Easter Sonrise Service
Easter Sonrise Service
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio April 17, 2022
8:00 a.m.
Prelude: "Alleluia" arr. Sue Stauffer; Played by the Stauffer, McNutt, Miller Ringers
Welcome & Announcements:
Hymn:
"The Strife is O'er" Hymnal a Worship Book #263
Scripture: John 20:1-18
Greetings:
L: Christ is risen!
P: Christ is risen indeed!
Hymns:
"Thine is the Glory" Hymnal a Worship Book #269
"Low in the Grave He Lay" Hymnal a Worship Book #273
Resurrection Dialog:
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Lift up your heat.
P: We lift them up to the Lord.
L: Let us glorify the Lord,
P: for all his goodness to us.
L: Why are you here so early this morning?
P: We want to celebrated the resurrection of Christ Hallelujah!
L: Yes, but you make so much noise when you celebrate. I was hoping for a nice quiet service.
P: We're sorry, but resurrection of Christ is not something to whisper about.
L: O.K. then, what is it that you want to shout?
P: We want to shout, "The Christ is risen from the tomb!"
L: When did he die?
P: Last Friday, about three o'clock in the afternoon.
L: What was the cause of death?
P: Crucifixion, loss of blood, suffocation, a broken heart, and our lack of love.
L: How do you know that the Christ is risen from the tomb?
P: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary told Peter and John, and they told other disciples who told the church, and the church told us.
L: What does all this have to do with you?
P: We are part of Christ. Hallelujah!
L: Then you were once dead?
P: We were dead as doornails---dead in hate, dead in sin, dead in sorrow, dead in pain.
L: Does that mean you are risen from the tomb?
P: We are alive forevermore. We have come to a newness of life. Hallelujah!
L: Does that mean you will never again hate or hurt?
P: It means that sadness and hatred and pain will never again defeat us. It means that the victory is always assured.
L: Are you celebrating the victory today?
P: Hallelujah! Amen.
L: What kind of mood are you in?
P: A joyful, excited happy mood.
L: Then why are you not smiling?
P: It's hard to read and smile at the same time.
L: How do you express your joy?
P: By participating in this service and shouting and singing that Christ has risen!
L: Now you're making altogether too much noise.
P: We make more noise than this watching a football game. It would be a shame to make noise over a touchdown than over the resurrection of Christ.
L: I agree. How else do you express your joy?
P: By answering your questions. (Pause) May we ask you some questions?
L: You certainly may.
P: What does Easter mean to you?
L: It means that the Kingdom of Heaven has begun, that the Messiah has come, that sin and death have been defeated, that evil is on its way out, that Christ lives and reigns, that our eternal life has begun here and now.
P: What can we do to keep Easter happening all year 'round?
L: Live, Love, and life in love.
P: What does that mean?
L: It means to be ready and willing to love one another and receive one another's love.
P: We love you.
L: And I love you, and God loves you.
P: is there going to be a sermon this morning?
L: You and I have just preached a very important sermon.
All: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! Amen.
Special Music: Lydia Miller, Amy Stauffer-McNutt
PowerPoint Presentation:
"Glorious Day" by the Casting Crowns/our 1979 youth group
Sending Forth:
You are now invited to stay for breakfast that was prepared by our kitchen committee.
A special thank you to all who participated in this morning's service and in the preparation of the breakfast.
Main Service starts at 10:00 a.m.
