1. Jesus Christ is risen today, Al-le-lu-ia! 

our triumphant holy day, Al-le-lu-ia!

who did once upon the cross, Al-le-lu-ia!

suffer to redeem our loss, Al-le-lu-ia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing, Al-le-lu-ia! 

unto Christ, our heavenly king, Al-le-lu-ia!

who endured to cross and grave, Al-le-lu-ia!

sinners to redeem and save. Al-le-lu-ia!

3. But the pains which he endured, Al-le-lu-ia!

our salvation have procured. Al-le-lu-ia!

Now above the sky he’s King, Al-le-lu-ia!

where the angels ever sing. Al-le-lu-ia!

4. Sing we to our God above, Al-le-lu-ia!

praise eternal as God’s love. Al-le-lu-ia!

Praise our God, Ye heavenly host, Al-le-lu-ia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Al-le-lu-ia!

WORDS OF WELCOME   

MINUTE FOR MISSION: One Great Hour of Sharing          

ADORATION

LITANY for EASTER

ONE: This is the day that the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice, and be glad in it.

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: This is the good news we have received,

in which we stand, and by which we are saved:

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: That Christ died for our sins, and was buried,

and rose again on the third day.

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: He appeared to Peter, and to the twelve,

and to many faithful witnesses.

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: At last he came to us, that we might come to believe

and proclaim this good news to the world. 

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*HYMN (Blue #118; GTG#233)    

“The Day of Resurrection!”    LANCASHIRE

• The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad,

the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.  

From death to life eternal, from sin’s dominion free,

our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory.

1. Let hearts be purged of evil that we may see aright

the Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light,

and listening to his accents, 

may hear, so calm and plain,

his own “All hail!” and hearing, 

may raise the victor strain. 

3. Now let the heavens be joyful; let earth its song begin;

the round world keep high triumph 

and all that is therein.

Let all things seen and unseen 

their notes of gladness blend.

for Christ the Lord has risen, our joy that has no end. 

       

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN 

* RESPONSE HYMN (GTG#241) Woman, Weeping in the Garden 

1 Woman, weeping in the garden,

who has pushed the stone aside?

Who has taken Jesus’ body, Jesus Christ the crucified?

5 Woman, dancing from the garden, 

find the others and proclaim

Christ is risen as he promised; 

tell the world he knew your name!

CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry, and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak, and abuse the earth you made. 

Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen. 

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS  

ONE: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

MANY: Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI #581 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 

world without end, Amen, Amen.

PROCLAMATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON                         Mark 16:1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

ANTHEM        Easter Introit  by Bob Moore

feat. Seth Guidry, trumpet

Cameron & Briana Mayfield, handbells

SERMON         “Fleeing from the Tomb”    The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                Scots Confession

We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by [God’s] inscrutable providence for such end as [God’s] eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of [God’s] own glory. Amen. 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY (GTG 609)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known: 

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

ONE: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

MANY: 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.

ONE: … According to Christ’s Commandment:

MANY: We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming glory…

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

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  

*HYMN (Blue #108; GTG #246)           “Christ is Alive!”         TRURO

1. Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. 

The cross stands empty to the sky.

Lets streets and homes with praises ring. 

Love, drowned in death, shall never die. 

2. Christ is alive! No longer bound 

to distant years in Palestine,

but saving, healing, here and now,

and touching every place and time. 

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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. 

*PARTING PRAYER

Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you have overcome death and opened the gate to everlasting life. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, O Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE (Blue #113; GTG #245)       

“Christ the Lord is Risen Today!”       LLANFAIR

“Christ the Lord is risen today!” Al-le-lu-ia!

All creation, join to say: Al-le-lu-ia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Al-le-lu-ia!

Sing, O heavens, and earth reply, Al-le-lu-ia!

POSTLUDE  Christ the Lord is Risen Today arr. Carol Tornquist                     

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF