April 21, 2019: Easter Sunday

Come and See. Go and Tell.

They took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them…  They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.  Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid.  And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.  Pause 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.”

Solo: "Give Me Jesus" vs. 1&2

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.

Organ/Piano Duet

L: Christ is Risen! C: He is Risen Indeed!

Hymn: "Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today" Green 151

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!

Easter Response: (Based on Psalm 118) 

L: The Lord is risen! Come & see the place where he lay.

C: This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

L: Go and tell quickly the news of his triumph.

C: The Lord’s mighty power has done it!  His power has brought us victory!

L: Come and see the place where he lay.

C: I will not die but live, and proclaim what the Lord has done!

L: Go and tell quickly the news of triumph. The stone which the builders rejected has turned out to be the most important of all. 

C: Come and see the place where he lay.

L: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His steadfast love endures forever.

C: Go and tell quickly the news of his victory.     

Offering & Music by the Choir

L: Blessed be God, who chose us in Christ. Let us come to the fountain of mercy. Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the tomb, you destroyed the power of sin and death. Hear us as we confess our failure to live the good news of the resurrection.  Grant us the radiant power of your grace. Forgive us, heal us, and renew us, so that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. In great mercy God has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In obedience to our Lord's command, hear and believe that all of your sins are forgiven.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

Apostle's Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.  He descended into hell.

On the third day he rose again.  He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again 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.

L: The grace of our risen Savior, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C: And also with you.

Hymn: "Now All the Vault of Heav'n Resounds" Green 143

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!  Christ has triumphed!”

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!

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!

Prayer of the Day:

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

Hymn: "I Know that My Redeemer Lives!" #352

I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives.

He lives, he lives, who once was dead; He lives, my ever-living head!

He lives triumphant from the grave; He lives eternally to save;

He lives exalted, throned above; He lives to rule his Church in love.

He lives to silence all my fears; He lives to wipe away my tears;

He lives to calm my troubled heart; He lives all blessings to impart.

he lives, all glory to his name! He lives, My Savior, still the same;

What joy this blest assurance gives; I know that my Redeemer lives.

Sermon

Prayers:

On this day we overflow with thanks and praise, O God, for this is the day you have made, the day that fills us with both fear and great joy. On this day you sent your angels to roll back the stone and you raised Jesus, who had been crucified, from the dead. Never again need we search for Jesus in the places of dead memories and buried dreams, for now he has been raised and goes forever ahead of us to open the gates of life, preaching peace and the forgiveness of sins. Indeed though he was the stone rejected by the builders, you have made him the cornerstone, the rock on which is founded the life everlasting. We thank you and we praise you O God, both now, and through your living word, eternally. Amen

Celebration of Our Lord's Supper & Lord's Prayer (Sung)

Hymn: "Give Me Jesus" Red 770

1. In the morning when I rise (x3) Give me Jesus

Refrain: Give me Jesus, give me Jesus, you may have all the rest. Give me Jesus.

3. Just about the break of day, (x3) Give me Jesus.

4. Oh, when I come to die (x3) Give me Jesus.

5. And when I want to sing (x3) Give me Jesus.

Hymn: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" Green 551

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Praising Thee, their sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the gloom of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee. 

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed, Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!  Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine; Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Hymn: "God Sent His Son"

God sent his Son, they call him Jesus.  He came to love, heal & forgive.

He lived & died to buy my pardon; an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future & life is worth the living, just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives

But greater still, the calm assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives.

And then one day, I’ll cross the river; I’ll fight life’s final war with pain. And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.

Hymn: "Thine is the Glory" Green 145

Scripture: Matthew 28:16

L:Jesus' eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had told them to meet him. They saw him and worshiped him, but some of them doubted. Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. 

C: I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

Easter Blessing:

Go out now as God's chosen witnesses to testify that Christ has been raised and that we are raised with him. Set your minds on the things of God and do not be afraid for your life is safe with Christ in God. And may God raise you from all that would entomb you. May Christ Jesus be your life. And may the Holy Spirit empower you for all that is good. Amen.  

L: Go in peace. Serve and tell others about the Risen Lord!   C: Thanks be to God!