Hymnic service with Holy Communion for Easter day From Approved Worship Services of the Lutheran Church of Australia The Commission on Worship Lutheran Church of Australia Copyright © Lutheran Church of Australia 1997 Authorisation to copy granted to LCA Congregations.  

Easter sunday 24th April 2011

Entrance Hymn We sing: Yours is the glory v.1,2 LHS 770 A toi la glorie, O Ressuscite Edmond Louis Budry 1854-1932 Tr. Richard Birch Hoyle 1875-1939, alt.  

Yours is the glory 1. Yours is the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory over death you won; angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave-clothes where your body lay:

Yours is the glory Yours is the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory over death you won.

Yours is the glory 2. See, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom; let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing, for her Lord is living, death has lost its sting:

Yours is the glory Yours is the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory over death you won. †

OPENING SENTENCES M: Christ has risen! C: Christ has risen indeed!

OPENING SENTENCES M: 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. C: Thanks be to God. M: In the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. The paschal candle may be lit.

OPENING SENTENCES M: Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad, and all creation, both seen and unseen, keep the feast. C: Thanks be to God. M: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION M: 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.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION C: 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.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION C: 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. 

M: 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. C: Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY (spoken) M: Risen Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and save us. C: Lord, have mercy. M: Risen Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and help us. C: Christ, have mercy. M: Risen Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and give us peace. C: Lord, have mercy.

GLORY TO GOD M: Glory to God in the highest, C: and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

GLORY TO GOD (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.

GLORY TO GOD ♫ 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!

EASTER DIALOGUE Angel: Who are you looking for in the grave, you Christians? Women: O Angel, we are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. Angel: He is not here. He has risen, as he said he would. Go and announce that he has risen from the grave.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

GREETING M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.

PRAYER OF EASTER DAY M: Let us pray for a resurrection faith. C: 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.

PRAYER OF EASTER DAY 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.

First Reading R: The first reading for Easter Day is written in Chapter ten of Acts beginning at verse thirty four.   Acts 10:34-43 CEV Summary of Jesus' life and ministry 

Acts 10:34-43 34Peter then said: Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. 35God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. 36This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.

Acts 10:34-43 37You surely know what happened everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptized. 38God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil.

Acts 10:34-43 39We all saw what Jesus did both in Israel and in the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was put to death on a cross. 40But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen.

Acts 10:34-43 41Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him.

Acts 10:34-43 42God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. 43Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name. This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

The Psalm  R: The Psalm is Psalm 118 Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 (CEV)

Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 1Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful. C: 2Let Israel shout, "God is always merciful!”

Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 R: 14My power and my strength come from the LORD, and he has saved me. C: 15From the tents of God's people come shouts of victory: "The LORD is powerful!

Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 R: 16With his mighty arm the LORD wins victories! The LORD is powerful!" C: 17And so my life is safe, and I will live to tell what the LORD has done.

Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 R: 18He punished me terribly, but he did not let death lay its hands on me. C: 19Open the gates of justice! I will enter and tell the LORD how thankful I am.

Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 R: 20Here is the gate of the LORD! Everyone who does right may enter this gate. C: 21I praise the LORD for answering my prayers and saving me.

Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 R: 22The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone. C: 23The LORD has done this, and it is amazing to us.

Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 R: 24This day belongs to the LORD! Let's celebrate and be glad today. C: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit As it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever. Amen.

2nd Reading  R: The second reading is written in Chapter three of Colossians beginning at verse one. Colossians 3:1-4 CEV Your life is hidden with Christ in God

Colossians 3:1-4 You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side 2Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth.

Colossians 3:1-4 3You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory. This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

M: Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has any power over him. Hallelujah! C: Hallelujah! M: The life he lives, he lives to God. C: Hallelujah!

The Gospel Reading M: The Holy Gospel is written in Chapter twenty of the Gospel according to St John beginning at verse one. C: Glory to you, O Lord, raised to live for ever. John 20:1-18 CEV Mary finds the tomb empty and Jesus appears to her.

John 20:1-18 On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus' favourite disciple and said, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don't know where they have put him.”

John 20:1-18 3Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4They ran side by side, until the other disciple ran faster than Peter and got there first. 5He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in.

John 20:1-18 6When Simon Peter got there, he went into the tomb and saw the strips of cloth. 7He also saw the piece of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus' face. It was rolled up and in a place by itself. 8The disciple who got there first then went into the tomb, and when he saw it, he believed.

John 20:1-18 9At that time Peter and the other disciple did not know that the Scriptures said Jesus would rise to life. 10So the two of them went back to the other disciples.

John 20:1-18 11Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down 12and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus' body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. 13The angels asked Mary, "Why are you crying?”

John 20:1-18 She answered, "They have taken away my LORD'S body! I don't know where they have put him." 14As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was.

John 20:1-18 15Jesus asked her, "Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" She thought he was the gardener and said, "Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him." 16Then Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him, "Rabboni." The Aramaic word "Rabboni" means "Teacher.”

John 20:1-18 17Jesus told her, "Don't hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But tell my disciples that I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God.”

John 20:1-18 18Mary Magdalene then went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord. She also told them what he had said to her. This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You O Christ, raised to live for ever.

Gospel Response ♫ All Christians, come, rejoice and sing! Now is the triumph of our King; to all the world glad news we bring: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Gospel Response ♫ 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 C: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

NICENE CREED 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.

NICENE CREED 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. * This means: us human beings

NICENE CREED 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.

NICENE CREED 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. ** or: Christian; ‘Catholic’ here means ‘universal’

NICENE CREED 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.

We welcome glad Easter v.1-3 We sing: We welcome glad Easter v.1-3 LHS 768 CAL293 Author unknown

We welcome glad Easter 1. We welcome glad Easter when Jesus arose and won a great victory over his foes. Then raise your glad voices, all children and sing; bring sweet Easter praises to Jesus, our King.

We welcome glad Easter 2. And tell how three Marys came early that day and there at the tomb found the stone rolled away: Then raise your glad voices, all children and sing; bring sweet Easter praises to Jesus, our King.

We welcome glad Easter 3. And sing of the angel who said: ‘Do not fear! Your Saviour is risen again; he is not here’: Then raise your glad voices, all children and sing; bring sweet Easter praises to Jesus, our King. †

Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ SERMON Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ Speaks to us Through His Word through our Pastor

Hymn We sing Jesus lives! thy terrors now v.1,3,4 LH 101 CAL293 Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich Christian Fürchtegott Gellert 1715-69 Tr Claire Kleinig and others

Jesus lives! thy terrors now 1. Jesus lives! no more can death terrify us or appal us. Jesus lives! by this we know that the grave can never hold us. Hallelujah!

Jesus lives! thy terrors now 3. Jesus lives! for us he died. We will live with him forever, close to him and pure in heart, giving glory to our Saviour. Hallelujah!

Jesus lives! thy terrors now 4. Jesus lives! and we are sure his love keeps us safe forever. Life or death or powers of hell cannot separate us ever. Hallelujah! †

OFFERING SONG ♫ 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. (Sung to the tune of Würzburg, LH 102)

OFFERING SONG ♫ 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 M: Let us pray that the results of Christ’s resurrection may be seen throughout the world. M: 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, C: hear our prayer.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: Your Son said ‘Peace be with you’. Bring your peace to all the world and to our own country. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: Your Son appeared to Mary Magdalene when she was weeping. Comfort those who are sad, lonely, or grieving. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: 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, C: hear our prayer.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: 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, C: hear our prayer.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: 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, C: hear our prayer.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: 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, C: hear our prayer.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: 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. C: Amen.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (spoken) M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. M: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (spoken) M: 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.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (spoken) M: 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:

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER ♫ 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!

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER M: 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.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER M: 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. C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER M: 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.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER M: 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. C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER M: 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. C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER M: Join our prayers with those of your servants of 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. C: 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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER C: 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.

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen. 

INVITATION M: Jesus says: ‘Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.’ C: Thanks be to God. M: Come, everything is ready.

LAMB OF GOD ♫ 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.

LAMB OF GOD ♫ 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.

When the minister and his assistants give the bread and the cup they say: Take and eat, this is the body of Christ, given for you. Take and drink, this is the blood of Christ, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

The Lamb’s high banquet COMMUNION HYMNS The Lamb’s high banquet LHS 847 CAL293 Ad coenam Agni Providi Latin 6th cent. Tr. John Mason Neale 1818-1866, alt.

COMMUNION HYMNS 1. The Lamb’s high banquet called to share, arrayed in garments white and fair, the Red Sea past, we now would sing to Jesus our triumphant king.

COMMUNION HYMNS 2. Upon the altar of the cross his body has redeemed our loss; and, tasting of his precious blood, our life is hid with him in God.

COMMUNION HYMNS 3. Now Christ our passover is slain, the Lamb of God without a stain; his flesh, the true unleavened bread, for us is freely offered.

COMMUNION HYMNS 4. Christ rises conqueror from the grave, from death returning, strong to save; with his right hand the tyrant chains, and paradise for man regains.

COMMUNION HYMNS 5. All praise be yours, O risen Lord, from death to endless life restored; all praise to God the Father be and Holy Ghost eternally. †

I Know that my Redeemer Lives COMMUNION HYMNS I Know that my Redeemer Lives LHS 103 CAL 293 Samuel Medley 1738-99, alt.

COMMUNION HYMNS 1. I know that my Redeemer lives; what comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; he lives, my ever-living head.

COMMUNION HYMNS 2. He lives to bless me with his love, he lives to plead for me above, he lives my hungry soul to feed, he lives to help in time of need.

COMMUNION HYMNS 3. He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend, he lives and loves me to the end; he lives, and while he lives, I'll sing; he lives, my prophet, priest, and king.

COMMUNION HYMNS 4. He lives, and gives me daily breath; he lives, and I will conquer death; he lives my new home to prepare, he lives to bring me safely there.

COMMUNION HYMNS 5. He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Jesus, still the same; O the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives! †

DISMISSAL M: 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. C: Amen.

POST-COMMUNION SONG ♫ 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.

POST-COMMUNION SONG ♫ 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 M: 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. C: Amen.

DISMISSAL M: Christ has risen! C: He has risen indeed!

DISMISSAL M: 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. C: Amen.

As we step from the edge of morning, v.1,3,4 We sing: As we step from the edge of morning, v.1,3,4 LHS 862 CAL293 Robin Mann 1949- (1979)

As we step from the edge of morning 1. As we step from the edge of morning, feet can’t tell where to take us; here’s a light that will shine for ever, here’s the light that will guide us: Jesus, please watch over us; Jesus, please take care of us.

As we step from the edge of morning 3. Danger meets us at every moment, death is never in hiding; you are stronger than any danger, you are stronger than dying: Jesus, please watch over us; Jesus, please take care of us.

As we step from the edge of morning 4. In your life is the Father’s welcome, in your death there is freedom; be our life and our death for ever, be our new resurrection: Jesus, please watch over us; Jesus, please take care of us. †