Description

Mark 16:1-8

When the women went to the tomb looking for Jesus, he was not present for he had already moved on to continue the salvation story, the greatest fulfillment of prophecy and life-giving miracle the world has ever known. Now the search is on and they must seek him out. Do they really believe that they will find him? All they know is that he is not at the tomb any longer and they want to believe that he is alive. This is the first step of faith. They just missed him for he is going on to the next part of his earthly journey. Many today know about Jesus yet they are searching for meaning and purpose in life through something else. Perhaps they do not want to believe because if they do it will have implications. If they do, their life may change. If they do, they will have to give up control. The reasons are many.  For the women in our story, the search was well worth it and for those who know and believe Jesus, the search for life is found in him

…  We Lift Our Hearts in Worship  …

[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]

 

Welcome & Time of Greeting

  

Time of Praise and Worship

My Savior Lives

Glenn Packiam & Jon Egan, ©2006 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. By Integrity Music, Inc.)

You Are My King (Amazing Love)

Billy James Foote, ©1996 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

This Is Our God

David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, & Travis Cottrell, © 2006 CCTB Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) First Hand Revelation Music (Admin. by The Loving Company) (Admin. by The Loving Company (Mechanical))

[Traditional Options]

Alleluia! Jesus is Risen                                                                                                       

ELW 377; LSB 474; WOV 674; WAR 306 

Christ the Lord is Risen Today           

CH 367; ELW 373; HFG 289; LBW 130; LSB 469; LW 142; NCH 233; UMH 302; WC 234

Scatter the Darkness, Break the Gloom         

LSB 481

 

Invocation

 Pastor/Worship Leader Speaks 

Pastor                          We have wonderful news to share: Christ is risen!

All                                Christ is risen indeed! Amen!

 

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

  Pastor/Worship Leader speaks 

Pastor              God of grace and hope, you revealed and displayed your incredible love when you sent Jesus into our world in need. He died and rose again! From that moment, this amazing good news could not be contained and those first women at the tomb left the tomb in haste to tell the disciples and search for Jesus. This witness to the resurrection became crucial to the life-saving work of Jesus and creating meaning and purpose for the lives of people since. It is with great joy and gratitude that we usher in another Easter celebration–repeating the ancient Christian greeting: “Christ is risen!” “Christ is risen indeed!”  We are deeply thankful for the forgiveness given and eternal life promised because of the resurrection. Empower us to go and tell this life-changing news to those searching for hope.                    

All                    In the blessed name of our risen Lord. Amen

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message] 

Pastor              God of redemption and peace, you have destroyed death and given us tremendous hope by fulfilling prophecy many years before Christ’s birth. Since Christ truly rose from the dead, we are able to embrace the truth that our sins are washed away, and we are assured of a new life in Christ. With gratitude and humility in our hearts, we confess that we have fallen short and have compromised the standards of our faith in you and your Son, Jesus Christ. In humility, we come with contrite hearts

People            Forgive us for not embracing your power and seeking your help. 

                          Forgive us for looking for not ministering to others who are searching for purpose and meaning in life through other                                    means which are not life-giving and fulfillin 

                         Forgive us for not reaching out to our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are experiencing pain and struggles. 

                         Forgive us for letting the world influence us and divert us away you and the truth of your word. 

                         Forgive us for possessing attitudes that do not display the Easter joy we are to have with Christ living in us.

                         Forgive us in these areas of our lives as we name them in silence. (Moment of silence)                      

Pastor              God does not falter on his promises! Praise the Lord! God sacrificed His Only Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered a brutal death and rose from the dead, so that all our sins are forgiven, and we are given new life.

All                    Amen 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

First Reading                      Isaiah 25:6-9 

This account reveals a prophecy with an audience that includes all people – Gentiles and Jews, a message of salvation that will destroy death forever.

 

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. 9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”