Easter Sunrise @ Home
All of us in VT are under a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19 through at least April 15th, 2020. Here is a liturgy that individuals, families and those living under the same roof can use for an at-home sunrise service.
AT SUNRISE
Lord’s Prayer
Our (Mother) Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Walk to the Tomb – walk around your home/aroud your yard to reenact the women’s journey to the tomb
AT THE TOMB
Meditation: Traditional: “Thine Be the Glory” video – https://youtu.be/RbBOOmkMLmI
Contemporary: “Glorious Day” video – https://youtu.be/KqrqPGt11bA
Call to Worship
It was very early in the morning when the women who would not abandon Jesus went to him. They walked through darkness and fear. They walked through sadness and grief. They walked right up to an empty tomb. To find a hope that was stronger than grief. To find a love that was stronger than everything else.
Prayer (based on Mark 9:24)
“Lord, I believe…help my unbelief!”
[SILENCE]
AMEN.
The Easter Story: Matthew 28:1-10 (New Revised Standard Version)
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Visual Meditation – take a few minutes to reflect on the image below (free to use license from pixabay.com). If you are with others you may also choose to discuss what you see, think and feel.
FROM THE TOMB
Hymn: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” C. Wesley
1) Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2) 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!
3) Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
4) Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
SENDING
One: Down from the mountaintop, away from the empty tomb. Out of fear, out of trembling. Out of running, out of silence. Into mystery, into miracle. Into Gospel, into good news. Into contagious joy, and Easter love. AMEN.
© Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen, 2020
