Service for Sunrise, Easter Morning
Silence and Darkness
The service begins in the silence and darkness of the time of Jesus’ death. We gather quietly as the world around us begins to awaken. What does the new day hold?
Opening Prayer (Unison)
O God, you have searched the depths we cannot know, and touched what we cannot bear to name; may we so wait, enclosed in your darkness, that we are ready to encounter the breaking of the dawn, with Jesus Christ. Amen.
Call to Worship *
Leader: As in a gray dawn, from a hidden sun, diffused and growing unobserved, the light comes, older than the earth, but new every morning, so in a garden, tired and numb with grief, the women find an empty tomb, and Hope dawns, older than the sky, but new every morning! Alleluia!
People: This is the dawn of a new creation!
We will light the Spirit candle and pass it around so each of us may hold the spark of new life for a moment before sharing it.
Scripture Reading: Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV)
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.[a]
Easter Proclamation
Though the story began as a secret, kept close by the women, it did not stay hidden for long. Like these first preachers and proclaimers of the Good News, we share what we have experienced.
We whisper -
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
We speak in wonder -
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
We shout -
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Hymn: "Christ Arose!" CHRIST AROSE
Prayer
Creative God, you who breathe life into dust
and bring new life out of death:
we are gathered as your Easter people,
raised up with Christ in resurrection hope.
We come with hurts and confusion,
with despair, with the smell of death still clinging to us.
Yet you, Lord, invite us to step out
into new life in the way of Jesus.
We thank you for this great gift;
may our whole lives express our gratitude.
We pray in the name of our risen Savior. Amen.
Passing the Light
Like the women at the tomb we have a message to share with a waiting world. And like the women, fear can easily overwhelm our best intentions. We pass the Spirit Candle around the room and offer words of encouragement to each other as we share the light. "Be brave for love is stronger than death!"
Hymn: "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" EASTER HYMN
Blessing and Sending Forth
Leader: Risen with Christ, may we know the reassurance of God’s presence.
People: Risen with Christ, may we accept the challenge to work in God’s way.
Leader: Risen with Christ, may we be living proof that God’s love will never die.
People: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Worship material from Celebrate God's Presence, the Worshipbook of the United Churchof Canada except where otherwise noted by *
*a selection from "Easter Vigil" by Brian Wren, Piece Together Praise, copyright 1994 Hope Publishing Company for the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. All rights reserved.
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