ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP
April 20, 2025
Opening Sentences
“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.” Matthew 27:57-61
Were You There?
Verse 1: Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes, it causes me to tremble
“Now after the Sabbath, towards the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.’” Matthew 28:1-6
Verse 2: Were you there when he rose up from the grave? Oh, sometimes I feel like shouting glory!
“’Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.’ So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’” Matthew 28:7-10
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts to Heav'n and voices raise: Sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a hymn of praise. He, who on the cross a Victim, for the world's salvation bled, Jesus Christ, the King of glory, now is risen from the dead.
Now the iron bars are broken, Christ from death to life is borne, Glorious life, and life immortal, on this joyous Easter morn. Christ has triumphed, and we conquer by His mighty enterprise: We with Him to life eternal by His resurrection rise.
Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to God on high; Alleluia! to the Savior who has gained the victory; Alleluia! to the Spirit, fount of love and sanctity: Alleluia, alleluia! to the Triune Majesty.
Easter Meditation
Glorious Day
Chorus: Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day!
Affirmation of Faith: from Ephesians 2
Celebrant: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
Congregation: All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.
Celebrant: Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Congregation: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions
Celebrant: it is by grace you have been saved.
Congregation: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Celebrant: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Congregation: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Benediction: Matthew 28:16-20
“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
<Post- Benediction: John 21: 12
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’”