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Easter Sunday
04/06/2026 - 10:30 pm
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CENTERING MUSIC “In Christ Alone” Getty & Townsend
MOMENT OF HOPE
CALL TO WORSHIP: from Ann Weems “Kneeling in Jerusalem”
All: Just when we thought
There would be no more light
In the Jerusalem sky,
The Bright and Morning Star
Appeared
And the darkness has not overcome it!
*OPENING HYMN #232Jesus Christ is Risen TodayVs. 1, 4
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to Redeem our loss, Alleluia
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as God’s love, Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
UNISON PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE:
O Most Holy God; the events of Easter trumpet the resurrection of Christ and proclaim that death’s power over life is bankrupt, calling us to live as those who need fear death no longer. Yet, like the women at the tomb, we are silent, fearing what people may think of us; like the apostles, we dismiss as idle talk the startling news of Christ’s liberation; like Thomas, we doubt; and doubting, remain in our fear and indecision. Withal, we fail to live like those for whom Christ died and rose again. God of our faith, we believe; help our unbelief. Then, as you did for the disciples before us, open our eyes to recognize him who even now moves among us in newness of life. Then will we feel the power of resurrection let loose among us and go from this place with courage, rejoicing to do the work of our risen Savior.
MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION
SONG OF RENEWAL #240 Alleluia, Alleluia! Give thanks (chorus only)
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord, Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.
CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE
One: None of those who ran to the tomb that first Easter morning was prepared for what greeted them when they arrived. So, it should come as no surprise to us that we are ourselves ill-prepared. On the other hand, each of those folk found a risen Christ who was prepared – to replace hopelessness with reassurance, dread with confidence, death with life. Then thanks be to God, who, by grace unbounded gives us a share in the victory of Christ Jesus our Savior.
People: With awe and wonder, we greet the risen Christ; with praise and thanksgiving, we receive the gift of our own resurrection. Alleluia!
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: God in your grace,
People: Hear our prayer.
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:
Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE AND WORD: Choir
AN EASTER CELEBRATION
A SERVICE OF JOY AND REFLECTION
“Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?”
(Introit) Music by Keith Christopher “
Alleluia, Alleluia”
(Congregation to join when invited)
Alleluia. Alleluia!
Glory be to God on high: Alleluia!
To the Savior who has gained the victory: Alleluia!
To the Spirit, fount of love and sanctity: Alleluia, Alleluia!
To the Triune Majesty
Leader: He is risen! Alleluia!
People: Alleluia! He is risen, indeed!
Leader: As we rejoice in the gift of Christ’s risen presence with us, we sing the Easter hymn.
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” pg. 245
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made – let us rejoice and be glad in it! As we celebrate the great gift of Jesus Christ – that He died for our sins and yet is risen – may we reflect and be grateful for God’s boundless and everlasting love for us.
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Let us pray.
“Prayer at the Cross”
(Call to Prayer)
Leader: On this glorious morning, we rejoice in a living Savior – One who paid the price for our sins, rose again, and lives victoriously that we may have life, and have it more abundantly.
People: All praise to the living Christ
Leader: We are delighted and in everlasting gratitude that You have provided for us eternal life through Jesus Christ.
People: Lord, remind us of the Cross. May we remember Your suffering and death, but then let us be of jubilant heart and mind, in remembrance of Your triumphant resurrection.
Leader: O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?
People: Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Reflections on the Cross”
Leader: Lord, we are mindful that You made man in Your own image.
People: May we seek to be more like You.
Leader: We are humbled that You love us so much that You sent Jesus to be our Savior.
People: Thank You, God…for this unspeakable gift.
Leader: Lord, take our lives, and mold us into what You would have us to be.
People: Lord, take our lives, and make them more like Yours.
Help us to love others as You have loved us.
Take our wills, and shape them to be holy.
Leader: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer.
People: Amen.
“Take My Life and Let It Be”
Leader: Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
~Jude 1:24-25
“Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?”
(Benediction)
MOMENT OF THANKS
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY “Because He Lives” W. Gaither
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth
From all the dwell below the skies
Let faith and hope with love arise
Let beauty, truth and good be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.
Amen.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: For a vision of you, we give you thanks
People: For your presence every day we give you thanks.
One: For resurrection moments all around us we give you thanks.
People: Take these our gifts to use for your glory. Amen.
HYMN #611 Joyful, Joyful, we Adore Thee
Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee; earth and heaven reflect thy rays;
Stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.
Mortals join the happy chorus which the morning stars began.
Love divine is reigning o’er us, joining all in heaven’s plan.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife.
Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
One: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE: SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
Here at Clayton Valley, we practice open communion, and all believers are welcome. While we usually do not use alcohol so that all may come to the table, this morning we offer a choice. There will still be a grape juice option, but we are also offering wine this morning in remembrance of the original Lord's Supper meal.
COMMUNION PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN: #246 “Christ Is Alive” vs. 1,3,4,5
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
In every insult, rift, and war where color, scorn, or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth, can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth, revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
*SINGING OF HALLELUJAH CHORUS
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*PASSING THE PEACE
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And with you also.
Leader: Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)
*POSTLUDE