Opening Prayer

The tomb is dark, but empty. The one we are looking for has overcome the darkness

The stone has been rolled away. The one we are looking for has overcome death

The burial clothes are put aside. The one we are looking for is alive!

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Let us worship our Risen Savior!

Children’s Time

Jesus has risen from the dead

Confession & Words of Assurance

Almighty God,

in raising Jesus from the tomb you have given us the sure sign of Your power to deliver us from sin and death and to renew our whole creation. We confess that we still fall into doubt and fear. We continue to cling to selfish ways and doubt Your power to make all things new. Forgive our lack of faith. Have mercy on our weakness. Raise us from the death of sin that we may live with Christ in the joy of his resurrection, now and forever. Amen.

Christ has risen. This day and every day we can proclaim that we are new people with new vision and promise. Our old selves are gone. Today we become new beings in Christ.

Scripture

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Matthew 28 The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ² Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. ³ The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. ⁶ He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. ⁷ Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you.”

⁸ The women were frightened and yet very happy, as they hurried from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them. They went near him, held on to his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid! Tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”

Sermon

Performed by Margaret Whisselle, Lakeshore Drive United Church, Morrisburg, ON

Prayers of the People

(Please add your prayers aloud and in the comment section below)

In the joy and hope of this Easter morning, in the midst of our singing and shouting, we know there are those who are bewildered and sad. We pray for those that have no hope, for those who suffer from depression, loneliness, and fear. 

We pray for those places and peoples in our world where death and domination rule, where imperial powers ignore the poor, where war never ends, where children are hungry, where parents grieve because they cannot provide, where accidents and disease happen and death abounds senselessly.

We pray for the people who day in and day out work to make our world better by providing for the things we need, for those in the medical profession who risk their lives to give comfort and caring, for those who grow and provide our food under increasingly difficult circumstances.

We pray for our community, our leaders, our loved ones, and ourselves. We offer their names out loud…

Gathering all these prayers into one, we offer the prayer tradition has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heave, hallowed be Thy name. Your kingdom come, Your 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Benediction & Commission

As you stay in your space

Send your love into the world in the joy and peace of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Care for his redeemed creation; follow him as children of the light; make disciples by your life and words; and glorify him by your dedication and love; so may he bless you with his gift of the Holy Spirit and be with you until his kingdom comes. Alleluia. Amen.