Order of Service – Sunday 12 April 2020 – EASTER
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Order of Service 12 April 2020
CALL TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ our Lord.
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, this is the day when our Saviour passed from death to life. In this most holy day, we gather with the Church throughout the world in worship and prayer.
This is the Passover of Jesus Christ: Through light and the word, through water and the bread and wine, we recall Christ’s death and resurrection, we share Christ’s triumph over sin and death, and with invincible hope we await Christ’s coming again. Let us pray:
Eternal God, in Jesus Christ you have given the light of life to all the world. Sanctify this new life, and inflame us with a desire to shine forth with the brightness of Christ’s rising, until we feast at the banquet of eternal light, through Jesus Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE EASTER CANDLE {Please light the candle}
The light of Christ rises in glory, overcoming on this most holy night the darkness of sin and death.
The light of Christ. Thanks be to God.
HYMN: 362 “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
RESPONSIVE READING
Risen Lord, fill our hearts with Easter joy.
Living Lord, at the dawn of the day the earth was shaken by Your life-restoring power. Shake Your Church today by the seismic news . . .
Send us out to tell of Your wonder.
Living Lord, Your resurrection startled guards and friends alike. Shatter the fears that stifle our politics . . .
Breathe new life into our common living.
Living Lord, You make no distinctions between people. Transform the narrowness of our vision and judgement . . .
Meet us and greet us in our journey together.
Living Lord, Your mercy endures for ever. Strengthen and sustain all whose spirits are weak and whose lives are gripped by pain or distress . .
We will give You thanks for Your great goodness.
Living Lord, confused friends left Your empty tomb in both fear and great joy. We hold before you the sadness of loss and the joy of our hope in you . .
Raise us all to share in Your glory.
EASTER PROCLAMATION
Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, heavenly powers!
Sing, choirs of angels!
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendour,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!
Rejoice, heavenly powers!
Sing, choirs of angels!
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Rejoice, O mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Saviour shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!
Rejoice, heavenly powers!
Sing, choirs of angels!
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
HYMN: 228 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
PRAYER
Eternal giver of life and light, this holy night shines with the radiance of the risen Christ. Renew your Church with the Spirit given to us in baptism, that we may worship you in sincerity and truth, and shine as a light in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SONG – “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Friends in Christ, let us listen attentively to the word of God, recalling God’s saving deeds throughout history and how, in the fullness of time,
God’s Word became flesh and dwelt among us: Christ our Redeemer!
BIBLE READINGS –
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (Page 606) Matthew 28:1-10 (Page 989)
John 20:1-23 (Pages 1074-1075)
MESSAGE: “See and Believe” Krikor Youmshajekian
OFFERING – In enthusiasm, hope and humility let’s give with thanks.
HOLY COMMUNION
MEMORIAL PRAYER
Holy God, with this bread and with this cup, we do as our Saviour Jesus has commanded; we celebrate the redemption he has won for us.
For as often as we eat this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Blessing, honour, glory and power are Yours forever and ever. Amen.
BREAKING THE BREAD
We break this bread and take this cup so that we can share in the life of Christ. God’s gifts for God’s people. Take in faith this Holy Sacrament of the body and the blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts with thanksgiving.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: “He Is Lord!”
BLESSING
Let’s love and serve the Lord in the power of his resurrection. Alleluia!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Alleluia, alleluia!