Manuscript
Welcome
Good Morning New Journey!
It is Easter Sunday, the day of life, the day Jesus defeated Death and proved His promises. I’d like you to join me as I say “He is Risen” by having your respond “He is Risen, Indeed”
He is Risen!
[He is risen indeed!]
Did you know this tradition goes back so far it has been lost to time in all branches of Christianity? It’s based on Luke 24:34 when two disciples walked along the road with the Risen Christ, unaware of who He was until they broke bread with Him. At that moment, they found the other disciples and proclaimed “The Lord has risen indeed”
Now, I don’t know where you are coming from this morning—whether you’re a long-time church-goer or you just happened to be scrolling through Facebook at the right time, but I know Jesus still reveals Himself to people. He proves His Resurrection.
That’s why, instead of a regular message, we have compiled videos from throughout the New Journey Family, sharing where we have seen Jesus alive and working in our lives.
But, before we get there, let’s open with a word of prayer, hear the Easter Story, and worship.
Opening Prayer
Father, we praise You as the Creator and Sustainer of life. By Your love and imagination You breathed the stars and brought forth the foundations of the Earth. In Your eternal love You fashioned humans in Your likeness and gave us every good thing. Though, we turned our backs against You.
Lord Jesus Messiah, we praise You as the Savior, Redeemer, and Bridge back to the Father. You took all of our pain and the full weight of our sin on the cursed tree. You are the full revelation of the Father, the Perfect Teacher, and the Good Shepherd. You are the Death Conqueror and You call us “friends”
Holy Spirit, we praise You as the Sanctifier. You are the One who is sent by the Father and the Son into our broken vessels. You make us holy. You convict us of sin. You comfort us in affliction. You lead us into all truth. Through You, we can pray, even when we don’t have the words. Through you, we find a common bond between all our brothers and sisters in Christ. You enliven us with the same Resurrection Power that raised Jesus from the Grave.
Amen.
Easter Story
Please position yourself and your family at this time to hear the Easter Story.
Luke 24:1-12 NLT
But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.
I hope this morning, you are choosing to respond to the Good News that Jesus is alive like most of the apostles did. They said to themselves “No, I’ve already given up hope. I couldn’t have predicted this. It can’t be true.” Maybe in your life right now, that’s how you feel. Any words or ideas about hope or life or goodness seem like nonsense. But, please, in the spirit of Peter, get up and run just in case. Open your heart and your mind to the possibility that Jesus is everything He says He is and more. I believe this morning, as you’re tuning in, we are acting as Mary, Joanna, and the other women, bringing good news of what we have seen with our own eyes. And you, whoever and wherever you are, get to choose how to respond.
At this time, we’re going to join together in praise and worship that our God and King is alive! So, please stand on your feet if you are able. Kids, get some energy going in your home! And remember to say, “It’s okay to sing bad here!”
Worship
[WORSHIP SEGMENT]
[After SONG 2, MIKE INVITE PEOPLE TO ASK JESUS TO BRING RESURRECTION TO A SITUATION IN THEIR LIVES. AND THEN SING A SONG OF POWER. ]
Testimonies of Faith
Amen!
I had asked Mike to create that opportunity for you to invite Jesus’ power into your situation. I hope that you did. Many others have experienced the resurrection of Jesus in their lives, and, today, you can too.
What you’re going to see next, is a compilation we created, showcasing ways several New Journeyers have seen Jesus acting in their lives, even when going through some trials.
[Show Video here]
Altar Call
Amen.
At this time, I’d like to invite you to respond to what you’ve seen and heard today. If you’ve been wandering from God, or aren’t sure you’ve ever really experienced His transforming power, now is your time. A time to come home. A time to be reborn. Why would you wait?
I’d like everyone to bow their heads together. We’re all going to pray this prayer out loud. That way, nobody feels singled out in a negative way.
Go ahead and repeat these words with me out loud.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I’ve done things wrong.
My sin has come between us.
I am lost.
But, You have made a way.
I believe you paid for my sin on the cross.
And I believe You were raised again.
I believe You can make me new.
Jesus, please make me born again.
Let me feel Your power in my life.
Save me and give me the Holy Spirit.
I make You my Lord today.
And I accept You as my Savior.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer today from your heart to God, know that you are saved. Luke 15:10 says “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Can you believe that angels are rejoicing in this moment?
They are. You have a best friend who will never leave you. You have a place in Heaven. You have a new family in the Church.
Please, don’t let this decision go unnoticed. Like a hot coal grows cold alone, you need others around you. If there are others with you, let someone know you made a commitment or re-commitment to Jesus today. If you’re alone, please reach out to us. You can get a hold of me personally by emailing brian.scramlin@newjourneycommunity.com. I’d love to help you take your next steps.
Response Song
Now, let us end our time together, worshiping alongside new believers, praising the One who set us free. Please, stand up on your feet and join us.
[final song]
Benediction and Announcements
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Please receive this benediction, and then stay tuned for announcements.
21. Heb. 13:20-21 – Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Please, don’t forget to fill out our online Connection Card at njcc.me/today
Now, Pastor Megan with announcements.
