Whom Do You Seek?—A Sunrise Communion Service: Created for a Small Gathering

By Sophie Mathonnet-VanderWell, Stephen Mathonnet-VanderWell

This Easter sunrise service is intended for a relatively small intimate group. It draws loosely from the Easter Vigil tradition, and through experience and participation tries to develop an awareness of and an appreciation for some historic Easter traditions. The music is simple, familial; and minimal, so neither an accompanist nor a hymnal is necessary. The sermon consists primarily of quotations from Scripture, minimizing the minister's work during an already very busy week.

In preparation for this service, the worshipers gather in the foyer of the sanctuary. The doors to the sanctuary are closed until everyone has arrived and has received a bulletin and a candle. The service begins as the group enters the darkened sanctuary, singing "Where you there, when they laid him in a tomb?" Just like the believers on the first Easter, the group is led by a few women carrying lighted incense, signifying the spices brought to anoint the body of Jesus.

As the group sings, they walk in a slow procession around the sanctuary. When they arrive at the front, the group gathers in a circle around the communion table. The table is bare except for a large, white, burning candle. The women place their incense in a receptacle; the incense can be either extinguished or left burning for the duration of the service. The leader stands at the head of the circle, behind the table, and begins the responsive litanies.

ORDER OF SERVICE

Going to the Tomb

Sung Processional

"Where you There" (st. 3) ^{African-American Spiritual} [sung; repeat several times]

At the Tomb

Whom do you seek?

We are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,
who was crucified on Friday.
They have taken away our Lord,
and we do not know where they have laid him.

Do not be afraid.
I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here, for he has risen.
Go and tell his disciples.

Word of Jesus' Resurrection Spreads

[The leader of group whispers "He is risen" to the person next to him/her, and in a similar manner the word spreads around the circle of worshipers.]

He is risen. He is risen. He is risen...

The Light of the Resurrection

Sisters and brothers in Christ,
on this most holy morning,
we gather with the whole company of God's people in heaven and on earth
to share in Christ's victory over death.

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

The light of Christ.

Thanks be to God!

[The leader lights a small candle from the large candle on the communion table. The leader then passes me flame on to the others gathered around the tabled.]

The Glory of the Risen Christ

[When everyone's candle is lit, the group says the following traditional Easter response three times, louder each time. Then the congregation sings a familiar Easter hymn.]

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, indeed!

Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!
All creation, join to say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia!
Sing, O heavens, and earth, reply: Alleluia!

Easter Prayer

[After the prayer, all candles are extinguished except for the large candle on the table. The worshipers are then asked to be seated, being encouraged to sit together and near the front.]

Scripture Lessons

From the Old Testament: Job 19:23–27
From the Psalms: Psalm 103, [Sung or read responsively]
From the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 15:12–14, 20–22, 53–57
From the Gospels: Matthew 28:1–10

Encountering the Risen Lord

[During this portion of the service, five preselected members from the congregation stand at various times and challenge or ask questions of the leader. The leaders' answers are primarily a collection of interwoven Scripture verses.]

Leader:	On the first Easter, the angel told the women that Jesus would go ahead of them to Galilee. They were to go tell the disciples that they would see Jesus there.
Reader 1:	Yes, but what about us? Where do we see Jesus?
Leader:	Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” —John 20:24–29 ^NRSVUE
Reader 2:	But Lord, sometimes we need to see to believe. Where can we see you?
Leader:	You will se me in the least of these. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ —Matthew 25:35–40 ^NRSVUE
Reader 3:	Sometimes Lord, we need guidance. We need your wisdom and advice. How will we know your leading then?
Leader:	I will not leave you orphaned. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you. “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. —John 14:16–18,26–27 ^NRSVUE
Reader 4:	Thank you, Lord, for sending us your Holy Spirit. But how will the world know? How will they see Christ?
Leader:	For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. —1 Corinthians 12:12–13 ^NRSVUE But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. —Acts 1:8 ^NRSVUE] Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. —John 14:12^NRSVUE
Reader 5:	Thank you, Lord, for bringing us into your body, the church. What a wonderful task you have entrusted to us, to embody you in the world. But we need your strength to do this—our eyes need to be opened. How will we know you?
Leader:	You will know me in the breaking of bread. Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. —Luke 24:13–31 ^NRSVUE

The Sacrament of the Lords Supper

[The people at Emmaus recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread, and the worshipers are invited to do likewise. The group is asked to stand around the communion table. As they come forward, an assigned person also brings the elements forward. For this service, try to vary the way in which you usually celebrate the sacrament.]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

For it is holy and right to do so.

[The minister leads in prayer, after which the whole congregation says:]

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts!
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!

Most righteous God,
we remember in this supper the perfect sacrifice
offered once by our Lord Jesus Christ
for the sin of the whole world.

Your death, Lord Jesus, we proclaim!
Your resurrection we celebrate!
Your coming in glory we await!

Send your Holy Spirit upon us,
we pray that the bread that we break and the cup that we bless
may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
Grant that, being joined to Christ in communion,
we may be joined to each other in the unity of faith.

Come, Holy Spirit!

As this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf,
and these grapes from many hills into one cup,
grant, O Lord, that your whole church may soon be gathered
from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

The Doxology

Benediction

Easter Greetings

[Encourage the group to warmly greet one another around the table, using the traditional Easter greeting.]