Why did Mary go to the tomb while it was still dark (John 20:10)? We are not exactly told, but one thing is for sure: she is not expecting resurrection. So if you're shocked by and a bit skeptical about Jesus rising from the dead, you're in good company.
Posts leading up to this miraculous day include:
+ Good Friday | Kingdom Victory Through Death on a Cross
+ Holy Saturday | Waiting, Longing for the Hope of Resurrection
"A dead Christ I must do everything for; a living Christ does everything for me." + Andrew Murray, Jesus Himself
Welcome! Bienvenido! Akwaaba! Mirë se vjen!
خوش آمدید Bem-vindos! 歡迎光臨! Céad míle fáilte!
خوش آمدید Bem-vindos! 歡迎光臨! Céad míle fáilte!
We humbly invite you to hear and respond to the history-altering, world-restoring, life-transforming Gospel that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, come to save us by the power of His death and resurrection.
Old Testament Scriptures | Psalm 117
Glory, glory to our God!
The Anthem
By Planetshakers
2013 A.D.
By His stripes, we are healed,
By His nail pierced hands we're free.
By His blood, we're washed clean,
Now we have the victory!
The power of sin is broken,
Jesus overcame it all.
He has won our freedom,
Jesus has won it all!
Hallelujah, You have won the victory!
Hallelujah, You have won it all for me!
Death could not hold You down,
You are the risen King,
Seated in majesty,
You are the risen King!
Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Isaiah 6:5-8; Daniel 9:4-19; Nehemiah 1:5-10; Luke 23:34
Call: Loving God, we confess there are times
we do not share in the joy of the resurrection,
but are caught in the worries of the world.
Forgive us for not resting in the power of the Gospel
that defeats worry, sin, death, evil, and hell.
Response: Forgive us when we find it
more comfortable to worry and complain
than to risk the joy and encouragement
of resurrection life in You.
Call us back to You and Your ways.
Silent Personal Reflection and Confession
Call: King Jesus, You are risen from the gave!
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
Our worries and fears can subside
in the hope of Your resurrection!
New Testament Scriptures | 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 57
Lord's Prayer | Praying for Jesus' Kingdom Impact in Us and in Worcester
Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church
Christ the Lord is Risen Today (He Is Not Dead)
By Charles Wesley
1739 A.D.
Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where O death is now thy sting, Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory Oh grave, Alleluia!
He is not dead, He is alive!
We have this hope in Jesus Christ!
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!
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!
Look and See
By The Village Church
2012 A.D.
To Him be the glory
For all He has done!
Praise to the Father
Who gave us His Son!
A ransom for many,
He bled and died
Then rose in victory
Enthroned on high!
To Him be the glory
In heaven and earth,
All of creation
Is shouting His worth.
The saints and the angels,
All live to proclaim
The wonderful story,
The glorious name.
Oh look and see
Our God and celebrate
The power of the cross
And the empty grave!
And now we're free,
Let the redeemed
Lift up your heads,
Oh look and see our God!
To Him be the glory,
He's coming again
And all of the sadness
Will come to an end!
Oh what a reunion,
The Bride and her King!
Forever we'll praise Him,
Forever we'll sing!
(Chorus)
Lord's Prayer | Praying for Jesus' Kingdom Impact in Us and in Worcester
Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church
Christ the Lord is Risen Today (He Is Not Dead)
By Charles Wesley
1739 A.D.
Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where O death is now thy sting, Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory Oh grave, Alleluia!
He is not dead, He is alive!
We have this hope in Jesus Christ!
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!
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!
Look and See
By The Village Church
2012 A.D.
To Him be the glory
For all He has done!
Praise to the Father
Who gave us His Son!
A ransom for many,
He bled and died
Then rose in victory
Enthroned on high!
To Him be the glory
In heaven and earth,
All of creation
Is shouting His worth.
The saints and the angels,
All live to proclaim
The wonderful story,
The glorious name.
Oh look and see
Our God and celebrate
The power of the cross
And the empty grave!
And now we're free,
Let the redeemed
Lift up your heads,
Oh look and see our God!
To Him be the glory,
He's coming again
And all of the sadness
Will come to an end!
Oh what a reunion,
The Bride and her King!
Forever we'll praise Him,
Forever we'll sing!
(Chorus)
Glory, glory to our God!
The Anthem
By Planetshakers
2013 A.D.
By His stripes, we are healed,
By His nail pierced hands we're free.
By His blood, we're washed clean,
Now we have the victory!
The power of sin is broken,
Jesus overcame it all.
He has won our freedom,
Jesus has won it all!
Hallelujah, You have won the victory!
Hallelujah, You have won it all for me!
Death could not hold You down,
You are the risen King,
Seated in majesty,
You are the risen King!
Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Isaiah 6:5-8; Daniel 9:4-19; Nehemiah 1:5-10; Luke 23:34
Call: Loving God, we confess there are times
we do not share in the joy of the resurrection,
but are caught in the worries of the world.
Forgive us for not resting in the power of the Gospel
that defeats worry, sin, death, evil, and hell.
Response: Forgive us when we find it
more comfortable to worry and complain
than to risk the joy and encouragement
of resurrection life in You.
Call us back to You and Your ways.
Silent Personal Reflection and Confession
Call: King Jesus, You are risen from the gave!
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
Our worries and fears can subside
in the hope of Your resurrection!
And we will pray until You come again:
Response: Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name!
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil
For Thine is the Kingdom
and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.
Christ Is Risen
By Matt Maher
2009 A.D.
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame,
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us.
Freely, You've bled for us.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling over death by death!
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave!
Christ is risen from the dead,
We are one with Him again!
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave!
Beneath the weight of all our sin,
You bowed to none but heaven's will.
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown,
No burden great can hold You down.
In strength You reign,
Forever let Your Church proclaim!
(Chorus)
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O Church, come stand in the light,
The glory of God has defeated the night!
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O Church, come stand in the light,
Our God is not dead!
He's alive! He's alive!
(Chorus)
Response: Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name!
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil
For Thine is the Kingdom
and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.
Christ Is Risen
By Matt Maher
2009 A.D.
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame,
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us.
Freely, You've bled for us.
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling over death by death!
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave!
Christ is risen from the dead,
We are one with Him again!
Come awake, come awake,
Come and rise up from the grave!
Beneath the weight of all our sin,
You bowed to none but heaven's will.
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown,
No burden great can hold You down.
In strength You reign,
Forever let Your Church proclaim!
(Chorus)
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O Church, come stand in the light,
The glory of God has defeated the night!
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O Church, come stand in the light,
Our God is not dead!
He's alive! He's alive!
(Chorus)
Hillsong United
2016 A.D.
You were the Word at the beginning,
One With God the Lord Most High.
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ.
What a beautiful name it is,
What a beautiful name it is,
The name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a beautiful name it is,
Nothing compares to this.
What a beautiful name it is,
The name of Jesus.
You didn't want heaven without us,
So Jesus, You brought heaven down.
My sin was great, Your love was greater,
What could separate us now.
What a wonderful name it is,
What a wonderful name it is,
The name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a wonderful name it is,
Nothing compares to this.
What a wonderful name it is,
The name of Jesus.
Death could not hold You,
The veil tore before You,
You silenced the boast of sin and grave!
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory,
For You are raised to life again!
You have no rival, You have no equal!
Now and forever, our God reigns!
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory,
Yours is the name above all names!
What a powerful name it is,
What a powerful name it is,
The name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a powerful name it is,
Nothing compares to this.
What a powerful name it is,
The name of Jesus.
Land of the Rising Sun
2016 A.D.
You were the Word at the beginning,
One With God the Lord Most High.
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ.
What a beautiful name it is,
What a beautiful name it is,
The name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a beautiful name it is,
Nothing compares to this.
What a beautiful name it is,
The name of Jesus.
You didn't want heaven without us,
So Jesus, You brought heaven down.
My sin was great, Your love was greater,
What could separate us now.
What a wonderful name it is,
What a wonderful name it is,
The name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a wonderful name it is,
Nothing compares to this.
What a wonderful name it is,
The name of Jesus.
Death could not hold You,
The veil tore before You,
You silenced the boast of sin and grave!
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory,
For You are raised to life again!
You have no rival, You have no equal!
Now and forever, our God reigns!
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory,
Yours is the name above all names!
What a powerful name it is,
What a powerful name it is,
The name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a powerful name it is,
Nothing compares to this.
What a powerful name it is,
The name of Jesus.
Land of the Rising Sun
By Ike Ndolo
2012 A.D.
The dark is groaning,
The tomb is reaching out.
Oh, but they can't have me!
Oh, but they can't have me!
The crows are circling,
The jackal waits in the dark.
Oh, but they can't have me!
Oh, but they can't have me!
I belong to the
Land of the rising Son
Where the grave is no more,
The war has been won!
I belong to the
Land of the rising Son,
I belong to You, I belong!
The world is in my bones,
It makes me wrestle with You.
Oh, but You have claimed me!
Oh, but You have claimed me!
No matter how far I've gone,
Even to the devil's table.
Oh, my God, You've claimed me!
Oh, my God, You've claimed me!
(Chorus)
Through my wandering,
And my failing,
And my doubting, I belong!
Through the fire,
And the darkness,
Through the sadness, I belong!
I'm just a rebel,
Who's tired of fighting,
So I'm laying down these arms.
The sun is rising, the sun is rising,
The sun is rising!
(Chorus)
2012 A.D.
The dark is groaning,
The tomb is reaching out.
Oh, but they can't have me!
Oh, but they can't have me!
The crows are circling,
The jackal waits in the dark.
Oh, but they can't have me!
Oh, but they can't have me!
I belong to the
Land of the rising Son
Where the grave is no more,
The war has been won!
I belong to the
Land of the rising Son,
I belong to You, I belong!
The world is in my bones,
It makes me wrestle with You.
Oh, but You have claimed me!
Oh, but You have claimed me!
No matter how far I've gone,
Even to the devil's table.
Oh, my God, You've claimed me!
Oh, my God, You've claimed me!
(Chorus)
Through my wandering,
And my failing,
And my doubting, I belong!
Through the fire,
And the darkness,
Through the sadness, I belong!
I'm just a rebel,
Who's tired of fighting,
So I'm laying down these arms.
The sun is rising, the sun is rising,
The sun is rising!
(Chorus)
Our World Belongs to God Q&A 25
2008 A.D.
Q. What did Jesus accomplish for us
in His death and resurrection?
A. Standing in our place,
Jesus suffered during His years on earth,
especially in the tortures of the cross.
He carried God's judgment on our sin—
His sacrifice removed our guilt.
God raised Him from the dead:
He walked out of the grave,
conqueror of sin and death—
Lord of Life!
We are set right with God,
given new life,
and called to walk with Him
in freedom from sin's dominion!
Hebrews 5:7-10; Matthew 28:1-10;
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” + John 11:25-26
Franciscan Benediction Adaptation
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial escapes so that you may plunge deep within your heart to discover Christ's cruciform love for you and through you for others.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them, praying and seeking to turn their pain into joy through Christ and His resurrection life.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice and freedom, and seek the peace of Christ and His Kingdom coming.
And may God bless you with enough holy foolishness to believe by His Spirit that you can make a difference in the world with Him as you declare and demonstrate the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Go forth in His grace and peace.
Q. What did Jesus accomplish for us
in His death and resurrection?
A. Standing in our place,
Jesus suffered during His years on earth,
especially in the tortures of the cross.
He carried God's judgment on our sin—
His sacrifice removed our guilt.
God raised Him from the dead:
He walked out of the grave,
conqueror of sin and death—
Lord of Life!
We are set right with God,
given new life,
and called to walk with Him
in freedom from sin's dominion!
Hebrews 5:7-10; Matthew 28:1-10;
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” + John 11:25-26
Franciscan Benediction Adaptation
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial escapes so that you may plunge deep within your heart to discover Christ's cruciform love for you and through you for others.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them, praying and seeking to turn their pain into joy through Christ and His resurrection life.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice and freedom, and seek the peace of Christ and His Kingdom coming.
And may God bless you with enough holy foolishness to believe by His Spirit that you can make a difference in the world with Him as you declare and demonstrate the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Go forth in His grace and peace.
Christ is all,
Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan
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