A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Celebration of the Resurrection April 5, 2026 10:30 am
Meditation
When the sun rises each one of us is summoned by the living and the dead to praise God .
~ Thomas Merton
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
The Good News Matthew 28:1-10
Late on the sabbath, as the light grew toward the first day after the sabbath, Mary the Magdalene and the other Mary came to visit the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord came down from heaven and approached the stone and rolled it away and was sitting on it.
His look was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And those who were on guard were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men.
But the angel spoke forth and said to the women: “Do not you fear; for I know that you look for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. For he rose up, as he said. Come here, and look at the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him.”
And quickly leaving the tomb, in fear and great joy, they ran to tell the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them, saying: I give you greeting. They came up to him and took his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them: “Do not fear. Go and tell my brothers to go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
~translated from the Greek by Richmond Lattimore
¨ Call to Worship
One: God of life, in gratitude and great joy we laud you for the gifts of Christ’s Resurrection.
All: Weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
One: God turns our weeping into dancing and clothes us in gladness. No more do we walk in shadow. Death is swallowed up forever.
All: What was dead shall live; what was dark shall shine; what was forgotten shall be remembered, for the Lord is risen and walks among us.
One: Alleluia!
All: Christ is Risen!
One: He is risen indeed!
¨ Processional
Please remain seated as this introduction to the hymn is played, and the elements of celebration transform the sanctuary from tomb to garden. When invited, please rise and join as we sing together:
¨ Hymn #233 Black Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Easter Hymn
1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Mortal tongues and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, glad heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2. Let the Victor’s people sing, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, Christ lives to save, Alleluia!
Where your victory, now, O grave? Alleluia!
3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Christ rise, Alleluia!
God has opened paradise, Alleluia!
4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Christ, like Christ we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Sung Psalm 118:1-2;14-24 p. 700
The psalms were originally musical compositions, and today we lift our voices to pray the psalms in musical form. Rev. Kent will lead. Please sing the response when invited, at the “R” if using the hymnal.
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings guard, protect and guide you. God bless you, God bless you. Our savior’s loving arms be ever ’round you. God bless you, God bless you.
After Children’s Moment, our youngest are invited to join their grown-ups in their pews or go to the Nursery for care and activities.
Anthem Every Word and Every Breath Mark Miller
1. Every word and every breath; all the signs of grace you gave; by your life and by your death; by your rising from the grave: Lamb of God, you bring salvation, making us your new creation. Alleluia!
2. Every tool of war we make forged again to plow the land; all we build and all we break newly purposed in your hand.
3. Every sin that you forgive; every heart that you restore; every soul redeemed to live opens wider heaven’s door.
Scripture Reading Acts 10:34-43
Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
“We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Easter Acclamation #236 please sing through twice Halleluia
Sermon Tombs to Turning Points Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
Each week, we join millions of Christians who pray for one another through the ecumenical prayer cycle and, locally, the Berea Ministerial Association’s prayer cycle. Next week, let us hold the people of The Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia; and our siblings in all faith communities seeking and serving God. Let us pray for them today and throughout the week.
Offertory Jubilate! Bortniansky; arr. Miller Union Church Handbell Ensemble
A Chance for Generosity: easytithe.com/union
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Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
¨ Doxology Lasst Ens Erfreuen
For death-defying hope, we praise; For love what conquers all, we raise Alleluias! Alleluia!
For justice here on earth we sing And righteousness as if a stream. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ringing the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998). A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community Dr. EJ Stokes, Reader
One: Into the garden of our lives, your way and your word come like the dawn.
All: Rising to sorrow we are surprised by joy. Surprise with joy all those who bear heavy hearts this day.
One: You bring into beauty all those who have been forgotten, and you teach those who have denied, destroyed, and demeaned others that death shall have no dominion.
All: You are the lord of the Living. With you we pray to rise in service to your new life, to mark our days with compassion and life-giving ways. Go before us and show us the way.
One: New love, new life, new hope, new hearts, new knowledge, new insight, and new resolve:
All: May your resurrection power change us. Where the world has hardened us, may your Holy Spirit gentle our ways and raise us up. Where there is a need for a witness to resurrection power: send us.
One: Lord of all creation, may love prevail in every place of violence and poverty. May leaders of every nation care as you have cared, heal as you have healed, and rise to the justice God intends for all. Lift the veil and shred the curtains of division between us that we may live and love leaving no one behind. We follow, Lord of the broken cross. Lead us to life eternal.
All: Amen!
Our Lord’s Prayer ad. Jim Cotter, the New Zealand Prayer Book
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be; Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world, Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn #245 The Day of Resurrection Lancashire
1. The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the passover of gladness,
the passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.
2. Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Christ who reigns eternal
of resurrection light;
We listen for the teachings
once heard so calm and plain,
for we, too, want to follow
may raise the victor strain.
3. Now let the heavens be joyful,
Let earth the song begin!
the whole world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein;
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes of gladness blend,
for Christ again has risen,
our joy that has no end.
If you would like to join the choir in singing the Hallelujah Chorus, please make your way to the choir loft, if able, as the hymn begins. You’re also welcome to sing from your pew! Copies are available near the Peace Bell.
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Chef Jose Andres and World Central Kitchen Chef Jose Andres was born and trained in Spain and moved to the US at age 21, settling in Washington, DC. It was there he began volunteering for the DC Central Kitchen and thinking about philanthropy and the power of food to change the world. Chef Jose, with his business partners, founded the World Central Kitchen after a devastating earthquake in Haiti.
World Central Kitchen provides emergency food relief for people affected by disaster, support communities most impacted by climate crisis, and are currently on the ground preparing meals in Ukraine and the Middle East. WCK is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crisis. Chef Jose continues to pursue a mission to fulfill the words of John Steinbeck: “Wherever there’s a fight so that hungry people may eat … we’ll be there.” wck.org
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response Hallelujah Chorus Handel
Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth! The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!
Our Prayers for Others
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ Those in mortal danger in the war in Iran. For the leaders of nations to set aside assassination and warfare in favor of just, diplomatic solutions to conflict.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ Les Small Stokes, Rachel and the boys at the passing of Les’ mom, Betty Southard Stokes.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Hattie Parks, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: April 7– Greg Sutherland, Aubrie Castillo; 8 – Ashley Hammond; 11 – Sayer Kobersmith; 12 – Joan Bates; Tom Cochrane, Della Walters, Ainsley White; 13 – Jeff From, Lucas Christopher
Anniversaries: Today, April 5 – Ernie & Leslie Campbell; 13 – Steve & Thana Connelly
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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