Scripture - Luke 23:50-56
(1 & 2 reading from lectern & pulpit)

1 - God has called us together to this moment in time.

2- to remember and to celebrate what happened on that first Easter morning, long ago.

1- However, we have not been called by the Lord to bury our noses in the past.

2 - This story is for living today!

1- This story is our future!

2 - Are you ready?

1 -To begin, let’s turn to clock back to Friday, the day when Jesus was crucified.

2 - The deed was done.

1 - His lifeless body hangs upon the cross.

2 - Listen

1 - "Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to the council’s plan and action.

2 - He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.

1 - This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

2 - Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.

1 - It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.

2 - The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

1 - On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment."

Scripture - Matthew 28:1-10
(1 reading from lectern, 2 from in front of the organ, 3 from in front of the piano)

1 - After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women,

2 - "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you."

1 - So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said,

3 - "Greetings!"

1 - And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them,

3 - "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

1 - (pause briefly) Please stand, brothers and sisters in Christ, and sing out the good news that he is alive. Glory! Hallelujah! #282.

Opening Prayer

         "Good tidings of great joy." Isn’t that what your heavenly messenger brought to the shepherds the night your Son was born, O Lord. "Do not be afraid," he said, as did your angel greeting the women who came to anoint Jesus after his death many years later.
         What a "great joy" this day is, O God who raised Christ from the tomb. May we - like they - be filled with awe and wonder at what you have done through your Son. May the message of resurrection, of new life, of rebirth be upon our lips and our lives - as you roll away the stone from our heart, soul, and mind. Forgive our sin and live within, that the glory of your risen Son might be revealed. Amen.

Scripture - Matthew 28:16-20

1 - Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them,

3 - "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

2 - Did you hear that? Not only is Jesus alive, but he is with us always, to the very end.

1 - Remember and make disciples!

2 - Remember and baptize!

1 - Remember and teach!

2 - He lives!

Returning our Tithes and Offerings
(Colossians 3:16-17)

         "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;" the apostle Paul once wrote to God’s resurrection people. "Teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
         Will the ushers come forward to receive our offerings.

Dedication Prayer

         Lord, may these Easter songs we sing be more than just "words" on our lips, uttered one day a year and then forgotten. Instead, may your risen Son dwell in us richly. May these offerings give evidence of your presence in us. We give them in his name, with grateful hearts. Amen.