Resurrection Light: Easter Sunrise Service
by Rev. Jim Riley
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The following sunrise service comes from the Gospel of John and the First Letter of John. It may be presented by any group in the church. Many times the sunrise service is presented by the youth or other group in the church, and they usually don't follow a set liturgical order. They unfold with the story of Jesus' resurrection and things that may have followed.
RESURRECTION LIGHT
by Rev. Jim Riley
Prelude
Voice from the back of the church: May we be silent.
The leader and one or more readers walk in silence to the front of the church. They position themselves close to the pulpit or lectern from which they will read. Be sure to rehearse so that passages are read with a sense of drama, and the service is well presented.
Leader: It was the first day of the week. It was still dark. Morning was breaking. People were hearing the first bird calls. The new day followed the saddest time any of the women who followed Jesus could remember. The disciples were in hiding because they were afraid to show after Jesus died.
It was a new day. New light would pierce the darkness. Please join me for the hymn, "Morning Has Broken" at number 145 in our hymnal. (The United Methodist Hymnal)
A young woman in a white robe comes forward to light the candles as the hymn is being sung.
Reader: John 20:1-10
Leader: Prayer: Dear God, we pray that you will refresh our hearts and souls with this Easter celebration. Your light comes to us each new day. Let the light of the sun be our reminder of the light from your Son coming into our world. Lift our eyes, and lift our hearts to see the light of our risen Lord. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Reader: John 20:11-20
Leader: The disciples must have been astounded when Mary Magdalene told them she had seen the risen Lord. I'm sure it took a little time to recover from their astonishment. John's gospel reports something Jesus told them within the last week before he died. I would like to think that John and the others remembered it then.
Reader: John 12:35-36
Leader: "The light is with you a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you."
The light went out when Jesus died on the cross. The light has returned. The light has come back. We don't have to be afraid of the dark any more. The light has come back. We can keep walking in the light! Read this emphasis and excitement.
Please turn with me in the hymnal to sing "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" at number 302.
Leader: Tradition holds that John the Apostle went to Ephesus when Christians were persecuted in Jerusalem. Ephesus is in modern Turkey-quite a trip long from Jerusalem. The first apostles took the light of Christ to people a long way from home. John probably wrote his gospel in Ephesus. The Bible also credits John with four letters. Now let's hear from John's first letter.
Reader: 1 John 1:1-4
Reader: 1 John 1:4-10
Reader: 1 John 2:1-2
Leader: God has opened the way to us for a new life through our risen Lord. Christ Jesus invites us to confess our sin so that we can become clean in heart and mind and join the fellowship of all who believe. May we confess our sin to almighty God.
Prayer of Confession
People: Merciful God, who has sent your only son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins, we confess that we have failed you in many ways. We have failed in our love for you. We have failed in our love for others whom you love. We have failed to be at peace with ourselves and with others. We pray that you will forgive our sins and help us to live for your word. Help us to love others as you love. We pray that you will help us to grow up. Help us to do things the right way and to mature in your love. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Leader: Remember, the words of John, "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (John 1:9)
Please turn with me to the hymn at 301 "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross." (The United Methodist Hymnal)
Leader: Jesus called disciples to serve when he started his ministry. He called Peter and Andrew and James and John from their boats when they were fishing. They came. They followed. They endured the dark days after our Lord was crucified, and they were there when Jesus came to the room where they got together to share their grief.
Imagine their joy to see the risen Lord. They told everybody about it. They preached. They baptized. They taught. They healed. They appointed deacons to see that everybody had food. They loved living in the light of Christ.
Turn with me to the hymn at 310 and sing "He Lives." It's about the things our Lord expects from the people who believe. (The United Methodist Hymnal)
Leader: Listen to a few more of the things John put into his letter so we could know where the true light comes from and what God wants us to do.
Reader: John 2:7-11
Reader: John 2:12-14
Reader: John 2:15-17
Offertory
The time has come in our service for giving something of ourselves to God. We will continue by receiving our offering.
Offertory Prayer
Prayer of Dedication
Leader: Dear God, we pray that you will bless these gifts that we bring for your service, and we pray that you will bless us, because we are your disciples. Help us to live in your light and to love as you love. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
*The Doxology
Leader: Please turn with me to the hymn at 298 for it's call to serve God. (The United Methodist Hymnal)
Prayer for sending forth
Leader: Gracious God, we thank you for your living presence among us. We thank you for the light of Christ in our lives. Our hearts are always full of wonder and joy when we come to the Easter celebration. Now we pray that you will be with us as we go into the world from here. Your first disciples carried the light of your love a long way from home. Help us to carry the light of your love into our homes and into our work place. We pray that you will bless us to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Leader: Let's sing again about the "Day of Resurrection." Please turn to the hymn at 303 in our hymnal. (The United Methodist Hymnal)
Benediction
Leader: Now may you always walk in the light of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may the love of God always bless you through our Savior. Amen.
Notes:
Balloons: If your church has a tradition of using balloons at the Easter Sunrise Service, they may be tied to the altar rail before the service begins and given to people as they leave after the benediction.
Flowers: The leader and readers may carry the flowers forward and set them in place, or the flowers may already be in place. If the leader and readers carry the flowers forward, walk through it so everyone knows what they are doing.
Order of Service for the Bulletin
Easter Sunrise Service
RESURRECTION LIGHT
Prelude
Brief Time of Silence
*Hymn "Morning Has Broken" 145
The Candles are Lighted.
Scripture: John 20:1-10
Prayer
Scripture: John 20:11-20
Scripture: John 12:35-36
*Hymn "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" 302
Scripture 1 John 1:1-1:2
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
People: Merciful God, who has sent your only son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins, we confess that we have failed you in many ways. We have failed in our love for you. We have failed in our love for others whom you love. We have failed to be at peace with ourselves and with other people. We pray that you will forgive our sin and help us to live for your word. Help us to love others as you love. We pray that you will help us to grow up. Help us to do things the right way and to mature in your love. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Hymn "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross." 301 (The United Methodist Hymnal)
Hymn "He Lives" 310
Leader
Scripture: John 2:7-17
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication
*Doxology
Hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" 298
Prayer for Sending Forth
*Hymn "The Day of Resurrection" 303
Benediction
*Stand if you are able.