Slideshow image
APRIL 5, 2026
EASTER SUNDAY
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JAMES ROSS

 Announcements 

Prelude Voluntary on Victory – Robert Lind 

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 

Prelude on Diadem – Carlos Staszeski 

Prayers of the People 

Prayer Hymn “He Lives”                       UMH# 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”     UMH # 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! 

Postlude  Final from 1’st Organ Symphony – Louis Vierne 

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org