Welcome! We're glad you joined us for ToGather as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead in a special way today. We trust that today's time of worship in song, prayer, Communion, and Scripture will bless you. Whether you are alone or with friends, family, home group, or house church, please know that God's people from all around the world are joining you virtually in worship. (Find out more.)

Opening with Praise in Word and Song:

Resurrection Sunday is celebrated today for some of us. For others, the special celebration will come in four weeks. For all of us, Resurrection Sunday is a day like no other on our calendar. We know that three days after Jesus' death on the cross, on the Sunday after Passover, Jesus triumphed over death. Let's sing the triumphant song that is perfect for today, "Risen," by Shawna Edwards with a special chorus and orchestra of young people:

Our prayer of thanks and praise comes from Eldon Degge's adaptation of Romans 1:1-4 taken from his daily devotional, "Praying with Paul":

Dear Father, who commissioned the Good News to Earth,

Thank you for the Good News for planet Earth you promised through your prophets in the Holy Scriptures.

We love you for giving us this Good News about your Son, who, though he was descended from King David according to the flesh, was designated your Son, the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead.

We exult in thanksgiving for Jesus Christ, holder of all authority, in whose name we come. Amen.

We "exult in thanksgiving" because of Jesus' triumph over death and the grave. Let's sing, "Because He Lives (Amen)" with the West Coast Choir:

Focusing on the Scriptures:

The Holy Spirit reminds us to keep our eyes on Jesus so we can endure the challenges set before us and not lose heart. We do this by "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is our "Way Maker" who blazed a trail of grace on the cross and a trail to glory through the resurrection. Let's sing "Way Maker" as Leeland leads us in proclaiming this truth:

Phil speaks to us about a favorite passage from the Bible, Philippians 4:4:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

This passage is made possible and powerful for us because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead and his promise to share his glory with us.

The transforming power of the empty tomb and our resurrected Savior means that Jesus can transform any situation that confronts us. Our Lord can change "Graves into Gardens" and our sorrow into joy. Let's sing this truth with Elevation Worship:

Sharing in Communion:

Our song as we prepare for Communion invites us to rejoice because Jesus arose from the dead and triumphed over sin, death, and hell for us. Let's sing the old classic hymn, "Christ Arose," with anticipation and joy as the Kingdom Quartet leads us:

Robert Reagan's Communion reflection today thanks Jesus for his death on the cross and triumphantly reminds us of victory because of Jesus' resurrection:

Our Lord Jesus is not only risen, but also is alive and available to as our "Living Hope"! Let's proclaim this truth in song as Phil Wickham leads us:

Closing with Song and Praise:

Because of Jesus' resurrection, we can be sure of our future and know that our risen Lord is unfailing. Let's remind ourselves of this glorious future as we sing the song, "This We Know," led by Vertical Worship:

As we near the end of our time of special worship, let's each use Eldon Degge's words of prayer from his daily devotional, "Praying with Paul," as our own words. This prayer is based on Paul's word's to his son in the faith, Timothy (2 Timothy 2:8-13):

Dear Father,

Let my remembrance and my devotions be set upon Jesus Christ, a descendant of David according to the flesh but an heir of your riches according to his resurrection from the dead.

Let me obtain the salvation which in Jesus Christ goes with eternal glory.

Instill within me the meaning of your true saying: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself!

In the name of Jesus, I ask. Amen.

As we close, we want to share this special rendition of "Hallelujah," sung by sisters, Cassandra and Callahan Star:

May we live with grace and power because our Lord Jesus lives!

Special thanks to The Lumo Project and Free Bible Images for images related to the ministry of Jesus.