Welcome & Announcements

Moment for Justice

Prelude     "Easter Song”    arr. J. Koerts

Call to Worship:
On Friday, we thought the good news had been silenced.
On Friday, we thought the good news had taken its last breath.
On Friday, we thought the good news had been buried.
But today, we know the good news is alive and well.
The good news is dancing!
The good news is on the loose!
The good news is out in the world, calling your name!
Alleluia!  Even death has lost its sting.
Let us worship our good-news Christ.

**Hymn       #248  “Christ Is Risen!  Shout Hosanna!”

**Call to Confession

**Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we want to be Easter people.  We want to shout your good news from the rooftop.  We want to follow the disciples, who ran to look for you.  We want to follow the angels, who said, “Be not afraid,” but we are afraid.  And we don’t know where to look.  And we are worried we’ll say the wrong thing.  So forgive us, for we are imperfect Easter people.  We are best intentions and best laid plans.  We are an out-of-tune chorus of “alleluias.”  We are on our way, but we are not there yet.  Show us how to embody your good news in this world.  Show us how to be your Easter people.  With hope for tomorrow, we pray, amen.

**Words of Forgiveness
Family of faith, even when we are an out-of-tune chorus of “alleluias,” we belong to God.  Jesus died and rose for you.  And there is nothing that could keep God’s love at bay.  So join me in this good news declaration:  Through Jesus Christ we are seen, saved, loved, and claimed.  This is the good news of the gospel!  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

**Affirmation of Faith
I believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. It sounds like welcome and feels like home. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. It sounds like love and feels like a seat at the table, so I believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. I have seen it alive in the world. And even when my heart aches, even when wars rage,  even when mercy feels out of reach, I remember the one who welcomed the children and led with nonviolence. I remember the one who cared for the vulnerable and inspired those around him. I remember that the good news really is good news, for I have seen it alive in the world. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Time with Young Disciples

The Sacrament of Baptism       Jonathan Richard Harris

Anthem    "Sing an Easter Alleluia”     Grace Notes Choir with Nathaniel Davenport, trumpet

Gospel Reading       Matthew 28: 1-10

Message

Communion
               Invitation - Prayers of the People with the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

               Words of Institution - Sharing the Bread and Cup - Prayer

**Hymn       #238  “Thine Is the Glory"

**Benediction

**Choral Response
“Christ the Lord is risen today!”  Alleluia!  All creation, join to say:  Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!  Sing, O heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Postlude

**congregation standing in body or spirit
congregational responses in bold

lyrics printed with permission under One License #A-737483 and CCLI License #2545718
worship liturgy written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art | sanctifiedart.org
“Tell Me Something Good: Grounding ourselves in the good news this Lent” worship series by A Sanctified Art | sanctifiedart.org