Easter Call to Worship: Alleluia!

Here’s a responsive call to worship litany for Easter.  It was written by Roddy Hamilton.

Easter Litany

We thought you were dead.
We thought the cross was the end.
We thought that when the stone rolled over the tomb,
that was it.

But this is it:

the dead are living;
the cross is empty;
the stone is rolled,
and one word describes it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

We thought you had said your final word.
We thought those with the power had won.
We thought that when you cried out,
that was it.

But this is it:

the word breathes;
the powers are defeated;
the final cry was only the beginning,
and one word says it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

We thought the story was finished.
We thought the hope had ended.
We thought that when the tomb was sealed,
that was it.

But this is it:

the story has just begun;
the hope is newly born;
the tomb is empty,
and one word says it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

This is the news:
Jesus is risen!
This is the moment
Jesus is alive!
This is the gospel
Jesus is with us!

We thought that when they crucified you,
death had defeated life,
and that was it.
But this is it:

Love is stronger than death,
and one word says it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws