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Sample Liturgy for Easter Sunday

On the Liturgy

Artwork for Bulletins/Slideshows

  • Irma Martin, The three women on the tomb of Christ (1843), oil on canvas
  • The Anastasis, painting on fresco (see p. 108 of the catechism book) — notice the rich theological symbolism, from the doors of Hades under Christ’s feet to Adam and Eve being raised with Christ from the dead

File:Irma Martin - The three women on the tomb of Christ.jpg

The Liturgy

For prelude, selections from the Easter Playlist may be played.

THE PROCESSIONAL

As the Minister(s) enter, the processional may be sung or played. The Minister(s) may kneel at the Lord’s Table for prayer and take their seat before rising to say the acclamation.

THE ACCLAMATION

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

CALL TO WORSHIP

Good morning, brothers and sisters, and happy Easter!

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

In the immortal words of John Chrysostom, “Enjoy you all the feast of faith: Receive you all the riches of loving-kindness. Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: ‘Hell,’ said he, ‘was embittered, when it encountered you in the lower regions.’ It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen. O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. To him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.”

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Let us pray.

OPENING PRAYER

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 forever. Amen.

THE GLORIA PATRI (SAID OR SUNG)

Then the Gloria Patri is sung joyfully, a capella or with instruments.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

HYMN OR CHORUSES OF PRAISE

A hymn of praise and celebration may immediately follow.

PRAYER BEFORE THE LESSONS

As we prepare for God to speak to us through his Word, let us pray.

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection 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 resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING: ACTS 10:34–43

A reading from the Book of Acts, Chapter 10, at the 34th verse.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

THE GRADUAL: PSALM 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23

Verse 24 is used as an antiphon.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

16 The right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

HYMN

  • Christ the Lord is Risen Today (251)

SECOND READING: COLOSSIANS 3:1–4

A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, Chapter 3, at the first verse:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

HYMN

  • He Lives (257)

THE GOSPEL READING: JOHN 20:1–18

Please stand for the reading of the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John, Chapter 20, at the first verse:

20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 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.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 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.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for 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.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

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

CATECHISM QUESTION

Q. 33. Why was Christ raised from the dead?
Christ truly rose again from the dead, taking back his body, with flesh, bones, and all things pertaining to the perfection of human nature, to overcome death, declare his Lordship, and begin the restoration of the whole creation. Because he lives, we may be raised by his power to a new life, share in the righteousness which he obtained for us by his death, and enjoy the sure pledge that our bodies shall also be raised in glory.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Heavenly Father, shine the light of the risen Christ into our hearts and minds, that we may see and believe the truths of your holy gospel. Amen.

THE SERMON

The Minister expounds the Scripture lessons.

ACCLAMATION

At the end of the sermon, the Minister says,

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory forever!

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

THE CREED

Let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE INVITATION

Brothers and sisters, we have heard the Word of the Lord: Christ our Passover is alive from the dead. Now, the Lord invites all who have answered his call to repent and be baptized to share in the Paschal feast. Let us confess our sin, and cleanse out the old leaven, that we may be a new lump, as we really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with sincere repentance and true faith. Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE COMFORTING WORDS AND THE PEACE

Hear the good news: Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. In him we are forgiven and set free. Hallelujah!

Peace be with you.
And also with you.

THE OFFERTORY

THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS

Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to our God!
It is right to give him thanks and praise!

O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, it is very fitting, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you. But chiefly we are bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, for he is the very Paschal Lamb which was offered 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 restored to us everlasting life.

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.

SONG

  • Christ is Risen from the Dead (262) — a wonderful hymn for use at communion during Easter (“Let no one caught in sin remain … run to Him who showed great love … Christ is risen from the dead”); it also draws theologically rich lyrics from the great Paschal Troparion of the Eastern tradition (“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death, come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave”)

THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.

So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.

CHORUS

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE MINISTRATION

With hands raised to heaven,

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world!
Have mercy on us, and grant us your peace!

With palms open towards the bread and wine on the Table,

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!
Therefore let us keep the feast!

Raising the bread and the cup in the sight of the people,

The gifts of God for the people of God!
Thanks be to God!

The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then invite the people to come forward to partake. When delivering the bread to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you.
  • The body of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The body of Christ; take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you.
  • The body of Christ; feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
  • The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.

When delivering the cup to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you.
  • The blood of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The blood of Christ; drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
  • The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.

During the distribution, “Keep the Feast” may be played.

THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favor, so that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE DOXOLOGY

Then is sung,

Praise God from whom all blessings flowPraise him all creatures here belowPraise him above, you heavenly hostPraise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE BLESSING AND SENDING

May the God and Father who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead fill you with new and living hope through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Go and tell the world that Christ is risen!
Thanks be to God!

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