Christ is Risen, Alleluia!
All: He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Hymn – Christ the Lord is Risen Today
1 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2 Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
3 Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
4 Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
5 Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
6 King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia! (by Charles Wesley – 1739)
The Greeting
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
All: And also with you
The Peace
We are the body of Christ.
In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
(Please turn to those around you, offering your hand, and say
‘The peace of the Lord be with you’)
Prayer of Preparation
All: Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer of Penitence
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our Cod is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your Cod with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
All: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ
to save us from our sins,
to be our advocate in heaven,
and to bring us to eternal life.
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith,
firmly resolved to keep God’s commandments
and to live in love and peace with all.
All: Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen.
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Collect for Easter Sunday–
Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.
All: Amen
Our first Reading on this Easter Sunday Morning is from Psalm 118
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 marvellous in our eyes.
24 On this day the Lord has acted;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia – This is the Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Hymn – Thou didst leave Thy throne
- Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
- Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
- The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
- Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
- When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me. (by E.E.S. Elliot – 1836 to 1897)
I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one;
I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.
All: Alleluia.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew Chap: 28
1 After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4 The guards were so afraid that they trembled and became like dead men.
5 The angel spoke to the women. “You must not be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying.
7 Go quickly now, and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him!’ Remember what I have told you.”
8 So they left the tomb in a hurry, afraid and yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Peace be with you.” They came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
10 “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to them. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
These are the words of Christ
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
Sermon for Easter Sunday Morning –
If someone asked you,
‘What do you believe is the greatest miracle of all, that has had the greatest impact in the world?’
Some might say, particularly many young people, modern technology such as the internet or the mobile phone; some might say the advancement of medical science in prolonging life. However, some may not regard these as miracles but as a result of man’s achievements in science and technology. A miracle is often regarded as something above and beyond human explanation.
If you googled or looked up the word, ‘supernatural’ or ‘miraculous’ in a dictionary, you would get a wide variety of definitions, including a lot mentioning the ‘occult’. That is completely contrary to the Christian view of supernatural. One definition is: not existing in nature; or not subject to explanation according to natural laws. All great inventions and achievements are amazing and wonderful things, but when it comes to a miracle that is not man-made, what would you say was the greatest?
Our focus is going to be on the greatest supernatural event of all –
The Resurrection of Jesus
.We know that Jesus performed many miracles, particularly the casting out of demons, which we would call supernatural. But it’s the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the 3rd day after He was crucified, which gives credence to all the miracles of Jesus. The resurrection is the all-important event in the life of Jesus that crowns all others.
There is a renowned book that was written in 1930 which became a best seller and is still published today called: Who Moved the Stone?
Frank Morison, the author and sceptic, wanted to disprove the resurrection of Jesus but in the end came to believe it and he became a committed Christian.
It was after the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 that England was waiting for news about the outcome of the campaign. The Duke of Wellington had fought Napoleon Bonapart. In those days, ways of communication were not like they are today with social media. Watchmen were stationed along the coast to read the semaphore from the returning sailing vessels. It was a cloudy, foggy day, but finally a watchman spied a signal which read: ‘Wellington defeated’ and the fog closed in again.
The message was relayed all across England and it gripped the nation with defeat and discouragement. Hours later, however, the fog lifted and the entire message came through: ‘Wellington defeated the enemy!’ Discouragement was banished and the nation rejoiced in the good news.
And so, in a similar way it was like that for the disciples that first Easter from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
Jesus was put to death on the cross but that was not the end of the story, because without the resurrection, the cross would not mean anything.
The miracles would mean nothing and would not suggest any future hope. The Cross can deal with our past but not give hope for the future without the resurrection.
Without the resurrection, there is no gospel to preach as there is no good news.
1 Corinthians Chap: 15 is the great and extensive chapter in the Bible about the resurrection of Jesus and there are 58 verses. Verses 12-14 tell us:
- But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
The gospels give us the factual events, and the Epistles help to explain the truths of the gospel.
Regarding the resurrection, in 1 Corinthians:
Paul reviews the evidence of the church, the scriptures, the eyewitnesses, his own experience on the Damascus Road and the common message which the first Christians preached.
The resurrection was something:
- Predicted
- Promised
- Proclaimed
Amongst the purposes of the resurrection, it was to:
- Overcome the power of Satan and evil
- Overcome death itself – ‘Death were is thy sting’
- Foundation of the gospel – without it there is no good news
- The Basis of Christian hope
- A glorious expectation
However, the resurrection is not merely historical, universal or eternal – it is personal. It’s about our understanding of our relationship with God in Christ. It’s about the way we live, because as 2 Corinthians Chap: 5 Vers: 17 says:
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come”.
The resurrection tells us that Jesus is: A living Lord A living Word A living Faith A living Hope of eternal life
- A Living Lord
‘He is not here, He is risen’ – was declared by the angels at the empty tomb.
We know that Jesus ascended to heaven and is now at the right hand of God the Father. And because of the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus also lives with us.
- Where does He live?
- He lives in a heart of faith and trust.
- A Living Word
‘In the beginning was the word and the word became flesh and dwelt amongst us full of grace and truth’ (John Chap1)
It was the disciple who came to Jesus and said,
‘Who can we go to, You. alone have the words of eternal life.’
It was on the Emmaus Road that as Jesus unfolded the Word of God to those two companions, that after he left them, they could say,
‘Did not our hearts burn within us?’
What was it that caused the disciples to rise up and follow Him?
It was His words – He spoke with the authority of God’s Son. God speaks today through His word and by His Holy Spirit.
- A Living Faith
After the resurrection, the disciples became incredible witnesses for the gospel. Sometimes our faith can grow cold. We can take the Church and fellow Christians for granted. But as we consider again the wonder of the resurrection, we need to rekindle that flame of sacred love on the mean altar of our hearts. Paul said,
’We are the most miserable of people if Christ has not been raised from the dead’.
- A Living Hope
It was over 35 years ago that I stood in a remote churchyard in the snow in Norfolk waiting to meet France after a Christmas carol service. The congregation were singing the last carol which was ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’
And as I looked around me at the tombstones, the words floated through the air:
‘Born that man no more shall die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth,
Hark the Herald Angels sing.
Glory to the newborn King!
Without the resurrection, Christmas and Easter have no meaning. Miracles are exciting but not necessarily life-changing. The wonder and miracle of the resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without the resurrection we would not have:
A living Lord
A living Word
A living Faith
A living Hope of eternal life
May we know afresh this Easter Sunday morning the joy of the resurrection, just as the angels and followers of Jesus discovered at the empty tomb
He is not here, He is risen, ALLELUIA!
Amen
We say together
The Creed
Let us declare our faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
During the intercession this response is used: Lord, in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate
Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead,
the first of the sleepers,
Glory and power are his for ever and ever
When we were walking in darkness you were there,
you were there, you were there,
when we were kneeling in weakness
you were there, you were there,
when we drew near feeling worthless
you were there, you were there,
when we were needing forgiveness
you were there, you were there,
when we were searching for your grace
you were there, you were there
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
you promised through your Son Jesus Christ
to hear us when we pray in faith.
Strengthen Bishop Sophie, and all your Church in the service of Christ, that those who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
We pray for all who are involved in the Christian life of this church and parish,
We pray for Steve and for others who lead the services in the four parishes.
We pray for the leaders of the church at all levels and especially for Arch-Bishop Sarah who was formally installed in her new role with its many challenges 10 days ago.
Lord, in your mercy
All: Here our Prayer.
Prayers for King Charles
Through this tritium of prayer, we ask God’s continuing blessing on our new King Charles
Prayer
O God, to whom every human power is subject,
grant to your servant our sovereign Charles
success in the exercise of his high office,
so that, always revering you and striving to please you,
he may constantly secure and preserve
for the people entrusted to his care
the freedom that comes from civil peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen
Prayer for the Royal Family
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
we humbly beseech thee to bless
Queen Camilla, William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the
Royal Family:
Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly
grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting
kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
With the horrific turmoil that is Iran and the middle East we pray that further escalation can be avoided and that world trade may soon recover to the benefit for all. We pray for the Ukraine, and for all areas of the world where there is conflict or strife. and we pray for all who have fled from their homes due to conflict or natural disasters and we pray for those who risk great danger to bring essential food and aid to the many in desperate need.
Lord, in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer.
Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours, that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us. After the windy night we thank the Lord for the moderate weather we enjoy, and we pray for those who are less fortunate and are suffering from extremes of weather throughout the world we pray that the governments of the world will honour their commitments to allow nature to recover from the ravages that mankind has wrought on the beautiful word we were given.
Lord, in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit.
especially we pray for David Cove
Give them courage and hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer
Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ……;
According to your promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer
Rejoicing in the fellowship of St. Laurence, St. John and all your saints, we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
All: Accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
you have promised through your Son Jesus Christ, that when we meet in his name, : and pray according to his mind, he will be among us and hear our prayer: in your love and mercy fulfil our desires, and give us your greatest gift, which is to know you, the only true God, and your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Hymn – Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour
- Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour,
first-begotten from the dead,
Thou alone, our strong Defender,
lifting up Thy people’s head.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus, true and living Bread!
- Prince of Life, for us Thou living,
by Thy body souls are healed;
Prince of Peace, Thy peace Thou giving,
by Thy blood is pardon sealed.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Word of God in flesh revealed.
- Paschal Lamb! Thine offering finished
once for all when Thou wast slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall forevermore remain.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Cleansing souls from every stain.
- Great High Priest of our profession,
through the oil Thou entered in;
by Thy mighty intercession
grace and mercy Thou dost win.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Only sacrifice for sin.
- Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
stricken Rock, with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship Thee, the Lamb who died.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Risen, ascended, glorified! (by George Hugh Bourn 1874)
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord is here.
All: His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts,
All: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is indeed right,
it is our duty and our joy,
at all times and in all places
to give you thanks and praise,
holy Father, heavenly King,
almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
For he is your living Word;
through him you have created all things from the beginning, and formed us in your own image.
All: To you be glory and praise for ever.
Through him you have freed us from the slavery of sin, giving him to be born of a woman and to die upon the cross;
You raised him from the dead and exalted him to your right hand on high.
All: To you be glory and praise for ever.
Through him you nave sent upon us your holy and life-giving Spirit, and made us a people for your own possession.
All: To you be glory and praise for ever.
Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Accept our praises, heavenly Father,
through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and as we follow his example and obey his command,
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us his body and his blood;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke 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.
In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
All: To you be glory and praise for ever.
Therefore, heavenly Father, we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross; we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look for the coming of your kingdom, and with this bread and this cup
we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.
All: Christ has died: Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Accept through him, our great high priest, this our sacrifice of thanks and praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence of your divine majesty, renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with your love and unite us in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: To you be glory and praise for ever.
Through him, and with him, and in him, m the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise;
All: Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be 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, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
Grant us peace.
Giving of Communion
Draw near with faith
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you-
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.
Amen
We say together the –
Post Communion
All: God of Life,
who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son
to the death of the cross,
and by his glorious resurrection
have 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 risen life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Blessing
The Spirit of truth lead you into all truth,
give you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
and strengthen you to proclaim the word and works of God;
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
through the power of the Holy Spirit;
who hovered over the waters when the world was created,
breathe into you the life he gives.
and the blessing of the Father, Som and Holy Sprit
be with you now and for ever more
All: Amen.
Hymn – Thine be the Glory, Risen, Conquering Son
- Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.
- Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won
- No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won. (by Edmond Budry – 1854 to 1932)
Final Prayers and the Dismissal
Go in faith to love the Lord.
All: In the Name of Christ
Amen
Alleluia! Christ is Risen
© 702211