Why have you come this morning? We come to experience the Risen Christ. How will you know him? Through the love and life we feel present in this gathering of the Body of Christ.

What will you do with this experience? We will go forth, witnesses to this amazing act of love. Come, then, people of God, let us worship our Easter God.

Jesus Christ is Risen Today VU 155

Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah! Our triumphant holy day, hallelujah! Who did once upon the cross, hallelujah! Suffer to redeem our loss. Hallelujah!

Hymns of praise then let us sing hallelujah Hymns of praise then let us sing hallelujah! Unto Christ our heavenly King, hallelujah! who endured the cross and grave, hallelujah! Sinners to redeem and save. Hallelujah!

But the pains which he endured, hallelujah But the pains which he endured, hallelujah! our salvation have procured; hallelujah! Now above the sky he’s King, hallelujah! Where the angels ever sing. Hallelujah!

Sing we to our God above, hallelujah Sing we to our God above, hallelujah! Praise eternal as God’s love; hallelujah! Praise our God, ye heavenly host, hallelujah! Praise the son and Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!

O God of all our days, we come this morning with eager anticipation O God of all our days, we come this morning with eager anticipation. We seek to know you, to see you, to touch you. Open our hearts, that we might experience you anew. Open our lives, that we may be faithful witnesses to your resurrection.

May we, with shouts of joy, proclaim your steadfast, liberating love to all people, everywhere. May it be so.

Welcome, Happy Morning VU 161

Welcome, happy morning! Age to age shall say;; hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today; come then, True and Faithful, now fulfil your word, this is your third morning: rise, O buried Lord!

Welcome, happy morning! Age to age shall say; hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today!

Earth with joyful welcome clothes itself for spring; greets with life reviving our returning king: flowers in every pasture, leaves on every bough, speak of sorrow ended; Jesus triumphs now!

Welcome happy morning! Age to age shall say; hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today!

Author and sustainer, source of life and breath; you for our salvation trod the path of death: Jesus Christ is living, God forevermore! Now let all creation hail him and adore.

Welcome happy morning! Age to age shall say; hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today!

Loose our souls imprisoned bound with Satan’s chain; all that now is fallen, raise to life again! Show your face in brightness, shine the whole world through; hope returns with daybreak, life returns with you.

Welcome happy morning! Age to age shall say; hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today!

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever.

SCRIPTURE: John 20:1-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple,  the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.

The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb.

He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.

Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture,  that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb.

As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”  She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him,

“Sir, if you have carried him away,  tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 

Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 

“I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

In very early Christianity, when the people gathered to worship on Easter morning, they would be reminded of their baptism as they witnessed the baptism of others. This morning we, more than 20 centuries later, follow in that tradition.

Come, Spirit of Life, Beyond all Names, enfold us, impel us, refresh us Always remember you are baptized and be thankful...

Baptized into a new way of being, a new humanity, fit for the glory Baptized into a new way of being, a new humanity, fit for the glory and dignity of this one Earth community…And raised up,a new creation grasping for life, that we might grasp the full extent of the mystery of being – Alive! Creative! Compassionate! 

It is here at this Table, Resurrecting God, that we are fed by your It is here at this Table, Resurrecting God, that we are fed by your love. As you pour out your Spirit upon the Bread and the Cup, fill us with the spirit of Jesus, so we may go forth to be your people.

Feed us with the Bread of Heaven, so we can fill the hunger of the Feed us with the Bread of Heaven, so we can fill the hunger of the world. Touch our lips with salvation's cup, so we can proclaim the good news of this day to everyone we meet.

And when the morning comes when we are united with all the saints gathered around heaven's Table, we will lift our voices to you, God in Community, Holy in One, forever and ever. Amen.

One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless; and we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.

Gentile or Jew, servant or free, woman or man, no more.

One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless; and we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.

Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all.

One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless; and we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.

Grain for the fields, scattered and grown, gathered to one, for all.

One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless; and we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.

Light of life beyond conceiving, mighty Spirit of our Lord; give new strength to our believing, give us faith to live your word, give us faith to live your word.

God of light and life, we give you thanks and praise this Easter. day God of light and life, we give you thanks and praise this Easter day. Your steadfast love calls to us with its power to over-come death and darkness. Our joy over-flows this day. May our gifts overflow with this same joy, that others may see your light and know new life through your risen Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

I Danced in the Morning VU 352

I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced in the moon and in the stars and the sun, and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth; at Bethlehem I had my birth.

Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the lord of the dance, said he, and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced for the scribe and the pharisee, but they would not dance and they would not follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; they came with me and the dance went on.

Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the dance, said he, and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be; and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame; the hol people said it was a shame; they whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high, and left me there on a cross to die.

Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the dance, said he, and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance said he.

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black; it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back; they buried my body and they thought I’d gone, but I am the dance and I still go on.

Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the dance, said he; and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

They cut me down and I leap up high; I am the life that will never, never die; I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me; I am the Lord of the dance, said he.

Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the dance, said he, and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

Go out from this place to your daily journey through life. Take with you God's story which gives you strength and sustenance for the journey.

We will fashion relationships of inclusion and reconciliation, We will fashion relationships of inclusion and reconciliation, and a life-style that loves and treats people and the earth gently, as God does. We will always remember that we are members of the body of Christ.

And may the Holy One surprise you on the way. Amen. May it be so!