Easter Sunday Service (April 20)

Easter Sunday Service (April 20) Groveport UMC, Groveport Ohio To support the ministry of the church, please click here: https://groveportumc.org/give/ OPENING SONG: Chancel Choir: “He Won the Fight” WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS OPENING PRAYER: L: Christ is risen! P: We walked the valleys and saw the people crying in need. Jesus reached out to them. He did not criticize or diminish their needs. He touched their lives and they were never the same. The love that flowed through him to them was God’s healing love. L: Christ is risen! P: We sat at table in the Upper Room as Jesus told of his death and we wanted to discount his words. How could he die? We did not want to believe it. It was easier to proclaim with bravado our faith than to listen to his words. L: Christ is risen! P: We waited in the Garden of Sorrows while he prayed and watched in horror as he was betrayed with a kiss. We followed at a distance and denied, with Peter, ever knowing who he was. We were in the crowd that clamored for Barabbas’ release and turned our backs as Pilate washed his hands of the crime. L: Christ is risen! P: We followed him to the hill and cringed as they nailed him to the Cross. We heard his words of forgiveness and love from the cross and felt the ground tremble as the sky darkened and he gave up his life, into his father’s hands. L: Christ is risen! P: We ran from the empty tomb today, with the incredible news that He is Risen! He was not captured by death, but is risen from the dead, just as he said he would be. We come with the joy in our hearts to this day. As the flowers in our worship area burst with color, so we burst with the absolute joyous news CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA. AMEN. PRELUDE & LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES: “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” *HYMN “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” #302 CALL TO WORSHIP: L: Run from fear and darkness! Hope is on the move! P: Run to tell the world, Christ is risen! L: Do not be afraid. Jesus has conquered death! P: We can proclaim with great confidence that God’s love rules. L: Christ is risen! P: CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED! ALL: AMEN HYMN “Up From the Grave He Arose” #322 PRAYER OF CONFESSION: We have to admit it, Lord, that we had our doubts. We have heard the Resurrection story and for so many years it has remained just a nice story. But this time it is different. This time we have walked the path with Christ. We have journeyed through the wilderness and valleys, to the mountaintops to the courtyard, the garden and the cross. Now you bring us to the empty tomb and to the joyous news of the truth of Christ. Forgive us when we so easily doubt the truth of his resurrection. Forgive us when we feel we have to have absolute proof of everything. Your love in Jesus Christ is all the proof we need. You conquered death and sin, you brought us to new life. We praise your holy name and sing our unending song of hope and thanksgiving. Christ the Lord is risen today. Alleluia. AMEN. WORDS OF ASSURANCE: FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 OUR TIME OF PRAYER (During our time of prayer, the altar rail is open for all who wish to come forward.) HYMN “Sanctuary” PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS: Chancel Choir: “O, What a Man is He!” *DOXOLOGY *PRAYER OF DEDICATION CHILDRENS’ MOMENTS: (Children may be dismissed for Jr. Church at this time) SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 24:1-12 SERMON “A Grave Situation” *HYMN “He Lives” - #310 *BENEDICTION *SENDING FORTH “Because He Lives” chorus only POSTLUDE “The Easter Song”