Easter Sunday
Sunrise Service Ideas
Congregational Song :Christ Is Alive (C-Db).pdf Christ Is Alive (Cong).pdf
An Easter Reading
[If your congregation knows Babbie Mason’s chorus “All Rise,” it’s a great way to open an Easter morning service. It will lead well into or out of this first reading. If you don’t know this chorus or would like a congregational copy to use with your C.C.L.I. License, email me and I’ll send you one!]
Easter Morning Reading
Leader: People of God, rise up and speak your joy!
People: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Leader: Rise up from the deadening pace of these days; rise up to an envigorated life.
People: Now is Christ risen from the dead!
Leader: Rise up from complacency; rise up to active service of the Risen King.
People: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Leader: Rise up from fear; rise up to boldly take on the faith you profess.
People: We will not be afraid. He is not here, for He has risen just as He said.
Leader: Rise up from silence; rise up to proclaim what you know.
People: We go quickly to tell that He is risen from the dead.
Leader: Rise up, people of God. Rise up to live with Christ in this life and the next.
People: Christ lives in us, and the life we now live in the flesh, we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself up for us.
(Based from I Corinthians 15:20, 57; Matthew 28:5b-6a, 7; Galatians 2:20)
Follow this reading with:
“I Will Arise and Go to Jesus” (refrain only)
“Rise Up, O Saints (Men) of God” ST. THOMAS
“All Rise” (Babbie Mason chorus)
“On This Easter Morning Singing” HYMN TO JOY
This is one of my hymn texts under copyright with Broadman Press.
Email me and I can loan you a copy!
See “He Lives”ACKLEY – an old standard gospel song tamed down (!) from 6/8 to 4/4… less rollicking and easily sung by congregations who know the old tune!
Easter Declaration
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is indeed risen!
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He indeed is risen!
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: Indeed, He is risen!
Leader: Outside the tomb, the angels said to Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned and saw Jesus standing there.
People: Christ is risen indeed!
(Suggestion: follow this reading with the hymn “I Stand Amazed” or the chorus “I Stand in Awe”)
Offertory Litany for Easter Sunday
Leader: On Palm Sunday, the Lord Christ rode into Jerusalem to songs of praise and the waving of branches. In spite of this, he did not become haughty or aloof; he remained focused as God gave him victory over arrogance.
People: Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: On Maundy Thursday, the Lord Christ gathered his disciples in the upper room. When the meal was over, he washed his disciples feet, again acting as a humble servant as God gave him victory over pride.
People: Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: On that evening as the Lord Christ prayed in the garden, he wrestled with the dilemma of his fate… the necessity of his death. Even as he asked for the passed-cup, God gave him victory over fear.
People: Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: On Good Friday, the Lord Christ gave himself over to beatings, scourgings, cruelty, and finally to death on the cross. As he drew his last breath, God gave him victory over suffering.
People: Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: On Easter morning, the stone rolled away to reveal an empty tomb. The Lord Christ had risen because God gave him victory over death.
People: Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: As we come today bringing our tithes and offerings, may we be grateful for the victorious life, death and resurrection of the Lord Christ. May our resounding response be this:
People: Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
*Response to the OfferingHYMN TO JOY
Alleluia to the Father, God of all eternity.
Alleluia to the Savior who has won the victory.
Alleluia to the Spirit, Fount of love and sanctity.
Alleluia! Alleluia to the Triune Majesty! Amen.
[Text: Christopher Wordsworth, ALT]
Acts 10: 34-43
(This passage allows non-creedal people to speak together their beliefs… and not necessarily call it a “creed!” Two examples are given here.)
A Reading from Acts 10:34-43
Leader: Understand this: God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to Him! This is the message that God sent, proclaiming the peace of Jesus Christ who is Lord of all:
People: God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed by the devil. God was with Him. He was put to death by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him on the third day and allowed Him to appear, not to all people, but to those who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach and to testify that He is the One ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
Leader: This is the message that God sent, proclaiming the peace of Jesus Christ who is Lord of all.
People: Thanks be to God.
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
“We Believe in One True God”MADRID
“In Christ There Is No East or West”ST. PETER
“Jesus Is Lord of All”
“Help Us Accept Each Other” (W&R 596)
Statement of Faith from Acts 10:38-43 (unison)
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.
He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
He was put to death by hanging on a cross.
But God raised Him up on the third day and allowed Him to appear, not to all people, but to those who were chosen by God as witness, those who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.
We testify that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
“Rejoice, the Lord Is King”DARWALL
“Jesus Is Lord of All”
“Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners”
“What Wondrous Love Is This?”WONDROUS LOVE
“Tell Me the Story of Jesus”
Psalm 118:1-2, 24-24
Responsive Reading from Psalm 118:14-24
Leader: The Lord is our strength and our might. He has become our salvation.
People: In the tents of the righteous, glad songs of victory are being sung.
Leader: The right hand of the Lord does valiantly!
People: The right hand of the Lord is lifted up!
Leader: Yes, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!
People: We shall not die, but we will live and recount the wonderful deeds of the Lord.
Leader: The Lord punishes, but He has not given us over to death.
People: Open the gates of righteousness, that we may enter in through them and give thanks to the Lord.
Leader: This is the gate of the Lord. The righteous shall enter through it.
People: I thank You, God, that You have answered us and have become our salvation.
Leader: The stone rejected by the builders had become the chief cornerstone.
People: This is the Lord’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.
Leader: This is the day the Lord has made.
People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
“Be Joyful” (Kurt Kaiser chorus – CLB 363)
“This Is the Day” – various settings
“Joy in the Morning” (Natalie Sleeth – W&R 533)
“This Joyful Eastertide”
Newer Anthem – “This Is the Day” (Mark Hayes)
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Confession of Faith from 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Let us speak aloud together what we believe:
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
He was buried and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
He appeared to Peter and to the Twelve.
Then He appeared to over 500 believers at one time,
He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Finally, Christ has made himself known to me.
Thanks be to God.
More on next page
Statement of Faith from I Corinthians 15 (unison)
This is the good news that has been proclaimed to us,
which we have received,
in which we stand,
through which we are being saved.
This is what we believe:
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures.
He was buried and was raised on the third day.
He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve.
He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time.
He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Last of all, he has made himself known to me.
By the grace of God I am what I am.
His grace toward me has not been in vain.
In everything that I have accomplished, it was not I,
but the grace of God that is with me.
We proclaim this so others may come to believe.
John 20:1-18 (or Mark 16:1-8)
Responsive Reading from John 20:10-18
Leader: Mary Magdalene was standing outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb where she saw two angels, dressed in white, sitting – one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Christ had been lying. And they said to her:
Men: Woman, why are you weeping?
Women: Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.
Leader: When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know it was Jesus. He said to her:
Men: Woman, why are you weeping?
Women: Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take care of Him.
Men: Mary, look at me.
Women: Teacher! Is it You?
Men: Go to my disciples and tell them that I am alive again.
Leader: Mary came announcing to His disciples:
Women: I have seen the Lord!
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
Any Easter Hymn!
“I’ve Just Seen Jesus” (solo/duet)
“Easter Song”
“He Is Alive” (from CELEBRATE LIFE)
More on next page
Two more readings are given here; one is greatly abbreviated (lots of details omitted) and one is a first-person declaration of faith for Easter morning.
Reading from John 20
Leader: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb.
People: She found the stone rolled away from the opening.
Leader: After the others had discovered the tomb was indeed empty, they believed.
People: But Mary stood outside the tomb, weeping.
Leader: Leaning forward into the tomb, she saw two angels in dazzling white, sitting where Jesus had been lying.
People: One angel sat where the head had been; the other one sat where His feet had been.
Leader: The angels said, “Why are you weeping?”
People: “They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have laid Him.”
Leader: She turned around and saw Jesus standing there.
Follow immediately with “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” (refrain)
Easter Morning Corporate Prayer (based from John 20:1-18)
Leader: With Mary of Magdala, we come in darkness to this day, expecting to find signs of death.
People: Instead, we find signs of life; we find an empty tomb.
Leader: With Mary, we cannot face the truth alone.
People: We find friends to come and help us sort things out.
Leader: With Mary, we are unwilling to have true joy in this event.
People: We stand aside and weep.
Leader: With Mary, we are not able to understand what we see, hear and know.
People: We ask questions, wanting too many details, too many answers.
Leader: With Mary, we are not left in our wondering and in our fear.
People: Instead, by the wonderful grace of Easter, we come face to face with the Risen Christ.
Leader: With Mary, we finally get it. We come to believe who Jesus is and what He has risen to do.
People: We call Jesus our Teacher and our Lord.
Leader: With Mary, we may feel reluctant to move from the place of death to proclaim life.
People: We join Mary, announcing to those who live and to those who continue their path to death, saying:
All: “I have seen the Lord!”
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
Duet - “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”
“Why Seek the Living with the Dead?” (WORSHIP Magazine 2002)
“Fairest Lord Jesus” (consider a “lusty” Easter setting of this great hymn!)