Lectionary Readings
Acts 10:34–43
Peter testifies to Jesus’ death and resurrection; Jesus is Lord of all.
or Isaiah 65:17–25
God promises a new creation, where all creatures will live in safety.
Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24
I will not die, I will live; this is the day that the Lord has made.
1 Corinthians 15:19–26
As death came through Adam, resurrection comes through Christ.
or Acts 10:34–43
Peter testifies to Jesus’ death and resurrection; Jesus is Lord of all.
John 20:1–18
At the empty tomb, the risen Lord appears to Mary Magdalene.
or Luke 24:1–12
Women find Jesus’ tomb empty; he has been raised from the dead.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good!
God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Let the house of Aaron say,
God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Let all who fear the Lord say,
God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Let us worship the risen God!
Prayer of the Day
Praise be to you, O God of resurrection,
for you have defeated the powers of sin and death.
In resurrecting Christ Jesus,
you displayed your holy power
and transformed all of creation.
In your steadfast love,
you have redeemed us once and for all.
Where we once saw pain, scarcity, and despair,
we now see wholeness, abundance, and hope.
Holy Spirit, inspire us to live as your new creation,
working to make things on earth
as they are in heaven. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving for Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Creator God,
you drew out life-giving water from a desert rock.
We give you thanks for the water of baptism.
In being joined with Christ,
we die to what destroys
and are raised to new life with Christ.
As streams rush into rivers,
may our lives flow into yours,
joining your creative work for a world in need.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Death is overcome.
Evil is thwarted.
Let us confess the sin we carry
that we may receive new life in Christ.
On this bright and joyful day,
we bring our whole selves to you, great God,
honestly naming the truth about our lives.
We are sinking under piles of shame,
judgment, and self-pity,
feeling closer to hell than heaven.
Christ, rend our veil of tears.
Restore us. Renew us. Revive us.
In the name of the risen Christ we pray.
Lifting water from the font:
Hear the good news! The Lord is alive!
The risen Lord destroys death, conquers sin,
and wipes away all shame.
We are drenched in radiating mystery:
God is with us.
Receive the wonderful news:
You are made alive in Christ.
In Jesus Christ you are restored.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, Living Word,
as you revealed yourself to Mary
that Easter morning,
so reveal yourself to us.
By the power of your Spirit,
give each of us faith,
that hearing your Word
we, too, may proclaim,
“I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Testimony for the church
from Jesus, the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation 22:13–14
After the readings:
These words are trustworthy and true.
Thanks be to God.
Revelation 21:5
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might be to our God
forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 7:12
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Life in Christ is life eternal.
The resurrection of Jesus is the sign
that God will consummate the work
of creation and reconciliation beyond death
and bring to fulfillment
the new life begun in Christ.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Prayers of Intercession
Rejoicing in God’s promise of new creation,
let us pray to the Maker of heaven and earth,
saying: God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Make us faithful witnesses to the resurrection,
proclaiming the hope that is ours in Christ
for the sake of the world he came to save.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Bring justice and peace to all the nations,
so that the lamb and wolf may feed together
and all may enjoy the fruit of their own labor.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Put an end to the prejudice and partiality
that divide neighbors from one another.
Help us to seek what is good and right for all.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Redeem them from the power of death,
so that they may tell your mighty work
and celebrate your steadfast love.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, keep us working and praying
for the coming of your holy realm of peace,
when we will share abundant life with you;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
As God gave us Christ,
the firstfruit of creation,
let us humbly offer
the substance of our lives
in thanksgiving to our God.
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Eternal God, take and use these gifts
for your purpose in the world—
giving food to the hungry,
hope to the despairing,
and new life to the dead.
Teach us to live each day for you,
so that future generations
will know your goodness
and praise your glory;
in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 22:25–31
Great Thanksgiving
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.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You have promised us a new creation
of peace and joy,
where the wolf and the lamb
will dwell together
and no one will hurt or destroy
on your holy mountain.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Early on the first day of the week,
Jesus’ disciples went to his tomb,
only to find it empty.
There they discovered
that he had risen indeed.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation
(e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ our Lord
give us new hope
in the life of the world to come,
when you will conquer every enemy—
even death itself.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
At your table, Giving God,
we have been fed;
our thirsty spirits have been quenched.
We give you thanks
for this taste of your kingdom meal
when wolf and lamb will feed together
and peace will reign
on your holy mountain;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The blessing of the eternal, triune God—
Alpha and Omega,
first and last,
beginning and end—
be with you all. Alleluia!
Revelation 22:13
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Revelation 22:20
Mary Magdalene Questions the Angels
James Tissot
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (AG) EASTER HYMN GTG 232, PH 123
- Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! (OG) LLANFAIR GTG 245, PH 113
- Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia (EG) MFURAHINI, HALELUYA GTG 251
WORD
- We Wait the Peaceful Kingdom (O) MERLE’S TUNE GTG 378
- In Christ There Is No East or West (A) MCKEE / ST. PETER GTG 317, 318, PH 439, 440
- Woman, Weeping in the Garden (G) KINGDOM GTG 241
EUCHARIST
- Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks (AOG) ALLELUIA NO. 1 GTG 240
- In the Bulb There Is a Flower (OEG) PROMISE GTG 250
- We Who Once Were Dead (E) MIDDEN IN DE DOOD GTG 502
SENDING
- Christ Is Alive! (AOG) TRURO GTG 246, PH 108
- Dream On, Dream On (AOG) DREAM ON GTG 383
- Thine Is the Glory (EG) JUDAS MACCABEUS GTG 238, PH 122
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 118:1—2, 14–24
Metrical
- Este es el día / This Is the Day [ESTE ES EL DÍA]; GTG 391
- This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made [NUN DANKET ALL’]; GTG 681, PH 230, PAS 118E
- Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness [RENDEZ À DIEU (GENEVAN 98/118)]; PAS 118H, LUYH 196
- I Thank You, Lord, for You Are Good [8.7.8.7 D with refrain]; SGP 175
Responsorial
- Psallite Deo / This Is the Day [Taiz.]; PAS 118C, PSA 120
- Alleluia, Alleluia!; PAS 118G (alt. refrain)
- Jesus Is Risen; PAS 118 I
- Surrexit Christus / The Lord Is Risen [Taiz.]; PAS 118J
- This Is the Day; PFTS2 16
- This Is the Day the Lord Has Made; PP 221
- On This Day the Lord Has Acted [EASTER HYMN]; HTP1 133
Organ Music
- “VICTORY,” Laudate, vol. 4, Richard Proulx, CON (M)
- “EASTER HYMN,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter II, John Ferguson, AF (M)
- “Toccata on LLANFAIR,” Oxford Hymn Settings: Easter and Ascension, Rebecca Groom te Velde, OUP (MA)
- “Festival March on Maccabaeus,” Oxford Hymn Settings: Easter and Ascension, Aaron David Miller, OUP (M)
- “LASST UNS ERFREUEN,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter II, Aaron Shows, AF (MA)
Piano Music
- “Hymn of Promise,” PROMISE, Piano Impressions for Worship 2, Marianne Kim, HOPE (MA)
- “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” EASTER HYMN, Symphonic Hymns for Piano, Phillip Keveren, HAL (M)
- “I Will Rise,” Wondrous Praise, James Koerts, ALF (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Easter Dawn,” Zebulon M. Highben, MSM, SATB, acap (MA)
- “Thine Is the Glory,” arr. Lloyd Larson, LOR, SATB, org, opt hb, opt brass, opt perc (M)
- “The Strife is O’er,” Robert J. Powell, MSM, SATB, keybd, opt brass, opt timp, opt cong (ME)
- “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” arr. Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, org, opt brass, opt timp, opt cong (ME)
- “Easter Hymn,” David Conte, ECS, SATB, org, opt brass (M)
- “Regina Caeli,” Julianna Horton Charmigo, Trinitas Publishing, SATB, acap (MA)
- “In the Fair Morning,” Evelyn R. Larter, AF, SATB, pno (M)
- “Easter Fanfare,” David Ashley White, SEL, SATB, org, opt brass, opt timp (M)
Art
- Surrexit Alleluia, Eric Gill, 1930 (VCS)
- Resurrection, Carol Aust, 2016 (EYE)
- Mary Magdalene Questions the Angels in the Tomb, James Tissot, 1886–94 (VDL)
- The Resurrection, Stanley Spencer, 1924–27 (VCS)
- 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 B, Timothy R. Botts, 2016 (EYE)
- Psalm 118:24, Timothy R. Botts, 2016 (EYE)
- Les saintes femmes au tombeau (Three Holy Women at the Tomb), George Minne, modeled 1896, carved before 1918 (MET)
- Mary Magdalene in the Garden with Jesus, Washington National Cathedral, Rowan and Irene LeCompte, (VDL)
