April 5, 2026

Stone United Methodist Church Easter Sunday – April 5, 2026 Rev. Kendra Balliet Jim Ross, Organist Jennifer Ferrence, Cellist (Expect this service to change at any moment upon the movement of the Holy Spirit. This service will be recorded.) * Denotes Please Stand If Able Announcements ENTRANCE The service begins in silence. A processional party (clergy, worship leaders, gather at the back of the worship space. Reading: The Mourning John 20:1 The procession begins during the singing and proceeds to the altar. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my savior, Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord! Reading: The Investigation John 20: 2-10 Up from the Grave He Arose UMH 322, vs 2 (no chorus) Reading: The Encounter John 20:11-18 Up from the Grave He Arose UMH 322, vs 3 and chorus Christ the Lord Is Risen Today UMH 302, vs 1-3 The Easter Acclamation (3x) Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen. People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! Unison Prayer Mighty and gracious God, you raised Christ Jesus from the dead and raised us with him also, that we may have life in him: Give us words to praise you and songs to sing Christ’s glorious resurrection. Keep safe in us the witness of those who ate and drank with their risen Lord that we may eat and drink with him at your resurrection table. “Christ the Lord is risen today!” Alleluia! Amen. Children’s Chat Offertory (Our Gratitude to the Lord) and Doxology Prayers of the People Prayer Hymn “He Lives” # 310 Pastoral Prayer Sermon “Whom Do You Seek?” Call to Confession “All the prophets testify about Jesus that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Let us now confess our sins, assured that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have forgiveness and life. (Quotation based on Acts 10:43) Prayer of Confession O God, you gave your only Son to die for the sin of the world: We confess that we often fail to hold firmly to the message of his resurrection. We have not responded to your love with our whole hearts; we too often fall victim to despair and fear; we are indifferent to the cries of the poor and the calls for peace; we, who should praise you every day, are strangely silent. Take away the sting of death and put within us your victory for life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Words of Assurance “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Alleluia! COMMUNION - see insert HYMN “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” # 302 SENDING FORTH Pastor: Go in peace, filled with the love and power of the Risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Congregational Easter Postlude