of our gratitude we accept those gifts and use them with joy and care in your name. Grant us the wisdom and knowledge to be your agents, to love and care for the world in all it's diversity, as you love and care for us, your children. Amen.
Eucharist:
Communion Song: This is the DayVs.1
Tune Name: THIS IS THE DAY (Sleeth)
Text Source: Text: Natalie Sleeth
Music Source: Music: Natalie Sleeth
Eucharistic Prayer:
P: In great love and wisdom, O God, you created this universe, making the stars to dance and the light to sing, the seas to roar and the waves to leap, the animals to thrive and the plants to flourish. You made humankind to be your children, so that we may walk and talk with you, as the inheritors of your creation.
But we sought freedom and gained bondage to sin. We sought wisdom and found lies. We sought life and found death. Like rebellious children we ran from your presence; distanced ourselves from you and denied our heritage.
In even greater love you let us go, only to reach out to us through your Word, Jesus Christ, who, offering us restoration and healing and life, on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this as often as you eat and drink in remembrance of me." After the supper, Jesus also took the cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, "Take and drink, this is cup is my blood which is shed for the many for the forgiveness of sin. Drink all of it in remembrance of me."
P: God's grace has called us here, return to the Lord and partake of the feast for all ages.
C: Amen.
The Lord's Prayer:
P: Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us,
C: 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.
Communion Song: This is the DayVs.2
Tune Name: THIS IS THE DAY (Sleeth)
Text Source: Text: Natalie Sleeth
Music Source: Music: Natalie Sleeth
▼ Distribution of Holy Communion
▲ Dismissal from Holy Communion:
P: God has filled you with the Holy Spirit and nourished you with the body and blood of Christ Jesus at this feast of love. May you become God's upright cup of blessing spilling out God's gifts to all the world. Go in peace and joy knowing you are a child of the risen God.
C: Amen.
Thanksgiving Song: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Tune Name: EASTER HYMN
Text Source: Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4; tr. Lyra Davidica, London, 1708, sts. 1-3
Music Source: Music: Lyra Davidica, London, 1708
Post Communion Prayer:
P: Almighty God, you have wrought for us salvation through the suffering, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ.
C: In thanksgiving and joy we rejoice in the newness of life which you have graciously provided for us. Celebrating with all the universe and all the peoples throughout all the ages the wonder of an eternity with you. May we carry that living water and food to everyone we meet. Amen.
▼ Community Announcements
. ▲ Final Blessing: Benediction (Nitz)
PDF JPG
All hold hands.
Sending Song: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Tune Name: HYMN TO JOY
Text Source: Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1933
Music Source: Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827; adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796-1867, alt.
Dismissal:
P: Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
P: Go in peace and serve the risen Lord!
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude