Easter Day

April 4, 2021 | 10 a.m.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church | Williamsburg VA

The Word of God

Opening Hymn Jesus Christ is risen today

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!

Opening Acclamation

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The  Collect for Purity                                                                                                                 Book of Common Prayer, p. 355

Song of Praise

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!

The Collect of the Day

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 First Reading        Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain

the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, alternating male and female voices

Give thanks to God who is good; * God’s mercy endures for ever.

Let Israel now proclaim, * “God’s mercy endures for ever.”

God is my strength and my song * and has become my salvation.

There is a sound of exultation and victory * in the tents of the righteous:

“The right hand of the Most High has triumphed! *

the right hand of the Most High is exalted! the right hand of the Most High has triumphed!”

I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of God.

God has punished me sorely * but did not hand me over to death.

Open for me the gates of righteousness; * I will enter them; I will offer thanks to God.

“This is the gate of the Holy One; * those who are 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 God’s doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes.

On this day the Holy One has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Second Reading        Acts 10:34-43

Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles: “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.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Acclamation Celtic Alleluia

The Gospel        John 20:1-18

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Christ.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the

feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

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

The Sermon                                                                                                                                                                       The Rev. Lisa Green

A period of silence follows the sermon.

The Nicene Creed

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.

The Prayers of the People

Alleluia! What was dead shall live; what was dark shall shine; what was forgotten shall be remembered, for the Lord is risen and walks among us. Let us bring before God the needs of all our world, claiming that renewal and proclaiming, Christ is risen indeed.

God of life, in gratitude and great joy we praise you for the gifts of Christ’s resurrection. Give us hope, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

On this day which brings joy to all Christians, inspire us to work toward the unity of the church, that Christ’s body may be one, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

For all who at this challenging time have particular need of the gift of Easter; for all who journey from illness to health, from despair to hope, from grief to consolation, from loneliness to love. We pray for Emma, Audrey, Hannah, Anna, Ann, Asher, Irvika, Francis, Lowell, Verlie, Louellen, and all our neighbors, that death may have no more power over us, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

For all who suffer and all who mourn, that today you will wipe away all tears, for Christ is risen:

Christ is risen indeed.

Grant us the persistent faith of Mary Magdalene and the surprised belief of Peter and John. May we long to be your sign of life in our world, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

May we be one in faith with all who have died in Christ, for Christ is risen: Christ is risen indeed.

God of life, we thank you for the mystery planted in us, the paradox of life from death and community from scattered disciples. We praise you for the dying which saves us from death and for the rising which brings us life. We, pray, as we live, through Jesus the risen one, in the power of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

The Peace and Announcements

The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A

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 God 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. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

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

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 and 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.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. 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.

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 for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of Bread

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

Communion Anthem The Holy City

The Post-Communion Prayer

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing of Easter

May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. Amen.

May God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever. Amen.

May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

The Closing Hymn        This joyful Eastertide

This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow!

My Love, the Crucified, hath sprung to life this morrow.

Refrain: Had Christ, that once was slain, ne’er burst his three-day prison, our faith had been in vain; but now is Christ arisen, arisen, arisen, arisen!

Death’s flood hath lost its chill, since Jesus crossed the river:

Lord of all life, from ill my passing life deliver. Refrain

The Dismissal

Alleluia! Alleluia! Let us go forth in the name of the Risen Christ.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

1333 Jamestown Road                                                                                                                                         757.229.1111

Williamsburg VA 23185                                                                                                                                     www.martinburg.org