Easter day
AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR USE AT HOME
EASTER SUNDAY
April 20, 2025
THE WORD OF GOD
Opening Hymn: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today #207
The Opening Acclamation BCP p. 355
Presider: Alleluia, Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Summary of the Law BCP p. 351
The Collect of the Day
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading Acts 10:34-43
Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles: “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.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 118:1-2,14-24
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim,
“His mercy endures for ever.”
14 The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.
15 There is a sound of exultation and victory
in the tents of the righteous:
16 “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed!
the right hand of the Lord is exalted!
the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!”
17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me sorely,
but he did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the Lord.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord;
he who is righteous may enter.”
21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 On this day the Lord has acted;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Now The Green Blade Riseth #204
The Holy Gospel Luke 24:1-12
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
With shouts of Alleluia at Christ’s victory over death, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.
Lord of all, we give you thanks for making us witnesses to your resurrection. Enliven your church as it proclaims Christ’s glorious resurrection to all people. Hear us, O God;
your mercy is great.
Lord of all, we give you thanks for all of creation. Make us good stewards of the earth and its resources, that all may share in its bounty for generations to come. Hear us, O God;
your mercy is great.
Lord of all, we pray for those parts of the world in the midst of war and political unrest. Teach us to live peacefully with one another despite our differences. Hear us, O God;
your mercy is great.
Lord of all, we pray for those who suffer in mind, body or spirit; and especially Cathy, Edward, Helena, Holly, Jenny, Karin, Lee, Lori, Louise, Lyndon, Miriam, Pat, Ray, Ron, Susan, Zach, and others? (pause). Heal your children, that all may experience new life. Hear us, O God;
your mercy is great.
Lord of all, we pray for the ministries of this congregation that daily bear witness to the empty tomb. Keep us faithful and diligent in our call to serve you. Hear us, O God;
your mercy is great.
Lord of all, through your Son you have shown us that death does not have the last word. Comfort all who mourn the death of loved ones, and raise us with Christ to eternal life in your presence. Hear us, O God;
your mercy is great.
Merciful God, we commend to you all for whom we pray, for the sake of your crucified and risen Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer BCP p. 364
A Prayer For Spiritual Communion When We Cannot Receive The Sacrament
Dear Lord Jesus,
I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of Holy Communion.
I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come at least spiritually into my heart.
As I trust that you have already come,
I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you.
Never let me be separated from you,
that I may love and serve you with all my being,
and at the last day, be welcomed into your kingdom. Amen
Closing Hymn He Is Risen, He Is Risen! #180
The Easter Blessing
May God the Father, by whose power Christ was raised from the dead,
Strengthen us to walk with Him in His risen life;
And may the blessing of God Almighty:
The Father, the +Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Be with us all, evermore. AMEN.
The Easter Dismissal
Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!