Easter Day

April 5, 2026, 11:00 AM

Prelude:  Prelude and Fugue in F Major, BWV 556, by J.S. Bach

Opening Welcome & Announcements

Processional Hymn: #207 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Baptismal Acclamation

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Celebrant:  There is one Body and one Spirit;
People: There is one hope in God’s call to us.

Celebrant:  One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.
People: One God and Father of all.

Collect of the Day

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Gloria s-278

The Word of God

The First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43

Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how 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. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not 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. He 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. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Reader: The Word of the Lord.     People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let Israel now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."

14 The Lord is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.

15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:

16 "The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *
the right hand of the Lord is exalted!
the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!"

17 I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the Lord.

20 "This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter."

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord's doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Gospel:   John 20:1-18

Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon: The Rev’d Terry McGugan

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates 

The Candidates for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

I present Charlee and Beau Hermanspan to receive the Sacrament of Baptism

Celebrant: Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
Parents and Godparents: I will, with God's help.

Celebrant: Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?
Parents and Godparents: I will, with God's help.

Celebrant: Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Parents and Godparents: I renounce them.

Celebrant: Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Parents and Godparents: I renounce them.

Celebrant: Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Parents and Godparents: I renounce them.

Celebrant: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Parents and Godparents: I do.

Celebrant: Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Parents and Godparents: I do.

Celebrant: Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
Parents and Godparents: I do.

Celebrant: Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
All: We will.

Celebrant: Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.

The Baptismal Covenant

Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
    He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
        and born of the Virgin Mary.
    He 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,
        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
    He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.

Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the Prayers?
I will, with God’s help.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help.

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God's help.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God's help.

Prayers for the Candidates

Let us now pray for Benjamin, Charlee, Beau, and all who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth this Easter.

Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death. Lord, hear our prayer.
Open their hearts to your grace and truth. Lord, hear our prayer.
Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit. Lord, hear our prayer.
Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church. Lord, hear our prayer.
Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit. Lord, hear our prayer.
Send them into the world in witness to your love. Lord, hear our prayer.
Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory. Lord, hear our prayer.

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water

(The Celebrant blesses the water, first saying)

The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

(At the following words, the Celebrant touches the water)

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Baptism + Chrismation

Each candidate is presented by name to Celebrant, who then pours water upon the candidate, and chrismate, saying

I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever. Amen.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants, Charlee and Beau, and the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

Hymn #490 I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light

Presentation of Baptismal Candle

(When all have been baptized, the Celebrant says)
Let us welcome the newly baptized.

We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

The Holy Communion

The Peace + Offertory Sentence

Choir Anthem:  Blessed be the God and Father S.S. Wesley

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time.
But as he which hath called you is holy,
so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.
See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. Amen.

The Doxology

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.  But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed 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 won for us everlasting life.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Sanctus: S-128

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant breaks Bread; silence is kept.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Invitation to Communion

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Communion Music

Choir Anthem Most Glorious Lord of Life - William Harris
Most glorious Lord of life, that on this day,
Didst make thy triumph over death and sin:
And having harrow'd hell, didst bring away
Captivity thence captive, us to win:
This joyous day, dear Lord, with joy begin,
And grant that we for whom thou diddest die,
Being with thy dear blood clean wash'd from sin,
May live for ever in felicity.
And that thy love we weighing worthily,
May likewise love thee for the same again:
And for thy sake, that all like dear didst buy,
With love may one another entertain.
So let us love, dear love, like as we ought,
Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.

Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)

Verse 1

The moon and stars they wept
The morning sun was dead
The Savior of the world was fallen
His body on the cross
His blood poured out for us
The weight of every curse upon Him

Verse 2

One final breath He gave
As heaven looked away
The Son of God was laid in darkness
A battle in the grave
The war on death was waged
The power of hell forever broken

Pre-Chorus

The ground began to shake
The stone was rolled away
His (perfect) (reckless) love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting
Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated

Chorus

Now forever He is glorified
Forever He is lifted high
And forever He is risen
He is alive and He is alive

(REPEAT)

Bridge

We sing hallelujah we sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah the Lamb has overcome

(REPEAT)

We sing hallelujah we sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah

CCLI Song #7001228

#178 Alleluia, alleluia!

Post-Communion Prayer

Let us pray.

Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life
and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Blessing

May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. Amen.

May God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever. Amen.

May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

Recessional Hymn: #180 He is risen!

Dismissal & Closing Announcements

Postlude: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, arr. Neil Harmon

Musicians for Today’s Service

Chris Bendrell, Director of Music
Guest Organist, David Pickering
The Christ Church Choir + Modern Music Team

easter flower dedications