Lectionary Readings
Acts 10:34–43
Peter testifies to Jesus’ death and resurrection; Jesus is Lord of all.
or Jeremiah 31:1–6
The prophet proclaims God’s everlasting love and faithfulness.
Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24
I will not die, I will live; this is the day that the Lord has made.
Colossians 3:1–4
If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.
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 Matthew 28:1–10
Women find Jesus’ tomb empty; he has been raised from the dead.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
God has answered us!
God has come to earth to become our salvation!
This is the day the Lord has made:
let us rejoice and be glad! Alleluia!
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.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the new life you raise up in us
through the mystery of our baptism—
the sorrow of the heavy cross,
the surprise of the empty tomb,
the love that death could not destroy.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
fill us with the joy of resurrection,
so that we may be a living sign
of your new heaven and new earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
This is a day of celebration,
and nothing should prevent us
from lifting our voices in praise to God.
We must not hide the things we have done or failed to do,
the things that do not imitate the perfect love of Christ.
We must not let them fester and stifle our joy.
Therefore, let us bring them before God in confession.
Resurrected Christ,
there is nothing we can do
to deserve the grace you give us.
There is no way we can earn your love,
there is no way we can be worthy
of your forgiveness.
And yet you shower these mercies on us.
You, who have taken away the sting of death,
meet us where we are,
in our doubt and fear,
in our regrets and shame,
in our delight and awe.
Meet us here in this place,
and call us once again to trust in you.
Lifting water from the font:
God says to us,
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Christ says to us, Do not be afraid.
We need not fear; we are forgiven,
we are loved, we are redeemed!
Alleluia!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Living God, with joy we celebrate
the presence of your risen Word.
Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit
so that we may proclaim the good news
of eternal and abundant life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:4
After the readings:
This is the good news which we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 15:1–2
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
All authority and power and dominion
to the name that is above all names—
Jesus Christ our Lord—
now and in the age to come. Amen.
Ephesians 1:21
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
We offer our prayers through Christ,
who lives and reigns forever,
and prays for us in heaven.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for the church . . .
Let us be people of joy, living witnesses
to the power of the resurrection
and the good news of your grace and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for the earth . . .
From the dust of the damaged earth,
raise up your new creation,
full of beauty, wonder, and glory.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for all nations . . .
Let the message of your saving power
spread throughout the world:
that the dominion of death is no more.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for this community . . .
Let the doors of this church be open wide
as we go forth in love and service
and others come in to find a home.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for loved ones . . .
Give hope to those who wait for good news.
Turn their mourning into dancing,
and their sorrow into joy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all power and glory, receive these prayers,
and continue your mighty work among us,
through Jesus Christ, our living Lord. Amen.
Ephesians 1:15–23
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
How does God’s love abide in anyone
who has the world’s goods
yet refuses to help a sister or brother in need?
Remembering God’s great love for the world,
let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 John 3:16–17
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Great God, to you we give our thanks;
your steadfast love endures forever.
With gratitude we bring our gifts to you.
Bless us and our gifts,
that our lives and our resources
may be a source of healing and hope,
of joy and justice in our world. Amen.
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:
Your love is everlasting; your faithfulness will never die.
You have extended the promise of salvation to all
through Christ Jesus, who is risen from the dead.
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.
Teach us to set our minds on the things that are above,
where Christ is, seated at your right hand.
Make us ready to meet him when he is revealed in glory.
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
Thank you, O God, for giving us communion
with our risen and glorious Lord.
Now send us out to be a sign
of the new life that has come into the world;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the love of the holy triune God—
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—
abide with you forever. Alleluia!
1 John 4:13–16
Now go forth in Jesus’ name,
remembering his new commandment
to love one another, just as he has loved us. Amen.
1 John 3:23
“Disciples John and Peter on Their Way to the Tomb on Easter Morning”
Eugène Burnand, 1898
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (AOG) EASTER HYMN GTG 232, PH 123
- Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! (AOG) LLANFAIR GTG 245, PH 113
- O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing (G) O FILII ET FILIAE GTG 235, PH 116
- Through the Red Sea Brought at Last (AG) STRAF MICH NICHT EH 187
WORD
- Raise a Song of Gladness (E) JUBILATE DEO GTG 155
- In the Darkness of the Morning (G) KAS DZIEDAJA GTG 229
- Woman, Weeping in the Garden (G) KINGDOM GTG 241
- Lift Your Voice Rejoicing, Mary (G) PATERSON Rejoice in God, K. Lee Scott, MSM
EUCHARIST
- Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks (AG) ALLELUIA NO. 1 GTG 240, PH 106
- We Who Once Were Dead (AOG) MIDDEN IN DE DOOD GTG 502
- Come, Behold! the Feast of Heaven (AOG) LLANFAIR GTG 511
- Aleluya/Alleluia (G) ALELUYA HONDURAS LUYH 183
SENDING
- This Joyful Eastertide (AEG) VRUECHTEN GTG 244
- The Strife Is O’er (AOG) VICTORY GTG 236, PH 119
- Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing (AG) GELOBT SEI GOTT GTG 239, PH 111
- I Sing a Song of Victory / Khaa jao banleng phleng mahachai (AOG) MAHACHAI STB 151
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- Este es el día / This Is the Day [ESTE ES EL DÍA]; GTG 391, SSS 191
- 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 [Taizé]; PAS 118C, PSA 120
- Alleluia, Alleluia!; PAS 118G (alt. refrain)
- Jesus Is Risen; PAS 118 I
- Surrexit Christus / The Lord Is Risen [Taizé]; 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
- Hail and Hosanna! / Al Rey, hosanna; SSS 147–148
Organ Music
- “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today,” LLANFAIR, Organ Alleluias for Easter, Gilbert Martin, HWG (M)
- “I Danced in the Morning,” SIMPLE GIFTS, Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, J. Wayne Kerr, AF (E)
- “O Day Full of Grace,” DEN SIGNEDE DAG, Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, Wayne L. Wold, AF (ME)
- “Now the Green Blade Rises,” NOEL NOUVELET, Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, Mark Sedio, AF (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Easter Introit,” John Ferguson, MSM, SATB, org, 2tpt, opt trb, perc (M)
- “Sing Forth, O Earth, Your Music Sound,” G. F. Handel, arr. Hal Hopson, HIN, SATB, keybd (M)
- “Easter Festival,” Michael Bryson, BP, SATB, keybd, opt brass qrt, perc, opt cong (M)
- “In Thee Is Gladness,” Giovanni Gastoldi, arr. Daniel Kallman, MSM, SATB, org, opt fl (M)
- “This Is the Day the Lord Has Made,” Melchior Franck, ed. Richard Proulx, GIA, SATB, acap (MA)
- “That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright,” Hal Hopson, MSM, SATB, org, opt brass qrt (ME)
- “Thine Is the Glory,” arr. Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, org, brass qrt, opt cong, tuba, timp (ME)
- “Rejoice This Easter Day,” Jeremy Bankston, MSM, SATB, org, brass quin, opt perc (ME)
- “Alleluia! Glorious Word!,” Philipp Nicolai, arr. Carolyn Jennings, AF, SATB, org, brass quin (M)
- “Alleluia! For Christ the Lord Is Risen,” J. S. Bach, ed. Paul Thomas, CON, SATB, org, opt orch (MA)
- “He Has the Power!,” Mass of St. Augustine, Leon Roberts, GIA, SATB, pno, opt bass, perc (M)
- “This Joyful Eastertide,” arr. John Ferguson, AF, 2 pt mx, opt SATB, org (ME)
Handbell Music
- “Alleluia, Give Thanks,” Sondra Tucker, 3–5 oct, opt 2 oct hc, HOPE, 2461, Level 2
- “This Joyful Eastertide,” Jason W. Krug, 3–7 oct, opt 3–5 oct hc, opt 1 or 2 tpt, BP, HB517, tpt, HB517A, Level 3
- “Easter Rondo,” Michael Helman, 3–5 oct, opt 3–5 oct hc, LOR, 20/1391L, Level 2
Art
- Mary Magdalene in the Garden with Jesus, Rowan LeCompte and Irene LeCompte (VDL)
- Disciples John and Peter on Their Way to the Tomb on Easter Morning, Eugène Burnand (VDL)
- Woman, Why Weepest Thou?, Fritz von Uhde (VDL)
- Resurrection, Jan Richardson (JR)
