St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish

11:00 am St. Stephen’s On-line Service, Chester

Easter Day

12 April 2020

Our mission is to worship God and care for

God’s people in the spirit of Christ.

Easter Day

The Holy Eucharist

(Book of Common Prayer)

Presider: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

All: The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The Lord’s Prayer & Collect for Purity – page 67

The Summary of the Law – page 69

“Kyrie” and Mutual Salutation – page 70

Collect for Easter Day

Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son, you have overcome the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him. May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, one God, now and for ever. All: Amen.

Reader A Reading from Acts (10:34-43)

Then Peter began to speak to them: "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

All Thanks be to God

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 – p. 483

Reader: A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Colossians (3:1-4)

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hid-den with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Presider The Lord be with you.

All: And with thy spirit.

Presider: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John (20:1-18)

All: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

(Text for Gospel Lesson)

Presider: The Gospel of Christ.

All: Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Nicene Creed - p. 71

The Homily – The Rector

Offertory Sentence & Preparation of the Altar

Prayer over the Gifts – p. 74

Biddings & Intercessory Prayer – p. 75

Invitation, Confession, Absolution, and Comfortable Words – p. 76-78

Thanksgiving & Consecration, with preface for Easter Day – p. 78-83

Please respond in the appropriate places, as indicated in the Book of Common Prayer. The Celebrant gives voice to the prayer alone, on behalf of the congregation. However, the “responses” at the appropriate moments, and especially the “Amen” at the end of the Prayer of Consecration are vital for the people to offer.

The reason the responses, and especially the “Amen”, is important, is to assist in receiving what is called “Spiritual Communion”. According to the Book of Common Prayer, anyone who believes the Prayer of Consecration, and that the bread is truly the Body of Christ, and that the wine is truly the Blood of Christ receives all the benefits of Holy Communion, without actually physically receiving the elements themselves. This belief is signified by saying “Amen” to the Prayer, and when the bread and wine are received by the Priest.  In this respect, the Priest receives Communion on behalf of the people. “Spiritual Communion” is to be used in extenuating circumstances only – which this time certainly is.

The Peace & Prayer of Humble Access – p. 83

“Agnus Dei” - p. 84

Presider: The gifts of God for the people of God.

All: Thanks be to God.

Again, at the receiving of bread and wine, the people respond “Amen.”

The Lord’s Prayer, Prayer after Communion, “Gloria”, & Blessing – p. 85-86