Key :directions
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Other information :There are some notes on our production of the service. A rough plan of the church is available. A note on copyright. |
| Leader | Welcome ! Please stand for the songs -
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| Hosanna, Hosanna ! | ||
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| Leader | Please sit. | |
| Reader | The Triumphant Entry. | |
| Kids' Club Item | Jumping up and down ( to tape ). | |
| Leader | Please sit or kneel for the prayers. | |
| Kids' Club members | Prayers | |
| Leader | Please stand for the song :
Were you there when they crucified my Lord ? | |
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| Leader | Please sit. | |
| Storyteller | Easter Story. | |
| Storyteller or Leader | Please stand for the song :
Lord, I lift Your name on high. | |
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| During this hymn, Jesus hides behind the altar, the angel hides in the cave. | ||
| Leader | Please sit. | |
Play : Mary and friends at the grave. | ||
| Narrator | The "day of rest" - the Sabbath - began on the Friday evening that Jesus was placed in the grave. No one was allowed to do any work including walking for more than a very short distance. So it was not until Sunday morning that people were able to visit the grave. Mary Magdalene and her friends set off early that morning to anoint Jesus's body with oils and herbs. | |
| Mary and friends come down the aisle from the back, carrying bundles, very carefully and looking sad and weepy, saying one to another : | ||
| First woman | It was hard getting these spices and herbs together to rub on Jesus's body. | |
| Second woman | Yes, I had to borrow some from Esther, next door, and I couldn't stop crying. Jesus dead - I can't believe it ! | |
| Mary | I hardly slept all night. I was so upset. What a terrible tragedy; what will we do now ? | |
| First woman | I wonder what Peter and John and the others will do. Do you think they'll go back to fishing ? | |
| As they reach the front pew - | ||
| Second woman | Look, we're getting close to the cave. | |
| First woman | Yes, so we are. I've been wondering all night - how will we move the stone ? | |
| Mary | I've been worrying about that too - it is so big. We couldn't possibly shift it ourselves. | |
| Turning towards the cave - | ||
| Second woman | OOO look ! Do you see what I see ? ( pointing to the cave ) | |
| Mary | The stone's moved ! | |
| First woman | Who could have done that ? | |
| Mary peers inside the cave with the others crowding round too. | ||
| Mary | Look - the body has gone ! Has someone stolen it ? | |
| Second woman | But who's that inside the cave - it's not Jesus - is he an angel ? | |
| The angel says from inside the tomb : | ||
| Angel | Don't be alarmed ! You are looking for Jesus who was killed. See - He's not here ! The cave is empty ! He has risen ! ! Go and tell the others ! | |
| All but Mary move to other side of church looking puzzled and questioning, and hopeful.
Jesus moves from his place hidden behind the altar to stand behind Mary. Mary remains by the cave still weeping; she turns around and sees Jesus standing there. | ||
| Jesus | Why are you crying ? | |
| Mary | Sir, are you the gardener here ? Did you carry Him away ? Tell me where you have put Him and I will go to Him. | |
| Jesus | Mary ! | |
| Mary kneels and says : | ||
| Mary | Lord Jesus ! | |
| Jesus | Go and tell the others I have risen. | |
| Jesus goes back behind the altar.
Mary runs across to the others saying : | ||
| Mary | I have seen the Lord ! HE HAS RISEN ! Let us go and tell the others ! | |
| First woman | Yes, we must tell Peter and John quickly. | |
| Second woman | Come on ! | |
| They all three run down the aisle to the back. | ||
| Leader | Please stand; The children are invited to come to the front. | |
| Helper hands out sparklers to children for them to wave. | ||
| Joy is the flag flown high ... | ||
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| Children return to their seats. | ||
| Leader or Speaker | Please sit or kneel. | |
| Speaker | To think about -
Who is the King we have been singing about ?
Lord Jesus Christ,
( Take a few moments to ask His forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience. )
Please forgive me. I now turn from everything which I know is wrong.
Amen. | |
| Leader or Speaker | Please stand for the Collection song :
Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the Risen Lord ! | |
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During the song, collectors receive the donations and carry them to the front, where the Leader receives them and places them on the altar. | ||
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| Leader | Blessing. | |
| We invite you all to join us for morning tea in the hall. | ||
| Mary
Two Women Jesus Angel ( heard, but not seen ) Leader Helper Narrator Storyteller Reader |
