Easter SUNDAY, Year A
APRIL 5, 2026
† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit “Easter Fanfare” Ferguson
Christ is risen! Christ, the Lord, is risen from the tomb. Alleluia!
†Call to Worship
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The tomb is empty; death has lost its sting.
New life has begun. Alleluia!
Come, let us worship the God who raises the dead.
Alleluia! Amen.
†Opening Hymn “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” UMH 302
Prayer of Illumination
Risen Christ, open our hearts and mind to your living Word. As the stone was rolled away, remove every barrier that keeps us from seeing your truth. Let your resurrection light awaken us, renew us, and draw us into the life you promised. Speak, Lord, your servants are listening. Amen
A Reading from the New Testament Colossians 3:1-4 NRSV
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Risen Lord, we praise you with joy that cannot be contained. You have broken the power of sin and death; you have opened a new future; you have met us in our grief with resurrection hope. Forgive us when we live as though the stone is still sealed, as though fear has the last word, as though love cannot win. Call your church to be Easter people—bold in witness, generous in compassion, and steady in hope. Raise what is weary in us. Revive what is fading among us. And send us out to proclaim good news with our lives. Alleluia! Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Choral Response “Alleluia” UMH 186
†A Reading from the Gospel Matthew 28:1-10 NRSV
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 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. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 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.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 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.”
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Reverend. Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Responsive Hymn “Up from the Grave He Arose” UMH 322
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” William
Christ the Lord is risen today. Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high,
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King: Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died, our souls to save;
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
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!
Soar we now where Christ has led. Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head. Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him, we rise;
Ours the Cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offering Prayer
God of resurrection, receive these gifts with our alleluias. Use them to announce good news, to feed and heal, and to extend new life in Christ. Amen.
Holy Communion “Let Us Break Bread Together” UMH 618
The Great Thanksgiving UMH 13
Lord’s Prayer
†Closing Hymn “Easter People, Raise Your Voices” UMH 304
†Benediction
Go in Easter joy! Christ is risen, and you are sent as witnesses of resurrection life. Alleluia! Amen.
†Benediction Response “He Is Lord!” Trad., arr. Moore
He is Lord. He is risen from the dead and He is Lord.
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude