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The Gathering
Hymn
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia,
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia,
who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia,
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia.
Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia,
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia,
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia,
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia.
But the pains that he endured Alleluia,
our salvation have procured; Alleluia,
now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia,
where the angels ever sing Alleluia.
Lyra Davidica, 1708, and others
The Greeting
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Prayer of Preparation
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.
Prayers of Penitence
In baptism we died with Christ,
so that as Christ was raised from the dead,
we might walk in newness of life.
Let us receive new life in him as we confess our sins
in penitence and faith
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you feed us with the living bread.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
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.
Amen.
Gloria in Excelsis
Glory be to God in heaven,
Songs of joy and peace we bring.
Thankful hearts and voices raising
To creation’s Lord we sing:
Lord, we thank you. Lord, we thank you.
Glory be to God our King.
Glory be to God our King.
Lamb of God, who on your shoulders
Bore the load of this world’s sin,
Only Son of God the Father,
You have brought us peace within:
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Now your glorious reign begin.
Now your glorious reign begin.
You, O Son of God, are holy,
You we praise with one accord;
None in heaven or earth is like you,
Only you are Christ the Lord.
With the Father, and the Spirit,
Ever worshipped and adored.
Ever worshipped and adored.
Tune: Cwm Rhondda
The Collect
God of glory,
by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your Church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
Reading
Acts 10.34-43
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Peter began to speak to those assembled in the house of Cornelius:
‘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.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymn
Rise and hear! The Lord is speaking,
as the gospel words unfold;
we, in all our agelong seeking,
find no firmer truth to hold.
Word of goodness, truth, and beauty,
heard by simple folk and wise,
word of freedom, word of duty,
word of life beyond our eyes.
Word of God’s forgiveness granted
to the wild or guilty soul,
word of love that works undaunted,
changes, heals, and makes us whole.
Speak to us, O Lord, believing,
as we hear, the sower sows;
may our hearts, your word receiving,
be the good ground where it grows.
Howard Charles Adie Gaunt (1902–1983)
Tune: Sussex
Gospel Reading
John 20.1-18
Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’
Alleluia.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
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.’
Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 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.’
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’
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.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’
She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).
Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because 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.”‘
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith
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 from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
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.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He 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
We pray to Jesus who is present with us to eternity.
Jesus, light of the world,
bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, bread of life,
give food to the hungry and nourish us all with your word.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, our way, our truth, our life,
be with us and all who follow you in the way.
Deepen our appreciation of your truth and fill us with your life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep,
recover the straggler,
bind up the injured,
strengthen the sick
and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, the resurrection and the life,
we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you.
Raise us with them to eternal life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us,
accept our prayers,
and be with us always. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples
and said, ‘Peace be with you.’
Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Offertory Hymn
The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God;
from death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our God hath brought us over
with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection-light;
and, listening to his accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his own ‘All hail’, and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful,
and earth her song begin,
the round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein;
let all things seen and unseen
their notes of gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen,
our joy that hath no end.
St John of Damascus (c.675–c.750)
translated by John Mason Neale (1818–1866)
Tune: Ellacombe
Prayer at the Preparation of the Table
Creator of all,
you wash away our sins,
you give us new birth by the Spirit,
and redeem us in the blood of Christ.
As we celebrate the resurrection,
renew your gift of life within us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.
Amen.
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks and praise for the gospel we have received.
Christ died for our sins. Alleluia.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Death comes to all through Adam, and sin reigns for a time.
New life without end comes through Christ,
and he reigns for ever. Alleluia.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Death, where is your victory?
Death, where is your sting?
Death is swallowed up in victory,
the victory you give us in Christ. Alleluia.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
We have been crucified with Christ,
and live his risen life,
to praise you for ever with angels and archangels.
Holy, most holy, all holy the Lord,
in power and wisdom for ever adored!
The earth and the heavens are full of your love;
our joyful hosannas re-echo above.
Blessèd, O blessèd, most blessèd is he
whose life makes us whole and whose death sets us free;
who comes in the name of the Father of Light,
let endless hosannas resound in the height.
Lord God, you are the most holy one,
enthroned in splendour and light,
yet in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ
you reveal the power of your love
made perfect in our human weakness.
Embracing our humanity, Jesus showed us the way of salvation;
loving us to the end, he gave himself to death for us;
dying for his own, he set us free from the bonds of sin,
that we might rise and reign with him in glory.
On the night he gave up himself for us all
he 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.
Therefore we proclaim the death that he suffered on the cross,
we celebrate his resurrection, his bursting from the tomb,
we rejoice that he reigns at your right hand on high
and we long for his coming in glory.
As we recall the one, perfect sacrifice of our redemption,
Father, by your Holy Spirit let these gifts of your creation
be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;
form us into the likeness of Christ
and make us a perfect offering in your sight.
Look with favour on your people
and in your mercy hear the cry of our hearts.
Bless the earth, heal the sick, let the oppressed go free
and fill your Church with power from on high.
Gather your people from the ends of the earth
to feast with all your saints at the table in your kingdom, where the new creation is brought to perfection in Jesus Christ our Lord;
by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
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.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Giving of Communion
Meet Jesus at this table for he stands among us.
He calls us to this sacred feast.
Come, not because of any goodness of your own,
but because you need mercy and help.
Come because you love the Lord a little
and would like to love him more.
Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Today communion is received for and on behalf of all who are participating in this service. This is a time when you are invited to make your own Spiritual Communion.
Hymn
Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King.
To all the world glad news we bring:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord of Life is risen for ay:
bring flowers of song to strew his way;
let all the earth rejoice and say
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise we in songs of victory
that Love, that Life, which cannot die,
and sing with hearts uplifted high
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Thy name we bless, O risen Lord,
and sing to-day with one accord
the life laid down, the life restored:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Cyril Argentine Alington (1872–1955)
Prayer after Communion
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.
Generous God,
you have fed us at your heavenly table.
Set us on fire with your Spirit
that when Christ comes again
we may shine like lights before his face,
who with you and the Spirit lives for ever.
Amen.
The Blessing and Dismissal
God the Father,
by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead,
strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Hymn
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.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory 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:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory 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:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
A toi la gloire, O Ressuscité, Edmond Budry (1854–1932),
translated by Richard Birch Hoyle (1875–1939)