Easter Day April 20, 2025, 10:00 am St. Paul’s Parish, Charlottetown, PEI

 
Easter Day
April 20, 2025, 10:00 am
St. Paul’s Parish, Charlottetown, PEI
 
Preludes:
Trumpet Air and Interlude Stanley Vann
Solo ‘from an organ concerto’ Thomas Arne
Festive Trumpet Tune David German
 
Clergy and choir gather at the entrance (silence)
 
192 Were You There
 
The Acclamation
Alleluia! Christ yesterday and today,
the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega,
all time belongs to him,
and all ages;
to him be glory and power,
through every age and for ever. Amen and Alleluia!
This is the day when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life. Throughout the world Christians celebrate the awesome power of God. As we hear God’s word and proclaim all that God has done, we can be confident that we shall share with Christ the victory over death and live with him for ever.
 
A minister lights the Easter Candle, saying
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Alleluia! The light of Christ.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
 
Processional Hymn
203 Jesus Christ is Risen Today
 
The Easter Proclamation  
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
               The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
May God’s grace and peace be with you.
               May God fill our hearts with joy.
 
The Collect of the Day
Let us pray,
Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son, you have overcome the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him. May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Acts 10:34-43
A Reading From The Book Of Acts
Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ - he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God
 
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever. Let Israel now proclaim, "His mercy endures for ever."
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. There is a sound of exultation and victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! the right hand of the Lord is exalted! the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!"
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has punished me sorely, but he did not hand me over to death.
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad.
Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord. "This is the gate of the Lord; he who is righteous may enter."
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad.
I will give thanks to you, for you answered me and have become my salvation. The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad.
This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad.
 
229 Who Is There This Easter Morning
 
The Holy Gospel: Luke 24:1-12
The Lord be with you.
      And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Luke
      Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 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.
The Gospel of Christ.
      Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Anthem: Hallelujah, Amen (from Judas Maccabeus) G.F. Handel
 
Sermon
 
An Affirmation of Faith
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
afterwards he appeared to his followers,
and to all the apostles: this we have received,
and this we believe. Amen.                        cf 1 Corinthians 15.3-7
 
The Prayers of the Community
In joy and hope let us pray to the source of all life:
We pray for all who gather here and around the world, that our risen Saviour may fill us with the joy of his holy and life-giving resurrection, God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
We pray for the church throughout the world, especially that isolated and persecuted churches may find fresh strength in the Easter gospel, God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
We pray for the clergy and people of this Parish, that you will grant us humility to be subject to one another in love, and that you will help us be a people striving for justice and mercy. God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
We pray for an end to poverty, that you will help us provide for those who lack food, work, shelter, education, healthcare; and that governments and aid agencies will work together to bring your mercy to a world in need. God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
We pray for the people in all war-torn places; that by your power wars, drought and famine may cease through all the earth. We pray that compassion and understanding will grow in the world. God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
We pray for this nation in a time of election, keep us under your care: help us elect trustworthy leaders, who will contribute to wise decisions for the welfare of all. God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
We pray that you may reveal the light of your presence to the sick, the weak, and the dying, that they may be comforted and strengthened, we pray for those we know who are ill at home or in the hospital, especially;
-
… and for others we may name out loud or in our hearts…
-         
that they may experience the healing and renewing touch of Jesus. God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
We pray that those who have died in your peace, and whose faith is known to you alone, especially…
-         
… may they have the hope of the resurrection and a share in the victory of Jesus Christ, and we ask you to be with and strengthen all who mourn. God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
In thanksgiving we acknowledge your power to save, and we pray that you will send the fire of your Holy Spirit upon us, your people, and that we may be forgiven all our sins and bear faithful witness to the resurrection of Jesus the Christ, God of love:
               Hear our prayer.
Eternal God, you create us by your power and redeem us by your love. Guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves today in love and service to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
The Peace
Alleluia! The peace of the risen Christ
be always with you
               and also with you. Alleluia!
 
Announcements
 
The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
 
SNC 86 You Are Holy 
 
Prayer Over the Gifts
Let us pray,
God our strength and salvation, receive all we offer you this day, and grant that we who have confessed your name, and received new life in baptism, may live in the joy of the resurrection, through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
 
Eucharistic Prayer (EP3)
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, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true paschal lamb who has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us eternal life.
 
Therefore, joining our voices with the whole company of heaven, we sing our joyful hymn of praise to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
 
We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son.
 
For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
 
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
 
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
 
Therefore, Father, according to his command,
we remember his death,
we proclaim his resurrection,
we await his coming in glory;
and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
 
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
 
In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation;
 
by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
 
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
 
 
The Breaking of the Bread (Easter Season)
Lord, we died with you on the cross.
               Now we are raised to new life.
We were buried in your tomb.
               Now we share in your resurrection.
               Live in us, that we may live in you.
Alleluia! Christ our passover
is sacrificed for us.
               Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
 
Lamb of God
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
grant us your peace.
 
Hymn-during-communion:
222 All Shall Be Well
PB 230 Praise the Name of Jesus
SNC 239 Here Is Bread
PB 99 Great Is the Lord (repeated)
 
The Sending Forth of the Community
 
PB 99 Great Is the Lord
 
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray,
God of life, bring us to the glory of the resurrection promised in this Easter sacrament. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.
 
The doxology
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God
from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Blessing
May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Recessional Hymn: 378 Crown Him with Many Crowns
 
The Scattering (Mark 4:20)
Alleluia! Alleluia!
He is not here. He is risen.
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Postlude: Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise Michael Bedford