Easter Day: Love Is Come Again
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."
Service written by Lisa Frenz © 2011.
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.
The Prelude:
This is an extended prelude using Percussion & Piano improvising on a melody. The beginning of the prelude should be "primal," "sound echoing across water," "rite-of-spring-esk." Start with soft percussion as the Pascal Candle is brought in and artistically carried around the nave. The percussion builds as the Baptismal Font Candle is lighted. Add the piano and/or other instruments as windows are opened, segue into opening hymn. Turn on all the lights. Light all the candles during the hymn.
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Order for Worship
P = Pastor, A = Assistant, C = Congregation
▲ = Stand as you are able ▼ = Sit
Written Statement:
We begin our celebration this morning in the quiet, like the first Easter morning. We are called together by God to celebrate that first resurrection and look for signs of the resurrection in our lives here in the present moment.
Turn off lights.
Prelude: Improvisation on Now the Green Blade Rises
(Tune Name: NOEL NOUVELET)
Easter Processional
The Pascal Candle is brought in, and the Baptismal Font Candle is lighted. The window blinds are opened. Bring up the dim lights.
▲ Easter Proclamation: (spoken over music)
P: The green blade rises from the buried grain.
For so many long days in dark earth has it lain.
But love lives again, where with the dead it has been;
And Love is come again like wheat new rising green.
P: Christ is Risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
Greeting of Peace
All share a greeting of peace.
▼ Praise Song: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Tune Name: LOBE DEN HERREN
Text Source: Text: Joachim Neander, 1650-1680; tr. composite
Music Source: Music: Ernewerten Gesangbuch, Stralsund, 1655
(There is a nice choir/congregational version arranged by Cindy Berry)
Prayer of the Day:
Children's Talk
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24:
A: O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say,
C: "His steadfast love endures forever."
A: The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
C: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly; the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly."
A: I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
C: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
A: This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
C: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
A: This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
C: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Second Lesson: Colossians 3:1-4
▲ Gospel Lesson: Matthew 28:1-10
▼Homily
▲ Theme Song: Now the Green Blade Rises
Tune Name: NOEL NOUVELET
Text Source: Text: John M. C. Crum, 1872-1958
Music Source: Music: French carol
Statement of Faith:
Spoken over music: drums & piano.
In a time before all knowing, God is, and God's breathe fills the emptiness, creating: a universe, a world, an ecology, a biology and us, humankind. All humankind, no exceptions, no imperfections; and all of us beloved just as we are.
In a time before all knowing, Christ Jesus watches the creating, and steps out into creation: becoming, living, dying, and rising, all for us. All humankind, no exceptions, no reservations; all of us just as we are, God's beloved.
In a time before all knowing the Spirit is, and moves through every part of creation: consoling, interceding, leading, and refreshing all the world, including us. All humankind, no exceptions, no differentiations; all of us just as we are, God's beloved.
Prayers of the Church
▼ Offering:
Offering Prayer:
A: God of life and freedom,
C: We give you thanks for this day. A day of promise. A day of hope. You have made us and filled us with all good things. With joy, enthusiasm and trust, O God, we offer you all that we have: our lives, our abilities, our possessions. Take everything into your hands for service in your name. Amen.
Choir Anthem:
▲ Great Thanksgiving:
P The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Eucharist Prayer
Institution of Communion
Communion 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.
The Lord's Prayer:
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.
▼ Distribution of Communion
▲ Dismissal from Communion
Prayer:
A: As Christ has risen from the dead, so has he raised us into new life. Rejoice and be glad for you are beloved of God.
C: All praise and thanks belong to God, the Creator, the Son and the Spirit, who give us life, renew our body, mind and spirit, and nourish us in love. Amen.
Sending 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
Blessing:
P: God is before us.
C: God is behind us.
P: God is above us.
C: God is below us.
P: God's words shall come from our mouths.
C: For we are all God's essence, a sign of God's love.
P: All is finished in beauty.
C: All is finished in beauty.
From Navajo prayer tradition.
Suggested Choral Postlude: The Hallelujah Chorus by G.F. Handel
Final Dismissal:
P: Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
Instrumental Postlude