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OPENING MUSIC
Easter
Chorale Preludes - J. S. Bach
I. Christ Lay in
Death’s Fetters
II. Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Who Overcame Death
III. Christ Is Arisen
IV. The Holy Christ Has Arisen
V. The Noble Day Has Arrived
VI. Today the Son of God Triumphs
Stand
W ENTRANCE Hymn
Christ
the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia! Green
LBW 128
1 Christ the Lord is ris'n today; Alleluia!
Christians, hasten on your way;
Alleluia!
offer praise with love replete,
Alleluia!
at the paschal victim's feet. Alleluia!
2 For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!
sinless in the sinner's stead. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris'n on high;
Alleluia!
now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
3 Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
when contending death and life,
Alleluia!
met in strange and awesome strife.
Alleluia!
4 Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!
all your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris'n on high;
Alleluia!
now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
Text:
attr. Wipo of Burgundy, d. c. 1050; tr. Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882, alt.
APOSTOLIC
GREETING
Alleluia!
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you
all.
And also with you.
W HYMN OF PRAISE C- All I-High
voices II-Low Voices
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross
for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the
power of death. Make us die every day to sin, so that we may live with him
forever in the joy of the resurrection; rhrough Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen
CALL TO
THE WORD
Jesus is the one ordained
by God as judge of the living and the dead.
Let us
hear the Word of the Lord. Acts 10:42
W Choir Anthem
Begin
the Song of Glory Now
- Text/ Jaroslav J. Vajda; Music/ Alfred V. Fedak
Begin
the song of glory now: the Son has risen from his grave!
The
night of mourning long is past; life has a purpose after all.
Our
Samson smashed the gates of hell, and we are free at last, at last!
Begin
the song of glory now: the Son has risen from our grave!
Prepare
the song of glory now, the Son has risen from his grave!
Composers, players,
find new sounds for ev’ry
instrument and voice:
a note, a chord, an aria, a Kyrie, a Gloria.
Prepare
the song of glory now: the Son has risen from our grave!
Repeat
the song of glory now: the Son has risen from his grave!
Complete
the Easter overture, and join the “Alleluia” choir.
“In
Jesus’ name” the song begin, and end: “All praise to God alone!”
Repeat
the song of glory now,
repeat
the song of glory now,
repeat
the song of glory now:
the
Son has risen from our grave!
Sit
First Reading Acts
10:34–43
34Peter began to speak to [the people:]
"I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in
every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You
know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus
Christ — he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went
about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was
with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in
Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God
raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all
the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank
with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to
the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the
living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that
everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his
name."
The Word of
the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 118: 14-17, 22-23 Setting by
Peter R. Hallock
Antiphon: On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Second Reading Colossians 3:1-4
1If you have been raised with
Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right
hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things
that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also
will be revealed with him in glory.
The Word of
the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Stand
The people face the cross as the Gospel is brought into
the midst of the assembly.
VERSE Romans
6:9; Psalm 118:24 Setting by Walter
L. Pelz
Alleluia. Christ being raised from the dead will die no more; death has no more dominion over him. This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 28:1-10
The Holy Gospel according
to St. Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
After the
sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary went to see the tomb. 2And 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. 3His appearance was like lightning,
and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook
and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not
be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He
is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he
lay. 7Then 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.” 8So they left the tomb quickly
with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly
Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his
feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be
afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
W GOSPEL RESPONSE He
Is Arisen! Glorious Word!
He is arisen! Glorious Word!
Now
reconciled is God, my Lord;
the
gates of heav’n are open.
My
Jesus rose triumphantly,
and
Satan’s arrows broken lie,
destroyed
hell’s fiercest weapon.
Oh,
hear, what cheer!
Christ
victorious,
rising
glorious,
life
is giving.
He
was dead, but now is living!
Text: Birgitte K. Boye, 1742-1824; tr.
George T. Rygh, 1860-1942, alt.
Sit
Sermon
Stand
HYMN OF THE DAY
Welcome, Happy Morning! Green LBW 153
1 “Welcome,
happy morning!” age to age shall say;
“Hell
today is vanquished, heav’n is won today!”
Christ,
once dead, is living, God forevermore!
Him,
their true creator, all his works adore.
“Welcome,
happy morning!” age to age shall say.
2 Maker
and redeemer, life and health of all,
God
from heav’n beholding human nature’s fall,
you,
the true and only Son of God above,
died
as mortal man to save us by your love.
“Welcome,
happy morning!” age to age shall say.
3 Source
of all things living, you came down to die,
plumbed
the depths of hell to raise us up on high.
Come
then, true and faithful; come, fulfill your word;
this
is your third morning: rise, O buried Lord!
“Welcome,
happy morning!” age to age shall say.
4 Free
the souls long prisoned, bound with Satan’s chain;
all
that once had fallen raise to life again;
show
your face in brightness, shine in ev’ry land
as
in Eden’s garden when the world began.
“Welcome,
happy morning!” age to age shall say.
Text: Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, 530-609; tr. John Ellerton, 1826-1893, adapt.
CONFESSION
OF FAITH Nicene
Creed
X At the words
‘For us and for our salvation,’ and continuing through ‘and was made man,’ a
solemn bow is appropriate to praise the incarnation of our Lord.
We believe in one God,
the
Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven
and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We
believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only 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.
X For us and for our salvation
he came down
from heaven;
by the power of
the Holy Spirit
he became
incarnate from the virgin Mary, and
was made man. X
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.
With the Father and the Son he
is worshiped and glorified.
He 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
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Rejoicing in the resurrection of our
Lord, let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all
people according to their needs.
Silence is kept.
God our Father, your Son rose
triumphant from death and made this the day of new creation, of victory over
sin, death, and the devil. We thank you for the new life given to us in Christ.
Continually renew in us the joy of resurrection. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son rose triumphant from
death, and the women ran to bear the tidings to his chosen apostles. Grant that
your Church may proclaim the good news in word and deed to all the people of
the world, and empower us as witnesses to the resurrection. Lord, in your
mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son rose triumphant from
death, and by your Spirit, Peter and the apostles testified to his Lordship.
Bless all pastors as they preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments of
Christ. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son rose triumphant from
death, and all rulers, authorities, and powers are now made subject to him.
Bless our elected leaders and all who work for the public good, and help them
to seek your will and serve faithfully in their offices. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son rose triumphant from
death and made sure the promise of the new world, free from war, pestilence,
and want. Give us signs of that new world in our troubled times. Fill us with
your Spirit, and make us living signs of the peace of Jesus. Come to the aid of
the poor and the ill in body, mind, and spirit. Restrain the violent, lift up
the lowly, give peace in our world, in our homes, and in our hearts. Lord, in
your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Your Son rose triumphant from
death and commanded us to pray in his name for our needs and the needs of others.
We pray in faithful confidence for the forgiveness of our sins, for strength in
suffering, and in thanksgiving for all your mercies. We bring before you the
godly desires of our hearts and the needs of those who have asked for our
prayers.
The pastor reads the names; the
people are invited to offer intercessions and thanksgivings.
Lord, in your
mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Your Son rose triumphant from
death, and in him we have hope not only for this life but also for the life to
come. We give thanks for all the faithful ones who have trusted in him; for
Mary his Mother; for Mary Magdalene, first witness to the resurrection; for the
apostles and all the saints, together with all those most dear to us who now
rest in you. Draw our hearts upward, and bring us to the day when we will celebrate
the resurrection with them in glory. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your hands, Father, we
commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Amen
Peace
Jesus came and stood among
his disciples and said,
‘Peace be with you.’
Then they were glad when they saw the
Lord. Alleluia. John
20:19, 20
The peace of the Lord be with you
always.
And also with
you.
The people exchange a sign of peace
with the simple words, Peace be with you.
Sit
The Lord’s Table is prepared.
W Choir Anthem
O
Risen Lord
- Text/ John Mason Neale (1818-66, alt.); Music/ K. Lee Scott
O
risen Lord, O glorious Son, now is the mighty battle won,
Songs of praising we are raising: Alleluia!
On
the third morning he arose, shining in victory o’er his foes;
Earth is singing, heaven is ringing:
Alleluia!
After the death that him befell, Christ our
Lord has harrowed hell.
Sing with gladness, gone is sadness:
Alleluia!
The
Lord of all things lives anew, and all his saints are rising, too:
May our living be thanksgiving: Alleluia!
Stand
OFFERTORY 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Setting by Walter L. Pelz
Alleluia. Cleanse out the old yeast to make yourselves
fresh dough, new unleavened bread! For Christ our Passover Lamb has been
sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate
the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Father, creator of all things, you
wash away our sins,
you give us new birth by the
Spirit,
and you redeem us in the blood of
Christ.
As we celebrate the Resurrection, renew
your gift of life within us.
We ask this through Christ our
Lord.
Amen
GREAT THANKSGIVING
It is
indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all
places offer
thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through
Christ
our Lord. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious
resurrection
of our Lord; for he is the true Passover lamb who gave
himself
to take away our sin, who by his death has destroyed death, and
by his
rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene
and
Peter, and all the witnesses of the resurrection; with earth and sea
and all
their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and
seraphim,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
The pastor leads the
people in praying the Eucharistic canon:
You
are indeed holy, O God, the fountain of all holiness;
you bring light from darkness,
life from death,
speech from silence.
We
worship you for our lives and for the world you give us.
We
thank you for the new world to come
and for the love that will rule
all in all.
We
praise you for the grace shown to Israel, your chosen,
the people of your promise:
the rescue from Egypt, the gift
of the promised land,
the memory of the fathers, the
homecoming from exile,
and the prophets' words that
will not be in vain.
In
all this we bless you for your only-begotten Son,
who fulfilled, and will fulfill,
all your promises.
In
the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave
thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his
disciples, saying:
Take
and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of
me.
Again,
after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This
cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed
for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of
me.
For
as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup,
we proclaim the Lord's death
until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is
risen. Christ will come again.
Therefore,
O God, with this bread and cup
we remember the incarnation of
your Son:
his human birth and the covenant
he made with us.
We
remember the sacrifice of his life:
his eating with outcasts and
sinners,
and his acceptance of death.
But
chiefly on this day we remember his rising from the tomb,
his ascension to the seat of
power,
and his sending of the holy and
life-giving Spirit.
We
cry out for the resurrection of our lives,
when Christ will come again in
beauty and power
to share with us the great and
promised feast.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Send
now, we pray, your Holy Spirit,
that we and all who share in
this bread and cup
may be united in the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit,
may enter the fullness of the
kingdom of heaven,
and may receive our inheritance
with all your saints in light.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Join
our prayers with those of your servants
of every time and every place,
and unite them with the ceaseless petitions
of our great high priest
until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using
the words he gave us.
Christ is in our midst.
By the power of the
Spirit,
we pray to his Father, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy
name,
thy kingdom
come,
thy will be
done,
on earth as it
is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily
bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive
those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us
from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory,
forever and
ever. Amen
Alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed
for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast.
Alleluia!
We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.
Sit
DISTRIBUTION
WDISTRIBUTION HYMNS
This
Joyful Eastertide Blue
WOV 676
Stand
The body and blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen
WPOST-COMMUNION HYMN
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in your mercy you would strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
BENEDICTION
The God of peace – who brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant – make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever.
Amen Hebrews 13:20-21
WCLOSING HYMN
The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done Green LBW 135
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 The
strife is o’er, the battle done;
now
is the victor’s triumph won!
Now
be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!
2 The
pow’rs of death have done their worst,
but
Christ their legions has dispersed.
Let
shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!
3 The
three sad days have quickly sped,
he
rises glorious from the dead.
All
glory to our risen head! Alleluia!
4 He
broke the age-bound chains of hell;
the
bars from heav’n’s high portals fell.
Let
hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Alleluia!
5 Lord,
by the stripes which wounded you,
from
death’s sting free your servants too,
that we may live and sing to you. Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Text: Symphonia Sirenum, Köln,
1695; tr. Francis Pott, 1832-1909
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Lutheran
Book of Worship Daily Scripture Readings
Monday, April 10: Jonah
2:1-10; Acts 2:14, 22-32; John 14:1-14
Tuesday, April 11: Isaiah 30:18-26;
Acts 2:36-47; John 14:15-31
Wednesday, April 12: Micah
7:7-15; Acts 3:1-10; John 15:1-11
Thursday, April 13: Ezekiel 37:1-14;
Acts 3:11-26; John 15:12-27
Friday, April 14: Daniel
12:1-4, 13; Acts 4:1-12; John 16:1-15
Saturday, April 15: Isaiah
25:1-9; Acts 4:13-31; John 16:16-33
Sunday, April
16: Isaiah 43:8-13;
1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-7
From
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted
by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.
New
Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of
America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Additional
liturgical material from Common Worship: Times and Seasons,
©
2006 The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England.
Anonymous.
Christ Appearing to the Apostles, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a
project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=58643 [retrieved
March 30, 2023]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:German_15th_Century,_Christ_Appearing_to_the_Apostles,_c._1460-1470,_NGA_3717.jpg.
Agnus Day appears with the permission
of www.agnusday.org
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(412) 279-5868
Email: office@ststephenpittsburgh.org
Website: www.ststephenpittsburgh.org
Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm
Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am
