Sunday morning, March 31st, is known in some ‘religious circles’ as Easter Sunday. Many god-fearing people select this Sunday as a time to commemorate our Lord’s resurrection…
However, at Waterview church of Christ, every Sunday we remember (memorialize) our Lord’s death, burial and resurrection. Together, we share in the Lord’s Supper. This week, March 31st, will be no different. When you read Matthew 28: 1-7, you’ll read of the miracle surrounding Christ’s resurrection, and in that we find the title of our lesson. The following ‘order of worship’ is designed to focus on minds on our Savior’s resurrection; today and every Sunday!
I Corinthians 14:15, “…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”
Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah – 3
This hymn of praise (which could also be considered a psalm since it parallels Psalm 148) admonishes the singer to recognize and glorify our Father. You’ll notice the word ‘praise’ is mentioned 10 times in this hymn…5 times in verse 1 alone.
You Are the Song that I Sing – 238
“You are the words and the music, You are the song that I sing…” Without a notation of authorship or composer this ‘contemporary’ hymn is an excellent example of a song sung to our God. When you sing this song ask yourself if you will truly do as this song states in its closing line? “…so now I give back to You the song that You gave to me…”
Thomas’ Song – 269
One of my favorite ‘communion’ songs, Thomas’ Song, is a possible (yet not recorded) narrative from the apostle Thomas as he 
considers the resurrection of Christ. John 20:25 reads, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails where, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it.” While the chorus sings, “If I could only hold Your hand, and touch the scars where nails were driven; I would need to feel Your side where holy flesh by spear was riven. Then I’d believe…” But listen to Thomas’ closing statement as he stands before Christ and proclaims, “You are my Lord and my God!”
Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed – 324
An interesting song that was written in two time periods. The verses were written by Isaac Watts in 1707, while the refrain (by Ralph E. Hudson) came almost 180 years later. On a personal note, I prefer the verse separate from the upbeat tempo of the chorus. But more importantly let me direct you to the closing line from the first verse, “…would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?” Over the years this verse was edited to read, “…would He devote that sacred head for such a ONE as I?” Ask yourself, which version do you prefer…and why?
Low in the Grave He Lay – 344
When we sing this song following the Lord’s Supper Sunday morning, we’ll sing all three verses before we sing the chorus. My personal preference since the verses are designed to be melancholy and thoughtful, while the chorus changes tempo to excitement and jubilation. And certainly it should be as we proclaim; “Hallelujah! Christ arose.”
Surround Us, Lord – no book
Taken from Psalm 125:2, this ‘psalm’ serves as a great ‘spiritual song’, encouraging the singer and the listener to understand that, “…we need to be in Your (God’s) presence.” Listen to the YouTube link below if you are interested in learning it, or just want to sing it again!
He Lives! – 346
“…You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.” These words serve as the conclusion to a wonderful song of joy and adoration. This song, before our lesson, resounds with the declaration, the title:
“HE LIVES!”
Have You Been to Jesus – 904
These next two songs, our invitation and closing song, call for us to be ‘washed in the blood of the Lamb’ and to find our assurance in Him. But before we close the invitation we’ll repeat the chorus with one more call to respond. But then we’ll close with the following:
Blessed Assurance – 480
As we close this time of worship would that all Christians sing the chorus of this song with a stronger conviction and a clearer understanding. “This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long…” Let that soak in for a minute, praising God all day long? Would you, can you, will you praise God 24-7? You can and you will if you truly believe that…He Is Risen!