Traditional Worship Guide
Easter
Opening Song: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
“Christ the Lord is ris’n today!”
Saints on earth and angels say;
Raise your joys and triumphs high;
Sing, O heav’ns, and earth, reply.
Love’s redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won;
Lo, our sun’s eclipse is o’er;
Lo, he sets in blood no more.
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ has burst the gates of hell.
Death in vain forbids his rise;
Christ has opened paradise.
Lives again our glorious King!
Where, O death, is now your sting?
Once he died our souls to save;
Where your victory, O grave?
Soar we now where Christ has led,
Foll’wing our exalted head.
Made like him, like him we rise;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies!
Saints on earth and angels say;
Raise your joys and triumphs high;
Sing, O heav’ns, and earth, reply.
Love’s redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won;
Lo, our sun’s eclipse is o’er;
Lo, he sets in blood no more.
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ has burst the gates of hell.
Death in vain forbids his rise;
Christ has opened paradise.
Lives again our glorious King!
Where, O death, is now your sting?
Once he died our souls to save;
Where your victory, O grave?
Soar we now where Christ has led,
Foll’wing our exalted head.
Made like him, like him we rise;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies!
Welcome and Confession
P: Dear friends, we live in a world of death. The Scriptures declare that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) Sadly, we are all sinners. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) As a result, we deserve death. In fact, death has reigned from the time of Adam until even now. (Romans 5:14)
C: We, a sinful people, confess that we deserve nothing but death. Have mercy on us, O God!
P: But God loved you. He didn’t want to see death win. Rather, he wants you and all people to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4) So God sent his Son, not to condemn the world, but to save the world from sin. (John 3:17) Jesus is that Son of God. (Matthew 3:17)
C: Thank you Father!
P: Jesus died on the cross to pay the wage of death for your sin. In fact, God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21) In short, Jesus was delivered over to death for you. (Romans 4:25)
C: Thank you Jesus!
P: If Christ had not been raised, we would still be in our sins and still awaiting nothing but death. (1 Cor. 15:14) But Christ has been raised from the dead! (1 Cor. 15:20) Therefore, you are no longer in your sins, you are forgiven, for Christ has risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
P: Because of Jesus, death does not win. The grave has no sting! God has given us the victory over death and the reward of eternal life in Jesus. (1 Cor. 15:55) As Jesus himself promised, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And I will come back and take you to be with me.” (John 14:2)
C: Amen! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
P: And we know that Jesus will return. Because…Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
C: We, a sinful people, confess that we deserve nothing but death. Have mercy on us, O God!
P: But God loved you. He didn’t want to see death win. Rather, he wants you and all people to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4) So God sent his Son, not to condemn the world, but to save the world from sin. (John 3:17) Jesus is that Son of God. (Matthew 3:17)
C: Thank you Father!
P: Jesus died on the cross to pay the wage of death for your sin. In fact, God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21) In short, Jesus was delivered over to death for you. (Romans 4:25)
C: Thank you Jesus!
P: If Christ had not been raised, we would still be in our sins and still awaiting nothing but death. (1 Cor. 15:14) But Christ has been raised from the dead! (1 Cor. 15:20) Therefore, you are no longer in your sins, you are forgiven, for Christ has risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
P: Because of Jesus, death does not win. The grave has no sting! God has given us the victory over death and the reward of eternal life in Jesus. (1 Cor. 15:55) As Jesus himself promised, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And I will come back and take you to be with me.” (John 14:2)
C: Amen! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
P: And we know that Jesus will return. Because…Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed!
Song of Praise: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Hail the Lord of earth and heav’n!
Praise to you by both be giv’n!
God has now fulfilled his Word;
Praise the resurrected Lord!
Praise to you by both be giv’n!
God has now fulfilled his Word;
Praise the resurrected Lord!
Prayer of the Day
P: Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit be dominion and praise now and forever.
C: Amen.
C: Amen.
Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:12-26
Now if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is pointless, and your faith is pointless too. Then we are even guilty of giving false testimony about God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise, if it were true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then it also follows that those who fell asleep in Christ perished. If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ as the firstfruits and then Christ’s people, at his coming. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has done away with every other ruler and every other authority and power. For he must reign “until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” Death is the last enemy to be done away with.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ as the firstfruits and then Christ’s people, at his coming. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has done away with every other ruler and every other authority and power. For he must reign “until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” Death is the last enemy to be done away with.
Song of the Day: Christ, the Life of All the Living
Christ, the Life of all the living,
Christ, the Death of death, our foe,
Who, thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe--
Through thy suff’rings, death, and merit
I eternal life inherit.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Thou, ah, thou hast taken on thee
Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon thee,
O thou sinless Son of God!
Thus didst thou my soul deliver
From the bonds of sin forever.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Thou hast borne the smiting only
That my wounds might all be whole;
Thou hast suffered, sad and lonely,
Rest to give my weary soul;
Yea, the curse of God enduring,
Blessing unto me securing.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Heartless scoffers did surround thee,
Treating thee with cruel scorn,
And with piercing thorns they crowned thee.
All disgrace thou, Lord, hast borne
That as thine thou mightest own me
And with heav’nly glory crown me.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Christ, the Death of death, our foe,
Who, thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe--
Through thy suff’rings, death, and merit
I eternal life inherit.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Thou, ah, thou hast taken on thee
Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon thee,
O thou sinless Son of God!
Thus didst thou my soul deliver
From the bonds of sin forever.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Thou hast borne the smiting only
That my wounds might all be whole;
Thou hast suffered, sad and lonely,
Rest to give my weary soul;
Yea, the curse of God enduring,
Blessing unto me securing.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Heartless scoffers did surround thee,
Treating thee with cruel scorn,
And with piercing thorns they crowned thee.
All disgrace thou, Lord, hast borne
That as thine thou mightest own me
And with heav’nly glory crown me.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee.
Message: AUTHORITY over Death
Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint Jesus. Very early on the first day of the week, at sunrise, they went to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”
They went out and hurried away from the tomb, trembling and perplexed. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint Jesus. Very early on the first day of the week, at sunrise, they went to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”
They went out and hurried away from the tomb, trembling and perplexed. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Thanksgiving
Prayer of the Church
P: Heavenly Father, God of grace, you have brought us into a new and living hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
C: Christ is risen!
P: We marvel at the love you showed by your willingness to sacrifice your Son to pay for our sins; we bow down in adoration at your mighty power, which raised him from the dead.
C: We praise you for sending the true Life and Light into the world.
P: Lord Jesus, God of grace, you have filled our hearts with resurrection joy by your victory over sin, death, and the grave.
C: You have conquered the darkness and given us comfort and hope.
P: With the Church of every age, we offer you unending praise, for you have crushed Satan’s head and have removed our guilt.
C: Alleluia!
P: Dear Savior, we who are weary and burdened come to you for rest, knowing that because of your perfect redemption there is now no condemnation for us. Take away our doubts and fears, and daily renew in us the joy of our salvation.
C: Alleluia!
P: Holy Spirit, God of grace, you have called us by the gospel and brought us to saving faith in our risen Lord. We glorify you for opening our eyes to see the light of life. Keep us with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
C: He is risen!
P: As we journey through life, make us yearn for the day when you will give eternal life to us and all believers in Christ. Work through us as we proclaim the saving message of the crucified and risen Jesus near and far, so that many others may hear your call, obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and join us before the throne of our God and of the Lamb.
C: Alleluia! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia!
C: Christ is risen!
P: We marvel at the love you showed by your willingness to sacrifice your Son to pay for our sins; we bow down in adoration at your mighty power, which raised him from the dead.
C: We praise you for sending the true Life and Light into the world.
P: Lord Jesus, God of grace, you have filled our hearts with resurrection joy by your victory over sin, death, and the grave.
C: You have conquered the darkness and given us comfort and hope.
P: With the Church of every age, we offer you unending praise, for you have crushed Satan’s head and have removed our guilt.
C: Alleluia!
P: Dear Savior, we who are weary and burdened come to you for rest, knowing that because of your perfect redemption there is now no condemnation for us. Take away our doubts and fears, and daily renew in us the joy of our salvation.
C: Alleluia!
P: Holy Spirit, God of grace, you have called us by the gospel and brought us to saving faith in our risen Lord. We glorify you for opening our eyes to see the light of life. Keep us with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
C: He is risen!
P: As we journey through life, make us yearn for the day when you will give eternal life to us and all believers in Christ. Work through us as we proclaim the saving message of the crucified and risen Jesus near and far, so that many others may hear your call, obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and join us before the throne of our God and of the Lamb.
C: Alleluia! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia!
Lord's Prayer
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever.
Amen.
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever.
Amen.
Blessing
P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace.
Live in harmony with one another.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen!
Live in harmony with one another.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen!
Closing Song: In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my all in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone—who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones he came to save.
Till on that cross, as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on him was laid.
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground his body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as he stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am his and he is mine--
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand;
Till he returns or calls me home,
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my all in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone—who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones he came to save.
Till on that cross, as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on him was laid.
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground his body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as he stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am his and he is mine--
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand;
Till he returns or calls me home,
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.