The Resurrection of the Lord | Easter Sunday 31 Mar 2024: Mark 16:1-8; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4 ~ Alleluia. Christ is risen!

The Resurrection of the Lord | Easter Sunday 31 Mar 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

O God, who for our redemption
gave your only begotten Son to die upon the Cross,
and by his glorious resurrection delivered us
from the devil and the power of death:
Grant us grace to die daily to sin,
that we may live with him in the joy of his resurrection;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.

“[Jesus from Nazareth]
has been brought back to life.
He’s not here.
Look at the place where they laid him.”
(Mark 16:6)

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“Christ Arose” by 100 Voice Mass Choir for Classic Hymns album ” He Is Alive”

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Reading from the Gospels: Mark 16:1-8 (GW)

Jesus Comes Back to Life

16:1 When the day of rest—a holy day, was over, Mary from Magdala, Mary (the mother of James), and Salome bought spices to go and anoint Jesus.

On Sunday they were going to the tomb very early when the sun had just come up. They said to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. It was a very large stone. As they went into the tomb, they saw a young man. He was dressed in a white robe and sat on the right side. They were panic-stricken.

The young man said to them, “Don’t panic! You’re looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been brought back to life. He’s not here. Look at the place where they laid him. Go and tell his disciples and Peter that he’s going ahead of them to Galilee. There they will see him, just as he told them.”

They went out of the tomb and ran away. Shock and trembling had overwhelmed them. They didn’t say a thing to anyone, because they were afraid.

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From the Psalms: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 “Give Thanks To The Lord” (For He Is Good)Francesca LaRosa (Official Lyric Video)

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Profession of Faith: The Nicene Creed | ACNA | BCP2019

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.

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Because He Lives (Hebrew and English!) LIVE at the Garden Tomb, Jerusalem Easter

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Reading from the Letters: Colossians 3:1-4 (GW) 

Live as God’s People

3:1 Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.

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In Christ AloneMichael W. Smith / Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ 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.

+ Lord hear our prayers:

    • For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God….
    • For church leaders and their congregants around the world….
    • For all those who proclaim the Gospel at home and abroad; and for all who teach and disciple others….
    • For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith….
    • For our nation, for those in authority, and for all in public service….
    • For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity….
    • For all those who have departed this life in the certain hope of the resurrection….

+ Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Week | Palm Sunday 24 Mar 2024: Mark 11:1-10; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11 ~ “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Holy Week | Palm Sunday 24 Mar 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God,
in your tender love for us you sent your Son
our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself
our nature, and to suffer death upon the Cross,
giving us the example of his great humility:
Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering,
and come to share in his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Those who went ahead and those who followed him
were shouting, “Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord!

Mark 11:9

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Be Thou my Vision – Celtic Worship // St Laurence’s Church Chorley

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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 11:1-10 (GW)

The King Comes to Jerusalem

11:1 When they came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead of him. He said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it, and bring it. If anyone asks you what you are doing, say that the Lord needs it. That person will send it here at once.”

The disciples found the young donkey in the street. It was tied to the door of a house. As they were untying it, some men standing there asked them, “Why are you untying that donkey?” The disciples answered them as Jesus had told them. So the men let them go.

They brought the donkey to Jesus, put their coats on it, and he sat on it. Many spread their coats on the road. Others cut leafy branches in the fields and spread them on the road. Those who went ahead and those who followed him were shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is our ancestor David’s kingdom that is coming!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

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All Glory, Laud and Honor | Palm  Sunday | Christian Hymn | Sunday 7pm Choir

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4-7 (GW) 

The Lord’s Servant Trusts in the Lord’s Help

50:4 The Almighty Lord will teach me what to say,
so I will know how to encourage weary people.
Morning after morning he will wake me
to listen like a student.
The Almighty Lord will open my ears.
I will not rebel, nor will I turn away ⌞from him⌟.
I will offer my back to those who whip me
and my cheeks to those who pluck hairs out of my beard.
I will not turn my face away from those who humiliate me
and spit on me.

The Almighty Lord helps me.
That is why I will not be ashamed.
I have set my face like a flint.
I know that I will not be put to shame.

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From the Psalms: Psalm 22 Poor Bishop Hooper

My God my God why have you forsaken me?
Why have you abandoned me?
My God my God why are You so far away
When I plead and plead

My God my God every day I call to you
Still You’re never answering
My God my God every night I know You hear my voice
But I can’t quite seem to find relief

Yet You are holy enthroned in praise
Israel they trusted You and they were saved
They cried out to You and were shown the way
Up out of darkness, up out of darkness into the place You made

My God my God they’ve pierced my hands my feet
I can see the people counting up my bones
My God my God they’ve divided what I own
Among themselves and gambled for my clothes

My God my God I’m captivated by a thirst
That ties my tongue and dries up all the strength inside of me
My God my God though I don’t know of who I sing
Or what these lines so true foresee would You come quickly

Yet You are holy enthroned in praise
Israel they trusted You and they were saved
Could I cry out to You in the very same way
Bring me up out of darkness, up out of darkness
Up out of darkness into the place You made

But He has not despised me
Or left me in affliction
He did not hid his face from me
He did not hide his face
The humble will eat and be satisfied
Those who seek the Lord will praise him
The families of all nations
The ends of the earth remember
And people yet unborn proclaim
He alone has all dominion

He did not hide his face
He did not hide his face

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A Reading from the Letters: Philippians 2:6-11 (GW) 

2:6 Although he was in the form of God and equal with God,
[Jesus] did not take advantage of this equality.
Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant,
by becoming like other humans,
by having a human appearance.
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
death on a cross.
This is why God has given him an exceptional honor—
the name honored above all other names—
so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth,
and in the world below will kneel
and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.

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At the Name of Jesus // ILP music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ 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.

+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift justice and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Deliver the hostages from captivity and restore their souls. Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically – and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who bore our sins on the cross,
set us free to serve him with joy.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.