GOD WELCOMES US P: Christ is risen! C: He is risen indeed! P: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by his death, and bringing light to those in the grave. C: And to us he has given eternal life. P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, C: Amen

Jesus Christ Is Risen Today LHS 88

We proclaim Christ’s victory P. Rejoice, all heavenly choirs of angels, and sing for joy; sound the trumpet of victory for our marvellous king. Rejoice, all the earth, shining with the radiance of Christ our eternal king; celebrate the dawn that banishes the darkness. Rejoice, Christian church, clothed with the brightness of Christ, and let this house resound with the voices of many people.

P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord. C: For that is fitting and right.

P: It is truly fitting and right, with heart and mind and voice, to praise the Father almighty, through Jesus Christ our Lord… …Therefore, heavenly Father, we pray that (like this candle) the light of Christ may drive out all darkness from among us; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

Psalm 118 P: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let those who fear the Lord say: 'His love endures forever’. C: Jesus says: I am alive for ever and ever.

P: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. I will not die, but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. C: Jesus says: I am alive for ever and ever.

P: Open for me the gates of the righteous, I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord has done this and it is marvellous in our eyes. C: Jesus says: I am alive for ever and ever.

Prayer of The Day P: Jesus says: I was dead, but see! I am alive forever and ever C: and I have the keys to Death and Hades. Alleluia! P: Let us pray that we may rejoice in the victory that Christ has won for us.

P: Ever living God, you have overcome the old powers of sin and death through the mighty resurrection of your Son, and have made all things new in him. Make us dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, and bring us to reign with him in glory. To him, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise, honour, and thanksgiving, now and in all eternity. C: Amen.

Song: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today LHS 92

GOD SPEAKS TO US Acts 10:34-43 Summary of Jesus' life and ministry (after the readings) This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

GOD SPEAKS TO US 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 The good news of Christ's resurrection (after the readings) This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading Luke 24:1-12 The women find the tomb empty (after the gospel) P: This is the Gospel of the Lord C: Praise be to you, O Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for rising from death. Let us share in your new life forever. Amen.

Song: He Is Lord (AT 26) Sing 3 times!

Sermon:

We confess our faith and remember our baptism into Christ P: Brothers and sisters in Christ: Do you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways? C: Yes, I do.

P: Do you believe in God the Father? C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

P: Do you believe in God the Son? C: I believe 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, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

P: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? C: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

P. Do you intend to remain firm in this faith and reflect it in love to God and your neighbour? C: Yes, I do. P. May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth by water and the Spirit and has forgiven us all our sins, strengthen us with his Spirit +, so that we receive eternal life. C: Amen.

Offertory Song: (during which the free-will offering will be received) Alleluia AT 44

OFFERING PRAYER P: Let us pray. C: Ever-living God, let the resurrection of your Son fill us with hope and joy. May our lives and our gifts help to bring your new life to others. Amen.

We pray for ourselves and the world Prayer response: Lord, in your mercy: C. hear our prayer.

P. O Holy Spirit of God, you are the Lord and giver of life. We thank you for the good news that Jesus is alive, and that through you, he is present with us today. You have changed our futures from despair to hope. Fill us with your joy in the Easter news which gives us a share in the greatest victory of all.

P. When we feel death creeping up on us, and a shiver goes up our spine, fill us with confidence in Christ and teach us to say/sing: I know that my Redeemer lives. What joy the blest assurance gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; he lives, my everlasting Head.

P. When we feel no one cares and no one wants to listen to us, or we cry out for help from deep down inside, hear us and teach us to say/sing: 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.

P. If we are scared death will be the end of us, and our worn-out bodies will only turn to dust and ashes, and if we think this life is all there is, then lead us to rejoice in the promises you make and teach us to say/sing: He lives and grants me daily breath; he lives, and I shall conquer death; he lives, my mansion to prepare; he lives, to lead me safely there.

P. Every time we visit those pronounced terminally ill, or each time we gather round the coffin of a friend and loved one, point us to our risen Lord Jesus and teach us to say/sing: He lives, all glory to his name; he lives, my Saviour, still the same; what joy the blest assurance gives, I know that my Redeemer lives!

P. In confidence and joy, we celebrate the good news of the resurrection through Jesus Christ our Lord. C. 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.

GOD BLESSES US P: Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has any power over him. C: The life he lives, he lives to God. Alleluia! P: Because of our sins, he was handed over to die; and he was raised to life in order to put us right with God. C: The life he lives, he lives to God. Alleluia!

P: May the God of peace, who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus, provide us with every good thing we need in order to do his will; and the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever. C: Amen. P: Go in peace, as witnesses of the risen Lord. C: In the name of Christ. Amen.

ALL SHALL BE WELL LHS 760

You may stand for silent prayer as the Bell is rung…