Order of Service
Organ Prelude: Marilyn Glover
Welcome, Responsive Call to Worship
Spoken Hymn “This Easter Celebration”
Invocation
Special Music: Sanctuary Choir “All Glory, Laud and Honor” St. Theodulph, Choral Setting by Mary Kay Beall
Scripture: Mark 16:1-8
Sermon: Easter’s Happy News
Special Music: Sanctuary Choir “Majesty” Jack W. Hayford, Choral Setting by Jack Schrader
Choir Director: Richard Freeman
Benediction
Postlude: Marilyn Glover “Joyous Postlude” by Chester Nordman
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; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6 | NIV
This Easter Celebration
Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864 (“The Church’s One Foundation”)
Text: Copyright © 2020 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
This Easter celebration is not like ones we’ve known.
We pray in isolation, we sing the hymns alone.
We’re distant from our neighbors — from worship leaders, too.
No flowers grace the chancel to set a festive mood.
No gathered choirs are singing; no banners lead the way.
O God of love and promise, where’s joy this Easter Day?
With sanctuaries empty, may homes become the place
we ponder resurrection and celebrate your grace.
Our joy won’t come from worship that’s in a crowded room
but from the news of women who saw the empty tomb.
Our joy comes from disciples who ran with haste to see —
who heard that Christ is risen, and then, by grace, believed.
In all the grief and suffering, may we remember well:
Christ suffered crucifixion and faced the powers of hell.
Each Easter bears the promise: Christ rose that glorious day!
Now nothing in creation can keep your love away.
We thank you that on Easter, your church is blessed to be
a scattered, faithful body that’s doing ministry.
In homes and in the places of help and healing, too,
we live the Easter message by gladly serving you.