Easter Sunrise Service
April 9, 2023 at 7 a.m.
*Please stand
Gathering Music
Welcome
Litany of Praise
Leader: Out of the tomb comes a message of hope: Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen, indeed!
Leader: We come to the edge of death to see for ourselves, and it’s true: Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen, indeed!
Leader: Hear the good news, and share it aloud: Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen, indeed!
All: Hallelujah! Amen.
*Song: “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”
Verse 1:
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Verse 2:
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
Verse 3:
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!
Verse 4:
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
*Prayer of Adoration
God of grace and God of glory, on this joyous day, we come together to praise you for your mighty works, bringing salvation to this world. We no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and on the move, the risen Lord of life. Strengthen us by this good news, that we may no longer be bound by the fear and threats of death, but live as new people, joyfully and boldly with the risen Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*Passing of the Peace
Prayer for Illumination
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 146
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign for ever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
New Testament Reading: Matthew 28:1-10
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, ‘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.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Meditation
Song: “Power to Redeem”
Verse 1:
You take what is
And you make it beautiful
When love floods in
We’re restored forever more
Chorus:
With breath that brings the dead to life
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by your love are we set free
With mercy strong to carry shame
And nail it to a tree You alone
Hold the power to redeem
Verse 2:
No guilt competes
With innocence crucified
No grave can hold what your grace has justified
Chorus:
With breath that brings the dead to life
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by your love are we set free
With mercy strong to carry shame
And nail it to a tree you alone
Hold the power to redeem
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
*Closing Song: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
Verse 1:
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne;
Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.
Verse 2:
Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified:
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.
Verse 3:
Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, absorbed in prayer and praise
His reign shall know no end: and round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.
Verse 4:
Crown him the Lord of years, the potentate of time;
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me;
Thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity.
*Benediction
For those wishing to give this morning, you can support today’s offering by texting a dollar amount and “DO” to (704) 312-7540, or by dropping your physical offering in one of the baskets found on the front table.
Contribute to today’s One Great Hour of Sharing, enabling the church to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, providing food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.