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April 15, 2020
6:20 am (approximately)
This service has been planned specifically for our situation this year with the CoVID-19 virus and the current social distancing regulations. It is recommended for couples or very small groups. Participants would need to maintain a six-foot distance during the hike and then throughout the service at the top of the mountain.
You’ll need to plan ahead so that you leave your home and arrive at the trailhead with enough time to hike up to the top by 6:20 or a little earlier. You will need a headlamp or a flashlight.
You could also do this in your back yard, a local park, or anywhere, as long as you do not congregate with others.
AT THE TRAILHEAD, BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO HIKE:
• Read:
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!” When He had said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:44-46
• Recall the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“The people [were] walking in darkness…” Isaiah 9:2a
• Recite: Oh, Lord, let my soul rise to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.
HIKE IN SILENCE
AT THE TOP
• Shout responsively: He is risen! He is risen indeed!
• Sing one of the suggested songs or a song of your choice.
• Read Matthew 28:1-10 NLT
28 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
• Sing one of the suggested songs below or a song of your choice.
• Conclude with the following Easter Blessing*:
May the celebration of resurrected life bring new hope to your being.
May the victory over earthly death turn your eyes to the promises of heaven.
May the empty tomb help you to leave your sorrows at the foot of the cross.
So that God’s hope, promises, and forgiveness reign in your life forever.
Amen.
*https://www.prayerscapes.com/prayers/times/easter_prayers.html#ixzz6J8sHMHPT
SONG SUGGESTIONS
Christ the Lord is Ris’n Today
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, 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? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Up from the grave He Arose
Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
Here I Am to Worship
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days, Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Revelation Song
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King
Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
