Easter Sunday

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

God of everlasting life, by your mighty hand you raised up your beloved Son Jesus Christ from the grave, and appointed him judge of the living and the dead. Grant that we who joyfully celebrate his resurrection may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit, and experience the pardon and peace that you so freely offer. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, firstborn from the dead, who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Easter Song” – Glad – Acappella

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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
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“Endless Alleluia” – Bethel Music | VICTORY

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 24:1-12 (NLT)

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.
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Intercessions:

O God our Savior and Redeemer: Your love for us never ends. As we celebrate your power to make all that is dead come to life, hear our prayers….

+ For all who have been newly baptized around the world, that they may always walk in the light of Christ… Lord, guide them.
+ For all believers around the world in every circumstance, that we may live in hope and love…. Lord, empower us.
+ For all believers who are suffering the effects of war and terror, that they may live in security and peace…. Lord, protect them.
+ For all who are in need of support and love, that believers everywhere may care for them…. Lord, comfort them.
+ For all who are deprived of the basic necessities of life – food, clothing, and shelter, that believers everywhere may help them…. Lord, provide for them.
+ For all who are estranged from families, friends and loved ones, that they may be reconciled…. Lord, grant them your peace.

O God our Savior and Redeemer: You lead your people from defeat to triumph, from death to life; hear our prayers and grant us your peace, through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
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“Resurrecting” – Praise And Harmony Singers

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Benediction:

May Almighty God, who is making all things new through Jesus Christ our Lord – resurrect everything that is dead in our lives through the power of his Spirit that is at work within us; until at last we enter into the peace and joy of everlasting life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen