The Holy Eucharist
Easter Day (Year C) - Principal Service
April 17, 2022
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, April 17, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The Word of God
Hymn #207: Jesus Christ is Risen Today
[Verses 1-4]
1. Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
2. 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!
3. 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!
4. 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!
Words: Latin, 14th cent.; tr. Lyra Davidica (1708), alt.; st. 4, Charles Wesley, Public Domain. Music: Easter Hymn from Lyra Davidica (1708), adapt. The Compleat Psalmodist (1749), alt., Public Domain; desc. Hymns Ancient and Modern, Revised (1950) © 1950 Hymns Ancient and Modern Limited. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #14473. All rights reserved.
The Opening Acclamation
[BCP, p. 355]
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
A Collect for Purity
[BCP, p. 355]
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.
Hymn S-280: Glory to God
[See also BCP, p. 356]
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Words: Public Domain. Music: Robert Powell © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28331. All rights reserved.
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 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.
A Reading from the Book of 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.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
[BCP, p. 760]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; * his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim, * "His mercy endures for ever."
14 The Lord is my strength and my song, * and he has become my salvation.
15 There is a sound of exultation and victory * in the tents of the righteous:
16 "The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! * the right hand of the Lord is exalted! the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!"
17 I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me sorely, * but he did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; * I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord.
20 "This is the gate of the Lord; * he who is righteous may enter."
21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me * and have become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders rejected * has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord's doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 On this day the Lord has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it.
A Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (15:19-26)
If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. Luke (24:1-12)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
"The Next Faithful Step" by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda
If you have ever lost someone you love, you might know how Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary (James’ mother), and the other women felt on the first Easter morning. Losing a loved one under ordinary circumstances is hard enough. In this case, Jesus was wrongfully accused, arrested, beaten, tortured, and executed in public. He met a gruesome, violent end in full view of the people of Jerusalem. His close friends and followers were traumatized. They were devastated. They were just eating dinner with Jesus on Thursday night, then by 3:00 on Friday he was dead.
Most of the male disciples -- the more famous ones who go on to become bishops and evangelists -- they were too traumatized to even show their faces. According to Luke, all but Peter ran away after Jesus was arrested. They scattered and hid out of fear of what was happening to Jesus and fear of what might happen to them. This is more than simple cowardice; it’s also grief. Who wants to watch their friend and mentor be tortured and killed?
But these women stuck around. Luke says that these same women were witnesses at the Cross (23:49). They weren’t there to watch the gore as entertainment (like the rest of the crowds). They were there because, regardless of the danger it put them in, they were Jesus’ friends and followers. They didn’t want him to die alone. They stood by and supported him until the end.
Then, Luke says that the women worked with Joseph of Arimathea to try to give Jesus a proper burial in the short time they had between his death on Friday afternoon and sundown (23:50-56). In Jewish religious tradition, the Sabbath day of rest goes from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. And even burying a loved one was considered work that should wait until after the Sabbath. So Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body in linen and placed him in a cave/tomb, which was a typical burial practice in those days (rather than coffins or urns buried in the ground). The women watched this burial, but because Jesus had been murdered so suddenly, none of them had the traditional “spices and oitments” used to anoint a body at the time of death (23:56).
So even on the Sabbath, the women dealt with their trauma by performing the mourning rituals. They prepared the spices and ointments and went as soon as the sun came up on Sunday. They had a duty to do. Even in the midst of their sorrow and trauma, they knew the next faithful step. They had to visit Jesus’ grave. Even as they fought back tears, they woke up at dawn to do what they were supposed to do.
Now, on some level, these women weren’t doing anything special. They weren’t trying to go above and beyond. They certainly weren’t expecting to see miracles. They were just doing the right thing, a simple thing, the faithful thing. They were just carrying on because they felt like they had to. But even carrying on is a powerful thing. Taking the next step is difficult when life hits you hard, but it’s all God calls us to do. These women didn’t have all the answers about what God’s plan was, but they knew to be faithful to whatever the next step was. And as they were being faithful, God acted marvelously and miraculously.
I’m not surprised that in this story, the women disciples are the ones who act the most faithfully in the face of community trauma. The male disciples hid because they couldn’t handle their emotions in public; they stayed out of the limelight. I’m not saying that to blame them, but simply to acknowledge that most of us men need to work on our ability to process trauma and be honest about our emotions.
I was really broken up when my Abuela (grandmother) died a couple of years ago. It was March 2020, right as the pandemic forced us to shut down a lot of things and New York City, where she lived, was an absolute hotbed for COVID-19 infections and deaths. So I didn’t get to go through normal grieving rituals like staying with my family, attending a funeral, and having a big repast with everybody else who flew in from out of town. Instead, my parents and brothers had 20 minutes in an empty funeral home chapel and they called me on FaceTime to pray. It was weird and sad. And for a long time, I didn’t know how to handle it. I needed help. I didn’t know how I was gonna heal, but I knew it started with small faithful steps in the right direction. I was and am far from perfect at it, but with a lot of prayer, therapy, and strong support from my communities (my family, St. Matthew’s, and beyond), now I am able to talk about it more honestly.
But today is Easter, and Easter isn’t about me. It’s about Jesus and the power of the resurrection. It’s about how God can surprise us with love, grace, and new life. If you’ve lived long enough, you’ve faced hardship, trauma, and sorrow. It may or may not have been as violent as the crucifixion, it may or may not have been affected by the pandemic, but it can hurt all the same. The hope and promise of the resurrection is that God can handle all the worst that this life has to offer. God can bring goodness out of our mess. If you’re going through troubles -- even if you made those troubles yourself -- God can give you love and healing. God is the source of mercy, forgiveness, and new life. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is present with us in our time of need.
No matter what you’ve been through, God doesn’t expect you to be a superhero. God doesn’t expect you to be a saint or a prophet. You don’t have to know the whole plan for how God’s good purposes will be accomplished. You just have to carry on and take that next faithful step. Amen.
Choir Selection: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
[Words and Music: George Frideric Handel © 1912 Schirmer, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONELICENSE #198579. All rights reserved.]
The Renewal of Baptismal Vows
[BCP, p. 292]
Through the Paschal mystery, dear friends, we are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death, and raised with him to newness of life. I call upon you, therefore, now that our Lenten observance is ended, to renew the solemn promises and vows of Holy Baptism, by which we once renounced Satan and all his works, and promised to serve God faithfully in his holy Catholic Church.
Celebrant: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People: I do.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God's help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God's help.
The Celebrant concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows:
May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
[Adapted from http://www.stlukesewing.org/prayers-of-the-people-easter]
Rejoicing in the mighty acts of God who has delivered the people of God from sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us lift our voices and pray,
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us give thanks to God for the multitude of blessings that God showers upon us: for our lives and for those whom we love, for the beauty of this home God has created for us, for our families and our friendships, for Lazola Cope (4/19) on her birthday, and for James and Monica Williams (4/21) on their wedding anniversary; and for Harold & Andraedese Jones Mallette. Let us give thanks to the God of Life.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for the Church, that it may carry forward the redemptive works of God: for our clergy and our bishops, for the many lay people who serve the church and serve the world through the church, and for those gather here in worship and prayer.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for the newly baptized, that the joy of Easter may ever grow within them, and that the Spirit may guide them in lives of active faith.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for the nations and peoples of the world and for the leaders of our country, state, county, and city, that the powers that oppress and destroy may decline, and that justice, peace, and prosperity be lifted up.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for those who are sick, those who suffer, those who struggle, especially those on our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angie Glover, Annie Bell Greer, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Craig Maxwell, Bette Milledge, and Helen Scroggins; that the hope born of Easter give them peace, acceptance and renewal, and that through their struggles they may come into closer communion with the God who redeems and restores...
Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
Let us pray for those who have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone, especially for the people whose memories are honored by today's Easter Lilies: George Brooks, Maudell Brown, Eldora Byrd, Margaret Caution, Juanita December, David W. Dockery, Luther and Sadie Dockery, Luther G. Dockery, LaCretia Carol Eady, Pauliene and Carrie Gordon, Robert and Arabelle Graham, Gertrude J. Hicks, Bernard Hogan, Mildred Johnson, Bessie Kelly, Irvin Kelly, Warren I. Loadholt, Stephen and Mary McDew, James W. Newton, Thelma Newton, Lucius and Margaret Priester, James and Marion Roberts, James Mack Roberts, Jr., Gertrude Sanders, Mildred Seabrooks, Obey L. Shorter, Ella Mae Singleton, Lucy Solomon, Natalie Thomas, Robert and Beverly Tyson, E. Cecile Walker, Sarah Williams, Virginia Wynn; the Brown family, the Butler family, the Cope family, the Glover-Nails family, the Gordon family, the Hoskins family, the McCound family, the Moultrie family, the Outing family, the Roberts family, the Stevenson family, and the Tennerson family; bring them by your resurrecting power into the place of eternal joy and light...
Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.
Risen Lord,
Hear our Prayer.
The celebrant adds a concluding collect.
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Peace
[EOW1, p. 56]
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
A. New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines: St. Matthew’s Vestry agreed to update its In-Person COVID-19 Safety Guidelines on March 31, 2022. To summarize, when the CDC indicates that Chatham County has a Low or Medium “COVID-19 Community Level,” the Vestry will allow light refreshments to be served at public indoor events, provided that people continue to wear masks whenever they are not eating or drinking. When Chatham County has a High COVID-19 level, food and drink will not be allowed. Chatham County currently has a Low COVID-19 level. You can read the guidance in all its detail here: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/new-covid-19-safety-guidelines-spring-2022.
The Vestry will invite individuals and families to begin to serve light refreshments after worship on Sundays and have other social events again in-person beginning on Easter Day.
B. CORR on 5/1 at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church: Conversations on Relationships and Race (CORR) is a joint Christian Education course with St. Matthew’s, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, and Asbury United Methodist Church. This spring, we will continue to read How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. You may purchase it from any major bookstore (such as Amazon).
Our next CORR meeting is scheduled to be in person on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (2 St Thomas Ave, Savannah, GA 31406). Please read Chapters 12-18 of Kendi’s book before the meeting.
C. JUST Nehemiah Action on 5/2: Justice Unites Savannah Together (JUST) is holding its 2nd Annual Nehemiah Action (and 1st ever in-person) on Monday, May 2, 2022, at 6:15 PM at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in the Savannah Civic Center (301 W Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 31401). The Nehemiah Action is our annual opportunity to show public officials that hundreds, or even thousands of people in Chatham County care about fixing major community problems.
For the last year, JUST has researched affordable housing and cash bail. We will ask the City of Savannah to continue investing in an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to make housing more accessible to low and middle-income families. Then, we will ask the Chatham District Attorney to expand a diversion program that keeps people out of the criminal justice system before they lose time in jail or money to pay for bail. If you care about these issues, we invite you to attend this action to show our public officials how important these are for people of faith in Savannah!
JUST's Interim Lead Organizer, Rachel Hodes, will visit St. Matthew's for worship today. Rachel will be available to talk about JUST during coffee hour.
D. The Rev. Kelly Steele Installation on 5/4: Since last April, the Rev. Kelly Steele (the Rev. Guillermo Arboleda's spouse), has served St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island as their Priest-in-Charge. The Vestry of St. Peter's called Rev. Steele to be their Rector beginning April 1, 2022! Bishop Frank Logue, Rev. Steele, and the people of St. Peter's invite you to the Rector Installation service (a.k.a. Celebration of a New Ministry) on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 5:30 PM at 3 West Ridge Rd, Savannah, GA 31411.
Congratulations to Rev. Steele, St. Peter's Church, and the Arboleda-Steele family!
E. Book of Sermons: Della Jones and Sandra Mitchell are looking for parishioners interested in serving on a committee to compile sermons and identify artwork for a book of Fr. Guillermo Arboleda’s sermons. This proposed book project would become a historical document for St. Matthew's and may be sold in the future at a modest price to raise funds for the parish.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact either Della Jones or Sandra Mitchell. The first meeting will be held during the week following Easter. Date and time to be determined.
F. T/W/Th Evening Prayer: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer over Zoom. The video will continue to stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM. Please join the Zoom call by 4:55 PM. Otherwise, watch the prayer service as you have been on Facebook Live.
For security purposes, below is the Meeting ID only; please check your St. Matthew's e-Newsletter for the password (or email FrGAA@StMattSav.org to request it).
Topic: Zoom Evening Prayer
Time: 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: See e-Newsletter
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 377]
Giving to St. Matthew's: We know that many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The church is feeling it too. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. There are several ways to give, but the simplest are these:
Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.
“On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [Psalm 118:24]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
LEV #40: He 'Rose
[Verses 1-4]
1 They crucified my Savior and nailed him to the tree,
they crucified my Savior and nailed him to the tree,
they crucified my Savior and nailed him to the tree,
And the Lord will bear my spirit home.
REFRAIN:
He ’rose, He ’rose, He ’rose from the dead!
He ’rose, He ’rose se, He ’rose from the dead!
He ’rose, He ’rose, He ’rose from the dead!
and the Lord will bear my spirit home.
2 Then Joseph begged his body and laid it in the tomb,
then Joseph begged his body and laid it in the tomb,
then Joseph begged his body and laid it in the tomb,
And the Lord will bear my spirit home. [REFRAIN]
3 Sister Mary, she came running, a looking for my Lord,
Sister Mary, she came running, a looking for my Lord,
Sister Mary, she came running, a looking for my Lord,
And the Lord will bear my spirit home. [REFRAIN]
4 An angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away,
an angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away,
an angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away,
And the Lord will bear my spirit home. [REFRAIN]
Words: Traditional, Public Domain. Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain; arr. William Farley Smith, © 1989 United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #17541. All rights reserved.
AAHH #651: Doxology
[See also Hymn # 380, v. 3]
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Words: Thomas Ken, Public Domain. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84260. All rights reserved.
Eucharistic Prayer 1
[EOW1, p. 57]
It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy …
Preface of Easter [BCP, p. 379]:
But chiefly are we young 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, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:
LEV #254:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and 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.
[Word: Public Domain. Music: Carl Maultsby, The Saint Mary Mass, © 1989 Malted Milk Music. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00004C1989. All rights reserved.]
The people stand or kneel.
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.
But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.
Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.
On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
LEV #258:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Marjorie Gabriel-Burrow © 1992 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.]
Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Blessed Mary, Blessed Matthew, and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
[BCP, p. 364]
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.
The Fraction Anthems
[BCP, p. 364]
Hymn S-152:
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Ambrosian chant; adapt. Mason Martens © 1971 Mason Martens, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #87673. All rights reserved.]
Hymn S-167:
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Mode 6 melody; adapt. Mason Martens © 1971 Mason Martens, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #52588. All rights reserved.]
The Gifts of God for the people of God.
LEV #43: Because He Lives
[Verses 1-3]
1 God sent His son, they called Him Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
REFRAIN: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!
2 How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! [REFRAIN]
3 And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives! [REFRAIN]
Words: Gloria Gaither and William Gaither © 1971 William J. Gaither Music: William Gaither © 1971 William J. Gaither. All rights reserved.
LEV #42: He Lives!
[Verses 1-3]
1 I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever foes may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.
REFRAIN:
He lives, he lives Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!
2 In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho' my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last. [REFRAIN]
3 Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind. [REFRAIN]
Words and Music: Alfred H. Ackley © 1933, 1961, 1990 The Rodehaver Co., Belwin Mills / Alfred. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #90882. All rights reserved.
The Post-Communion Prayer
[Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
We thank you for feeding us with this bread.
May it strengthen us
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
For Online Worshippers and Those Receiving Spiritual Communion:
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
Though we cannot consume now these gifts of bread [and wine],
we thank you that we have received the sacrament of Christ’s presence,
the forgiveness of sins, and all other benefits of Christ’s passion.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
may we embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Easter Blessing
[Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 13]
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in God's sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angie Glover, Annie Bell Greer, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Craig Maxwell, Bette Milledge, and Helen Scroggins.
BIRTHDAYS: Lazola Cope (4/19)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: James and Monica Williams (4/21)
RECENT DEATHS: Harry Martin (d. 3/30/2022; brother of Martha Avery); Warren Loadholt (d. 4/5/2022; son of Marva Johnson); Doris Logan (friend of Terry Newton)
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
EASTER LILIES MEMORIALS:
Harriette Brinson, Marva Johnson, Gwen Smith, & Family: In Memory of Mrs. Gertrude J. Hicks, LaCretia Carol Eady, Mr. Warren I. Loodholt
General A. & Lazola Cope: In Memory of Loved Ones
Christine Folsome: In Memory of Mrs. Bessie Kelly, Mrs. Sarah Williams, Mrs. Juanita December, Mrs. Mildred Johnson, Mrs. Margaret Caution, Mrs. Lucy Solomon, Mrs. Gertrude Sanders, Mr. Bernard Hogan, Mr., Irvin Kelly, Mr. George Brooks, and Other Loved Ones
Joenelle & Charles Gordon: In Memory of Loved Ones Gordon & Brown Families and E. Ceceile Walker
Fr. Charles & Evalena Hoskins: In Memory of Loved Ones of Fr. Charles & Evalena Hoskins
M. Idella Jones: In Memory of Loved Ones of the Glover-Nails Families
Frieda McDew-Shorter: In Memory of Stephen & Mary McDew and Obey L. Shorter
Jeannette Outing: In Memory of The Outing Family, The Butler Family, and The Moultrie Family
Margaret & Lee Pearson: In Memory of James & Marion Roberts, Maudell Brown, Lucius & Margaret Priested, and James Mack Roberts, Jr.
Evadne Roberts: In Memory of Loved Ones
Kathy Robinson: In Memory of Luther & Sadie Dockery, David W. Dockery, Luther G. Dockery, Pauliene & Carrie Gordon, James W. Newton, Thelma Newton, Virginia Wynn, Ella Mae Singleton, Natalie Thomas, Robert & Arabelle Graham, Mildred Seabrooks, and Eldora Byrd
Jessie Stevenson: In Memory of Family Members
Charles & Willie Mae Tennerson: In Memory of Loved Ones
Karsten Tyson: In Memory of the parents of Karsten Tyson: Robert & Beverly Tyson; In Thanksgiving for Harold & Andraedese Jones Mallette
Note: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), African American Heritage Hymnal (AAHH), Wonder Love and Praise (WLP), and other sources cited. The Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
Image Credit: