(“As It Began To Dawn”, Wesley, Frank,  1923-2002)

©Order of Worship for Sunday April 05, 2026

Easter Sunday




For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here Link (Link opens in a new window) 

Prelude:………….“Rejoice, Rejoice”…………..Instruments
Words: Don Besig, Nancy Price Music: Don Besig. © 2005, Harold
Flammer Music
 
Coming of the Light:
 
Greetings:………………………………..…………Pastor Liz
 
Announcements:…………………………………………..Lorri B.
 
“Rejoice, Rejoice”……………………………………………Choir
 
Call to Worship:…………………………………………..Chad V.
Easter people, Christ is risen! God is doing a new thing!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
Life has conquered death! Love has overcome fear!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
God has transformed a dead end into a new start!
Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
Easter people, raise your voices! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah!     (Dr. Lisa Hancock)
 
Opening Prayer: ………….…………….………Chad V.
 
Living God,
long ago, faithful women
proclaimed the good news
of Jesus’ resurrection,
and the world was changed forever.
Teach us to keep faith with them,
that our witness may be as bold,
our love as deep,
and our faith as true. Amen.
 
Opening Hymns:……“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today#302 UMH
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739 Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708
 
1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
 
2. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
 
3. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
 
4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
 
5. Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
 
6. King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
 
Passing of the Peace:……………………………..Pastor Liz
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
 
Gloria Patri:………“Glory Be to the Father#71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
 
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.

Giving of our tithes and offerings
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Offertory:……………..“Laudamus Te”……………………….Choir
Words and Music: Natalie Sleeth © 1980 Hinshaw Music, Inc.
 
Offertory Response:…………The Doxology………..#94 UMH
Words: Thomas Ken, 1674 Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; Adapt. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God,
all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God the
source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power up-lifts!  Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Prayer After Receiving:……………………………….Pastor Liz
 
Prayers of the People:……………………………….Pastor Liz
 
Anthem:…………… “Rise Up Easter Morning”…………….Choir
Words and Music: Joseph Graham Arr. by Vicki Tucker Courtney
 
Gospel Lesson:…………..Matthew 28:1-10……………..Chad V.
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow.
For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.”
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
 
Hymn of Preparation:…“All Earth Rejoice with a
…………………..…Gladsome Voice”……………………………Choir
 
Sermon:…….“Come and See.  Go and Tell”………….Pastor Liz
 
“Easter Joy”…………………………………………………..Choir
Words: Stephen Andrews Music: Gregg Sewell © 2001 Laurel Press
 
Service of Holy Communion:   
 
Communion  Musical Setting: TFWS #2257
(Preface)
 
Leader
The Lord be with you.
All
And also with you.
Leader
Lift up your hearts.
All
We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
 
(Sanctus)
 
Holy, holy, holy Lord; God of power and
might.  Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the
highest! Hosanna in the highest! Blest is the one who
comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the
highest! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!
 
 
(Memorial Acclamation)
 
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will
come again.  Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!
 
(Great Amen)
 
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the
Highest! Hosanna in the highest!
 
CONFESSION & PARDON
Pastor Liz: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All pray in silence.
Pastor Liz: Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All:  Glory to God. Amen.

THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
All, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of God’s peace by crossing hands, wave to one another due to social distancing guidelines.

Pastor Liz: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor Liz: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor Liz: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor Liz: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: 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.
Pastor Liz: In union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor Liz: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Communion Hymn: “Sing Alleluia to the Lord#2258 TFWS
Words and Music: Linda Stassen © 1974 Linda Stassen
(To be sung during Communion)
 
1. Sing alleluia to the Lord! Sing alleluia to the Lord!
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia! Sing alleluia to the Lord!
 
2. Lift up your hearts unto the Lord! Lift up your hearts
unto the Lord!
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia! Lift up your hearts unto the Lord!
 
3. In Christ the world has been redeemed
 
4. His resurrection sets us free
 
5. Therefore we celebrate the feast
 
6. Sing alleluia to the Lord
 

Closing Hymn:……“He Lives….. #310 UMH
Words: Alfred H. Ackley, 1933 Music: Alfred H. Ashley, 1933
 
1. I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever foes may say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, he’s always near.
 
Refrain
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
 
2. In all the world around me I see his loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that he is leading through all the stormy blast;
The day of his appearing will come at last.
 
3. Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find;
none other is so loving, so good and kind.
 
Dismissal with Blessing:………………..……Pastor Liz
 
Postlude:…………….“Easter Joy”……………..Instruments


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Sunday April 5th Easter Worship Service