The Best Last Word

Two Easter Services Celebrating the Reality of the Resurrection

At CrossPoint Christian Reformed Church there had always been a traditional 9 a.m. service and a contemporary 11 a.m. service. In the spring of 2016 we combined the two groups and began worshiping together at 10 a.m. Those who had previously worshiped at the earlier service had never heard the drums in worship; those who had always gathered for the later service had never sung a hymn with the organ! We had some challenges—good ones. We adjusted, and we asked for humble patience with each other. The “Best Last Word” service in 2017 was our first Easter service as a “combined” congregation. Worship was led by a choir, a praise team (guitars, drums, piano, vocalists) and the organ. The gathering song, “O Praise the Name,” was a new song for the congregation and was accompanied by the praise band, with vocalists leading on the verses and the choir singing the choruses in three-part harmony. I also had the praise band accompany the choir for “Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed” for the added percussion and dance-like feel. A children’s group learned motions for “A Glorious Day.” That was a beautiful visual addition—and it always helps to have kids involved when teaching a new song!

“The Resurrection Is Real” is our Easter service from 2008 at Immanuel CRC. It’s interesting to note that since we learned “On the Third Day” then, we have sung it almost every Easter since! When it was introduced for the first time, I had asked one of our visual team members to find images to enhance the amazing lyrics of this song, projecting a different image every half verse or so. I’ve heard testimonies to how the visual element added layers of meaning and beauty. (The PowerPoint file is available by clicking here.)

After the welcome and opening prayer, we began the 2008 service with silence—the same silence that ended the Good Friday service three days before. Then we quietly began singing the third stanza of “In Christ Alone” rising to our feet at the third line (“bursting forth . . .”) and finishing the verse by repeating from “And as he stands in victory . . .”

Two of our standards for Easter worship are: We celebrate communion (as well as on Good Friday), and we always ask a child to read the Easter story in worship.

The Best Last Word

God Calls Us to Worship

Organ Prelude

Gathering Song:O Praise the Name Ussher, Sampson, and Hastings

Welcome

Call to Worship

Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed!

Glory and honor, dominion and power, be to our God forever and ever!

Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Easter Hymn of Praise:Christ the Lord Is Risen TodayWesley, LUYH 182, GtG 245, PsH 388

Easter Greetings

God has made us alive with Christ!

Death has been swallowed up in victory!

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

Amen!

—Revelation 1:4–5

Mutual Greetings with the Historic Christian Testimony

The Lord is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed!

Songs

He Is Lord Frey, LUYH 227 (vv. 1, 3, 4), PsH 633

Man of Sorrows Ligertwood and Crocker

Easter Prayer

Our Testimony in Song: Glorious Day Hall and Bleecker

Option: Children may also lead with the sign language

Reading: The Easter story from The Jesus Storybook Bible (Sally Lloyd-Jones, Grand Rapids, MI: ZonderKidz, 2007)

Song of Response (Choral):Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed Getty, Getty, and Cash

We Give of Our Gifts

Choral Offertory:Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen Brokering, LUYH 205 (vv. 1, 4, 5)

Dedication of Our Gifts

God Speaks His Word

Prayer for the Guidance of the Spirit

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1–7; Revelation 1:9–18

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Message: “The Best Last Word”

We Respond in Gratitude

Song of Response:Christ is Risen! Shout HosannaWren, LUYH 204, GtG 248

Prayers of the People

Announcements

Song of Easter Joy:Low in the Grave He Lay Lowry, LUYH 186 (vv. 1, 3), PsH 396

God Blesses Us for Service

God’s Parting Blessing

Closing Song:My Redeemer Lives Morgan

Postlude: Praise Team

Resurrection Is Real

We Gather to Praise Our Risen Lord

Prelude

Welcome and Prayer

Silence

Song:In Christ Alone Getty and Townend, LUYH 770 (v. 3)

Reading

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

—Ancient Easter greeting

Opening Hymn:Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Wesley, LUYH 182, GtG 245, PsH 388

Suggestion: Verses 1, 3, 5—all; verse 2—women (all join in for “Alleluia”); verse 4—men (all join in for “Alleluia”)

God’s Greeting

Song of Praise:Lord, I Lift Your Name on HighFounds, LUYH 610

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Celebrating the Risen Savior

Reading: Matthew 28:1–8

Song:The Wonder of Your CrossMark

Profession of Faith

Song of Response:My Redeemer LivesMorgan

God Speaks to Us in Word and Sacrament

Prayer for Understanding

Children’s Time

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12–20

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Message: “Resurrection Is Real”

Hymn of Response:Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to HeavenWordsworth, LUYH 179, PsH 387 (vv. 1, 3, 4)

Celebration of Holy Communion

Song during communion: Oh, to See the DawnGetty and Townend, LUYH 177

We Respond in Gratitude

Song of Praise:Oh, qué bueno es Jesús/Oh, How Good Is Christ the LordPuerto Rican, LUYH 192

Pastoral Prayer

Offertory Prayer

God Sends Out His People

God’s Blessing

Song of Hope:On the Third DayByrd and Maher

Passing of the Peace

Followed by refreshments and fellowship

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Resources

Ruth Ann Schuringa is worship director at Mountainview Christian Reformed Church in Grimsby, Ontario, where she works with her husband and lead pastor Erick. She is also a worship coach and is available for mentoring, coaching, teaching, or consultation.

Reformed Worship 130 © December 2018, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.