Worship for Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020


Sunday of the Resurrection
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 12, 2020


To view videos on this site, just click on 
the attached blue-colored link!


To give your offering online to St. John's, please click http://www.stjohnspearlcity.org/giving


OUR WORSHIP FOR TODAY

THE OPENING SENTENCE
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.       

OPENING HYMN: Thine is the Glory (Video Link): https://youtu.be/y96nz55U7jw

PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, 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: Acts 10:34-43
Then 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.’

PSALM: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
    Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
  God’s mercy endures forever.
 Let Israel now declare,
  “God’s mercy endures forever.”
 The Lord is my strength and my song,
  and has become my salvation.
 Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous:
  “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
 The right hand of the Lord is exalted!
  The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
 I shall not die, but live,
  and declare the works of the Lord.
 The Lord indeed punished me sorely,
  but did not hand me over to death.
 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
  I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
 “This is the gate of the Lord;
  here the righteous may enter.”
 I give thanks to you, for you have answered me
  and you have become my salvation.
 The stone that the builders rejected
  has become the chief cornerstone.
 By the Lord has this been done;
  it is marvelous in our eyes.
 This is the day that the Lord has made;

  let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 28:1-10
 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

HOMILY FOR THE DAY (Video Link):  https://youtu.be/_51_WnzUC8s

THE APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and 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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

God of resurrection, from the very beginning you give the church the gift of women as your witnesses: as preachers, teachers, and leaders (especially). Open our ears to their proclamation this day and always. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

All your creation praises you—the earth hums, the seas pulse, the stars shine, and the galaxies whirl in glorious harmonies to honor you. Let us hear and blend our voices in the song. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The countries of the world experience disunity and conflict; we set our minds on fear and greed rather than on your rule of justice and steadfast love. Build up all countries on your cornerstone of peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We still weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn. Cradle the fearful, the suffering, and the dying, assuring them of your loving presence (especially). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We live in a time of fear of disease; during Christ’s ministry on Earth, you showed your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.  Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We live among the lowly and the meek; we lift to You our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You equip your children with wondrous gifts, and we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. Inspire and invigorate people developing better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it, and protocols and communication to eliminate the disease’s spread. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless the creative and helpful service of worship leaders this day: musicians, ushers, greeters, worship assistants, preachers, readers, and all others who provide welcome and hospitality in our midst. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Risen Lord, you went ahead of us into the grave and defeated the powers of evil. We remember those who have died. Inspire us to live our lives in this resurrection hope and draw us to you in our final days. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
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,
forever and ever. Amen.


CONCLUDING PRAYER  A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
        Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them:
         Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be
            best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your        
            truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. 
             Amen

CLOSING PETITION FOR BLESSING
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13   
Amen 

CLOSING HYMN: That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright (Video Link): https://youtu.be/DNKnsI1Fh7M

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Worship for Sunday, April 26, 2020

Worship for Sunday, July 5, 2020

Worship for Sunday, May 3, 2020