Easter Sunday. 12 April 2020

THE EASTER CELEBRATION DURING COVID-19 The Service of Light During which fire is blessed and the Easter Candle is lit to present the risen Christ The presider may trace a cross in the Paschal Candle, Alpha and Omega, and the numerals of the current year, saying, Christ yesterday and today (tracing the vertical arm of the cross) the beginning and the end (the horizontal arm) Alpha and Omega (these letters, above and below the cross) All time (the first numeral, in the upper left corner of the cross) and all ages belong to Christ (the second numeral in the upper right corner) to whom be glory and sovereignty (the third numeral in the lower left corner) through every age for ever. Amen. (the last numeral in the lower right corner). If grains of incense are inserted into the candle in the form of a cross, the following may be said: 1 By the holy 2 and glorious wounds 3 may Christ our Redeemer 4 strengthen us 5 and make us whole. Amen. When the Paschal Candle is lit from the fire, the following may be said: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, illumine our hearts and minds. The light of Christ. Thanks be to God. If candles have been distributed to the congregation, they are lit from the Paschal Candle at a convenient point during the procession. (now light your candles) The Paschal Candle is placed in its stand. The people are greeted. Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Rejoice, all creation! Let the heavenly chorus sing! Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to your honour, O God. Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue burning to lighten the darkness of this night! May the Morning Star find this flame still burning among us. Christ is that Morning Star, who rises to shed your peaceful light on all creation. Christ is now alive and glorified with you for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Easter Day Lord Jesus Christ You transformed the tomb of death into the womb of new life: make us joyful witnesses of this good news that all creation may be redeemed, restored and reconciled; for you live and reign, in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen The Liturgy of the Word Old Testament Readings These readings from Genesis deal with the following themes: (APB) • Creation of Adam and Jesus the new Adam • Human disobedience and separation from God • Obedience and faith of Abraham • Liberation from Egypt • Covenant at Sinai • God promises to purify the people of the Covenant New Testament Rom 6:3-11 Gradual - CP 136 - https://youtu.be/2U1MuOCHon4 The Gospel Matthew 28:1-10 Prayer in the time COVID-19 AUTHOR OF LIFE HEALER OF THE NATIONS GRANT US COURAGE TO FACE OUR TRIAL WISDOM TO FIND RELIEF FAITH TO LIVE RESPONSIBLY AND GRANT US YOUR SALVATION FOR JESUS CHRIST SAKE AMEN Commission Go now, glad and rejoicing, for Christ is risen and has become your saviour. Set your minds on the things of God for your lives are hidden in Christ. Preach and testify that he is the one ordained by God to judge the living and the dead. And may God surround you with everlasting love. May Christ Jesus raise you with him to life in glory. And may the Holy Spirit anoint you with power to do good. THE DISMISSAL OF THE COMMUNITY: Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen. We go in the name of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! Recessional Hymn CP 160 Thine be the glory – https://youtu.be/RbBOOmkMLmI