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GREETING
In the darkness of our sin, the grace of God rises like the dawn.
In the coldness of our hearts, hope rises like the sun.
Into all that is dark and cold in our lives, the light of God shines.
From the sleep of sin and the dust of our death
a new day rises, and with it our hearts.
O God of grace, shine your light upon us!
Come to us, and renew us, O God of life!
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
Thanks be to God for the light of Christ. Alleluia!
GOSPEL John 20. 1-10
SONG Tune: Now The Green Blade Rises
Early in the morning we come to the tomb,
bearing sins and sorrows, wounds and hearts of gloom.
But what is this? The stone is rolled away!
And the tomb is empty! Wonder and dismay!
OLD TESTAMENT READING From Exodus 14.10 – 15.1
PSALTER Psalm 107.1-2, 10-15
O give thanks to Yahweh, for God is good.
God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom God has redeemed from trouble.
We sat in darkness and in gloom,
prisoners in misery and in irons,
for we had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
Our hearts were bowed down with hard labor;
we fell down, with no one to help.
Then we cried to God in our trouble,
and God saved us from our distress.
God brought us out of darkness and gloom,
and broke our bonds asunder.
Oh God, we thank you for you steadfast love,
for your wonderful works to humankind.
GOSPEL John 20.11-18
SONG (Tune: Now the Green Blade Rises)
So we ask the gardener where the body is—
and we hear the voice and know that it is his.
“Why do you weep?” Such sadness fills our eyes.
Then we see and fill with joy and glad surprise.
Christ now stands before us, living as he said.
Oh, what hope he brings us, rising from the dead!
Night was so dark, but with the rising sun
everything is changed now, in this grace-filled dawn.
We give God our spirits, buried just like seeds,.
and emerge forgiven, healed, made new and freed.
Sorrow and dread are changed to joy instead.
Spring now blooms, for Christ is risen from the dead!
ACCLAMATION
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! ALLELUIA!
O God, on the cross we have assaulted you with all of our evil.
And you have overcome our evil with forgiveness,
and overcome the dealing of death by the giving of life.
Christ, on the cross you have shared our suffering and shame,
received our sin and died our death.
But the God of Life has raised you up, free from death and sin!
Christ, in your rising, we are brought to life.
All Creation awakens. The earth begins a new song.
May we, too, blossom forth with new life in your Spirit.
Victorious Savior, have mercy on us all!
NEW TESTAMENT READING 1 Peter 1.3-9
MEDITATION
SONG
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Loving God, we thank you for your grace. Raise us to new life with Christ. Forgive our sin, heal our sorrows, transform our despair, strengthen us in our struggles, and create us anew. Receive our death and give us life eternal, life in you. Grant that we may live new lives in Christ, free of our old ways, free of fear and distrust. God, you are our life, which is eternal. Sustain us with your mercy, fill us with your love, and bless us that we may serve you for the sake of healing, justice and joy in the name of Christ. Amen.
SONG
BLESSING
God of love, you have raised Jesus from death to life!
Lead us always into newness of life.
Light of Christ, rising as the sun on a new day,
overcoming the darkness of sin and death,
shine on our path, chase away all darkness,
and lead us to the heart of God.
Light of Christ, rising in glory,
be the light of our hearts!
Spirit of Resurrection, grant us your grace.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
SENDING FORTH & PASSING THE PEACE