Easter

Contents

A Mid-Morning Eucharist on Easter Day

Thanksgiving for the Resurrection

The Easter Anthems

The Stations of the Resurrection

A Mid-Morning Eucharist on Easter Day

Structure

    The Gathering

The Greeting

[Prayers at the Easter Garden]

Prayers of Penitence

Gloria in Excelsis

The Collect

    The Liturgy of the Word

Readings

Gospel Reading

Sermon

The Creed

(or)

† Renewal of Baptismal Vows

[Prayer over the Water]

Profession of Faith

Prayers of Intercession

  If there are any candidates for baptism, the Liturgy of Initiation from the Easter Liturgy is used (see Common Worship: Times and Seasons, pages 341-347).

    The Liturgy of Eucharist

The Peace

Preparation of the Table

Taking of the Bread and Wine

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking of the Bread

Giving of Communion

Prayer after Communion

    The Dismissal

The Gathering may be replaced by

    The Service of Light on Easter Morning (here)

[Marking of the Easter Candle]

The Lighting of the Easter Candle

[The Exsultet]

Gloria in Excelsis

The Collect

or

    Welcoming the Easter Candle into the Church, with Prayers at the Easter Garden (here)

Welcoming the Easter Candle

Prayers at the Easter Garden

Prayers of Penitence

The Lighting of Candles

Acclamation

Gloria in Excelsis, Easter Anthems or

   Thanksgiving for the Resurrection

The Collect

A Mid-Morning Eucharist on Easter Day

If the Easter Liturgy has not been celebrated, the service may begin with the Service of Light, using the order here.

If the Easter Liturgy has already been celebrated, either in the church concerned or elsewhere, the Easter Candle may be welcomed at the beginning of this service using the order here.

¶    The Gathering

At the entry of the ministers a hymn may be sung.

The service may begin at the Easter Garden.

The president may say

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

All   Amen.

The Greeting

The president says

The Lord be with you

All   and also with you.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The president may repeat the acclamation, getting louder each time.

Words of welcome or introduction may be said.

Prayers at the Easter Garden

If there are no prayers at the Easter Garden, the service continues with the Prayers of Penitence.

A reader says

The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.’

Matthew 28.5, 6

The president says

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To you be glory now and for ever.

In your great mercy you have given us a new birth

into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

By your blessing,

may we who have prepared this garden in celebration of his victory

be strengthened in faith,

know the power of his presence,

and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

Various actions may be performed: for example, a stone may be rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, a light in the tomb may be lit; or figures may be placed inside the empty tomb.

The president may say this prayer

Risen Lord Jesus,

as Mary Magdalene met you in the garden

on the morning of your resurrection,

so may we meet you today and every day:

speak to us as you spoke to her;

reveal yourself as the living Lord;

renew our hope and kindle our joy;

and send us to share the good news with others.

All   Amen.

Prayers of Penitence

The Prayers of Penitence may take place at the Easter Garden.

A minister uses this Invitation to Confession or other suitable words

Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us.

Let us therefore rejoice by putting away all malice and evil

and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart.

Silence is kept.

Like Mary at the empty tomb,

we fail to grasp the wonder of your presence.

Lord, have mercy.

All   Lord, have mercy.

Like the disciples behind locked doors,

we are afraid to be seen as your followers.

Christ, have mercy.

All   Christ, have mercy.

Like Thomas in the upper room,

we are slow to believe.

Lord, have mercy.

All   Lord, have mercy.

Or another authorized form of confession may be used (for example, here).

The president uses this or another authorized absolution ( for example, here)

May the God of love and power

forgive you and free you from your sins,

heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,

and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

If the Prayers of Penitence have taken place at the Easter Garden, the ministers move from there to the place where the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated.

Gloria in Excelsis

All   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.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words

Let us pray that we may reign with the risen Christ in glory.

Silence is kept.

Lord of all life and power,

who through the mighty resurrection of your Son

overcame the old order of sin and death

to make all things new in him:

grant that we, being dead to sin

and alive to you in Jesus Christ,

may reign with him in glory;

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be praise and honour, glory and might,

now and in all eternity.

All   Amen.

(or)

God of glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All   Amen.

¶    The Liturgy of the Word

Readings

Either one or two readings from Scripture precede the Gospel reading.

At the end of each the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

The psalm or canticle follows the first reading; other hymns and songs may be used between the readings. For the Easter Anthems, see here.

Gospel Reading

Either of these acclamations may herald the Gospel reading

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.

All   Alleluia.

He has defeated the powers of death.

All   Alleluia.

Jesus turns our sorrow into dancing.

All   Alleluia.

He has the words of eternal life.

All   Alleluia.

(or)

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one;

I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.

All   Alleluia.

When the Gospel is announced the reader says

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

All   Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All   Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Following the sermon, an authorized translation of the Nicene Creed (here and Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, pages 139-140) may be used, or the congregation may be invited to renew their baptismal vows.

If there are candidates for baptism, the Liturgy of Initiation from the Easter Liturgy is used (see here).

Renewal of Baptismal Vows

The ministers gather at the font and the people turn to face it. The Easter Candle may lead the procession and a canticle, psalm, hymn or litany may be used (see here).

The president addresses the congregation

As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, we remember that through the paschal mystery we have died and been buried with him in baptism.

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life in him. Therefore I ask:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

All   I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

All   I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?

All   I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

All   I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

All   I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?

All   I come to Christ.

May God, who has given you the desire to follow Christ,

give you the strength to continue in the Way.

Prayer over the Water

If the Liturgy of Initiation has not been celebrated at the Easter Liturgy, the president stands before the water of baptism and says or sings (a responsive form is provided here)

For music, see here.

Praise God who made heaven and earth,

All   who keeps his promise for ever.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All   It is right to give thanks and praise.

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ

was baptized in the river Jordan,

we thank you for the gift of water

to cleanse us and revive us.

We thank you that through the waters of the Red Sea

you led your people out of slavery

to freedom in the promised land.

We thank you that through the deep waters of death

you brought your Son,

and raised him to life in triumph.

Bless this water, that your servants who are washed in it

may be made one with Christ in his death and in his resurrection,

to be cleansed and delivered from all sin.

Send your Holy Spirit upon them,

bring them to new birth in the household of faith,

and raise them with Christ to full and eternal life;

for all might, majesty, authority, and power are yours,

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

Profession of Faith

The president addresses the congregation

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?

All   I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?

All   I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

All   I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Hymns or songs may be sung as the waters of baptism are sprinkled over the people. Alternatively, each member of the congregation may be invited to renew their commitment to Christ by going to the water and making the sign of the cross with it on their forehead.

The president says

Almighty God,

we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith

with all who have been baptized in your name.

Keep us faithful to our baptism,

and so make us ready for that day

when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All   Amen.

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,

that you may be rooted and grounded in love

and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.

All   Amen.

The ministers return to their places after the Renewal of Baptismal Vows or at the Preparation of the Table.

Prayers of Intercession

The following form may be used.

In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.

That our risen Saviour may fill us [and …] with the joy of his

glorious and life-giving resurrection …

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

That isolated and persecuted churches

may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter …

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

That God may grant us humility

to be subject to one another in Christian love …

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

That he may provide for those who lack food, work or shelter …

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

That by his power war and famine may cease through all the world …

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick,

the weak and the dying,

to comfort and strengthen them …

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

That, according to his promises,

all who have died in the faith of the resurrection

may be raised on the last day …

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

That he may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people,

so that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection,

we pray to the Father.

All   Hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father,

you have delivered us from the power of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:

grant that, as his death has recalled us to life,

so his continual presence in us may raise us to eternal joy;

through Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

¶    The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Peace

The president says

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said,

‘Peace be with you.’

Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.

Alleluia. The peace of the risen Christ be always with you

All   and also with you. Alleluia.

These words may be added

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace, greeting one another with these words

Christ is risen.

Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine

A hymn may be sung.

The gifts of the people may be gathered and presented.

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

One of these prayers may be said

Creator of all,

you wash away our sins,

you give us new birth by the Spirit,

and redeem us in the blood of Christ.

As we celebrate the resurrection,

renew your gift of life within us.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.

All   Amen.

(or)

Be present, be present,

Lord Jesus Christ,

our risen high priest;

and make yourself known in the breaking of bread.

All   Amen.

The president takes the bread and wine.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The president uses one of the authorized Eucharistic Prayers (here). For music, see here.

One of the following Proper Prefaces may be used where appropriate. For music, see here.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

almighty and eternal Father,

and on this day of our redemption

to celebrate with joyful hearts

the memory of your wonderful works.

For by the mystery of his passion

Jesus Christ, your risen Son,

has conquered the powers of death and hell

and restored in men and women the image of your glory.

He has placed them once more in paradise

and opened to them the gate of life eternal.

And so, in the joy of this Passover,

earth and heaven resound with gladness,

while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation

sing for ever the hymn of your glory:

(or)

But chiefly are we bound to praise you

because you raised him gloriously from the dead.

For he is the true paschal lamb who was offered 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 restored to us everlasting life.

(or)

And now we give you thanks

because in his victory over the grave a new age has dawned,

the long reign of sin is ended,

a broken world is being renewed

and humanity is once again made whole.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer is said

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven …

(or)

Rejoicing in God’s new creation,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All   Our Father, who art in heaven …

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

Jesus says, I am the bread of life,

whoever eats of this bread will live for ever.

All   Lord, our hearts hunger for you;

give us this bread always.

The Agnus Dei may be used as the bread is broken

All   Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world,

grant us peace.

(or)

All   Jesus, Lamb of God,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

grant us peace.

Giving of Communion

The president says

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

All   Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Prayer of Humble Access may be used (here).

The president and people receive communion.

Authorized words of distribution are used and the communicant replies

Amen.

During the distribution hymns and anthems may be sung.

The Common Worship provision is followed for consecration of additional bread and wine, and for disposing of what remains (here and here).

Prayer after Communion

Silence is kept.

This Post Communion or another suitable prayer is said

God of Life,

who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son

to the death of the cross,

and by his glorious resurrection

have 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 risen life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

All may say one of these prayers

All   Father of all,

we give you thanks and praise,

that when we were still far off

you met us in your Son and brought us home.

Dying and living, he declared your love,

gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.

May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;

we who drink his cup bring life to others;

we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,

so we and all your children shall be free,

and the whole earth live to praise your name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(or)

All   Almighty God,

we thank you for feeding us

with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Through him we offer you our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Send us out

in the power of your Spirit

to live and work

to your praise and glory.

Amen.

¶    The Dismissal

A hymn may be sung.

The Blessing

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The president says one of the following

God the Father,

by whose love Christ was raised from the dead,

open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life.

All   Amen.

God the Son,

who in bursting the grave has won a glorious victory,

give you joy as you share the Easter faith.

All   Amen.

God the Holy Spirit,

whom the risen Lord breathed into his disciples,

empower you and fill you with Christ’s peace.

All   Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

All   Amen.

(or)

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.

All   Amen.

(or)

God, who through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

has given us the victory,

give you joy and peace in your faith;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

All   Amen.

If baptism has been administered, the president or another person may give each of the newly baptized a lighted candle, lit from the Easter Candle (see here).

The Dismissal

A minister dismisses the people

Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

All   Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

The following chant may be used

(or)

We are raised to new life with Christ.

Go in his peace. Alleluia, alleluia.

All   Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

The ministers and people depart.

The Service of Light on Easter Morning

Notes

1   The Easter Liturgy is intended as a service for the night. It is important to present a mid-morning service in such a way that it does not seem to be a night service that is accidentally being celebrated during the morning.

2   The Easter Candle may be marked either before the service or during the Service of Light at the point indicated (see here).

¶    The Service of Light

The ministers go in silence to the main entrance, one of them carrying the unlit Easter Candle. All the lights in the building are switched off.

This acclamation may be used

Christ yesterday and today,

All   the beginning and the end,

Alpha and Omega,

all time belongs to him,

and all ages;

All   to him be glory and power,

through every age and for ever. Amen.

The Easter Candle may be marked at this point if this has not already been done (see here).

This is the day when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life.Throughout the world Christians celebrate the awesome power of God. As we hear his word and proclaim all that God has done, we can be confident that we shall share his victory over death and live with him for ever.

A minister lights the Easter Candle, saying

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.

The minister carrying the Candle raises it and says or sings

The light of Christ.

All   Thanks be to God.

The following chant may be used

People may light their candles from the Easter Candle. Children may be encouraged to carry the light to people throughout the church.

The procession moves further into the building and then stops. The versicle and response are repeated (if sung, at a higher pitch).

When the minister carrying the Candle arrives at the front of the church it is placed on a stand in the midst of the building, and all other candles in the church are now lit.

The Exsultet (the Easter Song of Praise) may be said or sung by a minister standing near the candle (see here). For music, see here.

The president says

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

A joyful fanfare may be played, bells rung, cymbals clashed, noise made, lights switched on and the people’s candles extinguished.

The service continues with the Gloria in excelsis (here).

Welcoming the Easter Candle into the Church, with Prayers at the Easter Garden

Note

This rite may be used where the Easter Candle has been lit at the Easter Liturgy or another service, either in the church concerned or elsewhere.

Welcoming the Easter Candle

The ministers gather at the back of the church.

The president says

Christ yesterday and today,

All   the beginning and the end,

Alpha and Omega,

all time belongs to him,

and all ages;

All   to him be glory and power,

through every age and for ever. Amen.

A minister brings in the lit Easter Candle and proclaims

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The minister may repeat the acclamation, getting louder each time.

The president says

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 marvellous light. May we, and all Christ’s people, shine as lights in the world to the glory of God the Father.

The minister holding the Candle says or sings

The light of Christ.

All   Thanks be to God.

The following chant may be used

An Easter hymn of praise may be sung as the Easter Candle leads a procession to the Easter Garden.

At the Easter Garden, the minister holding the Candle says or sings

The light of Christ.

All   Thanks be to God.

Prayers at the Easter Garden

The president says

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

A reader says

The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.’

Matthew 28.5,6

The president says

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To you be glory now and for ever.

In your great mercy you have given us a new birth

into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

By your blessing,

may we who have prepared this garden in celebration of his victory

be strengthened in faith,

know the power of his presence,

and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory.

Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

Various actions may be performed: for example, a stone may be rolled away from the entrance to the tomb; a light in the tomb may be lit; or figures may be placed inside the empty tomb.

The president may say this prayer

Risen Lord Jesus,

as Mary Magdalene met you in the garden

on the morning of your resurrection,

so may we meet you today and every day:

speak to us as you spoke to her;

reveal yourself as the living Lord;

renew our hope and kindle our joy;

and send us to share the good news with others.

All   Amen.

Prayers of Penitence

A minister uses this Invitation to Confession or other suitable words

Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us.

Let us therefore rejoice by putting away all malice and evil

and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart.

Silence is kept.

Like Mary at the empty tomb,

we fail to grasp the wonder of your presence.

Lord, have mercy.

All   Lord, have mercy.

Like the disciples behind locked doors,

we are afraid to be seen as your followers.

Christ, have mercy.

All   Christ, have mercy.

Like Thomas in the upper room,

we are slow to believe.

Lord, have mercy.

All   Lord, have mercy.

Or another authorized form of confession may be used (for example, here).

The president uses this or another authorized absolution (for example, here)

May the God of love and power

forgive you and free you from your sins,

heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,

and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

After the absolution the Easter Acclamation is used

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Lighting of Candles

The minister holding the Candle says or sings

The light of Christ.

All   Thanks be to God.

Hymns and songs are sung as the congregation comes to the minister holding the Easter Candle and each light their own candle.

Acclamation

Once the congregation’s candles have been lit a minister leads the following Acclamation

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:

All   he has given us new life and hope

by raising Jesus from the dead.

[God has claimed us as his own:

All   he has made us light to the world.]

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Gloria in Excelsis

The Gloria in excelsis may be used (here). Alternatively, an Easter hymn of praise may be sung or the Easter Anthems (here) or the Thanksgiving for the Resurrection (here) may be used. The Easter Candle leads the procession to the front of the church and is placed in a prominent position.

The service continues with the Collect of Easter Day (here).

The congregation’s candles remain lit until after the Gospel reading.

Thanksgiving for the Resurrection

Notes

1   The Thanksgiving for the Resurrection can be used in a number of different ways through the Easter season.

    The whole text may be used at the beginning of the Eucharist throughout the Easter season following on from the opening greeting. It may be followed by the Gloria. If it is used in this way Section 3 may be omitted.

    It may also be used as a Processional at Evening Prayer.

    Section 2 may be used alone in procession to or from the baptismal font.

2   The Thanksgiving for the Holy Ones of God (Common Worship: Times and Seasons, pages 558-560) may also be used, with the response ‘Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.’

Section 1

Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Let us praise and exalt him for ever.

All   Blessing and honour and glory and power

be to him who sits upon the throne

and to the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.

Great and marvellous are your works,

Lord God the almighty;

just and true are your ways,

King of saints;

all glorious your gifts, Spirit of life.

Blessing and honour

and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving

and honour and power and might

be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Section 2

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious:

All   and his mercy endures for ever.

He has loved us from all eternity:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

And remembered us when we were in trouble:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

He became incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

and was made man:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

By his cross and passion he has redeemed the world:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

And has washed us from our sins in his own blood:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

On the third day he rose again:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

And has given us the victory:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

He ascended into heaven:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

And opened wide for us the everlasting doors:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

He is seated at the right hand of the Father:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

And ever lives to make intercession for us:

All   for his mercy endures for ever.

Section 2 may end either with the Gloria or with the Conclusion (Section 4).

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

Section 3

For the gift of his Spirit:

All   blessed be Christ.

For the catholic Church:

All   blessed be Christ.

For the means of grace:

All   blessed be Christ.

For the hope of glory:

All   blessed be Christ.

For the triumphs of his gospel:

All   blessed be Christ.

For the lives of his saints:

All   blessed be Christ.

In joy and in sorrow:

All   blessed be Christ.

In life and in death:

All   blessed be Christ.

Now and to the end of the ages:

All   blessed be Christ.

Section 4: Conclusion

Blessing and honour and thanksgiving and praise

more than we can utter,

more than we can conceive,

be to you, O most adorable Trinity,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

by all angels, all peoples, all creation,

for ever and ever.

Lancelot Andrewes (1626)

All   Amen. Alleluia.

The Easter Anthems

1    Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us:  

so let us celebrate the feast,

2    not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:  

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5.7b, 8

3    Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:  

death has no more dominion over him.

4    In dying he died to sin once for all:  

in living he lives to God.

5    See yourselves therefore as dead to sin:  

and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6.9-11

6    Christ has been raised from the dead:  

the first fruits of those who sleep.

7    For as by man came death:  

by man has come also the resurrection of the dead;

8    for as in Adam all die:  

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15.20-22

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

(or)

1    Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:  :

therefore let us keep the feast;

2    Not with the old leaven,

nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness:  :

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5.7b, 8

3    Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more:  :

death hath no more dominion over him.

4    For in that he died, he died unto sin once:  :

but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

5    Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin:  :

but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6.9-11

6    Christ is risen from the dead:  :

and become the first fruits of them that slept.

7    For since by man came death:  :

by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

8    For as in Adam all die:  :

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15.20-22

All   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son:  :

and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:  :

world without end. Amen.

The Stations of the Resurrection

Introduction

Through Lent and Passiontide there has been a long tradition in the Church of meditating on the events of the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, called the Stations of the Cross. In the latter part of the twentieth century a complementary devotion emerged, possibly from the Iberian peninsula, called the Stations of the Resurrection or the Stations of Joy. They provide much-needed resources for the celebration of the Great Fifty Days.

As with the Stations of the Cross, we move from station to station, reading an appropriate Bible passage and meditating on it. By using the resurrection appearances as a focus for reflection and meditation we have an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the Easter mysteries of the resurrection of our Lord. The resurrection appearances are more than just stories or history, they are a record of personal encounters with our risen Lord, so silence and space should be given to allow the liturgy to enable that encounter to happen today.

Notes
1  Images and Material

Because of the relative novelty of the Stations of the Resurrection, related images are not as readily available as those for the Stations of the Cross. However, already a number of commentaries and ancillary material have been published. Images are becoming available and can be found with relative ease on the World Wide Web. Alternatively, they could be created locally at events such as an Easter workshop.

2  Movement

Movement is at the heart of this kind of worship. If possible, people should be encouraged to leave their places, move around the building and gather at each station. The element of pilgrimage is a vital part of this liturgy. However, where it is necessary for the congregation to stay in their seats they could be encouraged to turn and face each of the stations.

3  Structuring the Services

The structure of the main part of the service is self-explanatory. The Gathering and the Conclusion should always be included. It is not necessary that all the stations be used in one act of worship; a few of them might be used each week throughout the Easter season. It is recommended, however, that the order presented here should be maintained.

4  Response

At the end there is the opportunity to insert an appropriate response. This could be penitence, praise, intercession or some action that is appropriate to the stations selected. This also offers a further opportunity for movement, as people could be invited to spend some time at a particular station of their choice.

5  Music

Hymns and songs, music and drama may be added at suitable points.

6  Holy Communion

If the stations are to form part of a service of Holy Communion, they form the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Sacrament begins with the Peace. Care should be taken to conform with the requirements of A Service of the Word with a Celebration of Holy Communion (Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, page 25).

The Stations of the Resurrection

I The earthquake

Matthew 28.2-4

II Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb

John 20.1,2

III The disciples run to the empty tomb

John 20.3-8

IV The angel appears to the women

Matthew 28.5-8

or Mark 16.3-8

or Luke 24.2-9

V Jesus meets the women

Matthew 28.9,10

VI The road to Emmaus

Luke 24.28-35

VII Jesus appears to the disciples

Luke 24.36-43

or John 20.19,20

VIII Jesus promises the Spirit

Luke 24.44-49

IX Jesus commissions the disciples

John 20.21-23

X Jesus breathes the Spirit in the upper room

John 20.22,23

XI Jesus reveals himself to Thomas

John 20.24-29

XII Jesus appears at the lakeside

John 21.9-13

XIII Jesus confronts Peter

John 21.15-19

XIV Jesus and the beloved disciple

John 21.20-23

XV Jesus appears to over five hundred at once

1 Corinthians 15.3-6

XVI Jesus commissions the disciples on the mountain

Matthew 28.16-20

XVII The ascension

Acts 1.3-11

XVIII Pentecost

Acts 2.1-11

XIX Jesus appears to Saul (Paul)

Acts 9.1-18

or 1 Corinthians 15.8

The Stations of the Resurrection

¶    The Gathering

At the entrance of the ministers a hymn may be sung.

A minister may say

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

All   Amen.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

All   He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Sing for joy,O heavens, and exult,O earth;

break forth,O mountains, into singing!

For the Lord has comforted his people,

and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

Isaiah 49.13

Jesus said,‘This is indeed the will of my Father,

that all who see the Son and believe in him may have

eternal life,

and I will raise them up on the last day.’

John 6.40

The minister introduces the service.

Let us pray.

A brief moment of silence follows.

One of the following Collects is said

Lord of all life and power,

who through the mighty resurrection of your Son

overcame the old order of sin and death

to make all things new in him:

grant that we, being dead to sin

and alive to you in Jesus Christ,

may reign with him in glory;

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be praise and honour, glory and might,

now and in all eternity.

All   Amen.

(or)

God of glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    First Station:

    The earthquake

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (28.2-4)

Suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for in your resurrection the power of love breaks open the earth

and frees life from death.

As the angel rolled away the stone from the prison of the tomb,

so release those imprisoned by life’s misfortunes.

To you, Lord Jesus,

whose life brings surprises beyond our wildest expectations,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Second Station:

    Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (20.1,2)

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.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for the love which drew Mary Magdalene to your tomb

to weep over your death.

As you broke into her grief with your death-shattering life,

so reach into our broken hearts with your promise of hope.

To you, Lord Jesus,

reaching into the deepest tombs of our despair,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Third Station:

    The disciples run to the empty tomb

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (20.3-8)

Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards 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.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for in you our God reveals the awesome power of love that is

stronger even than death.

As in your dying you destroyed death,

so in your rising may we be raised above the trials and torments of

this world’s woe.

To you, Lord Jesus,

the fullness of your life revealed in an empty tomb,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Fourth Station:

    The angel appears to the women

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (28.5-8)

The angel said to the women,‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples,“He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for your resurrection overturns our expectations of life

and even your closest friends could not see truth before them.

As the angel helped them to grasp your triumph

and overcome their fear,

so help us to see your hand at work

through the events that overtake us.

To you, Lord Jesus,

whose ways astonish beyond our imagining,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Fifth Station:

    Jesus meets the women

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (28.9,10)

Suddenly Jesus met them and said,‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them,‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for your simple word of greeting made the hearts of the women

leap with joy.

Speak your word of love to those whose hearts are broken,

that they too may hear your loving, beckoning call.

To you, Lord Jesus,

whose call summons us to life in all its fullness,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Sixth Station:

    The road to Emmaus

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (24.28-35)

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying,‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other,‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying,‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for you are with us,

even when our eyes are closed to your companionship.

Walk this day alongside the disconsolate and the despairing,

open their eyes to your gentle illumination,

and let their hearts burn within them at your invisible presence.

To you, Lord Jesus,

walking by our side,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Seventh Station:

    Jesus appears to the disciples

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (24.36-43)

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them,‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them,‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them,‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for in your birth you were proclaimed the Prince of Peace,

and in your resurrection you breathe into your people

peace beyond this world’s understanding.

Be present, Lord, this day

with those whose lives are disfigured by conflict

and those whose hearts know no peace.

To you, Lord Jesus,

true bringer of the peace of heaven,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Eighth Station:

    Jesus promises the Spirit

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (24.44-49)

Then he said to them,‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them,‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for you promised that the same power

that was at work when you were raised from the dead

would also be alive in us.

Show your power to those who are powerless;

reveal your love to those who feel unlovely

and through your Spirit enable all your people

to be witnesses of your amazing grace.

To you, Lord Jesus,

daily renewing your people and your creation,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Ninth Station:

    Jesus commissions the disciples

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (20.21-23)

Jesus said to them again,‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for as you were sent by the Father, so you send us.

Equip your Church with the gifts to fulfil our calling

that we may love as you loved,

serve as you served,

and willingly follow wherever you lead.

To you, Lord Jesus,

gifting your people,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Tenth Station:

    Jesus breathes the Spirit in the upper room

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (20.22,23)

When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for you breathed new life into your astonished disciples.

As you turned unutterable grief into unshakeable joy,

so renew and refresh your turbulent world

and establish now your reign of peace.

To you, Lord Jesus,

transforming the pain of death into the fullness of life,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Eleventh Station:

    Jesus reveals himself to Thomas

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (20.24-29)

Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him,‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them,‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said,‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas,‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him,‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him,‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for you come to us even in our doubting.

Through the sovereign work of your Spirit,

and the loving hands of your people,

continue to reveal yourself where doubt is stronger than faith.

To you, Lord Jesus,

whose resurrection body bears the murderous marks of the cross,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Twelfth Station:

    Jesus appears at the lakeside

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (21.9-13)

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them,‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them,‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him,‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for at the lakeside you showed concern for the daily needs of

your disciples.

As you guided them to fill their nets with fish,

so guide all who are hungry

till their hunger is satisfied in you.

To you, Lord Jesus,

sharing with us the food of faith,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Thirteenth Station:

    Jesus confronts Peter

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (21.15-19)

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him,‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him,‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him,‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him,‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time,‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him,‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him,‘Feed my sheep.Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for even in the glorious victory of the resurrection

you understood the failure of Peter who denied you.

As you restored him to relationship with you,

remember all who feel downcast and worthless in this world’s eyes

and give them a sense of purpose and value.

To you, Lord Jesus,

loving us despite our denial,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Fourteenth Station: Jesus and the beloved disciple

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to John (21.20-23)

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said,‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus,‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus said to him,‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’ So the rumour spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but,‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for your single-minded commitment to your Father’s will.

May we be free from distractions of envy or self,

that we might walk the way of the cross

and know the power of your risen life.

To you, Lord Jesus,

treading boldly on the path of suffering,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Fifteenth Station:

    Jesus appears to over five hundred at once

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians (15.3-6)

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for your resurrection is a revelation to the whole world.

As you revealed yourself powerfully to so many,

reveal yourself now as the hope for our world.

To you, Lord Jesus,

going beyond the limits of our understanding,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Sixteenth Station:

    Jesus commissions the disciples on the mountain

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (28.16-20)

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them,‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for you took the risk of passing your mission to frail disciples.

As you commissioned them to go into all the world,

so may all the world come to you, the King of nations.

To you, Lord Jesus,

with us to the end of the age,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Seventeenth Station:

    The ascension

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (1.3-11)

After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.‘This’, he said,‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ So when they had come together, they asked him,‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied,‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said,‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for in your ascension you are crowned King of kings and Lord of lords.

As we worship you on your heavenly throne,

prepare our hearts for the coming of your Spirit.

To you, Lord Jesus,

who will come back in the same way you went up into heaven,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Eighteenth Station:

    Pentecost

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (2.1-11)

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one

place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of

a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested

on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began

to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there

were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.

And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because

each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed

and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking

Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native

language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia,

Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt

and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,

both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – in our own languages

we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory, for you promised that your disciples would be baptized with

the Holy Spirit

and now we see the fulfilment of your promise.

Fill us afresh with your Spirit today,

revive your Church,

and renew the face of the earth.

To you, Lord Jesus,

giving to your people the greatest gift of all,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

¶    Nineteenth Station:

    Jesus appears to Saul (Paul)

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

All   Those who believe in him shall never die. Alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (9.1-18)

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came,‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered,‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him,‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered,‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him,‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said,‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized.

Reflection or Meditation

Reflection or meditation may follow.

Prayer

We praise you and we bless you, our risen Lord Jesus, King of glory,

for you transformed the murderous Saul into the great apostle, Paul.

As you revealed yourself to him on the road to Damascus,

reveal yourself afresh to your people journeying through this life.

To you, Lord Jesus,

who can fill even the emptiest of lives,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All   Amen.

This acclamation may be used

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

All   Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Common Worship: Holy Week and Easter, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2010 and published by Church House Publishing.

Download the Common Worship Lectionary app