April 5, 2026 (Sunrise)
Bulletins are posted on the day prior.
Sunday, April 5
APRIL 5, 2026 • 6:30 a.m. (Sunrise)
Worship Service
Gather around the Word
PRELUDE
Tower Brass
Charlie Schuchat, Director
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: How joyful it is, to celebrate the good news of God’s love!
All: We are called to be Easter people! Darkness cannot claim us!
One: Fear cannot bind us! Christ is risen!
All: Christ is risen, indeed! Amen!
*HYMN #232
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!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
One: We stumble on the way to the tomb.
All: We believe. Help our unbelief!
One: We come to the tomb, but fear to look in.
All: We believe. Help our unbelief!
One: We see that the tomb is empty but still we doubt.
All: We believe. Help our unbelief!
DECLARATION OF PARDON
One: Friends, believe the good news.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all.
All: And also with you.
We invite you to greet those around you, wishing them “peace” or “the peace of Christ.”
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Matthew 28:1–10
The Resurrection of Jesus
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
2 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.
3 His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing white as snow.
4 For fear of him the guards shook
and became like dead men.
5 But the angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking
for Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here, for he has been raised,
as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
7 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.”
8 So they left the tomb quickly
with fear and great joy
and ran to tell his disciples.
9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!”
And they came to him,
took hold of his feet,
and worshiped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
go and tell my brothers and sisters
to go to Galilee;
there they will see me.”
SERMON
On Jesus, and the Merriment of the Marys
*HYMN #246
Christ Is Alive
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.
In every insult, rift, and war
where color, scorn, or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION AND THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
COMMUNION PRAYER
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.
THE COMMUNION
BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD
*HYMN #245
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!
All creation, join to say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, O heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Jesus died, our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven! Alleluia!
Praise to you by both be given, Alleluia!
Every knee to you shall bow, Alleluia!
Risen Christ, triumphant now. Alleluia!
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Tower Brass
Charlie Schuchat, Director
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