APR 5, 2026 EASTER ORDER OF WORSHIP 10 a.m.

Liturgist: Carole Schauer

Song Leader: Donna Behe

Tech: Moran, Brittingham, Dell

Greeters: Letra, Stambaugh, McKinney

Children’s Message: Pastor Jacob

Sunday School: Cooke, Dell, Nornes

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

PRELUDE Betty Hudson

 

Liturgist as the Acolyte ascends the steps:

The light of Christ rises in glory,

overcoming the darkness of sin and death.

 

Liturgist after the candle is lit: 

Christ is our light!

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

Risen and living God,

On this joyful morning we gather to celebrate! The tomb is empty, death has been defeated, and your love has triumphed over the grave.

As you once promised through the prophets that your people would be restored and rejoice again, renew our hearts with the hope of the resurrection today. Open our eyes to see the new life you are bringing into the world, and fill us with joy that cannot be contained.

May this worship be filled with praise, gratitude, and wonder as we celebrate the risen Christ, who is Lord of all.

In his holy name we pray,
Amen.

 

**CALL TO WORSHIP (Choir singing #171) Liturgist

Leader: We gather in the power of the empty tomb,

Congregation: To worship the One who conquered death!

Choir: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

There’s just something about that name!

 

Leader: At the name above every name, we find hope,

Congregation: At the name of Jesus, we find life!

Choir: Master, Savior, Jesus!

Like the fragrance after the rain.

 

Leader: Let every heart be lifted, every voice be raised,

Congregation: Christ has triumphed over sin and death!

Choir: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

Let all heaven and earth proclaim

 

Leader: Come, let us worship the risen King,

Congregation: There is power, glory, and life in His name!

Choir: Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,

But there’s something about that name!

**UMH #302 “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”

VERSE 1

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia

Earth and Heaven in chorus say: Alleluia

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply. Alleluia

 

VERSE 2

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

 

VERSE 3

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia

Where O death is now thy sting; Alleluia

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia

Where's thy victory boasting grave? Alleluia

 

VERSE 4

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia

Following our exalted Head: Alleluia

Made like him, like him we rise; Alleluia

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia

 

VERSE 5

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia

Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia

Hail the resurrection thou, Alleluia

 

VERSE 6

King of glory soul of bliss, Alleluia

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia

Thee to know thy power to prove, Alleluia

Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia

 

PASSING THE PEACE

OFFERING & OFFERTORY

 **DOXOLOGY    

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

Luke 5:1-11

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

NEW TESTAMENT READING Colossians 3:1-4 NRSV Liturgist

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

--

2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, 

--

3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

--

4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

Leader:  The Word of God for the people of God.

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Betty Hudson

 

NEW TESTAMENT READING Matthew 28:1-10 NRSV Rev. Jacob

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.”

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Pastor

Pastor:  The Word of God for the people of God.

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SERMON “Go and Tell” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #322 “Up From the Grave He Arose”

Verse 1

Low in the grave he lay

Jesus my Savior

Waiting the coming day

Jesus my Lord

Chorus

Up from the grave he arose

With a mighty triumph o'er his foes

He rose a victor from a dark domain

and he lives forever with his saints to reign

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah, Christ arose

 

Verse 2

Vainly they watch his bed

Jesus my savior

Vainly they seal the dead

Jesus my Lord

Up from the grave he arose

With a mighty triumph o'er his foes

He rose a victor from a dark domain

and he lives forever with his saints to reign

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah, Christ arose

 

Verse 3

Death could not keep its prey

Jesus my Savior

He tore the bars away

Jesus my Lord

Oh hallelujah morning has come

Hell is defeated Heaven has won

Up from the grave he arose

With a mighty triumph o'er his foes

He rose a victor from a dark domain

and he lives forever with his saints to reign

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah, Christ arose

 

HOLY COMMUNION

 

Pastor: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Congregation: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life.
When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast.
You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God,
brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey,
and set before us the way of life.

And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ.
By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection
you gave birth to your Church,
delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
By your great mercy we have been born anew
to a living hope through the resurrection of your Son from the dead
and to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.
Once we were no people, but now we are your people,
declaring your wonderful deeds in Christ,
who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always,
in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread,
gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."

When the supper was over he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

On the day you raised him from the dead
he was recognized by his disciples in the breaking of the bread,
and in the power of your Holy Spirit your Church has continued
in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup.

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.

Amen.

CLOSING HYMN #310 “He Lives”

I serve a risen savior,

he's in the world today;

I know that he is living, 

whatever foes may say.

 

I see his hand of mercy, 

I hear his voice of cheer,

and just the time I need him,

he's always near.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know he lives?

He lives within my heart.

 

In all the world around me

I see his loving care,

and though my heart grows weary, 

I never will despair.

 

I know that he is leading

through all the stormy blast;

the day of his appearing

will come at last.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know he lives?

He lives within my heart.

 

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, 

lift up your voice and sing

eternal hallelujahs 

to Jesus Christ the King!

 

The hope of all who seek him, 

the help of all who find;

none other is so loving,

so good and kind.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know he lives?

He lives within my heart.

 

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

 

Gracious God,

 

You have filled this day with resurrection joy. As we gather in fellowship, bless this food, our conversations, and the community we share. Just as the first witnesses joyfully told the good news that Christ is risen, help us to carry that same joy into our lives and into the world.

 

In the name of the risen Christ we pray,

Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

We are sent forth in the power of Christ's resurrection. Alleluia!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you all. Amen.

 

POSTLUDE Betty Hudson

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)