April 5, 2026 - Easter
Prelude: Variations on Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain of Triumphant Gladness
Burkhardt
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 118]
Leader: Christ has risen!
Response: He has risen indeed!
O Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light.
We shall not die, but we shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Let us worship the LORD!
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Hymn 123)
Lyra Davidica
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as God’s love; Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
Confession
Gracious God, we have heard the good news: how on the third day, Christ rose again. However, we hear bad news all around us: war, disasters, disease, and many other struggles near and far. We often feel hopeless and helpless in the face of suffering and death. Please meet us where we are and help us trust that you will wipe away the tears from all faces. By your grace, may we live into the Easter hope that frees us from the grip of death to love one another as Jesus loved us. Amen.
Silence
Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks (Hymn 106)
Fishel
Chorus:
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord;
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth; he is the king of creation. (Chorus)
Spread the good news o’er all the earth; Jesus has died and has risen. (Chorus)
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Christ Is Risen! (Hymn 104)
Wren/Beethoven
Christ is risen! Hallelujah! Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder: all creation is amazed.
In the desert all surrounding, see a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding bring a taste of love unknown.
Christ is risen! Raise your spirits from the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning. See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection, not a servant but a friend.
Jesus is our strong companion. Joy and peace shall never end.
Christ is risen! Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us. Sing we joyful, everyone!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Tina Russell
Old Testament: Isaiah 25:6–9
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Homily: The Grace of God
Scott Starbuck
Focus: Easter proclaims that even death does not have the final word.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: This Joyful Eastertide
Dutch melody
Lisa Phillips
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Ann Hall
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
-Proverbs 15:16
Sending: Christ Is Alive! (Hymn 108)
Wren/Williams
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Not throned afar, remotely high, untouched, unmoved by human pains,
But daily, in the midst of life, our Savior in the Godhead reigns.
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.
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.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Alleluia!
Palestrina/Callahan
Brass Quintet:
Jim Cathey, Olin Killingsworth, trumpets; Taylor Hirschey, horn;
Jill Cathey, euphonium; Matt Frankiewicz, tuba
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