The Sabbath after our Lord was crucified, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” (the mother of James and Joseph) went to the tomb of Jesus, to anoint the body of Jesus for burial. There was a great earthquake that occurred, and an angel of the Lord came from heaven, rolled back the stone, and sat on it. The guards who kept watch over the tomb were frightened and completely disabled by the sight.
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.” They left the scene quickly, filled with both fear and great joy, to tell the disciples, and on the way, met Jesus himself, who greeted them, and told them not to be afraid, but go and tell his disciples to go to Galilee, where they would see him.
The simple truth of the ages, the great confession of our faith in the Lord, is that Jesus of Nazareth is no longer in Joseph’s borrowed tomb. He is risen, just as he said. The Lamb who was slain is now alive forevermore, for life, for salvation, and for peace.
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Glory to you, O God: on this day you won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, O Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen.
~ The Book of Common Worship, p. 315
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
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, amen.
Wednesday: Pss. 50; 73-74
Chronological Holy Week Readings
Easter Sunday: Mark 16.1-8; Matt. 28.1-20; Luke 24.13-53; John 20.1-21.25
Lectionary Readings for Easter Morning
Psalm: Ps. 118.1-2, 14-24 Acts*: Acts 10.34-43 Gospel: Matt. 28.1-10 NT: Col. 3.1-4* During Eastertide, a reading from Acts is often substituted for the lesson from the Hebrew Bible. Psalm: Ps. 114 OT: Isa. 25.6-9 Gospel: Luke 24.13-49 NT: 1 Cor. 5.6b-8
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
--Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
~LIndemann, p. 131
Affirmation from the Psalms
Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! [6] For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, [7] a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? [8] O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you?
~ Psalm 89.5-8
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Jesus of Nazareth crucified on Calvary, is no longer dead. He has risen; he has risen, indeed!
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Suffering and the Glory of Christ
Luke 24.13-35