Sunday at CEC

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Sunday, April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday
9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite Two

Service from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)  Congregational participation in bold

Prelude and the Flowering of the Cross, all seated

Children are invited to come forward and place their flowers in the cross while the prelude music plays.

Opening Prayer, all seated

Choral Introit, all seated

“Alleluia! He Is Coming” Martha Butler, arr. George Mims

Welcome & Announcements, all seated

Please take a moment of silence to prepare your heart and mind for worship after the announcements are concluded.

All standing for the procession of the Cross

“Welcome, happy morning! ages to age shall say” Hymn 179

“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say:  
hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today!
Lo! the dead is living, God for evermore! 
Him their true Creator, all his works adore!
“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say.

Earth her joy confesses, clothing her for spring,
all fresh gifts returned with her returning King:
bloom in every meadow, leaves on every bough,
speak his sorrow ended, hail his triumph now.
“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say.

Months in due succession, days of lengthening light,
hours and passing moments praise thee in their flight.
Brightness of the morning, sky and fields and sea,
Vanquisher of darkness, bring their praise to thee.
“Welcome, happy morning,” age to age shall say.

Maker and Redeemer, life and health of all,
thou from heaven beholding human nature’s fall,
of the Father’s Godhead true and only Son,
mankind to deliver, manhood didst put on.
“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say.

Thou, of life the author, death didst undergo,
tread the path of darkness, saving strength to show;
come then, true and faithful, now fulfill thy word,
’tis thine own third morning! rise, O buried Lord!
“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say.

Loose the souls long prisoned, bound with Satan’s chain;
all that now is fallen raise to life again;
show thy face in brightness, bid the nations see;
bring again our daylight: day returns with thee!
“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say.

Alleluia. Christ is risen. BCP 355
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Christ our Passover” WLP 880, Pascha nostrum

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, Alleluia!

Now Christ is raised and will not die again;
death has no more dominion over him;
Through him we die to sin and live to God.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

In Christ we see the first fruits of the dead:
though Adam’s sin had doomed all flesh to die,
in Christ’s new life shall all be made alive.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Collect of the Day BCP 222

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.  Let us pray. 

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lessons BCP 357

Acts 10:34-43

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24  Read responsively BCP 760

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.
Let Israel now proclaim, “His mercy endures for ever.”
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!”
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.
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.”
  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.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

1 Corinthians 15:19-26, all seated Pew Bible 961 

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Hymn, all standing

“He is risen, he is risen!” Hymn 180: 1-2

He is risen, he is risen! Tell it out with joyful voice:
he has burst his three days’ prison; let the whole wide earth rejoice:
death is conquered, we are free, Christ has won the victory.

Come, ye sad and fearful-hearted, with glad smile and radiant brow!
Death’s long shadows have departed; Jesus’ woes are over now,
and the passion that he bore sin and pain can vex no more.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John. Glory to you, Lord Christ.

John 20:1-18

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, Lord Christ.

“He is risen, he is risen!” Hymn 180: 4

He is risen, he is risen! He hath opened heaven’s gate:
we are free from sin’s dark prison, risen to a holier state;
and a brighter Easter beam on our longing eyes shall stream.

Sermon, all seated The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge

After the sermon, brief silence is kept for meditation on God’s Holy Word.

Nicene Creed, all standing BCP 358  

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. 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. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. 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.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. 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.

Prayers of the People, all kneeling or seated

Lord Jesus Christ, when you rose from the dead,
You conquered evil and set the whole creation free from death.
We will praise your name:  Alleluia!

Lord, holdfast to us so that we may be anchored in your love.  
May we have a heart of compassion and mercy as people of the resurrected Savior.
Risen Lord, in your mercy…  Hear our prayer.

For the men and women of our Armed Forces and for the and for the people of Ukraine, the Holy Land, and all war-torn places, who are in harms way,
For our President, the members of Congress, and our judges, for all in authority, 
Risen Lord, in your mercy…  Hear our prayer.

For those who don’t have what is needed to live:
Homes, and food, and clean water.  For children who are neglected, abused or enslaved, for those who suffer persecution for their faith, 
Risen Lord, in your mercy…  Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the sick, the bereaved, and the lonely.
That God will heal them and bring them the joy of restored health and wholeness,
Risen Lord, in your mercy...  Hear our Prayer.

For the Body of Christ around the world especially for the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church. For our bishops, David and Angela.
For the Body of Christ, The Church, wherever it is set.
Risen Lord, in your mercy...  Hear our Prayer.

For this congregation and for all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord,
That we will shine brightly and proclaim life into a dark world.
Risen Lord, in your mercy...  Hear our prayer.

With thanksgiving for those who have served God in this life, 
Who now serve Him in heaven, and that we, too, having been forgiven for our sins by Christ and set aright by the Holy Spirit, will be prepared to enter the nearer presence of Christ, our Savior.
Risen Lord, in your mercy...  Hear our prayer.

The Celebrant continues...

Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Passing of the Peace, all standing
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

Offertory Sentence, all seated
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice for God. Ephesians 5:2

Choral Anthem,  all seated

“Christ the Lord is Risen Today” Everett Titcomb

Presentation of gifts, all standing Old 100th

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

The Great Thanksgiving BCP 361

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 him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

The Fraction Hymnal S-125

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory. 
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel while the Celebrant continues....

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of 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 Savior 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 before he died for us, 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 nd for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues….

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

All baptized Christians are welcome at the Communion table. To receive Communion, place one hand over the other with palms facing upward. To receive the wine, you may sip from the chalice or intinct (dip) your wafer into the wine..

Communion Music

“At the Lamb’s high feast we sing” Hymn 174

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him, whose love divine gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast, Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured, death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed, Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high, hell’s fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight, thou hast brought us life and light:
now no more can death appall, now no more the grave enthrall;
thou hast opened paradise, and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy, these alone do sin destroy.
From sin’s power do thou set free souls new-born, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory, songs of praise, Father, unto thee we raise:
risen Lord, all praise to thee with the Spirit ever be.

“The day of resurrection!”                                                                               Hymn 210

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over with hymns of victory.

Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
and, listening to his accents, may hear so calm and plain
his own “All hail!” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth her song begin,
the round world keep high triumph, and all that is therein;
let all things seen and unseen their notes together blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end.

“Come, ye faithful raise the strain” Hymn 199

Come, ye faithful, raise the strain of triumphant gladness!
God hath brought his Israel into joy from sadness:
loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke Jacob’s sons and daughters,
led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters.

’Tis the spring of souls today: Christ hath burst his prison,
and from three days’ sleep in death as a sun hath risen;
all the winter of our sins, long and dark, is flying
from his light, to whom we give laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts, comes its joy to render;
comes to glad Jerusalem, who with true affection
welcomes in unwearied strains Jesus’ resurrection.

Neither might the gates of death, nor the tomb’s dark portal,
nor the watchers, nor the seal hold thee as a mortal:
but today amidst thine own thou didst stand, bestowing
that thy peace which evermore passeth human knowing.

After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food  of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son,  and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

God’s blessing is pronounced

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Closing Hymn, all standing

“Jesus Christ is risen today” Hymn 207

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia! where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! praise eternal as his love, Alleluia!
praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia! Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. 
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

Guest Musicians

Lauren Eberhart, Andrew Gignac; trumpets 
Stephanie Smith, horn
David Deering, trombone

Hymns from Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS) II and Wonder, Love and Praise (WLP) are reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-709130.