Hymnic service with holy communion for Easter day
NOTES
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The service follows the outline of the regular divine service with holy communion, with variations for Easter.
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Well-known Easter hymn verses and tunes have been used for sung parts of the liturgy.
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A gospel procession is suggested as an option, to highlight the coming of Christ into the midst of his people. It may be done as follows. After the acclamation ‘Glory to you, O Lord’, two servers, each carrying a lit candle, go to the lectern and stand one on each side of it. A third server picks up the open Bible or lectionary, and the three walk side by side, with the minister following, to about a quarter or a third of the way down the central aisle of the nave. There the server carrying the Bible turns and holds it up while the minister reads the gospel from it. After the reading, and during the second acclamation ‘Praise to you, O Christ’, the procession returns the Bible to the lectern.
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PREPARATION
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ENTRANCE HYMN
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During the hymn an entrance procession may be held.
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OPENING SENTENCES
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(Spoken)
Christ has risen!
Christ has risen indeed!
Christ has risen from the dead. He has trampled down death by his death, and has brought light to those in the grave. And to us he has given eternal life.
Thanks be to God.
In the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The paschal candle may be lit.
Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad, and all creation, both seen and unseen, keep the feast.
Thanks be to God.
May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
Thanks be to God.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Friends in Christ: God the Father gave Jesus to die for our sins and raised him to life in order to put us right with himself. Let us confess our sins to God our Father, and ask him to forgive us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord God, our heavenly Father,
I am a sinner
and I have sinned against you,
not only in my words and actions,
but also in my secret thoughts and desires
which I cannot fully know or understand,
but which you know completely.
I am sorry that I have displeased you,
and repent of the evil I have done.
For the sake of your dear Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
have mercy on me,
forgive my sins,
and graciously help me in my weakness. Amen.
As a called and ordained servant of the word, I announce the grace of God to all of you. On behalf of my Lord Jesus Christ, and by his command, I forgive the sins of all of you who repent and believe, in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(Here or after the first reading)
LORD, HAVE MERCY
(Spoken)
Risen Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and save us.
Lord, have mercy.
Risen Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and help us.
Christ, have mercy.
Risen Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and give us peace.
Lord, have mercy.
GLORY TO GOD
(Spoken)
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.
(Sung to the tune of Würzburg, LH 102)
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise;
sing to God a hymn of gladness,
sing to God a hymn of praise;
he who on the cross a victim
for the world’s salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the king of glory,
now has risen from the dead.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Glory be to God on high;
hallelujah to the Saviour
who has gained the victory;
hallelujah to the Spirit,
fount of love and sanctity;
hallelujah, hallelujah
to the Triune Majesty!
Angel: Who are you looking for in the grave, you Christians?
Woman:
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O Angel, we are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified.
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Angel:
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He is not here. He has risen, as he said he would. Go and announce that he has risen from the grave.
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LITURGY OF THE WORD
(Spoken)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF EASTER DAY (COLLECT)
Let us pray (for a resurrection faith).
(Brief silence)
Almighty God, you have overcome sin and death through the death of your Son, and have brought back innocence and eternal life through his resurrection. Help us confidently to believe this and always praise you with our whole heart. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
After the reading:
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM
(If not earlier)
SECOND READING
After the reading:
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HALLELUJAH RESPONSE
(Spoken)
Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has any power over him. Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
The life he lives, he lives to God.
Hallelujah!
A gospel procession may be held.
The gospel is announced.
Glory to you, O Lord.
After the reading:
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL RESPONSE
(Sung to the tune of Gelobt sei Gott, LH 105)
All Christians, come, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King;
to all the world glad news we bring:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
and sing today with one accord
the life laid down, the life restored:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
NICENE CREED
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 of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who 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.
* This means: us human beings
† or: Christian; 'catholic' here means 'universal'
OFFERING
(Sung to the tune of Würzburg, LH 102)
Christ has risen, Christ the first-fruits
of the holy harvest field,
which will at his second coming
all its full abundance yield;
then the golden ears of harvest
will their heads before him wave,
opened by his glorious sunshine
from the furrows of the grave.
Christ has risen, we have risen;
shed on us your heavenly grace,
rain and dew and gleams of glory
from the brightness of your face;
so that we on earth are fruitful
till our final hour has come,
then by angel-hands be gathered,
safely to our harvest home.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
The following or other prayers are said.
Let us pray that the results of Christ’s resurrection may be seen throughout the world.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for the glorious resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Your Son, our Passover Lamb, has taken away the sin of the world. Forgive us and all people.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son said ‘Peace be with you’. Bring your peace to all the world and to our own country.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son appeared to Mary Magdalene when she was weeping. Comfort those who are sad, lonely, or grieving.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son met the women and asked them to tell the disciples about his resurrection. Guide Christians everywhere to witness to the resurrection in their lives.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son proclaimed himself to the two disciples from the Scriptures and made himself known to them in the breaking of the bread. Reveal him to us and all people through the teaching of your word and the celebration of your holy meal.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son strengthened the faith of Thomas by telling him to touch his hands and side. Reassure those who are troubled by doubts, and strengthen their faith in your goodness.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son conquered death by his death and won the victory by his resurrection. Be with those who are dying, and lead them to life with you forever.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, grant that all who now celebrate these joyful holy days here on earth may finally praise you forever, with all the angels and saints in heaven. We ask this through your risen Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
PREFACE
(Spoken)
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.
It is indeed right and good, Lord God, holy Father, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
But most of all we praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son, the true Passover Lamb, who has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising again he has restored life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the other witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we adore and praise your glorious name:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
(Sung to the tune of Easter Hymn, LH 88)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Alleluia!
great and ever-present God. Alleluia!
Earth joins heaven as we sing: Alleluia!
Praise to our triumphant king. Alleluia!
In this place let us proclaim Alleluia!
Christ who comes in God’s own name; Alleluia!
join with angels as we sing: Alleluia!
Glory to our holy king. Alleluia!
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND PRAYER
(Spoken)
All praise and thanks be to you, eternal God, holy Father, together with your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who unites your people in love. We thank you for creating all things. We thank you for calling and rescuing your chosen people. Above all we thank and praise you for keeping your promise to the people of old and sending your Son Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection for our salvation we remember as he comes to us in this holy meal.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take and eat; this is † my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, after the supper, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, Drink of it, all of you; this is † my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith, so that we who receive the body and blood of Christ may live as true members of the body of your Son.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Join our prayers with those of your servants opf every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
Through him, with him, in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours,
almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
(Spoken)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
PEACE
(Spoken)
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
LAMB OF GOD
(Sung to the tune of Nun danket all, LH 99)
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you take away our sin,
you take the sin of all the world:
have mercy, make us clean.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you take away our sin,
you take the sin of all the world:
have mercy, make us clean.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you take away our sin,
you take the sin of all the world:
grant us your peace. Amen.
INVITATION TO RECEIVE SACRAMENT
Jesus says: ‘Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.’ Come, everything is ready.
The body of our risen Lord Jesus Christ and his precious blood strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life eternal. Go in peace.†
Amen.
POST-COMMUNION SONG
(Sung to the tune of Unser Herrscher, LH 95)
He is risen, he is risen!
Tell it with a joyful voice:
he has burst his three days’ prison,
let the whole wide world rejoice.
Death is conquered, we are free,
Christ has won the victory.
He is risen, he is risen!
He has opened heaven’s gate;
we are free from sin’s dark prison,
risen to a holier state;
soon a brighter Easter beam
on our longing eyes will stream.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
(Spoken)
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, you gave your Son to die and raised him to give us eternal life. Grant that we who have received his body and blood may live in him and serve you as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
CONCLUSION
BLESSING
(Spoken)
Christ has risen!
He has risen indeed!
The God of peace, who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus, provide you with every good thing you need in order to do his will.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favour,† and give you peace.
Amen.
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