Sunrise Bulletin
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day (Sunrise)
Introduction
This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.
The Gospel: John 20:1-18
This morning began with confusion: the stone was moved and the tomb was empty. Disciples arrive, then angels, and finally Jesus himself. Out of the confusion, hope emerges, and a weeping woman becomes the first to confess her faith in the risen Lord.
1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You, O Christ
Thanksgiving for Baptism
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
In the waters of baptism,
we have passed over from death to life with Jesus Christ,
and we are a new creation.
For this saving mystery, and for this water, let us bless God,
who was, who is, and who is to come.
Water is poured into the font
We thank you, God, for your river of life,
flowing freely from your throne:
through the earth,
through the city,
through every living thing.
You rescued Noah and his family from the flood;
You opened wide the sea for the Israelites.
Now in these waters you flood us with mercy,
and our sin is drowned forever.
You open the gate of righteousness
and we pass safely through.
In Jesus Christ, you calm and trouble the waters.
You nourish us and enclose us in safety.
You call us forth and send us out.
In lush and barren places, you are with us.
You have become our salvation.
Now breathe upon this water
and awaken your church once more.
Claim us again as your beloved and holy people.
Quench our thirst; cleanse our hearts; wipe away every tear.
To you, our Beginning and our End,
our Shepherd and Lamb,
be honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving,
now and forever.
Amen.
Jesus Christ Is
Risen Today
1 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heav'nly king, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
3 But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
now above the sky he's king, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
praise him, all you heav'nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Text: Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. J. Walsh, Lyra Davidica, 1708, alt.; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4
Prayer of the Day
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Special Music
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-6
God’s final word is always “Yes.” Because God’s love is everlasting, God always remains faithful. Ancient Israel is assured that it will be rebuilt and have plentiful crops. The people of God too will ultimately be reunited.
1 At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
2 Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
3 the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with your tambourines
and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
5 Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
and shall enjoy the fruit.
6 For there shall be a day when sentinels will call
in the hill country of Ephraim:
“Come, let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God.”
Word of God, Word of Life!
Thanks Be to God!
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. (Ps. 31:5)
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble;
my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing;
my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed.
11 I am the scorn of all my enemies, a disgrace to my neighbors, a dismay to my acquaintances;
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 Like the dead I am forgotten, out of mind;
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around;
they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord.
I have said, “You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.”
Together in One Spirit
One church, One body
One faith, One Lord
Together in one Spirit
Rejoicing in His word.
One church, One body
One faith, One Lord
Together in one Spirit
Rejoicing in His word.
All created equal,
Together we belong.
United in one body,
Rejoicing in one song.
One church, One body
One faith, One Lord
Together in one Spirit
Rejoicing in His word.
All created equal,
Together we belong.
United in one body,
Rejoicing in one song.
United in one body,
Rejoicing in one song.
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43
Peter’s sermon, delivered at the home of Cornelius, a Roman army officer, is a summary of the essential message of Christianity: Everyone who believes in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the words of the prophets, receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
34 Peter began to speak to [the people]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 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. 39 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; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 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. 42 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. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Word of God, Word of Life!
Thanks Be to God!
He Lives
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
Refrain:
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
Prayers of the People
Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
A brief silence.
Risen Savior, you have conquered death and opened the gates of everlasting life. Dispel our doubts and fears and renew our faith and hope in you. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Life-giving God, the created world rejoices in Christ’s victory over death. May all the earth be renewed by the light of Jesus’ resurrection, and may we be faithful stewards of all you have made. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Sovereign God, let the nations acknowledge your reign of justice and truth. Where violence, oppression, and corruption hold sway, pour out your holy and life-giving Spirit to transform and redeem. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Gentle Shepherd, like the women at the empty tomb, many grieve or feel lost and afraid. Come alongside all who are ill or struggling. By your grace, make your presence known among all who call to you for healing. We remember any who are sick or suffering those named in our prayer bowl, those on our prayer list, and those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts. (PAUSE). Reveal yourself to them as the Risen One. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Faithful God, we thank you for the living hope you give us through Christ’s resurrection. Bless this community, that we may boldly proclaim Christ’s victory over death in word and deed. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Please feel free to offer other petitions at this time. (PAUSE) God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Eternal One, we give thanks for all who have died and now share in the joy of your resurrection. Bring us, with them, to the unending feast of your victory. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.
Amen.
God Extends an Invitation
Nuestro Padre nos invita
God extends an invitation
to the table of creation,
where there's wine and light and bread.
Here we gather in thanksgiving
and we offer all our living.
Here the feast of life is spread;
here the feast of life is spread.
Nuestro Padre nos invita
a la mesa de la vida,
donde hay vino, luz y pan;
y nosotros nos reunimos,
y lo nuestro compartimos,
pues así es la comunión;
pues así es la comunión.
Text: Miria T. Kolling; Spanish and English tr. Gerhard M. Cartford, b. 1923
Spanish and English text © 1998 Augsburg Fortress.
Sharing of Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord
be with you always.
People: And also with you.
Offering Prayer
Jesus, Bread of life,
you have set this table with your very self,
and called us to the feast of plenty.
Gather what has been sown among us,
and strengthen us in this meal.
Make us to be what we receive here,
your body for the life of the world.
—Amen
The Preface
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed…
P: …unending hymn.
C: Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Words of Institution
P: In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks; broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
With this bread and cup,
we remember Christ’s life among us;
his association with outcasts,
his eating with sinners,
his healing of the sick,
his care for the poor.
Send, we pray, your Holy Spirit
upon us and upon this bread and wine,
that we who share this meal
may become a holy communion,
the body of Christ in the world.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, 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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Shepherding God, you have prepared a table before us and nourished us with your love. Send us forth from this banquet to proclaim your goodness and share the abundant mercy of Jesus, our redeemer and friend.
C: Amen.
Special Music
“Oh, How He Loves Me”
The Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you with favor and grant you his peace.
Amen
The Sending
P: Go in peace and serve the Lord!
C: Thanks be to God!
Amen
The Lord Now Sends
Us Forth
Enviado soy de Dios
The Lord now sends us forth
with hands to serve and give,
to make of all the earth
a better place to live. Repeat
The angels are not sent
into our world of pain
to do what we were meant
to do in Jesus' name;
that falls to you and me
and all who are made free.
Help us, O Lord, we pray,
to do your will today.
Enviado soy de Dios,
mi mano lista está
para construir con él
un mundo fraternal. Repitalo
Los ángeles no son
enviados a cambiar
un mundo de dolor
por un mundo mejor;
me ha tocado a mí
hacerlo realidad.
Ayúdame, Señor,
a hacer tu voluntad.
The Lord now sends us forth
with hands to serve and give,
to make of all the earth
a better place to live. Repeat
And all God’s people said,
Amen
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen
L: Loving God, it is another Sunday and we come to worship you.
People: Hear us, Loving God
L: Wonderful God, we give you thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
People: Thank you Lord.
L: Forgive us when we do not love our neighbors and you as we should.
People: Forgive us Lord.
L: Forgive us when we do not trust you in all things, but rely on ourselves and our own understanding.
People: Forgive us Lord.
L: Forgive us when we do not take time in our busy day to spend with you.
People: Forgive us Lord.
L: We have a loving, gracious, living God! As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority, I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are forgiven. We have a new chance each day to show our love of God and other people. And that, my friends, is Good News!
or
L: We have a loving, gracious, living God! Because Jesus came to die for us and God wants a relationship with us, we are forgiven. We have a new chance each day to show our love of God and other people. And that, my friends, is Good News!
People: Amen, thanks be to God.
The Sending
P: Go in peace and serve the Lord!
C: Gonna walk in peace and serve the Lord!
P: And let your light shine throughout the word!
C: Gonna shine my light all over this world!
P: Go in peace and serve the Lord!
C: Gonna walk in peace and serve the Lord!
P: And let your light shine throughout the word!
C: Gonna shine my light all over this world!
P: Christ is calling , “Follow me!”
C: Gonna let his shine for all to see!
P: As you work, live, play and trod!
C: He walks with me! Thanks be to God!
Amen
GOD WELCOMES ALL
God welcomes all, strangers and friends; God's love is strong and it never ends.
Text: John L. Bell, b. 1949
Text © 2008 WGRG, Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc., giamusic.com. All rights reserved.