EASTER CHURCH SERVICE
If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and make spiritual Communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. All of your intentions have been held before the Lord.
The Easter Church Service;
Celebrant; 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Congregation; 'Amen.'
Beginning hymn; 'Now the Green Blade Riseth'
Lyrics;
Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.
In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom we had slain,
Thinking that He’d never wake to life again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.
Up He sprang at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain;
Up from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.
When our hearts are saddened, grieving or in pain,
By Your touch You call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.
PART 1; THE SERVICE OF LIGHT
In darkness, kindle a fire if possible. Otherwise, light a large candle, which symbolizes the Risen Jesus Christ, Son of God.
Celebrant; "Dear friends in Christ, on this most holy night when our Saviour Jesus Christ passed from death to life, we gather with all the Church throughout the world in vigil and prayer.
This is the passover of Jesus Christ.
Through light and word, through water, bread and wine we celebrate the new lift that Christ shares with us.
Let us pray;
Redeeming GOD,
Source of life and light,
Bless this new fire,
And grant that we who are warmed by the celebration of this Easter Feast,
May share in the everlasting festival of your radiance,
Through Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Amen."
The priest traces a cross on the Paschal Candle.
Celebrant; "We honour Christ yesterday and today,
The beginning and the end,
The Alpha and Omega.
All ages and times belong to Christ,
To Whom be glory and sovereignty,
Through every age forever. Amen."
The Paschal Candle can be lit from the paschal fire. If there is no fire available, the Paschal Candle is held up.
Celebrant; "May the Light of Christ, rising in glory, illumine our hearts and minds.
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World."
Congregation; "Thanks be to GOD."
All in the Congregation light their candle.
Spend a few minutes in silence, pondering the events of the early hours of Easter Sunday.
Click on this link for John the Beloved's Witness of the Resurrection
Celebrant; Words of Comfort
"We thank You O GOD for sending Your Only Son Jesus Christ to heal the wounds in our hearts and minds, and the rifts in our relationships on earth.
Christ is the true Passover Lamb Who has set all free.
We remember our history; This is the night when You saved your chosen people ISRAEL from slavery, and led them through the Red Sea to freedom.
This is the night when the pillar of fire brought light to your wandering people.
This is the night when all are delivered from the chains of banishment, and inherit the right to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
This night is truly blessed when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death, and rose triumphant from the grave.
We all rejoice and give You honour and praise, O GOD."
Congregation; "Accept this Easter Candle, O GOD, a pillar of fire that glows to Your Honour, O LORD.
Let it mingle with the lights of Heaven and continue burning to lighten the darkness of this night.
We honour Your Son, the Morning Star.
He has arisen to shed His peaceful Light upon all creation.
Christ has arisen, is alive and glorified with you forever, Amen."
PART 2; THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
First Reader; "We remember how GOD created the world, and all in it.
The first reading is from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 1 verses 1 to 4
"In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of GOD hovered over the waters.
And GOD said, 'Let there be light', and there was light.
GOD saw that the light was good, and GOD separated the light from the darkness."
Celebrant; "We thank You, O GOD, for our creation. Through Christ's Death and Resurrection You fulfilled your promise to Abrahan and Sarah that You would increase your chosen people among the nations.
GOD of freedom, in the Red Sea You delivered Your chosen people ISRAEL from slavery.
In the Red Sea You give us a symbol of baptism. Grant that all the people on earth may come to new birth by water and the Spirit.
GOD our Provider, by the power of Your Word You create all things, and by Your Spirit You renew the earth.
We pray that You give the water of life to all who thirst for you, and nourish at your table all who hunger for you.
Amen.
THE GOSPEL as witnessed in Matthew Chapter 28, verses 1 to 10;
"Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an Angel of the LORD descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
But the Angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus Who was crucified.
He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.
Come, see the place where He lay.
Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him.
See, I have told you."
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!'
And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him.
Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.' "
PART 3; BAPTISM OR RENEWAL OF BAPTISM
Celebrant; "Easter is a blessed time for those wishing for Baptism to receive this Holy Sacrament.
It is also the time for those of us who have been baptised, to refresh and renew our commitment to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This we do by recommitting our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ.
I invite you to affirm your commitment to Jesus Christ and your rejection of all that is evil.
Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the freedom of the children of GOD?"
Congregation; "I do."
Celebrant; "Do you reject the lure of evil,
So that sin may have no mastery over you?"
Congregation; "I do."
Celebrant; "Do you reject satan, the author and prince of sin?"
Congregation; "I do."
Do you believe in GOD the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth?"
Congregation; "I do."
Celebrant; "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead, and is seated at the Right Hand of GOD the Father?"
Congregation; "I do."
Celebrant; "Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?"
Congregation; "I do."
Celebrant; "Do you believe in the holy universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?"
Congregation; "I do."
Celebrant; "Do you recommit yourself wholeheartedly to GOD's Love and Service for your earthly and eternal life?"
Congregation; "I do."
PART 4; BLESSING OF WATER
Have blessing water available in a font or special vessel.
Celebrant; "We thank You, O GOD, for the Living Water of Your Son Jesus Christ.
We have been led through the water of baptism to new life with You.
As the Israelites were led through water from slavery to freedom, so we have been led from banishment to restored relationship with You.
Whoever drinks of the eternal waters that Jesus brings will never thirst again.
We pray this night in thanksgiving for our own baptism. We further pray that all who have not received this gift, be overshadowed by Your Almighty Power and eternal Love.
Amen.
The Celebrant sprinkles water over the congregation. Alternately, you can bless yourself with some water to honour the Living Water, Jesus Christ.
Celebrant; "Forgiveness of sins has been given to us through GOD's infinite mercy and pardon, and the loving sacrifice and suffering of Jesus.
We pray for the forgiveness of our personal sins. Amen."
Here ponder on ways in which you can improve your life, in order to become more like Jesus.
PART 5; BREAKING OF BREAD
Celebrant; 'Almighty God, You made a covenant with Your people, and declared Your purpose of justice and love.
When all things were ready, You sent Your Son to be Our Saviour.
In words and deeds He proclaimed Your Kingdom, and obeyed Your Will even to death on the cross.
Through His mighty death and resurrection, He overcame sin and death, to set the whole creation free.
We praise You, Father,that on the night before He gave His life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to His disciples and said; 'Take, eat; this is My Body which is broken for you.
Do this in memory of me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.'
Celebrant; 'After the same manner also He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Take this, all of you, and drink; for this is My Blood; the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. Do This in memory of Me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation.'
The Lord's Prayer;
'Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by 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, the power and the glory, forever, Amen.'
PRAYERS;
Celebrant; 'Heavenly GOD, we pray for all who have gone before us. Restore what is needed, heal what was wounded, forgive that which is needed.'
Congregation; 'Lord GOD, we pray for all who rest in the peace of Your Presence.'
Celebrant; 'We pray for leaders in authority, that they may receive wisdom and integrity to carry out their work.'
Congregation; 'Lord GOD, we pray for those who need grace in their daily decisions.'
Celebrant; 'We pray for those affected in countries torn apart by war and division. May GOD be with them as their comfort during their trials and sufferings.'
Congregation; 'Lord GOD, we pray for all who suffer needlessly from violence and war.'
Celebrant; 'We pray for families and those facing difficult decisions within their family homes. Give them courage, grace and strength to live the love of GOD within their family homes.'
Congregation; 'Lord GOD, we pray for all fathers, mothers and families that the grace and strength of Jesus Christ be always in their midst. May Jesus lead, guide and encourage families to holiness and love for one another.'
Celebrant; 'We pray for those whose relationships have been fractured. May the GOD of relationship help to heal unforgiveness, resentment, jealousy and hatred.
Congregation; 'We pray that the luminous Son of GOD inspire all to forgiveness and reconciliation.'
Celebrant; 'We pray for priests, that they may be true, holy and worthy of their sacred office. We pray that none would become unworthy shepherds of the people.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, we pray for priests that they may be worthy of their office.'
Celebrant; 'We pray for ourselves, that we may become more and more like our Lord our Saviour, Jesus Christ the Son of GOD.'
Congregation; 'We pray for your grace and blessings upon ourselves, dear Lord. Help us, pilgrims on life's road, to become holy saints worthy to live with you for eternity in Heaven. Amen.'
Benediction;
Celebrant; 'Isaiah prophesied the crucifixion from the mists of biblical time.
We were told that Jesus would be the most despised and rejected of men.
He would be familiar with suffering,and bear the price of our ancestral shame.
Jesus carried our pains; He opened the way to new life.
From this great suffering and rejection came the glory of the Resurrection.
Jesus told us that He is the Resurrection and the Life, and that anyone who believes will live eternally even after earthly death.
Lord, we believe. Keep us safe within the Shelter of Your Arms as we stumble on our earthly way through the daily problems and difficulties that beset us.
We are dependent on Your Grace and Strength as we keep our eyes fixed on our Heavenly destiny.
Thank you for accepting the Cup of Suffering over which you agonised in the Garden.
Without that act of acceptance and self-sacrifice, Heaven would never have been won for us.
May Your Name be held forever blessed.
And remain in our joyful and sincere love.'
Congregation; 'Amen'.
Final Hymn; 'Jesus Christ is Risen Today'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT7dGcsrPkQ
Jesus Christ is risen 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 Heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
But the pain which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
REJOICE AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL
Reverend Catherine
With thanks to Youtube and Mormon Channel
