Lord, we made it to Easter because You have made it possible.

Lord, we are forever praising You,  as we NOW see that You have rolled away our own grave stones as well, by Your Power.

Now as You are calling us to step out of our graves too, let us shake off our chains of sin that You broke, and let us let You peel off our wrappings and look to Heaven’s Healing. We are Your Easter People and by the cleansing Power of Your Blood we share in triumph over forever death by Your Victory. May we always remember that we are reborn in Easter’s Rebirth. 

Today, Lord, through Your Spirit help us SHINE,  SHINE YOUR JOY, YOUR HOPE. May we also humble ourselves and appreciate YOUR MERCY, YOUR FORGIVENESS and YOUR GRACE and extend it to all those we meet today. May we be your Easter People tomorrow just as much as today. 

We Praise You for You are WORTHY. We are singing the song of the saved – savoring the sweetness of salvation – and seeking the soothing of our souls. Thank You Lord for calling us Your Children. We give PRAISE in Your powerful and Mighty Name: Jesus,  Name above all names. 

Amen

…

John 20:1-23

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose so ever sins ye retain, they are retained.