Resurrection Sunday
You are invited, as you have been throughout this week, to join with the service being held at St. James Cathedral, Sunday mornign at 11 am. You can link to that service here:
Easter Sunday Service @ St. James Cathedral
Here is a service you can use for yourself at home, knowing that many in our community are joining with you to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, and the hope of God this world so dearly needs.
Opening Hymn
Christ the Lord is Risen Today. (this special version is a worldwide Easter Choir singing, in isolation, together!)
Opening Sentences
Alleluia! Christ is Risen. The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
May his grace and peace be with us. May he fill our hearts with joy!
Collect for Purity
Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you 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.
Collect Prayer
God of great surprises, open our eyes to your resurrected appearing this glorious morning. Let us not be blinded by what we expected, let us not be tempted by our dashed hopes. May we encounter you in the gardens of our own sorrow, and with joy, may we bring your true presence to a world hungry for the Bread of Life. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Resurrected Lord. Amen
The Readings
Easter Lectionary Readings. (Readings we are using are Acts, the Psalm, Colossians and John)
Homily
See file attachment below.
Hymn
Prayers of the People
See file attachment below. (with gratitude to this week's intercessor, Aeneas Lane)
The Lord's Prayer
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.
Closing Hymn
Thine be the Glory, Risen, Conquering Son
Prayer of Easter Affirmation & Blessing
(by John Birch)
Your light is the only light we need
as we travel through life's mystery
Your word the only voice we hear
that still small voice that leads us
to the place where we should be
Your presence is the only company we need
as we walk this narrow road
Your fellowship the warmth we crave
to help us on our way
May the truth of Easter
The joy of Easter
And the blessings of Easter
And the blessing of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with us this day and all days. Amen
Announcements (because we know you miss this part of the service too!)
Until we can get back to some regular gathering, we want to ensure that you have all the opportunities to connect that will be helpful for you during this time. Already, our Pastoral Care Team has put together a specific time each week to be praying for those in special need in our parish and our community. Some of you have figured out Zoom or have FaceTime on your iPad. There are many ways for us to connect. So let us know if you'd like to be involved in any of the following...
- weekly bible study that meets via Zoom
- book group that meets via Zoom
- have a prayer partner that you pray with over the phone once a week
- participate in a hymn sing via Zoom
- have some writing we can share through our Newsletters - a poem, a story, a hopeful thought
- an even better idea that these!
Please share with us if you'd be interested in any of this, or if you have an idea that might work. Feel free to email Ruthanne and Phil with your thoughts.
And...let us know if you need help picking up groceries or with anything - we have volunteers eager to help.