Sundays at All Hallows (April 5, 2026)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday is Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday. On this Sunday Christians who follow the calendar of the Western Church celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Easter Sunday, with Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ birth, is one of the two most important festivals of the Christian Year. The festival begins at sunset on Holy Saturday, the Saturday before Easter Sunday, and lasts until sunset on Easter Sunday. Christians, however, do not confine their celebration of Jesus’ resurrection to one Sunday. As well as dedicating an entire season to celebrating his victory over death, Christians have historically seen every Sunday of the year as a celebration of Jesus’ rising to new life and what that means for those who believe.
In this Sunday’s message we take a look at the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection for believers and for those who do not yet believe.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Terry Osman’s arrangement of Bach’s Minuet in G and PUER NOBIS for handbells.
Silence
Christ, our paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed; let us therefore
celebrate the festival. 1 Corinthians 5.7-8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and
just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8,9
Let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and humbly confess our sins.
Silence
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much
the devices and the desires of our own hearts.
we have offended against your holy laws,
we have left undone what we ought to have done,
and we have done what we ought not to have done.
Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us;
restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant, most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may live a godly, righteous, and sober lives,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon
and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their
sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open our lips, O Lord;
And we shall declare your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
Let us praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw, Jr.’s paraphrase of the Easter Anthems, "God's Paschal Lamb Is Sacrificed for Us."
1 God's Paschal Lamb is sacrificed for us;
therefore with joy we keep the Easter feast;
forsaking sin, we share the bread of truth.
Alleluia!
2 Now is Christ raised and will not die again;
death has no more dominion over him.
Through him we die to sin and live to God.
Alleluia!
3 In Christ we see the first fruits of the dead:
though Adam's sin has doomed all flesh to die,
in Christ's new life shall all be made alive.
Alleluia!
Open this link in a new tab to play Jane Terwilliger’s responsorial setting of Psalm 148: Let All Praise the Name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
praise the name of the Lord.
1 Alleluia! Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his hosts.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
praise the name of the Lord.
3 You mountains and all you hills,
you fruit trees and all you cedars;
You wild beasts and all tame animals,
you creeping things and you winged fowl.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
praise the name of the Lord.
4 Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and all maidens,
old men and boys.
Praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
praise the name of the Lord.
5 His majesty is above earth and heaven,
and he has lifted his horn above the people.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
praise the name of the Lord.
Silence
O glorious God,
the whole of creation proclaims your marvellous work:
increase in us a capacity to wonder and delight in it,
that heaven’s praise may echo in our hearts
and our lives be spent as good stewards of the earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear “Sing to the Lord, Sing a New Song,” Hal Hopson’s adaptation of a paraphrase of Psalm 149 from The Psalter 1912.
Sing to the Lord, sing a new song.
Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
1 Sing praise to the Lord
come sing a new song,
amid all the saints
God’s praises prolong;
let Israel be glad
in their Maker and sing,
let all Zion’s people
rejoice in their King.
Sing to the Lord, sing a new song.
Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
2 With timbrel and harp
and joyful acclaim,
with dancing and song,
give praise to God’s name;
for God in the faithful
great pleasure will seek,
with robes of salvation
adorning the meek.
Sing to the Lord, sing a new song.
Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
3 In glory exult,
you saints of the Lord;
with songs in the night
high praises accord;
go forth in God’s service
and strong in His might
to conquer all evil
and stand for the right.
Sing to the Lord, sing a new song.
Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
4 For this is God’s word:
the saints shall not fail,
but over the earth
their faith shall prevail;
all kingdoms and nations
shall yield to their sword--
thus God shows great glory,
sing praise to the Lord.
Sing to the Lord, sing a new song.
Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
Silence
Lord God, our maker and our king,
you judge all peoples according to your justice:
inspire and strengthen us with your Spirit,
that we may expose the pretence of worldly power
and ever witness to your truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear David T Koyzis’ paraphrase of Psalm 150, “Praise the Lord with Joyous Mirth!”
1 Praise the Lord with joyous mirth!
Praise him in house on earth;
Praise him in the heavenly height.
Praise him for his acts of might.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise his all surpassing grace.
Bow and sing before his face:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 Praise God with the trumpet sound,
Harp and lute his praise resound.
Play the timbrel, dance his praise.
Strings and flute, extol his ways.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Clashing cymbals, praise the Lord!
All that breathe, with one accord
Praise the Lord! Sing alleluia!
Silence
God of life and love,
whose Son was victorious over sin and death:
make us alive with his life,
that the whole world may resound with your praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 10: 34-43
Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
‘We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us 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 whom God appointed 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.’
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw, Jr.’s paraphrase of the Benedictus, “Blessed Be the God of Israel.”
1 Blessed be the God of Israel
who comes to set us free
and raises up new hope for us:
a Branch from David's tree.
So have the prophets long declared
that with a mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies
and all who wish us harm.
2 With promised mercy will God still
the covenant recall,
the oath once sworn to Abraham,
from foes to save us all;
that we might worship without fear
and offer lives of praise,
in holiness and righteousness
to serve God all our days.
3 My child, as prophet of the Lord,
you will prepare the way,
to tell God's people they are saved
from sin's eternal sway.
Then shall God's mercy from on high
shine forth and never cease
to drive away the gloom of death
and lead us into peace.
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s paraphrase of the Te Deum, “God, We Praise You! God, We Bless You!”
1 God, we praise You! God, we bless You!
God, we name You sovereign Lord!
Mighty King Whom angels worship,
Father by Your church adored:
All creation shows Your glory,
Heaven and earth
draw near Your throne,
singing "Holy, holy, holy,"
Lord of hosts and God alone!
2 True apostles, faithful prophets
Saints who set their world ablaze
Martyrs once unknown, unheeded
Join one growing song of praise,
While Your church on earth confesses
One majestic Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
God our hope eternally.
3 Jesus Christ, the King of glory
Everlasting Son of God
Humble was Your virgin mother
Hard the lonely path you trod:
By Your cross is sin defeated,
Hell confronted face to face,
Heaven opened to believers,
Sinners justified by grace.
4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious,
You will judge the world You made.
Lord in mercy, help Your servants
For whose freedom You have paid.
Raise us up from dust to glory,
Guard us from all sin today,
King enthroned above all praises,
Save Your people, God we pray.
A reading from the Gospel according to John.
John 20: 1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped round Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’
‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’
She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).
Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Jesus’ burial was a hasty one. According to John’s Gospel, Joseph of Arimathea, asked the Roman governor, Pontus Pilate, for the body of Jesus at considerable risk to himself, revealing himself to be a disciple of Jesus. With the help of Nicodemus who had visited Jesus late at night he took the body and prepared it according to Jewish burial customs. They laid the body in a new tomb in the garden at the place where Jesus was crucified.
This was done in haste as the next day was the Sabbath and the tomb was nearby. By handling Jesus’ corpse, the two men made themselves ritually unclean. The risk they took, and their handling of his corpse reveals their devotion to Jesus.
John tells us that before it was light on the morning after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb, finds the stone covering the entrance rolled away, and the tomb empty. She rushes to tell the disciples. They verify that the tomb is empty. They then leave. Mary Magdalene, however, lingers behind. She not only sees two angels in the empty tomb but also becomes the first witness to the risen Jesus. She goes to the disciples and tells them what she has seen and what she was told.
Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus is one of a number of such encounters recorded in the New Testament. These encounters would galvanize the disciples. You can read about these encounters in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.
The disciples came away from the encounters convinced that one who had appeared to them was not an apparition, not a figment of their imagination, not a ghost, but the real Jesus, the one with whom they had walked the dusty paths and roads of Galilee, Samaria, and Judaea, who had broken bread with them, who had preached to the multitudes, who had healed the sick, given sight to the blind, enabled the lame to walk, driven out demons, and raised the dead—alive and himself risen from the dead. He was the Son of God as he had claimed. Everything he had said and they had struggled to understand began to make sense. They would go to Jerusalem as he instructed and on Feast of Pentecost they would receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit as he promised.
Because Jesus died, was buried, and raised from the dead, we can be put right with God through faith in Jesus. Indeed, it is the only way to enjoy a right relationship with God. God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, enables us to enjoy a relationship with God which we would otherwise be unable to enjoy. We can experience a new beginning and a new life. Like the disciples on that Feast of Pentecost we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, God’s own presence indwelling us and uniting us to Jesus and our fellow believers. We can live the kind of life that Jesus calls us to live, a life of deepening love for God and neighbor, a life of faith working through love, a life of good deeds springing from that faith, a life that reflects Jesus.
Jesus’ resurrection means much, much more for believers and those who do not yet believe. Among the things that stand out for me is that good prevails over evil, caring over indifference, love over hatred, kindness over cruelty, forgiveness over vengefulness. The resurrection offers the promise of a better world, a world brought about by individuals whose lives are transformed by God’s grace and embody Jesus’ teaching and example, by individuals who are true reflections of their Saviour and Lord.
“Fearless and faithful, little paper lanterns,” is how the late Shirley Erena Murray describes the disciples of Jesus in the hymn, “Fresh as the Morning,” penetrating the darkness of this world and “lighting the way.” She had seen a procession of people with paper lanterns, and it had left a lasting impression on her. True disciples of Jesus, those who put their full trust in him and fashion and frame their lives according to his teaching and example are like those lantern bearers. They illuminate the path not only for themselves but for others too. Their lives and their words are a witness to their Saviour and Lord.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
God our hope eternally.
3 Jesus Christ, the King of glory
Everlasting Son of God
Humble was Your virgin mother
Hard the lonely path you trod:
By Your cross is sin defeated,
Hell confronted face to face,
Heaven opened to believers,
Sinners justified by grace.
4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious,
You will judge the world You made.
Lord in mercy, help Your servants
For whose freedom You have paid.
Raise us up from dust to glory,
Guard us from all sin today,
King enthroned above all praises,
Save Your people, God we pray.
A reading from the Gospel according to John.
John 20: 1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped round Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’
‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’
She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).
Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.
The Third Day
Jesus’ burial was a hasty one. According to John’s Gospel, Joseph of Arimathea, asked the Roman governor, Pontus Pilate, for the body of Jesus at considerable risk to himself, revealing himself to be a disciple of Jesus. With the help of Nicodemus who had visited Jesus late at night he took the body and prepared it according to Jewish burial customs. They laid the body in a new tomb in the garden at the place where Jesus was crucified.
This was done in haste as the next day was the Sabbath and the tomb was nearby. By handling Jesus’ corpse, the two men made themselves ritually unclean. The risk they took, and their handling of his corpse reveals their devotion to Jesus.
John tells us that before it was light on the morning after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb, finds the stone covering the entrance rolled away, and the tomb empty. She rushes to tell the disciples. They verify that the tomb is empty. They then leave. Mary Magdalene, however, lingers behind. She not only sees two angels in the empty tomb but also becomes the first witness to the risen Jesus. She goes to the disciples and tells them what she has seen and what she was told.
Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus is one of a number of such encounters recorded in the New Testament. These encounters would galvanize the disciples. You can read about these encounters in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.
The disciples came away from the encounters convinced that one who had appeared to them was not an apparition, not a figment of their imagination, not a ghost, but the real Jesus, the one with whom they had walked the dusty paths and roads of Galilee, Samaria, and Judaea, who had broken bread with them, who had preached to the multitudes, who had healed the sick, given sight to the blind, enabled the lame to walk, driven out demons, and raised the dead—alive and himself risen from the dead. He was the Son of God as he had claimed. Everything he had said and they had struggled to understand began to make sense. They would go to Jerusalem as he instructed and on Feast of Pentecost they would receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit as he promised.
Because Jesus died, was buried, and raised from the dead, we can be put right with God through faith in Jesus. Indeed, it is the only way to enjoy a right relationship with God. God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, enables us to enjoy a relationship with God which we would otherwise be unable to enjoy. We can experience a new beginning and a new life. Like the disciples on that Feast of Pentecost we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, God’s own presence indwelling us and uniting us to Jesus and our fellow believers. We can live the kind of life that Jesus calls us to live, a life of deepening love for God and neighbor, a life of faith working through love, a life of good deeds springing from that faith, a life that reflects Jesus.
Jesus’ resurrection means much, much more for believers and those who do not yet believe. Among the things that stand out for me is that good prevails over evil, caring over indifference, love over hatred, kindness over cruelty, forgiveness over vengefulness. The resurrection offers the promise of a better world, a world brought about by individuals whose lives are transformed by God’s grace and embody Jesus’ teaching and example, by individuals who are true reflections of their Saviour and Lord.
“Fearless and faithful, little paper lanterns,” is how the late Shirley Erena Murray describes the disciples of Jesus in the hymn, “Fresh as the Morning,” penetrating the darkness of this world and “lighting the way.” She had seen a procession of people with paper lanterns, and it had left a lasting impression on her. True disciples of Jesus, those who put their full trust in him and fashion and frame their lives according to his teaching and example are like those lantern bearers. They illuminate the path not only for themselves but for others too. Their lives and their words are a witness to their Saviour and Lord.
Through his disciples Jesus extends his invitation, “Come, follow me.” If you do not yet believe, it is an invitation Jesus is extending to you this very moment. What will be your response? Give it thought and pray about it. If you accept his invitation, you will not regret it.
Silence
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us dean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Almighty God, you have conquered death through your dearly
beloved Son Jesus Christ and.opened to us the gate of everlasting
life: grant us by your grace to set our mind on things above, so that
by your continual help our whole life may be transformed; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit in everlasting glory. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live every day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Robert Shaw’s choral arrangement of Charles Wesley’s “Come Away to the Skies.”
Silence
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us dean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Almighty God, you have conquered death through your dearly
beloved Son Jesus Christ and.opened to us the gate of everlasting
life: grant us by your grace to set our mind on things above, so that
by your continual help our whole life may be transformed; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit in everlasting glory. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live every day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Robert Shaw’s choral arrangement of Charles Wesley’s “Come Away to the Skies.”
1 Come away to the skies,
My beloved arise,
And rejoice in the day thou wast born:
On this festival day,
Come exulting away,
And with singing to Zion return.
On this festival day,
Come exulting away,
And with singing to Zion return.
2 We have laid up our love
And our treasures above,
Tho our bodies continue below:
The redeemed of the Lord
Will remember His word,
And with singing to paradise go.
The redeemed of the Lord
Will remember His word,
And with singing to paradise go.
3 Hallelujah we sing,
To our Father and King,
And His rapturous praises repeat,
To the Lamb that was slain,
Hallelujah again,
Sing all heaven, and fall at his feet!
To the Lamb that was slain,
Hallelujah again,
Sing all heaven, and fall at his feet!
[Let us pray for all in civil authority.]
Almighty God, you rule over the kingdoms of the world: We
commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that,
being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in
your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate persons in government
are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know
and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
that they may serve your people faithfully to your honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your life-giving Spirit of grace on our bishops and other clergy, and on the congregations which they serve; and, in order that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, Lord, for the honour of our advocate and mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Let us pray for all people according to their needs]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for the welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it by your Holy Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians
may be led in the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
[Let us pray for ourselves and others.]
Silence
Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.
Eternal God,
grant to us this day and every day
such readiness and delight in following Christ,
that whether our lives are short or long
we shall have lived abundantly. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Almighty God and merciful Father,
we give you heart-felt thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness to us
and to all people.
We bless you for our creation and preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such a sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be truly thankful,
and that we praise you,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
serving you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Charles Wesley’s “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.
1 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!
2 Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
3 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!
4 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!
5 King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
You to know, your power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear St. Aidan’s Community’s “The Grace” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
for evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.
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