EASTER SUNDAY—CELEBRATION OF LIFE

		Easter Sunday The Day Of Resurrection April 17, 2022 A Liturgy For Worship and Meditation
		CENTERING IN PREPARATION In the nervous silence of our doubts, we aware of nothing but your absence, Jesus, and we begin to wonder whether the rumours of your death are true; Then, suddenly, you are among us, your presence so real we can almost touch you your life flowing out into the world unconstrained; And we realise that there is nothing to fear, that the worst that the world can throw at us is insufficient to suppress the inexorable rising of resurrection. We offer our praise, Jesus, and our thanks for your life that cannot be quenched, that fills us now, and that calls us to be resurrection people in a world that too often believes the deceptions of death. OPENING WORDS Almighty God, Early in the morning, When the world was young, You made life in all its beauty and terror; You gave birth to all that we know. Hallowed be your name. Early in the morning, When the world least expected it, A new born child crying in a cradle Announced that you had come among us, That you were one of us. Hallowed be your name. Early in the morning, Surrounded by respectable liars, Religious leaders, anxious statesmen And silent friends, You accepted the penalty for doing good, for being God: You shouldered and suffered the cross. Hallowed be your name. Early in the morning, A voice in a guarded graveyard And footsteps in the dew Proved that you had risen, that you had come back To those and for those Who had forgotten, denied and destroyed you. Hallowed be your name. Early this Easter morning, In the multi coloured company Of your church on earth and in heaven, We celebrate your creation, your life, your death and resurrection, your interest in us. Hallowed be your name, Amen. —the Wild Goose (Celtic Worship) SONG "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today" (Click Here For Music) 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! 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! 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! 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! 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! 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! PRAYER FOR WORSHIP We exult in your love, O God of the living, for you made the tomb of death the womb from which you bring forth your Risen One, the first-born of a new creation, and you anointed the universe with the fragrant Spirit of his resurrection. Make us joyful witnesses to this good news, that all humanity may one day gather at the feast of new life in the Kin-Dom where you reign for ever and ever. Amen. THE GLORIA Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest. And peace, goodwill, to all on earth. Alleluia! Alleluia! PRAYER FOR THE DAY Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of Jesus' resurrection, and the world was changed forever. Teach us to keep faith with them, that our witness may be as bold, our love as deep, and our faith as true. Amen. SONG "Jesus Christ Is Ris'n Today, Alleluia!" (Click Here For Music) Jesus Christ is ris'n 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 heav'nly King, Alleluia! who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! our salvation have procured; Alleluia! now above the sky he's King, Alleluia! where the angels ever sing. Alleluia! Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! praise eternal as his love; Alleluia! praise him, all ye heav'nly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Almighty God Open our ears to hear afresh the story of Easter Open our minds to understand Your sacrificial love Open our hearts to know Your forgiveness Open our lips to sing Your praises Open our lives to the wonder and joy of Easter. Jesus Christ, we greet you! Your hands still have holes in them, Your feet are wet from the dew; and with the memory of our names undimmed by three days of death You meet us, risen from the grave. We fail to understand how; we puzzle at the reason why. But You have come: not to answer our questions, but to show us Your face. You are alive, and the world can rejoice again. Hallelujah! Amen. READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Isaiah 65:17-25 65:17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. 65:19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. 65:20 No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. 65:21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 65:22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 65:23 They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by God—and their descendants as well. 65:24 Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 118:1 O give thanks to God, for God is good; God's steadfast love endures forever! 118:2 Let Israel say, "God's steadfast love endures forever." 118:14 God is my strength and my might; God has become my salvation. 118:15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of God does valiantly; 118:16 the right hand of God is exalted; the right hand of God does valiantly." 118:17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of God. 118:18 God has punished me severely, but God did not give me over to death. 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to God. 118:20 This is the gate of God; the righteous shall enter through it. 118:21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 118:23 This is God's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 118:24 This is the day that the God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. SONG "The Day Of Resurrection" (Click Here For Music) 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 Christ 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! Let earth the song begin! Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein! Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend, for Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end. READING FROM THE GOSPELS Luke 24:1-12 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 24:2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 24:3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 24:4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two angels in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 24:5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the angels said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 24:6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 24:7 that the Son of Humanity must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." 24:8 Then they remembered his words, 24:9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 24:10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 24:11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 24:12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. SONG "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" (Click Here For Music) Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; his the scepter, his the throne; Alleluia! his the triumph, his the victory alone. Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood: "Jesus, out of ev'ry nation has redeemed us by his blood." Alleluia! Bread of heaven, here on earth our food, our stay; Alleluia! here the sinful flee to you from day to day. Intercessor, friend of sinners, earth's Redeemer, hear our plea where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea. Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now; Alleluia! he is near us; faith believes, nor questions how. Though the cloud from sight received him when the forty days were o'er, shall our hearts forget his promise: "I am with you evermore"? PRAYER Creator of the universe, you made the world in beauty, and restore all things in glory through the victory of the Risen Christ. We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed, the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace, to the glory of your name. Amen. SONG "Thine be the glory, Resurrected One!" (Click Here For Music) Thine be the glory, Resurrected One! Endless is the victr’y now for us begun! Angels clothed in glory rolled the stone away, leaving only graveclothes where his body lay. Refrain: Thine be the glory, Resurrected One! Endless is the victr'y now for us begun! Lo! Jesus meets us. Risen from the tomb, lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom. Let our doubting spirits find a voice to sing: Christ who died is living; death has lost its sting. Refrain: Thine be the glory, Resurrected One! Endless is the victr'y now for us begun! Thine was the suff’ring, mine the endless life. Sin holds no dominion; love wins over strife. What then shall I shall I offer? Songs that never cease! Thou hast won the vict’ry, glorious Prince of Peace! Refrain: Thine be the glory, Resurrected One! Endless is the victr'y now for us begun! INTERCESSION Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world to God who raised Jesus to new life. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For the Church: that renewed through word and sacrament, we may radiate the light of Christ, be strong in faith, confident in hope, and abounding with love for God and neighbor. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all your people: that they may faithfully follow in the way of justice and peace, grow in their love for God, and keep the light of Christ burning brightly in their lives. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all children: that God will keep them safe from all harm, help them to grow and develop their gifts, and celebrate the gift of life each day. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all your servants: that Christ will pour out the Spirit upon us and enable us to continue the mission of bringing hope, meaning, and love to all in our society. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all the human family: that Christ’s victory over death may bring hope and a new beginning to all who suffer from war and violence, are burdened by poverty, confronted by prejudice, or live in fear. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all who find themselves confused, doubting their faith, or walking in darkness: that they may experience the Risen Christ who brings light and hope to hearts. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all gathered in prayer this day: that we who have been washed in the waters of life, may continue to grow in God’s life and be signs of God’s presence to all in our lives. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For healing of hearts and relationships: that the Risen Christ will open the path to reconciliation and healing amongst families, communities, and nations. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all who are away from home this Easter, particularly members of the military and relief workers: that God will protect from harm, guide their service, and bring them home safely. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For greater respect and appreciation of human life: that we may recognize God’s gift of life in everyone and strive to honor and support the dignity of that life in each person that we meet. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all who have fled homes because of violence, fear, or natural disasters: that God will guide them to safety, give them hope, and touch the hearts of many to welcome and support them. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For all who are burdened by sickness, disease, or chronic illness: that the healing Spirit of the Risen Christ may bring light and wholeness to them. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For greater stewardship of God’s creation: that we may work to use earth’s resources prudently and preserve them for the good of future generations. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For nations in turmoil: that God will break the cycles of violence and discord, end acts of revenge, protect the innocent, and raise leaders who will establish peace and justice in areas of conflict. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. For peace: that the Risen Christ will give each of us peace of mind and heart, relief from stress and pressure, and renew our spirits so that we may live life fully each day. . .hear our prayer, O God of resurrection. Through the resurrection of your Beloved Risen One, O God, you destroy the power of death and remove your people's shame. By the power of the Spirit, raise us from sin and seat us at the paschal feast, that we may rejoice in the gift of salvation Jesus has won for us. Amen. PRAYER OF JESUS Our mother, which art the earth, Nurturing are thy ways. Thy web of life be woven Thy way be found within, As it is all around. Thank you this day for our daily bread and work and forgive us our misuse of you, as we forgive others their misuse of us. And lead us not into exploitation, But deliver us From lording it over you, And over each other, And over all our other fellow creatures. For thine are the waters of life, The hills, valleys and plains of home, The breeding, seeding, feeding ground, For now, and for as close to forever As we will ever come. Ah, woman! —Minnesota Women's Press, December 1999 PRAYER OF THANKSIGIVNG AND DEDICATION Jesus Christ, risen from death We praise you for changed lives and new hopes at Easter. You came to Mary in the garden And turned her tears into joy. For your love and your mercy: We give you thanks, O Christ of God. You came to the disciples in the upper room And turned their fear into courage. For your love and your mercy: We give you thanks, O Christ of God. You came to the disciples by the lakeside And turned their failure into faith. For your love and your mercy: We give you thanks, O Christ of God. You came to the travellers on the Emmaus Road And turned their despair into hope. For your love and your mercy: We give you thanks, O Christ of God. You come to us in our unworthiness and shame And turn our weakness into triumph. For your love and your mercy: We give you thanks, O Christ of God. O Risen One, Wherever there are tears Or fear, or failure, Or despair, or weakness: Come, reveal to us Your love, your mercy, And your risen power; For the glory of your name. Alleluia. Amen. SONG "Sing With All The Saints In Glory" (Click Here For Music) Sing with all the saints in glory, sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, to the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking; soon the storms of time shall cease; in God’s likeness we awaken, knowing everlasting peace. Oh, what glory, far exceeding all that eye has yet perceived! Holiest hearts for ages pleading never that full joy conceived. God has promised, Christ prepares it; there on high our welcome waits. Ev’ry humble spirit shares it. Christ has passed th’eternal gates. Life eternal! Heav’n rejoices: Jesus lives who once was dead. Shout with joy, O deathless voices! Child of God, lift up your head! Life eternal! Oh, what wonders crowd on faith: what joy unknown, when amid earth’s closing thunders, saints shall stand before the throne! DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING May this powerful Easter story inspire us: to preach peace, to comfort those who are weeping, to help those who are lost, and to proclaim our faith. Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia! GOING FORTH