Christian Liturgy 101: How One Church Worshiped Easter Sunday 2020

by Bobby Gilles

in Liturgy & Sermons

Welcome to Sojourn’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy. You can also watch the video stream of the whole service from our Facebook page, or here below (separate video embeds from Facebook and Vimeo).

Our liturgy is written by Worship Director Justin Shaffer, in collaboration with our Creative Team at Sojourn Church New Albany and worship staff at the other four Sojourn Collective churches in the Louisville area.

This Sunday Pastor Jonah Sage preached an Easter sermon from John 20:11-16. To learn more about Sojourn Church, click here. In the midst of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, we urged people to stay home and sing, pray, recite scripture, give, and listen to the sermon via our live stream on Facebook. And by early afternoon Sundays, we upload the sermon video and manuscript PDF to Rightnow Media. 

Easter 2020 — John 20 from Sojourn Collective on Vimeo.

—Prelude: “Easter Song” Key, Ryan

CALL TO WORSHIP:   Liturgist

Good morning! It’s an unexpected Easter… if we’re honest, this is not how we wanted it to go, yet the fact of the resurrection… and our need for a conquering savior is never more palpable than when our great need is so unavoidable.  Jesus Christ rose victorious over our enemies-Satan, sin and death once and for all! Let’s stand and celebrate!

We will make a joyful sound no matter what!

For this day is bigger than our doubt and fear.

We will fight to thank God in all circumstances!

For this day moves us past darkness and despair.

We will pray hopeful prayers!

For this day will ALWAYS awaken new life.

Jesus said, “Where two or more are gathered in my name,

I am there among them.”

Christ lives here and now.

He is among us at this and every moment! (and in spite of the less than ideal circumstances)

(shout it) He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

—based on Psalm 118, Matthew 18:20 and Luke 24:34

—Song 2: “In Christ Alone” Key, Kristen

PRAYER/LAMENT:  Band Member

(due to the fluid nature of the virus’ potential effects this week, the Lament will be composed toward the end of the week)  

[Screen Text]

[Spoken Text] 

—Song 3: “Everything Is Yours” Key, Meg

ASSURANCE & GIVING: Liturgist

As we celebrate Easter this year, social distancing and hardships might change where or with whom we celebrate, but the beautiful assurance in the resurrection of Jesus Christ NEVER changes for God’s children, whose souls He bought with the precious blood of His son Jesus. Let’s hear that good news now!

Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

                                                                                                                          -1 Corinthians 15:20-22

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

And because Jesus is risen, we can have new life in Him! He has given generously, so let’s respond by giving as we continue to sing!  

—Song 4: “Because He Lives” Key, Justin

PASSING OF THE PEACE: Band Member

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

                                                                                                                           -Romans 5:1-2 

If you’re with someone right now, greet them in the peace that our Lord has given us. Also feel free to share that peace with a comment on the Facebook live feed.

——————————————   [SERMON & COMMUNION]   ——————————————-

—Song 5: “Ain’t No Grave” Key, Kristen, Meg

ANNOUNCEMENTS: ReadeR 

—Song 6 : “Christ Arose” Key, Ryan & Justin (4 part A Capella)

BENEDICTION: Liturgist 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Peace be with you!

-Numbers 6:24-26

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