Los Angeles First United Methodist Church
Virtual Easter Sunrise Service
Sunday, April 12, 2020, 6:30 a.m.
GATHERING IN DARKNESS AND SILENCE
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Remain/Hallelujah Chorus - El Dorado
GREETING AND INTRODUCTION
Grace to you from Jesus Christ, who was and is, and is to come. Sisters and brothers, our Savior Jesus Christ has passed from death to life. Hear the word of God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the Word was life and the life was the light of all humanity. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
BLESSING OF THE NEW FIRE
Eternal God, giver of light and life, bless this new flame that by its radiance and warmth we may respond to your love and grace, and be set free from all that separates us from you and from each other; through Jesus Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE
ONE: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds. Christ is our light!
MANY: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
OPENING HYMN: Christ the Lord is Risen Today - El Dorado
*GOSPEL LESSON: John 20:1-18, NRSV
EASTER PROCLAMATION
ONE: This our Passover feast, when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain. This the night when first you saved our forebears, you freed the people of Israel from their slavery and led them with dry feet through the sea.
MANY: Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
ONE: This the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave. Truly blessed, when heaven is wedded to earth, we are reconciled to you!
MANY: Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
ONE: May the Morning Star, which never sets, find this flame still burning. Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, And shed his peaceful light on all creation, Your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
MANY: Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Alleluia! Amen!
RENEWAL OF BAPTISM VOWS
Sisters and Brothers, on this day, when we celebrate the rising of Christ from death, let us gather at the water to celebrate our baptism, which is the sign and seal of our new life in Christ, by saying the promises that were made at our baptism…Do you renounce the spiritual forces of evil?
MANY: I renounce the spiritual forces of evil.
ONE: Do you believe in God?
MANY: I believe in God.
ONE: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
MANY: I believe in Jesus Christ.
ONE: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
MANY: I believe in the Holy Spirit.
HOLY COMMUNION
As you come to partake in Holy Communion, you are also invited to visit the font, dip you hands in the water and make the sign of the cross on your forehead as a reminder of your baptism.
You are also invited to place flowers into the cross as a symbol of our hope and experience of new life through Christ.
Music During Communion: Watch Over Us – Stephen Folds & Mandy McDow
PROCLAMATION AND SENDING FORTH
One: Go to the world! Go into all the earth! Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth, baptizing as a sign of our rebirth.
Christ is risen! Christos anesti!
Christ is risen, indeed! Alethios anesti!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sending Forth: O Happy Day/My Sweet Lord – El Dorado
