Easter Service
He is Risen, He is Risen, indeed!

Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.

Citylife strives to be a diverse community of grace that forms disciples of Jesus for the renewal of Boston and our neighbors.

Order of Worship

*Please stand as you are able

Welcome and Preparation

Call to Worship*

LEADER: This is the good news - the grave is empty;

PEOPLE: Christ is risen, Hallelujah!

LEADER: This is the good news - the light shines in the darkness,

PEOPLE: And the darkness can never put it out, Hallelujah!

LEADER: This is the good news - Christ is our peace,

ALL: The indestructible peace we now share with each other. Hallelujah!

  • by Charles Wesley

    Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia
    Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia
    Raise your joys and triumphs high, alleluia
    Sing ye heavens and earth reply, alleluia

    Lives again our glorious King, alleluia
    Where O death is now thy sting, alleluia
    Once he died our souls to save, alleluia
    Where thy victory O grave, alleluia

    Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
    Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
    Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
    Hail the Resurrection, thou, alleluia

    —

    © Public Domain

  • Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Michael Bleecker

    Come behold the wondrous mystery
    In the dawning of the King
    He the theme of heaven's praises
    Robed in frail humanity
    In our longing in our darkness
    Now the light of life has come
    Look to Christ who condescended
    Took on flesh to ransom us

    Come behold the wondrous mystery
    He the perfect Son of Man
    In His living in His suffering
    Not a trace or stain of sin
    See the true and better Adam
    Come to save the hell-bound man
    Christ the great and sure fulfillment
    Of the law in Him we stand

    Come behold the wondrous mystery
    Christ the Lord upon the tree
    In the stead of ruined sinners
    Hangs the Lamb in victory
    See the price of our redemption
    See the Father's plan unfold
    Bringing many sons to glory
    Grace unmeasured love untold

    Come behold the wondrous mystery
    Slain by death the God of life
    But no grave could e'er restrain Him
    Praise the Lord He is alive
    What a foretaste of deliverance
    How unwavering our hope
    Christ in power resurrected
    As we will be when He comes

    —

    CCLI Song # 7026028 -- CCLI License # 2051446

Corporate Confession

God of birth, God of joy, God of life, we come to you as a people hungry for good news. We have been so dead to miracles that we have missed the world’s rebirth. We have preoccupied ourselves with pleasures and have overlooked the joy you offer us. We have been so concerned with making a living that we have missed the life you set among us. Forgive us, gracious God. Open our eyes and our hearts to receive your gift; open our lips and hands to share it with all humanity in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Personal Confession

Receiving of Grace

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Doxology*

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

  • by Chris Tomlin x John Newton

    Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me
    I once was lost but now am found
    Was blind but now I see

    'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear
    And Grace my fears relieved
    How precious did that Grace appear
    The hour I first believed

    Chorus
    My chains are gone, I've been set free
    My God, my Savior has ransomed me
    And like a flood His mercy rains
    Unending love, Amazing Grace

    The Lord has promised good to me
    His word my hope secures
    He will my shield and portion be
    As long as life endures

    Chorus x2

    The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
    The sun forbear to shine
    But God who called me here below
    Will be forever mine
    Will be forever mine
    You are forever mine

    —

    CCLI License No. 4903820

  • Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, and Scott Ligertwood

    In the darkness we were waiting
    Without hope, without light
    Till from heaven You came running
    There was mercy in Your eyes
    To fulfill the law and prophets
    To a virgin came the Word
    From a throne of endless glory
    To a cradle in the dirt

    Chorus
    Praise the Father, praise the Son
    Praise the Spirit, Three in One
    God of glory, Majesty
    Praise forever to the King of kings

    To reveal the kingdom coming
    And to reconcile the lost
    To redeem the whole creation
    You did not despise the cross
    For even in Your suffering
    You saw to the other side
    Knowing this was our salvation
    Jesus, for our sake You died

    Chorus

    And the morning that You rose
    All of heaven held its breath
    Till that stone was moved for good
    For the Lamb had conquered death
    And the dead rose from their tombs
    And the angels stood in awe
    For the souls of all who’d come
    To the Father are restored

    And the Church of Christ was born
    Then the Spirit lit the flame
    Now this gospel truth of old
    Shall not kneel, shall not faint
    By His blood and in His Name
    In His freedom I am free
    For the love of Jesus Christ
    Who has resurrected me

    Chorus

    —

    CCLI License No. 7161130

Prayer of Intercession* (concluded by The Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

Sacrament of Baptism

Eddie Jin

Prayer for Children

Extending Peace

MINISTER: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

ALL: And also with you.

Announcements

jump to end for detailed descriptions

Gospel Lesson

Scripture Reading*

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:12-22, ESV

READER: This is the Word of God.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Sermon

“Death of Death”

Rev. Benjamin Bae

Prayers for Tithes and Offerings

ALL: Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - our selves, our time, and our possessions - signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

  • by Ben Fielding & Brooke Ligertwood, arr. Sam JC Lee

    You were the Word at the beginning
    One with God the Lord Most High
    Your hidden glory in creation
    Now revealed in You our Christ

    What a beautiful Name it is
    What a beautiful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus Christ my King
    What a beautiful Name it is
    Nothing compares to this
    What a beautiful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus

    You didn’t want heaven without us
    So Jesus You brought heaven down
    My sin was great Your love was greater
    What could separate us now

    What a wonderful Name it is
    What a wonderful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus Christ my King
    What a wonderful Name it is
    Nothing compares to this
    What a wonderful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus
    What a wonderful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus

    Death could not hold You
    The veil tore before You
    You silence the boast of sin and grave
    The heavens are roaring
    The praise of Your glory
    For You are raised to life again

    You have no rival
    You have no equal
    Now and forever God You reign
    Yours is the kingdom
    Yours is the glory
    Yours is the Name above all names

    What a powerful Name it is
    What a powerful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus Christ my King
    What a powerful Name it is
    Nothing can stand against
    What a powerful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus

    Holy, Holy
    Are you Lord God Almighty
    Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb
    You are Holy, Holy
    Are you Lord God Almighty
    Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb

    What a beautiful Name it is
    What a beautiful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus Christ my King
    What a beautiful Name it is Nothing compares to this
    What a beautiful Name it is
    The Name of Jesus

    —

    CCLI License No. 7105729

Benediction & Dismissal*

MINISTER: Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

Announcements

Connect with Citylife. We’re happy you’re here! If you are new, the easiest way to get in touch with us is by filling out the Connect Card HERE.

Church Administrator. We are hiring! If you or you know of someone who may be a good fit for this role, please reach out to hr@citylifeboston.org. For more information and details regarding the job, please see HERE.

Community

Community Meals. The next Community Meals are April 13-14. Community Meals are casual potlucks where you have the chance to meet people you might not otherwise cross paths with. There will be a brunch and dinner option; people will sign up ahead of time and be randomly assigned a location. Sign ups close on April 7th! Sign up HERE..

Citylife One-Day Getaway. Whether you are new to our church community, or have been a part of our church for the past decade, join us on April 4/27 (9am - 3:30pm) as we venture up to Gordon Conwell together for our Citylife One-Day Getaway. Our theme and focus for this one-day getaway will be on "Stories of Grace" - as we practice life together by sharing our own story and listening to one another's stories of grace from people across our entire church community. Go HERE for more info and to register.

Kids & Youth

VBS Save the Date. Save the date for VBS 2024 - August 5-9 at CTK Newton.

Youth Ministry. We meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 6:30-8:30pm at Ruggles Baptist Church and every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 9:15-10:25AM in the Toddlers classroom. Hope to see you there! Next Saturday Youth Group meeting date is 4/6. The next Youth Sunday School meets 4/14.

Youth Confirmation Class. Registration is open! Classes will run Sunday, April 14 -- Sunday, May 5. Email Youth Director at cecily@citylifeboston.org for more info.

Justice & Mercy

We are at Somerville Homeless Coalition this Saturday! Learn more about ways to serve the city HERE.

Help Needed to Support a Citylife Foster Family. Join our community’s effort to wrap around the Van Meerbeke family as they care for their foster baby and their daughter while she undergoes cancer treatment. Contact namhee@citylifeboston.org to join a rotation of childcare volunteers.