EASTER SUNDAY
During this time where our public gatherings are not able to meet, each Sunday we are providing you with a liturgy that you can use at home.
You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video conferencing.
Our suggestion is that you take time to move through each of the sections below, listening to the songs, reflecting on the liturgy and hearing the word preached exactly as we do on a Sunday.
As you move through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you.
As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Today is Easter Sunday where we celebrate that we have a Risen Saviour. It is a day of joy for us as Christians that is at the heart of everything we believe. Start your time of worship today by declaring the truth of the resurrection.
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
This is the good news: the grave is empty! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
This is the good news: by His death, Christ has conquered sin; by His resurrection, Christ has given us His righteousness!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
This is the good news: Christ has risen from the grave and given us the promise and hope of resurrection, so that we might also rise with Him in new life everlasting!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
SONG: Look and See (The Village Church): A song that helps us gaze upon Christ, to direct our praise and worship to him, the one who has redeemed us.
CCLI Song # 6550721
Michael Bleecker | Ross King
© 2012 Bleecker Publishing (Admin. by Michael Bleecker)
Simple Tense Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: This is Amazing Grace (Phil Wickham): A song of wonder and amazement at the God of grace we gather to worship. A celebration of who God is and what he's done for us in Jesus.
CCLI Song # 6333821
Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham
© 2012 WC Music Corp. (Admin. by CURB / Word Music Publishing)
Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by Song Solutions)
Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Seems Like Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Sing My Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
As we rejoice in the truth of an empty grave, let’s pray this prayer:
Lord, we praise you for the truth of an empty tomb. Please stir our often cold hearts with the world changing message of the resurrection.
Jesus, we praise you that by your death you have conquered our sin and by your resurrection you have given us your righteousness. Holy Spirit, we ask that you would bring the power of the resurrection into our lives. Reminding us that in Christ the power of sin and death has been broken.
Heavenly Father, we praise you that in Christ we also have the hope of resurrection and life everlasting.
In the name of our risen Saviour,
Amen
SONG: Grace Alone (Kings Kaleidoscope): A song celebrating the grace shown to us in Christ. A reminder that it is only by grace we're saved.
LYRICS:
I was an orphan lost at the fall Running away when I'd hear your call
But Father, you worked your will
I had no righteousness of my own
I had no right to draw near your throne
But Father, you loved me still
And in love before you laid the world's foundation
You predestined to adopt me as your own
You have raised me so high u above my station
I'm a child of God by grace and grace alone
You left your home to seek out the lost
You knew the great and terrible cost
But Jesus, your face was set
I worked my fingers down to the bone
Nothing I did could ever atone
But Jesus, you paid my debt
By your blood I have redemption and salvation
Lord, you died that I might reap what you have sown
And you rose that I might be a new creation
I am born again by grace and grace alone
I was in darkness all of my life
I never knew the day from the night
But Spirit, you made me see
I swore I knew the way on my own
Head full of rocks, a heart made of stone
But Spirit, you moved in me
At your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone
Called into a kingdom that cannot be shaken
Heaven's citizen by grace and grace alone
So I'll stand in faith by grace and grace alone
I will run the race by grace and grace alone
I will slay my sin by grace and grace alone
I will reach the end by grace and grace alone
CCLI Song # 7004659
Dustin Kensrue
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unties us together in Jesus.
We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead.
Also take time to pray for the church around the globe today. Ask that the Spirit would bring the joy, comfort and power of the resurrection to his people around the world.
READING: [Mt 28:1-10]
Take time to read the bible passage and pray that God would let you hear him speak in his Word.
SERMON Resurrection & Pandemics Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
RESPONSE
Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you.
SONG: New Again (Sojourn): A song looking forward to the future hope we have in the gospel. We look to the day when all pain and sorrow will be over and Christ will make all things new again!
CCLI Song # 7037768
Brooks Ritter | Mike Cosper
© 2013 Sojourn Community Church
SONG: In Christ Alone (Kings Kaleidoscope): A glorious reminder that it is only in Christ that our hope can be found. In him our sin has been taken away, we are free from the grip of death and we stand secure.
CCLI Song # 3350395
Keith Getty | Stuart Townend
© 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
COMMITMENT READING
The truth of the resurrection is one that sustains us at any given moment. But in the middle of this pandemic we can especially hold on to the wonderful words that the resurrected Jesus spoke to his disciples:
Jesus came and stood among [his disciples] and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit"
(John 20:19-22)
The resurrection hope means that we can know the presence, peace and joy of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
SONG: It is Finished (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that our sin has been dealt with in Jesus' death and resurrection, our redemption has been accomplished.
LYRICS:
There's no deed that can redeem us
There's no rite, no magic word
Only by the work of Jesus
Can salvation be secured
It is finished! He has done it!
Let your weary heart rejoice
Our redemption is accomplished
Raise a shout with ragged voice
And go bravely into battle
Knowing he has won the war
It is finished, lift your head
And weep no more
There's no sacrifice to offer
There's no penance to complete
Freely drink of living water
Without money come and feast
It is finished! He has done it!
Let your weary heart rejoice
Our redemption is accomplished
Raise a shout with ragged voice
And go bravely into battle
Knowing he has won the war
It is finished, lift your head
Let every sinner rejoice
Hear the dying victor's cry
Raise up your voice
Sing it out through earth and sky
It is finished! He has done it!
Let your weary heart rejoice
Our redemption is accomplished
Raise a shout with ragged voice
And go bravely into battle
Knowing he has won the war
It is finished, lift your head
And weep no more
CCLI Song # 7004660
Brian Eichelberger | Dustin Kensrue
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
BENEDICTION
We finish our times of worship with a benediction. A benediction is another word for a blessing. This reminds us of all the promises that we have just heard, sung and prayed. So finish with this benediction.
Today, may we know the peace of the Risen Jesus, the power of His Spirit at work in us, and the joy of experiencing the resurrection.
Peace be with you