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Easter Services
April 8
Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):
Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9
Roman Catholic reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43
United Methodist reading: Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Roman Catholic reading: Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
I Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
Roman Catholic reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
Roman Catholic reading: John 20:1-9
Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal
Hymn of Praise: 215-226, 228
Hymn of Prayer: 227
Hymn of Invitation: 229, 233
Communion Hymn: 233, 422, 404
More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.
Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:
Since Chalice Hymnal does not provide a complete Psalter, there will be occasions when suggestions may be made for alternate Psalm use (or hymn equivalent). See Chalice 758
Hymn of the Day from Rev. William Flewelling (© 2012, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
On Mark 16:1-8
After the Sabbath rest
with Jesus in the tomb,
the women come to him anoint:
they speak about the stone.
Arriving at the tomb,
the sun but newly shone,
the women find the stone aside,
go, enter to behold.
The young man on the right,
dressed fully white for them,
amazes them – then speaks: you seek,
but Jesus is not here.
The crucified is gone;
the risen goes before:
seek him in Galilee – go, give
this word for Peter’s joy.
SM Suggested tune: St. Michael
Words of Greeting/Call to Prayer (created or adapted by the editor)
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ our Lord.
My brothers and sisters in Christ: On this most holy morning in which Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, we gather as the church to pray and watch for the dawning of his triumph and resurrection. We join with the whole company of God’s people in heaven and on earth in recalling and celebrating his victory over death, and our deliverance from the bondage of sin and darkness to everlasting light.
Hear the Word of God of God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1, 4‑5).
Opening Renewal of Baptismal Covenants (created or adapted by the editor)
L: Alleluia. Christ is Risen.
P: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
L: May his grace and peace be with you.
P: May he fill our hearts with joy. Alleluia!
(The Paschal Candle is lit,)
L: Christ our Light!
P: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Renewal of Our Baptismal Covenant
Persons who come for profession of faith for the first time,
or to become a member of this congregation, will be received first.
Invitation to Faith Renewal
Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant
(Those who desire this renewal will stand)
Do you in the presence of God and this congregation desire to renew the covenant which you made or which was made for you at your baptism?
I do.
Do you seek to walk in the life of faith as a person who trusts in God alone for life, strength and salvation?
I do.
Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world; and do you receive him as your Savior and Lord of your life?
I do.
Thanksgiving
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Lift up your hearts.
P: We lift them up to the Lord.
L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
P: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(Minister leads the prayer of thanksgiving)
Act of Remembering
Those who desire to remember their baptism are invited to come forward and touch the water, and for a moment recall their baptism into Christ; then return to their seats. Those who have not been baptized are urged to remain in their seats at prayer for those who are coming forward.
Concluding Prayer (unison)
We give you thanks, Holy One, for the grace we affirm this day in water and in the Holy Spirit. Enable us as sons and daughters of your love to continue to grow in your grace as we look forward to new life in the Resurrected Christ who makes us one in you. Amen.
Full Text
Introduction to the Rite
The church is of God, and will be preserved to the end of time, for worship and sacramental ministries, for the growth of Christian fellowship and discipleship, for the missions of mercy and compassion, and for the salvation of the world. All people stand in need of the grace that God alone can give, and God has chosen through the ministries of the church to provide the means of grace to everyone.
This rite, which is not an act of baptism or re-baptism, is an ancient way to recall for us of the gracious act of God by which we enter into Christ, are raised to walk in newness of life, and become a part of his family. It is appropriately celebrated by all of you who have been baptized, at any age and in any tradition. For those especially among our young ones who have not been baptized, I ask them to remain in their seats and to pray for each of us who renew our faith today. I know of no better people in the world to be praying for us than them.
In baptism we are welcomed into the family and household of God, raised to new life in Christ and nurtured in the Holy Spirit. In response to the call of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, many of you have given yourself to God through profession of faith and baptism.
As we approach the days of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, we are especially moved to hear the gospel call again, and are urged to renew our profession of faith—the saving faith that took Jesus to the cross, and brings us to everlasting life. And we remember our baptism with thankfulness.
I invite you who are baptized to stand where you are, and to join in the Renewal of your Baptismal Covenant, responding as indicated in your order of service. Those of you who desire to do so, following the thanksgiving, are invited to come forward for a moment of special remembrance—to touch the water and recall the day that Christ entered your life through this sacrament of water and spirit.
Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant
Do you in the presence of God and this congregation desire to renew the covenant which you made or which was made for you at your baptism? I do.
Do you seek to walk in the life of faith as a person who trusts in God alone for life, strength and salvation? I do.
Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world; and do you receive him as your Savior and Lord of your life? I do.
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Lift up your hearts.
P: We lift them up to the Lord.
L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
P: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Gracious God, we thank you that in every age you have made water a sign of your presence. In the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters and they became the source of all creation. You led your people through the waters of the Red Sea to their new land of freedom and hope. In the waters of the Jordan, your Son was baptized by John and anointed with your Spirit for his ministry of reconciliation. May this same spirit bless this water by which we remember our baptisms today, that we may be refreshed and renewed to walk faithfully as your disciples—buried and raised in Christ, strengthened by his resurrection to rejoice in you. Defend these who present themselves before you with your heavenly grace, and confirm within them the presence of your Holy Spirit; for we pray in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen
Act of Remembering
REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM AND BE THANKFUL.
Concluding Prayer (unison)
We give you thanks, Holy One, for the grace we affirm this day in water and in the Holy Spirit. Enable us as sons and daughters of your love to continue to grow in your grace as we look forward to new life in the Resurrected Christ who makes us one in you. Amen
Prayer of Approach (created or adapted by the editor)
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Let us pray. Eternal Lord of life, through your Son you have bestowed the light of life upon all the world. Sanctify this new light and grant that our hearts and minds also be kindled with holy desire to shine forth with the brightness of Christ’s rising, and to feast at the heavenly banquet; through Jesus Christ our Lord (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)
Intercessions (created or adapted by the editor)
1
Almighty and ever-living God, your people in all the earth adore you in this and every hour. We look to you especially in this day which by the resurrection of your Son is made holy. And for the blessings of this life, we thank you and celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, which is to be our own resurrection.
Given such great blessings, we cannot help but be awakened to the cries of those who have no earthly hope. We hear the call of the hungry, the destitute, the very old and very young who do not see the light of day. Give us the fortitude, O God, to face the call and respond with haste to feed and clothe and love all of your people, and to gather them as lambs into the hope which we have found in the light of your Christ.
We hear the cry of the soul-sick with grief and anger and fear. We see the need of our neighbors and are shamefully inattentive to their suffering. Brace us with courage, O God, where their courage is broken, and enable us to lift them up when they cannot carry themselves through the thorny paths of their lives, and to help them find the path of salvation, healing and peace.
We hear the groan of bondage in our world and see the stripes of the taskmaster on the backs of humanity. Great God of the living, give us power to break the bonds of evil which perplex and destroy. Help us to free our fellows with the liberating word of truth that Christ has broken the bonds of death, hell and the grave.
So many who are near to us are ill and suffering. Be by the side of these dear ones in this hour and the hours that lay ahead. Heal those lives for whom the world can hold no cure. Bind up the wounds which find no salve. Give peace to the broken ones who face death and separation.
Plough up the hardness of your church, O Lord, when we become infertile and unproductive. Give us grace to know that the hardships we must face are to prepare us to receive new life and a new age of fruitfulness for your kingdom. As we go through our daily walks of life, help us all to be a benediction upon the lives of our families, our co-workers and each of those lives whom we touch even briefly. Give us grace to bring our every need and those of our neighbors to the altar of your love and grace in the name of Jesus, your Christ.
2
Lord of life, hear us as we lift to you our hopes and prayers for the church and the world. Let your grace empower us as people of faith to better serve you in the common places of our lives, and in the people we meet on our faith journeys. Open our eyes to the living Christ as we pray for and work with the poor, the broken-hearted, the sick and the bereaved. Hear our prayers for those who are close to our hearts. In your resurrecting power, lift them up and give them renewed strength and hope; and give to us all new faith by which to live our days with you. Then will our lives be living witness to your resurrection, made whole by your love and care. In Christ’s Spirit we pray.
3
Holy God, we come before you in prayer, lifting to you the joys and concerns, the hopes and dreams of our lives. May we also be open to your voice in our lives that we may see with new eyes, and hear with new ears, the direction you will have us to go.
Bless, we pray, this gathering of your people that we may grow and flourish in your love and grace for the purpose to which you have called us.
Hear our prayers for those whose lives have touched us—those who are in pain, those who are ill, those who grieve. May we touch their lives not only through our prayers, but through our lives and actions as well.
Guide us, bless us, uplift us, and hold us, for we are your children called to our purpose in your world. Hear our prayers, those spoken and those hidden in our hearts, we pray in the name of Christ our Lord.
4
Righteous and ever living God, on this day your Son shattered the power of death, bringing life and immortality to light. On this day of all days in human history, help us to not to miss the power of its significance. Give us Easter’s holy power to adequately praise you and to rejoice in the new life that is ours. Intensify our joy in the resurrection that turned night into light and mourning into laughter. May our lives that often seem so dull and drab be made new, even as we go about our daily tasks. Open our eyes to the new possibilities of a world made fresh with praise. Give us the power of the resurrection, which broke the reign of death, to shatter every ancient tyranny that entombs your children: the intrigues of war, the subtlety of vested interests, racist pride, and ambitious self-seeking; and to break the enslaving shackles of debilitating doubts, secret lusts, persistent sins, wavering self-respect, diminishing integrity, and ever-deepening bitterness.
Give us, we pray, the victory of Easter that turned a cross into a resurrection, and made the symbol of shame into the sign of victory, to gain triumph from our worst defeats, to turn darkness to day, to make temptations into redemptive opportunities, to transform tragedy into faith, freshly made graves into hope, and all bitterness to love.
Give us the peace of the resurrection that calmed the terrorized hearts of your children, and as we wait upon you, speak calm to our souls. Because Christ lives, we, too, shall live, and so we rejoice. Until the day dawns, grant us brave hearts and constant spirits, as we lift our hearts to you in praise and thanksgiving, through Christ our Lord.
Collect of the Day (created or adapted by the editor)
God of all ages and of all people, the shadows and gloom of Good Friday have been dispersed by the light and color of Easter Sunday. We rejoice in your power that turns our sorrow into joy, our despair into hope, our defeat into victory, and evil into goodness. Help us on this day, O God, to burst out of the tombs that have entrapped us: tombs of selfishness and sinfulness, greed and gluttony, scandal and corruption, pride and prejudice. Let now a new life of divine grace and human love burst forth from each of us, through the power of Jesus Christ, the Risen One.
Collect of the Day from Rev. William Flewelling (© 2012, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
On Mark 16:1-8
Against our rooted fear, O God,
our uncertainty and anxiety,
even the face of our dutiful chores,
you open the tomb, announce refreshment,
wield for us the promise of the way.
Yet we remain in our sturdy fears,
awaiting your word within our hearts
that boldness may overtake us
in utter joy, the joy of Jesus,
risen from the dead.
Fulfill for us your word, O God.
RESOURCES from COMMON WORSHIP
Collect
Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.
Post Communion
God of Life,
who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son
to the death of the cross,
and by his glorious resurrection
have delivered us from the power of our enemy:
grant us so to die daily to sin,
that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alternative Collect
God of glory,
by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your Church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2011. Compiled by Simon Kershaw October 2011 from the Common Worship Calendar and Lectionaries using Almanac Maker; compilation © Simon Kershaw 2011; Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010. The Revised Common Lectionary is copyright © the Consultation on Common Texts 1992. The Daily Eucharistic Lectionary is adapted from the Ordo Lectionum Missae of the Roman Catholic Church reproduced by permission of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Adaptations and additions to the RCL and the DEL, together with Second and Third Service lectionaries and the Weekday Lectionary for Morning and Evening Prayer are copyright © the Archbishops’ Council 1997-2010. Version 2012-1.2 30 October 2011. http://almanac.oremus.org/lectionary
Resources from the Jubilee Fund: This stewardship ministry serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) offers weekly emails, archived here at the Disciples Center for Faith and Giving Site, for each Sunday’s service.
You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.
Intercessions and other helpful planning materials geared to the Lectionary (using Roman Catholic version, but normally quite useful for all traditions) for preaching and worship are supplied for several weeks in advance at The Sunday Website of St. Louis University.
Liturgies created by Moira Laidlaw (Uniting Church in Australia) as a part of her doctoral dissertation are often helpful. Read more here.
