Order of Worship

Easter Sunday

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

'And All the People Rejoiced'

 George Frideric Handel   

Welcome

A Time to Make Connections

Meditation Time

Introit

    “He Is Alive”

Buryl Red

Adult Choir & Praise Band

Opening Hymn

  “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” 

  UMH #302 (vs. 1-4)

Call to Worship

Liturgist: Beloved, Christ is risen!

People: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Liturgist: Our Savior is risen!

People: Our Savior is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Liturgist: Steadfast Love is risen!

All:  Steadfast Love is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Liturgist: This is the day that God has made;

People: Let us rejoice and be glad! Alleluia!

(Resource comes from umdisciple.org) 

Opening Prayer

God of life and love, we are eager to hear the good news of new life. Enter our lives and cast our fears aside. Lead us on a journey from grief and despair to hope and joy. We are ready to celebrate and give thanks for your transforming love. We are eager to rejoice in the glory of this day! Give us Easter spirits and open hearts. Amen. 

(Resource comes from Abingdon Worship Annual 2025) 

Message in Music

“Lead Me to the Cross”

Brooke Ligertwood

Praise Band

Children's Time

Courtney Till

Blessings of Coins for Lent

Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer

Prayer Response

“He Is Lord”

UMH#177

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Readings: Luke 24:1-12

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8Then they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.    (NRSV)

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.  

Message

    “The First to Encounter the Risen Christ” 

  Pastor Jinyong Choi

We Respond

Offertory

 “Up from the Grave He Arose”

UMH #322

Doxology

 UMH #94

*Offertory Prayer

Radiant God, whose love endures forever, we gather today in the light of resurrection hope, offering these gifts as a response to the abundant grace we have received. In this period of spiritual renewal, may our giving reflect the joy of the empty tomb and the promise of life everlasting. Transform our offerings into acts of love that bring light to the world, just as Christ’s light dawned in our hearts. We dedicate these gifts to your service, trusting that, in your hands, they will bring forth new life. Amen.

(Resource comes from umdiscipleship.org) 

Closing Hymn

      “He Lives”   

UMH#310

The Blessing and Sending Forth 

May God’s abiding love and hope give us new life.

May God’s unmerited grace and mercy keep us hope-filled.

And may God’s restorative justice bring to us all, perfect peace.

For Steadfast Love is risen!

Steadfast Love is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Amen.

Response 

 “Hallelujah Chorus” (The Messiah)   

by G. F. Handel

Adult Choir

Postlude

Sinfonia ‘We Thank Thee God’   

   Johann Sebastian Bach