EASTER SUNDAY
Service and Readings

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Lorna Myers, Song Leader
Malik Jardine, Organist

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ENTRANCE HYMN:
“Hail Thee, Festival Day!”

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Lo, the fair beauty of earth,
from the death of the winter arising!
Every good gift of the year
now with its Master returns;

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

He was was nailed to the cross
is LORD and the Ruler of nature;
all things created earth
sing to the glory of God:

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Daily the loveliness grows,
adorned with glory of blossoms;
heaven her gates unbars,
flinging her increase of light:

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Rise from the grave now, O Lord,
Who art author of life and creation.
Treading the pathway of death,
life Thou bestowest on all:

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

God the Creator, the LORD,
Who rulest the earth and the heavens,
guard us from harm without,
cleanse us from evil within:

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Jesus, the health of the world,
enlighten our minds, Thou Redeemer,
Son of the Father supreme,
only begotten of God:

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Spirit of life and of pow’r,
flow in us, Fount of our being,
Light, that dost lighten all,
Life, that in all dost abide:

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Praise to the Giver of good!
Thou Love Who art Author of concord,
pour out Thy balm on our souls,
order our ways in Thy peace:

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that art hallowed forever;
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

•••

Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Celebrant: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

GLORIA

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

•••

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

AMEN.

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THE FIRST READING
Acts 10:34-43

A Reading from the Book of Acts.

Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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THE PSALM
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.

Let Israel now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."

The Lord is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.

There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:

"The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *
the right hand of the Lord is exalted!
the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!"

I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the Lord.

The Lord has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death.

Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the Lord.

"This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter."

I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.

The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the Lord's doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

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THE SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 15:1-11

A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you--unless you have come to believe in vain.

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them--though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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SEQUENCE HYMN:
“Come Ye Faithful, Raise The Strain”

Come, ye faithful, raise the strain 
of triumphant gladness!
God hath brought forth Israel 
into joy from sadness,
loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
led them with unmoistened foot 
through the Red Sea waters.

’Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ hath burst His prison,
and from three days’ sleep in death, 
as a sun, hath risen.
all the winter of our sins,
long and dark, is flying
from His light, to Whom we give
laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright
with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts,
comes its joy to render;
come to glad Jerusalem,
and with true affection
welcomes in unwearied strains 
Jesus’ resurrection.

•••

THE GOSPEL READING
John 20:1-18

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

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THE HOMILY

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THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

•••

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, now and for ever. AMEN.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

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THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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OFFERTORY HYMN:
”Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”

 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia!
unto Christ our heav'nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above Alleluia!
praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!
praise Him, all ye heav'nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

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THE HOLY COMMUNION

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every- where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant.

Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.  

Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.

Jesus, Bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.

Jesus, Redeemer of the world,
grant us your peace.

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.  

Invitation to Spiritual Communion

Jesus, I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

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COMMUNION HYMN
”Christ Is Risen, Alleluia!”

Christ is arise, Alleluia!
Rejoice and praise Him, Alleluia!
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb,
even the death dispelling its gloom.

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy,
Our sin forgiving, Alleluia!
Jesus is living, Alleluia!

•••

Let us pray.

Eternal God, heavenly Father,
you have graciously accepted us
as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.

•••

May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children
through the resurrection of his Son our Lord,
bestow upon you the riches of his blessing.
AMEN.

May God, who through the water of baptism
has raised us from sin into newness of life,
make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever.
AMEN.

May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin
into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer,
bring you to your eternal inheritance.
AMEN.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever.
AMEN.

•••

Let us go forth into the world,
rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

•••

CLOSING HYMN:
”He Is Risen, He Is Risen!”

He is risen, He is risen!
Tell it with a joyful voice.
He has burst His three days' prison;
Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered, we are free;
Christ has won the victory.

Come, you sad and fearful hearted,
With glad smile and radiant brow.
Death's dark shadows have departed,
Jesus’ woes are over now;
And the passion that He bore,
Sin and pain can vex no more.

Come with high and holy hymning;
Hail our LORD's triumphant day.
Not one darksome cloud is dimming
Yonder glorious morning ray,
Breaking o'er the purple east,
Symbol of our Easter feast.

He is risen, He is risen!
He has opened heaven's gate.
We are free from sin’s dark prison,
Risen to a holier state;
And a brighter Easter beam
On our longing eyes shall stream.

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