Easter Sunday Liturgy, Songs, and Prayers
Easter Sunday
Resurrection
Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin resurrectio (n- from the verb resurgere ‘rise again’ (in Christian belief) Christ's rising from the dead.
Instrumental prelude -Each week we take a few moments for silent prayer and reflection during the instrumental prelude.
We invite you to join us in quiet prayer; to enter this place with quietness and trust before the Lord.
Call to worship:(standing together)
Alleluia, for the love that saves me
THE MARKING OF THE EASTER (PASCHAL) CANDLE (standing together)
Christ, yesterday and today,
the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega,
all time belongs to him, and all ages;
to him be glory and power, through every age and forever.
Amen.
Five nails or incense studs may then be inserted into the Candle, reminding us of the five wounds of Christ. Each stud is placed in the Candle at the points marked, in the order indicated by the numbers. As each is inserted the celebrant says
By his holy and glorious wounds
may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us.
Amen.
This is the day when our Lord Jesus Christ was raised gloriously from the dead, crushing the power of sin and destroying the sting of death. Throughout the world Christians celebrate the mighty power of God as Christ calls us out of darkness to share in his marvelous light. May we, and all Christ’s people, shine as lights in the world to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
THE LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE (standing together)
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
The light of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
THE ACCLAMATION
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
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, by your life-giving Spirit, be delivered from sin and raised from death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE GOSPEL (standing together)
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. (John 19: 38 through 20: 18)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
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 FLOWERING and RIBBONING OF THE CROSS
As we join in sung worship this morning,
we invite everyone, including the children, to bring flowers and attach them to the cross. You may take a moment to bow, pray, reflect as you place your flower onto the cross.
*Important Instructions - If you need flowers, they’re on the back tables by the entry. Take as many as you like. The more full of flowers the cross is, the better!
We will only use ONE aisle to come forward, please come down the Center Aisle along your LEFT side as you’re facing the altar and return to your seats using the the side of the aisle to your right as you’re facing the altar.
Sung Worship (standing together)
The Easter Song
Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing
that you can be born again.
Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing
“Christ is ris-en from the dead!
The angel upon the tombstone
said “He has risen, just as He said.
Quickly now, go tell His disciples
that Jesus Christ is no longer dead!”
Joy to the world! He is risen! Hallelujah!
He’s risen! Hallelujah! He’s risen! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
“Christ the Lord is risen today,” Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing ye heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious king, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Death in His Grave
Verse 1
Though the Earth Cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
For the souls of man she craved
Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
Disfigured and disdained
Chorus 1
On Friday a thief, on Sunday a King
Laid down in grief, but awoke with the keys
Of Hell on that day, the first born of the slain
The Man, Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Verse 2
So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throes of death
And over turn his rule
Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new
Chorus 2
On Friday a thief, on Sunday a King
Laid down in grief, but awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day, the first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave
On Friday a thief, on Sunday a King
Laid down in grief, but awoke with the keys
Of Hell on that day, the first born of the slain
The Man, Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Bridge
He has cheated Hell and seated Us above the fall
In desperate places He paid our wages One time once and for all
On Friday a thief, on Sunday a King
Laid down in grief, but awoke with the keys
Of Hell on that day, the first born of the slain
The Man, Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
The Message Cn Tim Clayton
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (standing together)
Choirs of angels, stars and planets rejoice and shout for joy:
Alleluia! Wisdom and love released Jesus from the tomb.
All creation, sing and dance:
Alleluia! Wisdom and love released Jesus from the tomb.
All God’s people, take heart and rejoice:
Alleluia! Wisdom and love released Jesus from the tomb.
O holy dawn, when death takes flight and hope is born again!
This is the morning when Christ our Light makes the darkness bright:
Alleluia! Death and decay could not hold Jesus in the tomb.
This is the morning God brought his Son through the doors of death;
Alleluia! Pain and suffering could not hold Jesus in the tomb.
This is the morning God set us free, bringing us home in love;
Alleluia! Sin and sorrow could not hold Jesus in the tomb.
This is the morning our tears of sadness turn to shouts of joy;
Jesus, you have risen from the dead.
You are alive; raise up our hearts.
Christ is the life that knows no end.
Christ is the love that burns within.
Christ is the peace that floods the world.
Christ is the Lord who reigns on high.
All God’s people sing and dance.
Let us confess our faith, using the words of the Nicene Creed:
THE NICENE CREED (standing)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten 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, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.
Celebrant: Having confessed our faith in our great God, let us now open our hearts to him and be unburdened of those things that trouble our conscience and prevent our being filled with love for God and our neighbors:
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION OF SIN
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.
Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Announcements and Upcoming Events
THE PEACE (standing together)
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with your spirit.
(Let’s greet one another with a sign of peace)
Announcements and Upcoming Events
Appearance of Christ, by Ukrainian Artist Ivanka Demchuk
Resurrection, by Ukrainian artist Ivanka Demchuk
The Joseph Fund - ARDF Relief Support for the People of Ukraine, Mozambique, Israel, Gaza, Haiti, Turkey, Syria, Wildfires, Floods, Earthquakes and other relief efforts.
Details on our Missions Page
BREAK GROUND 2026 CREATION CARE PROJECT, LENT ALMS GIVING
A Fundraiser for collaborative gardening in Beverly at the Anchor Point affordable housing community.
How to support this project:
Go to our giving page and choose the Missions page from the drop down menu.
All donations through the Missions Fund through Easter Sunday will go to this project.
Spiritual Resilience for Difficult Times
Discussions with the Beverly Multifaith Coalition at the Beverly Farms Library. Details on Events Page
Sung Worship/Offering: we worship together with our hearts in song and in giving
the opportunity to worship through giving is available online here.
There is also a giving area near the welcome table. Look for the box shaped like a church building on the table near the entry.
Mighty to Save
Verse 1
Everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
Chorus
Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Verse 2
So take me as You find me, all my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow, everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Bridge
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine your light, and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
All things come from you, O Lord,
And of your own have we given you.
THE SURSUM CORDA (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, our duty and our joy, 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 offered for us, and has taken away the sin of the world; who by his death has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again has won for us everlasting life. 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 SANCTUS
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.
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
(kneeling as you’re able or sitting)
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation. By the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary he became flesh and dwelt among us. In obedience to your will, he stretched out his arms upon the Cross and offered himself once for all, that by his suffering and death we might be saved. By his resurrection he broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under his feet. As our great high priest, he ascended to your right hand in glory, that we might come with confidence before the throne of grace.
On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for 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 in remembrance of me.”
Celebrant: 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, and we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Word and Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Sanctify us also, that we may worthily receive this holy Sacrament, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us with all your saints into the joy of your heavenly kingdom, where we shall see our Lord face to face.
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
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
your Name be hallowed,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
as in heaven, also on earth.
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 yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9–13)
THE FRACTION
Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia
THE MINISTRATION OF COMMUNION
The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
(for those with us online)
Lord Jesus, truly present in the Holy Sacrament: come spiritually into my heart and give me yourself, for I love you above all else, and I desire to be united with you within my soul.
Amen.
Reminder Communion Instructions: Prayer and Blessing Opportunities are available from a member of the prayer team at the back of the chapel as you return to your seat after receiving the bread and wine. Personal and Confidential Prayer is available following the service.
Sung Worship
All Hail King Jesus
Verse 1
There was a moment when the lights went out
When death had claimed its victory
The King of Love had given up His life
The darkest day in history
Verse 2
There on a cross they made for sinners
For every curse His blood atoned
One final breath and it was finished
But not the end we could have known
For the earth began to shake
And the veil was torn
What sacrifice was made
As the heavens roared
Chorus
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
Verse 3
There was a moment when the sky lit up
A flash of light breaking through
When all was lost He crossed eternity
The King of life was on the move
For in a dark cold tomb
Where our Lord was laid
One miraculous breath
And we're forever changed
Chorus
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
Singing holy, singing glory
Chorus
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER (standing together)
Heavenly Father, 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.
THE FINAL BLESSING
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has given us new life and hope.
He has raised Jesus from the dead.
God has claimed us as his own.
He has brought us out of darkness.
He has made us light to the world.
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his 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
Alleluia, alleluia. With the power that raised Jesus from the dead at work within you, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
SUNG WORSHIP
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
May the Peace of God be with you today
*Personal and Confidential Prayer is available in back of the chapel near the center of the room. Look for the team with the “Prayer” badges.
Canon Tim Clayton, lead pastor
Mother Wendy Dixon, clergy
Mother Jen Kiefer, clergy
Michael Pritzl, sung worship leader
Ian Clayton, production, guitar
Jennifer Mahnke, vocals,
Juniper Mahnke, vocals
Beatrice Mahnke, vocals
Jennifer Drummond, reader/intercessor
sung worship:
Psalm 139 (alleluia for the love that saves me), written by Michael Pritzl
The Easter Song, written by Annie Herring
Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Words by Charles Wesley, to the tune of Lyra Davidica, composer unknown.
Death in his Grave, written by John Mark McMillan
Mighty to save, written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan
All Hail King Jesus, written by Jeremy Riddle, Steffany Dawn Gretzinger, Ran Matthew Jackson, Peter Benjamin Mattis
Doxology, written by Thomas Ken in 1674
Today’s liturgy is based on the Book of Common Prayer, 2019, the Renewed Ancient Eucharistic Rite, p. 123-138, with additions from the Church of England’s Times and Seasons liturgical supplement for Lent, and an excerpt of a Litany from Celtic Fire (Robert Van de Weber).
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We all live on Indigenous land. We would like to acknowledge the Massachusett Tribe: the tribe of Indigenous peoples from whom the Colony, Province, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts have taken their name. We would like to pay our respect to the ancestral bloodline of the Massachusett Tribe and their descendants who still inhabit historical Massachusett Tribe territories to this day.
We are grateful to Thomas Green, VP of the Massachusett Tribe, for providing this paragraph. https://massachusetttribe.org/the-tribe
”Trinity”, “Appearance of Christ” and “Resurrection” artwork by Ukrainian Icon Artist, Ivanka Demchuk
”Again and Again”, artwork by Justin Kedl, Enlarged polaroid, 24" x 24”, 2024.
”The Empty Tomb” quilt artwork by Jennifer Mahnke and Ainsley Schmalz
“Christ is Risen” altar frontal by Jennifer Mahnke
be·gin·ning
/bəˈɡiniNG/
noun: the point in time or space at which something starts.
mer·cy
/ˈmərsē/
noun: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
