ORDER OF WORSHIP
Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day
April 5, 2026
Easter Sunday. This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
Hallelujah Chorus
from Christ on the Mount of Olives
Beethoven
PRELUDE
Cast Thy Burdens and Lift Thine Eyes
from Elijah by Mendelssohn
GATHERING
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!
Amen.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister continues.
Merciful God, you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
You lead us beside still waters.
We thank you for the waters of creation: morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves.
We thank you for the waters that nourish us, including our beautiful local lakes.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness who accompanies us on our journeys.
We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection.
We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy Spirit, you anoint our head with oil and our cup overflows.
Break down barriers that divide us. Fill us with the breath of peace.
Blessed are you. You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism, and for making us a new creation. We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
ELW 365
Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heav'nly king, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
now above the sky he's king, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
praise him, all you heav'nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE (page 98)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE (page 101)
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches, wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor, glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43
34 Peter began to speak to [Cornelius and his household]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24 (We will read the Psalm responsively by whole verse.)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s mercy endures forever.
2 Let Israel now declare,
“God’s mercy endures forever.”
14 The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted!
The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord indeed punished me sorely,
but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord;
here the righteous may enter.”
21 I give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and you have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 By the Lord has this been done;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4
1 If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
GOSPEL: John 20.1-18
The Holy Gospel according to John, the 20th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed, 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
HYMN OF THE DAY
Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!
ELW 382
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Risen our victorious head!
Sing his praises! Alleluia!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Gratefully our hearts adore him
as his light once more appears;
bowing down in joy before him,
rising up from griefs and tears.
Refrain
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Risen our victorious head!
Sing his praises! Alleluia!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Christ is risen! All the sadness
of our Lenten fast is o'er;
through the open gates of gladness
he returns to life once more;
death and hell before him bending
see him rise, the victor now,
angels on his steps attending,
glory round his wounded brow. Refrain
Christ is risen! All the sorrow
that last evening round him lay
now has found a glorious morrow
in the rising of today.
See the grave its firstfruits giving,
springing up from holy ground;
Christ was dead, but now is living;
he was lost, but he is found. Refrain
Christ is risen! Henceforth never
death or hell shall us enthrall.
We are Christ's, in him forever
we have triumphed over all.
All the doubting and dejection
of our trembling hearts have ceased;
hail the day of resurrection!
Let us rise and keep the feast. Refrain
NICENE CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God,
Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father, through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures.
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
A brief silence.
Risen Savior, you have conquered death and opened the gates of everlasting life. Dispel our doubts and fears and renew our faith and hope in you. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Life-giving God, the created world rejoices in Christ’s victory over death. May all the earth be renewed by the light of Jesus’ resurrection, and may we be faithful stewards of all you have made. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Sovereign God, let the nations acknowledge your reign of justice and truth. Where violence, oppression, and corruption hold sway, pour out your holy and life-giving Spirit to transform and redeem. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Gentle Shepherd, like the women at the empty tomb, many grieve or feel lost and afraid. Draw near to those who are ill or in pain, especially for Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Willah, Ann, Julie, Christen, Carol, Anne, Judy, Jeff, Gloria, Brian, James & Grace, Katie, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Avery, Dean, John, Abby, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, Phyllis, and Max. Reveal yourself to them as the Risen One. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Faithful God, we thank you for the living hope you give us through Christ’s resurrection. Bless this community, that we may boldly proclaim Christ’s victory over death in word and deed. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Eternal One, we give thanks for all who have died and now share in the joy of your resurrection. Bring us, with them, to the unending feast of your victory. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.
Amen.
GREETINGS OF PEACE
Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
GRATITUDE
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
OFFERTORY
Alleluia, Christ is Risen
Beethover/Wren
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 181
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to com.
OFFERING PRAYER
Merciful God,
accept the fruits of our labor, gathered to give you glory.
You have set a table before us, a glimpse of that great day
when we will hunger and thirst no more.
Nourish us with the body and blood of Jesus,
that goodness and mercy may follow us
and bless the world you love.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE (page 107)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (page 108)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God.
You are most holy,
and great is the majesty of your glory.
You so loved the world that you gave your only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
but have eternal life.
We give you thanks for his coming into the world
to fulfill for us your holy will
and to accomplish all things for our salvation.
In the night in which he was handed over,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
LORD'S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
All baptized children of God are invited to the Lord’s Table, where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We partake at the communion rail; gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and we will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Anyone may remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer, following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the table of new life.
Receive the risen Lord.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Now the Green Blade Rises
ELW 379
Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
love lives again, that with the dead has been;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain,
thinking that he would never wake again;
laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
he that for three days in the grave had lain;
raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
your touch can call us back to life again,
fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
Thine the Amen
ELW 826
Thine the amen thine the praise
alleluias angels raise
thine the everlasting head
thine the breaking of the bread
thine the glory thine the story
thine the harvest then the cup
thine the vineyard then the cup
is lifted up lifted up.
Thine the life eternally
thine the promise let there be
thine the vision thine the tree
all the earth on bended knee
gone the nailing gone the railing
gone the pleading gone the cry
gone the sighing gone the dying
what was loss lifted high.
Thine the truly thine the yes
thine the table we the guest
thine the mercy all from thee
thine the glory yet to be
then the ringing and the singing
then the end of all the war
thine the living thine the loving
evermore evermore.
Thine the kingdom thine the prize
thine the wonder full surprise
thine the banquet then the praise
then the justice of thy ways
thine the glory thine the story
then the welcome to the least
then the wonder all increasing
at thy feast at thy feast.
Thine the glory in the night
no more dying only light
thine the river thine the tree
then the Lamb eternally
then the holy holy holy
celebration jubilee
thine the splendor thine the brightness
only thee only thee.
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Holy One, through this meal you have made your home among us
and are making all things new.
Send us now to speak peace to anxious hearts, to love our enemies,
and to bring your healing to the nations.
In the name of Jesus our crucified and risen Lord.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
We Know That Christ Is Raised
ELW 449
We know that Christ is raised and dies no more.
Embraced by death, he broke its fearful hold,
and our despair he turned to blazing joy.
Hallelujah!
We share by water in his saving death.
Reborn, we share with him an Easter life,
as living members of our Savior Christ.
Hallelujah!
The Father's splendor clothes the Son with life.
The Spirit's fission shakes the church of God.
Baptized, we live with God the Three in One.
Hallelujah!
A new creation comes to life and grows
as Christ's new body takes on flesh and blood.
The universe restored and whole will sing:
Hallelujah!
BENEDICTION
God the Creator, the beginning and the end,
Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead,
and the Spirit, our advocate and guide,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
Hallelujah Chorus
G. F. Handel
Cover Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash. Used by permission.
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings and sundaysandseasons.com, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
"Hallelujah Chorus" from Christ on the Mount of Olives, Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827. Public domain.
"Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord" and "Lift Thine Eyes" from Elijah, Words and music: Felix Mendelssohn,1809–47. Public domain.
Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4. Music: J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica 1708. Public domain.
Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875, alt., Music:Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927. Public domain.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Words: Brian Wren, b. 1936, Tune: Ludwig van Beethoven,1770-1827, arr. Hal H. Hopson, b. 1933, Words © 1986 and Music © 2004 Hope Publishing Company. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress, Music © 2004 Augsburg Fortress, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Now the Green Blade Rises, Text: John MacLeod Campbell Crum, 1872-1958. Text © Oxford University Press, Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: French carol, Public domain.
Thine the Amen, Text: Herbert F. Brokering, 1926-2009, Music: Carl Schalk, 1929-2021. Text and music © 1983 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
We Know that Christ Is Raised, Text: John B. Geyer, 1932-2020, Text © John B. Geyer Estate. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Charles V. Stanford, 1852-1924. Public domain.
"Hallelujah Chorus" from Messiah, Music: George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759. arr Clarence Kohlmann,1891-1944. pub 1943 Theodore Presser Co. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
