Easter Sunrise Service

March 31, 2024 at 7 a.m.

*Please stand

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.

“Jesus Christ is Risen Today”

Jesus Christ is risen 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 heavenly 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 God’s love. Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

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.

Ezekiel 37:7-14

So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’ 

Leader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God!

Mark 16:1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Leader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God!

Night Has Passed

Night has passed and the day lies open before us
Let us pray with one heart and mind

As we rejoice
In the gift of this day

Morning comes with the light of your presence upon us
Let us pray with one heart and mind

As we rejoice
In the gift of this day

Morning has broken
Like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing
Afresh from the word

As we rejoice
In the gift of this day

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.

Crown Him with Many Crowns

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 using this link.

Today’s dedicated offering supports 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.