11AM easter SERVICE
Tell us how we can pray with you
& how we can connect you with ministries
An expression of gratitude to God
WELCOME TO WORSHIP | Easter Sunday | April 5, 2026
a diverse, inclusive church experiencing and reflecting the love, hope and joy of Jesus Christ
to each other and our community.
WELCOME | Pastor Doug Johns
WELCOME ONE ANOTHER
WAYS TO CONNECT
|
christchurchfl.org/ways2connect
Please see below.
PRELUDE
Jesus Christ is Risen Today | arr. Robert Hobby
Chuck Stanley, organ; Brubeck Brass
Robert A. Hobby | © 2007 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of MorningStar Music Publishers | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973
* CALL TO WORSHIP
|
Richard Sheffield, liturgist
Christ is risen, and the power of death is broken forever.
Christ is risen indeed! Life has the final word.
The tomb is empty, and hope rises with the dawn of this new day.
God’s life-giving love has overcome every darkness.
Because Christ lives, we too are called to live with courage, joy, and purpose.
We are resurrection people, shaped by grace and strengthened by hope.
Let us lift our voices and our hearts to the God who brings life out of death.
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia!
* GATHERING
HYMN
Christ the Lord is Risen Today | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 302 (verses 1,2,3,4)
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious king, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleuia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Charles Wesley | © words and music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103
AN EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a God who astounds us! God created towering mountains, sparkling sandy beaches, lush green meadows, and dazzling wonders in the night sky. From the hummingbird to the whale, all creation sings your praise. God surprises and astounds us in places where we expected God was absent.
We believe in Jesus, the Son of God, whose life, death, and resurrection transforms the world with the power of God’s love. His body, crucified and buried, was placed in a tomb. Three days later, he rose from the dead. Jesus, our Risen Savior, embraces us with new life saying, “Because I live, you also will live.”
We believe in the Holy Spirit who empowers us to be an Easter people, calling us to be witnesses to the resurrection. The Spirit fills us with strength and sends us out to into the world to proclaim the good news: Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen!
* GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Henry W. Greatorex | public domain | CCLI License # 487103
MUSIC MINISTRY
He is Not Here | Russell Nagy
Chancel Choir; Brubeck Brass
Joel Nagy, Russell Nagy | © 1994 Beckenhorst Press, Inc. | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 28:1-10
| New Revised Standard Version, updated edition
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
These are the words of God for us, the people of God. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
Life > Death
| Pastor Doug Johns
OFFERING
|
Pastor Cathy Johns
worshiping through the offering of our lives and gifts
· Place offerings in the plates or wooden boxes
· Give online at christchurchfl.org/give
· Text GIVE to 954.880.3885
· Mail a check to Christ Church, 4845 NE 25th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Connect cards may also be placed with your offering. Christ Church is a congregationally supported ministry. We thank you for your faithfulness as we reflect the love, hope and joy of Jesus to our community.
MUSIC MINISTRY
This is a Day of Rejoicing | Allen Pote
Chancel Choir; Brubeck Brass
Twas at the break of day when women came with spices to anoint our Lord, and walking to the tomb, said, “Who will move the mighty stone that bars the door?” Then, behold, they found no stone; but a man was standing there instead, dazzling bright in raiment white, saying, “Jesus is not dead!” He is not here! He is risen! See, the tomb is empty where he lay. Jesus rose on Easter Day. When John and Peter heard the strange account, they doubted that it could be true; but running there to find the empty tomb, they suddenly believed it too. In the place where Jesus lay sat the burial clothing of the dead, laid aside, like death denied, for he was no longer dead! The tomb is empty, he is risen! Jesus Christ is risen, Alleluia! See, the tomb is empty for Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! And so we do proclaim on Easter Day that Jesus is not in the grave! But risen from the dead, just as he said, in majesty and power to reign. Jesus rose on Easter Day! Alleluia!
Allen Pote | © 2000 Hope Publishing Company | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973
* DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Bourgeois & Ken | public domain | CCLI License # 487103
MORNING PRAYER | Pastor Monique McBride
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, forever. Amen.
* HYMN OF COMMITMENT
He Lives | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 310 (verses 1,3)
I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever foes 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.
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.
(refrain)
Alfred Henry Ackley | © words & music: 1933 Homer A. Rodeheaver | renewed 1961 Curb Word Music | CCLI License # 487103
* SENDING FORTH
*
RESPONSE
Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah) | George Frideric Handel
Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world; is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. And he shall reign forever and ever. King of kings forever and ever hallelujah and lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah. And he shall reign forever and ever. King of kings forever and ever and lord of lords hallelujah. King of kings and lord of lords and he shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!
George Frideric Handel | © words & music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103
MUSIC FOR CLOSING
Toccata from Symphony 5
| Charles-Marie Widor | arranged for brass and organ by Richard Proulx
Chuck Stanley, organist; Brubeck Brass
Charles-Marie Widor | Richard Proulx | music: © public domain | Brass arrangement © 2006, World Library Publications, the music and liturgy division of J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973
* please stand in body or spirit.
Join us next Sunday, April 12, for Laity Sunday.
