April 9
Resurrection Sunday
Year 1 ( 2022 – 2023 )
Text:
Matthew 28:1-10
Summary:
The women come to the tomb. The earth shakes; the guards faint. An angel sends the women with good news. The Risen Christ greets them on the way and sends them on.
Prayer of Confession
One: Risen Christ, Living God —
Still we tremble at the thought of your empty tomb.
Do we dare to believe in the Resurrection?
Do we dare to think that Life really gets the final word?
Do we dare to follow, as you leave the tomb further and further behind?
All: We confess that we are often timid and afraid,
unable to believe your promises,
unable to offer all of our lives to you.
And yet, your Good News is relentless, and comes to us again and again.
One: Do we dare to practice Resurrection?
Do we dare to do something bold in our lives,
set loose by the freedom you give us?
All: We confess that too often
we stay chained to our fears, our worries, our desperation.
We do not trust you.
We hide the light you have given us.
We linger in the shadows of the tomb,
when you call us forward into Life.
One: Today, O Living Lord, we recommit ourselves to you.
Renew our trust. Give us the strength and courage to live the Resurrection Life you give us.
All: We pray these things in the name of the One who rose from the grave—
the One who calls us now to rise.
Congregational Song Suggestions
(These suggestions center on newer material – not to diminish, but to add to your Easter favorites!)
“Arise! Arise, O People of God”
Tune: Marty Haugen
Text: Chris Shelton
Available from Unbound at giamusic.com
“Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!”
VT 354
with a new tune (COLBERT) from Benjamin Brody
“Christ Still Rises”
Text: David Bjorlin
Tune: Benjamin Brody
Available from Unbound at giamusic.com
“God’s Spirit Moves in Song*”
Text: Adam M. L. Tice
Tune: John Ireland
Available from Unbound at giamusic.com
(Note: this hymn is built on LOVE UNKNOWN, which could build a musical bridge back to its use on Good Friday.)
“Hear the Good News of Salvation”
Text: David Bjorlin
Tune: Benjamin Brody, David Bjorlin
Available from Unbound at giamusic.com
“I Love to Tell the Story of Jesus Here on Earth”
Text: Chris Shelton
Tune: William G. Fischer
Available from Unbound at giamusic.com
“This is a Day of New Beginnings”
(BEGINNINGS) WR 355
“This is a Day of New Beginnings”
(CHRIST IS ALIVE) VT 565
“This is a Day of New Beginnings”
(RUSH)
Text: Brian A. Wren
Tune: Mark A. Miller
Available from Unbound at giamusic.com
Beyond the Hymnal
“I Can See the Light of a Clear Blue Morning”
by Dolly Parton