**Please note this service is based on the format of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). Hymns and other prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.
**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.
Thanksgiving For Baptism
Alleluia!
Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
In the waters of baptism,
we
have passed over from death to life with Jesus Christ,
and
we are a new creation.
For
this saving mystery, and for this water, let us bless God,
who
was, who is, and who is to come.
We thank you, God, for your river of life,
flowing
freely from your throne:
through
the earth,
through
the city,
through
every living thing.
You
rescued Noah and his family from the flood;
You
opened wide the sea for the Israelites.
Now
in these waters you flood us with mercy,
and
our sin is drowned forever.
You
open the gate of righteousness
and
we pass safely through.
In
Jesus Christ, you calm and trouble the waters.
You
nourish us and enclose us in safety.
You
call us forth and send us out.
In
lush and barren places, you are with us.
You
have become our salvation.
Now
breathe upon this water
and
awaken your church once more.
Claim
us again as your beloved and holy people.
Quench
our thirst; cleanse our hearts; wipe away every tear.
To
you, our Beginning and our End,
our
Shepherd and Lamb,
be
honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving,
now
and forever.
Amen.
Gathering Song – Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (ELW #365)
Greeting
The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and
the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Canticle of Praise
Prayer of the Day
The
Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let
us pray.
O God, you gave your only Son
to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious
resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to
sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Choir Anthem – "Easter Alleluia"
Readings
A
reading from the Book of Isaiah 65:17-25
For I am about to
create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things
shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
But be glad and
rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to
create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in
Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the
sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
No more shall
there be in it
an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies
at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will
be considered accursed.
They shall build
houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their
fruit.
They shall not
build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days
of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of
their hands.
They shall not
labor in vain,
or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be
offspring blessed by the Lord—
and their descendants as well.
Before they call I
will answer,
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the
lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
but the serpent—its food shall be dust!
They shall not
hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,
says the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
O
give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Let
Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the
righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of
the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of
the Lord does valiantly.”
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not
give me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous
shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the
chief cornerstone.
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.
A reading from the Book of Acts 10:34-43
Then Peter began to speak to
them: “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.
Gospel Acclamation
The Lord be with you.
And
also with you.
The
Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. 24:1-12
Glory to you, O Lord.
But on the first day of the
week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had
prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went
in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly
two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and
bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for
the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told
you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to
sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they
remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the
eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother
of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But
these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But
Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths
by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
The
Gospel of the Christ.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
May only truth be spoken, and truth received. Amen.
The
women in our text were broken-hearted, confused and their spirits were in
turmoil. They were still reeling and rocking from the events that had taken
place several days earlier.
Their
time with Jesus seemed all too brief. Not only did it end much too soon, but it
ended in a way for which none of them were prepared. While it was true that
they had heard him refer to his death at various times, none of them expected
things to come crashing down the way they did.
At
the beginning of the week, when he had entered Jerusalem, the whole town had
been moved by his presence. People stripped palms from the trees and threw down
their cloaks to cushion the steps of the donkey upon which he rode. They
rejoiced greatly as they sang glad hosannas to his name. They gave so much
praise that some of the religious leaders wanted him to quiet the crowd.
However,
he had told them that if those who were giving praise were to hold their peace
the very rocks would cry out the message of thanksgiving for the presence that
was in their midst.
Just
the previous Sunday, one week to the day, these women had come for Jesus’
triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Now they are draped in their garments of
mourning, and with tear-stained eyes and with trembling hands they carry
bottles of ointment to anoint his dead body.
They
have come in the dark to the tomb where they expected to find his dead, cold
and partially decayed body. It was hard to believe, and yet it was true. Jesus
Christ had been crucified!
As
they got nearer the tomb in silence, and in the stillness of the half dark,
half light, early morning hour that was occasionally pierced by a sniffle or
muffled cries that came from various members of their number, they began to ask
a question that became increasingly important as they approached the place
where they assumed the Lord lay, “Who will roll the stone away?”
However,
as they neared the tomb, they were startled when two men in dazzling garments
appeared suddenly beside them. Instantly, their grief was turned into terror as
they bowed before them not knowing what to expect.
The
men asked them a question that was as startling as their sudden appearance.
They asked them why they were looking for the living among the dead.
The
Lord was not in the tomb, because he had risen just as he had said while he was
in Galilee. He had told them that he would be handed over to sinners,
crucified, and then rise again on the third day. They now remembered his words.
For
all the joy and fanfare of Easter, for all the complexity and mystery of our
whole religious life together, and for all the billions and billions of words
we use to try and explain it all, Christianity ultimately has a six-word
autobiography, and it is this: “Jesus is risen from the dead.”
There
are roughly 2 billion Christians in the world, and not one of us has a thing to
say without these six words.
These
are the words that the breathless women carried from the empty tomb back to the
other disciples.
These
are the words that have been passed from person to person, from community to
community, every day since then – in secret, in triumph, in darkness, in
celebration.
It
is these six words that have taken us from scattered, broken people who are
lost to one of the largest religions in the world.
It
is these six words that have found countless individuals whose lives were
already dead – broken by pain and suffering, by sin and darkness – and given
them new life.
Jesus
is risen from the dead.
Are
these words true? If they are not, Paul says to the Corinthians, “we are of all
people most to be pitied.”
If
they are not, then we are doomed to very short and pointless lives, and to be
defeated by the suffering that we continue to see all around us. To be defeated
by death itself.
What
could we possibly use to measure the impact that these six words have had upon
the world – the ways in which forgiveness, joy, reconciliation, self-giving
love and charity have wrought miracles and abundance on the face of this earth
in the time since we have first heard that Jesus is risen from the dead?
And
how will these words change the world?
What
do these words mean to a world at war, a culture at odds, a people in pain?
Every
day we write our story again, and we say that it is no less true today than it
was on the first day; it is no less miraculous today than it was on the first
day – no less shocking, no less joyful, no less important, no less
life-changing and meaningful.
Jesus
is risen from the dead.
How
many lives have been transformed, starting with Mary Magdalene and her
companions, falling to the ground in utter shock, upon hearing these six words?
These
women were the first witnesses, the ones who found out that everything had
changed because they were the ones who were faithful to Jesus. They didn't hide
or run.
These
women stayed until the end and then came back to make sure that things were
done right now.
In
those times, the word of women wasn't allowed to stand up in court. So even in
the resurrection, the message God is sending is that those on the margins, the
outcasts, the one's despised…they are the bearers of the good news.
They
are the ones we should be listening to.
The
power of the resurrection is that it turned, terrified, followers hiding out
and fear into bold witnesses.
So
what now?
When
a group of people are no longer afraid of death, whether it's because they have
nothing left to lose or because they believe in the movement or because they
believe that death is not the end, well, those people are the most dangerous of
all.
Those
are the people who affect change.
Those
are the people who fight for justice and peace.
Resurrection
people are willing to speak truth to power, to live their lives authentically
and loudly, even in the face of hate.
And
every time we get a hint of resurrection, the empire loses a bit of power.
The
world gains a bit more courage.
We
start to bring about the kingdom of God on earth, as it is in heaven.
Six words – Jesus is risen from the dead.
Run
and tell the others what you’ve heard.
Hymn
of the Day – Now
All the Vault of Heaven Resounds (ELW #367)
Nicene Creed
Let us confess our faith as we say
together 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,
was incarnate of the Holy
Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the
Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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.
Prayers of Intercession
On this day of
resurrection joy, let us offer our prayers for ourselves, our neighbors, and
our world.
Renewing God, the good news
of your resurrection changed the world. Give church leaders and all the
baptized the same excitement as the women at the tomb, and inspire us to share
your abundant life.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Sustaining God, your creation abounds with signs of new life in budding trees and newborn creatures. Provide fertile soil, ample sunlight, and nourishing rain for the growth of plants, and provide farmers with a plentiful harvest.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Sheltering God, strengthen and sustain all who support vulnerable people across the world. Empower government agencies and international organizations that provide for refugees and migrants forced to leave their homelands.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Encouraging God, you do a new thing among us. We pray for those gripped by fear and anxiety or who suffer in any way. Send us as your healing presence to places of hunger, pain, illness, or overwhelming sorrow.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Surprising God, you offer endless ways for us to delight in your grace. Give this community of faith a sense of joy and wonder in exploring new avenues of faith formation, worship, and discipleship.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Resurrecting God, you make us alive in Christ. Thank you for blessing us with faithful witnesses who now rest in you.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We offer to you these petitions and those we carry in our hearts, trusting in your abundant and ever-present mercy.
Amen.
Peace
The peace of Christ be with
you always.
And also with you.
Offering Hymn – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! (ELW #369)
Offering Prayer
Let us pray.
Living God,
you gather the wolf and the
lamb to feed together
in your peaceable reign,
and you welcome us all at
your table.
Reach out to us through this
meal,
and show us your wounded and
risen body,
that we may be nourished and
believe
in Jesus Christ, our Saviour
and Lord.
Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
Dialogue
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.
It is right to give our
thanks and praise.
Preface
It is indeed right, our duty
and our joy,
that we should at all times
and in all places
give thanks and praise to
you, almighty and merciful God,
for the glorious resurrection
of our Savior Jesus Christ,
the true Paschal Lamb who
gave himself to take away our sin;
who in dying has destroyed
death,
and in rising has brought us
to eternal life.
And so, with Mary Magdalene
and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection,
with earth and sea and all
their creatures,
and with angels and
archangels, cherubim and seraphim,
we praise your name and join
their unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Thanksgiving at the Table
Blessed are you, O God of the
universe.
Your mercy is everlasting
and your faithfulness endures
from age to age.
Praise to you for creating
the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the
earth from the waters of the flood.
Praise to you for bringing
the Israelites safely through the sea.
Praise to you for leading
your people through the wilderness
to the land of milk and
honey.
Praise to you for the words
and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death
and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit
poured out on all nations.
In the night in which he was
betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his
disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my
body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance
of me.
Again, after supper, he took
the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink,
saying:
This cup is the new covenant
in my blood,
shed for you and for all
people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance
of me.
With this bread and cup
we remember our Lord’s
passover from death to life
as we proclaim the mystery of
faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
O God of resurrection and new
life:
Pour out your Holy Spirit on
us
and on these gifts of bread
and wine.
Bless this feast.
Grace our table with your
presence.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread.
Raise us up as the body of
Christ for the world.
Breathe new life into us.
Send us forth,
burning with justice, peace,
and love.
Come, Holy Spirit.
With your holy ones of all times and places,
with the earth and all its
creatures,
with sun and moon and stars,
we praise you, O God,
blessed and holy Trinity,
now and forever.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy
Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who
sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
This is the
table of Christ. It is made ready for those who love him, and for those who
want to love him more. Come, whether you have much faith or little, have tried
to follow, or are afraid that you have failed. Come. Because it is Christ's
will that those who want to meet him, might meet him here. These are the gifts
of God for the people of God.
Share in the Eucharist.
Table Blessing
The body and blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ strengthen you and
Keep you in his grace.
Amen.
Prayer After Communion
As we have feasted around the table, let us pray.
We give you thanks, generous God,
for in this bread and cup
we have tasted the new heaven and earth
where hunger and thirst are no more.
Send us from this table as witnesses to the resurrection,
that through our lives, all may know life in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Blessing
God, the Author of life,
Christ, the living Cornerstone,
and the life-giving Spirit of adoption,
☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.
Sending Song – A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! (ELW #393)
Dismissal
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in peace. Tell what God has done.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
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