This is part of the worship Series
Our Living Guarantee
Series Introduction
Easter Sunday | Easter 2 | Easter 3
Easter 4 | Easter 5 | Easter 6
EASTER SUNDAY
Living the Guarantee of Beginning New
Isaiah 65:17–25; John 20:1–18
Gathering Sentences
Alleluia! The Lord is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries.
Everybody dies in Adam; everybody comes alive in Christ.
Grace to you and peace from the One who is and who was and who is to come, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, and ruler of the rulers of earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom—priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever!
—adapted from 1 Corinthians 15:19–26, The Message by Eugene H. Peterson
Prayer of Confession
Note: The prayer of confession is based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45; part of the prayer (in italics) will change each week to reflect the Scripture theme.
Almighty God, who raised up your Son, Jesus, overcoming death that we might also share in his righteousness, we confess that we have not lived as people already raised to new life. We have forgotten the guarantee of our own glorious resurrection. We have been so caught up in the shadows of old, corrupt creation around us, that we fail to see the light of your glorious New Creation in our midst.
Merciful God, forgive our sins and make us bolder disciples. Help us to be courageous and daring, rather than compromising and shallow. Help us to live as people anticipating life and victory, rather than shrinking from death and despair. Resurrect us to your new life once again, dear God, in the name of Jesus Christ, living by your side and in our hearts. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Note: The Assurance of Pardon remains the same throughout the Easter season.
Who is in a position to condemn?
Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us,
Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
Anyone in Christ is a new creation: the past is gone; the new has come.
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
—Based on Romans 8:34 Phillips & 2 Corinthians 5:17
Suggested Hymns
[This is a day to sing as many as you can manage. These are especially appropriate]:
"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" Wesley
"Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain" Damascus
"Because You Live, O Christ" Murray
"Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!" Wren
"He Is Lord" Unknown
Ways to Involve Children and Youth
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Sermon Starter
This is a good day to let the gospel speak for itself as much as possible and to limit your preaching to a brief, memorable reflection. Note that John begins the story of the resurrection at dawn on the first day of the week, the same time that creation begins in Genesis. This is to be the beginning of the new creation, which Isaiah promises will be filled with joy, equality, and peace. John begins the story "while it was still dark," however, and notes that John and Peter leave the tomb believing, but not yet understanding. Only Mary puts all the pieces together, because she sticks around through the painful moments, waiting to find the joy.
Living out the guarantee of the resurrection means that we can live through the pain to the new life that follows. It also means that we—all of us—get a fresh start.
Declaration of Faith
Note: To be used on all six Sundays. If you prefer to sing the declaration, see "If God Is for Us" Foley, first published in Earthen Vessels; now available from Oregon Catholic Press. A children's, youth, or intergenerational choir could sing the verses, with everyone joining in on the refrain.
What, then, shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the One who loves us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—adapted from Romans 8:31, 35, 37–39 NRSV
Anthems
"He Rose!" Spiritual, arr. Ronald A. Nelson (Selah 422-401), unison or two-part
"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" by John Rutter (Oxford Easy Anthem series), SATB
"Run, O Run to Jerusalem" by David Music (Selah 405-522), SAB
"He's Alive" Fettke
Revised Common Lectionary
Year C: Easter—Resurrection of the Lord
