April 4, 2021– Easter Sunday
   
Prelude
Alleluia                                                                                    Charles Callahan
 
(Officiant 1) Rules for the Road in Virtual Worship
 
Lighting of the Paschal Candle
(Officiant 1) - We enter a virtual gathering space to welcome this season of EASTER!! Today, we worship together in spirit and in truth, though not in person. Now and through the Day of Pentecost we will light a "new fire". The Paschal candle represents the light of Christ coming into the world. The risen Christ, represents life dispelling darkness. We light this flame, and give praise for the gifts that lift and inspire our living: music, art, creativity and all beauty.
 
God of terror and joy, you arise to shake the earth. Open our graves and give us back the past; so that all that has been buried may be freed and forgiven. AMEN
 
Opening Hymn 207
Jesus Christ is Risen Today, vs. 1 and 2
(With fanfare and waving of your hands or Alleluia banner, show your love for our risen Messiah!) Opening Acclamation
(Officiant 1- Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
 
(Officiant 1) - O God of all our days, we come this morning with eager anticipation. We seek to know you, to see you, to touch you. Open our hearts, that we might experience you anew. Open our lives, that we may be faithful witnesses to your resurrection. May we, with shouts of joy, proclaim your steadfast, liberating love to all people, everywhere. Amen.
 
(With fanfare and waving of your hands or Alleluia banner, show your love for
our risen Messiah!)
 
A Reading from the Greek Testament                             Scott McAllister-Dionne
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."
 
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
   
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-21, 27-29 (please read together the bolded lines)
 
Give thanks to the Lord, God is good;
God’s mercy endures for ever.

Let Israel now proclaim,
"God’s mercy endures for ever."
 
Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them;
 
I will offer thanks to the Lord.
 
"This is the gate of the Lord;
he who is righteous may enter."
 
I will give thanks to you, for you answered me
and have become my salvation.
 
God is the Lord; who has shined upon us;
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
 
"You are my God, and I will thank you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you."
 
Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
his mercy endures for ever.
 
A Reading from the Greek Testament                                          Sally Gamble
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you--unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you that which I had received: that Christ died in accordance with the scriptures, he was buried, raised on the third day, appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them--though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.
 
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
 
(Deacon) The Gospel                                                                    Mark 16:1-8
 
Sequence Hymn
Were You There?
        Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
        Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
        Oh! Sometimes, it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
        Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
 
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
 
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying 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, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
 
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
 
Sequence Hymn
Jesus Christ is Risen Today, vs. 4
          Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
         praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
         praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
         Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
 
Homily                                                                         The Rev. Marya DeCarlen
 
Hymn 178
Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks to the Risen Lord, vs. 1 and 4 The Nicene Creed
 
We give our hearts to you, God Beyond Us,
creator of heaven and earth of all that is seen and unseen.
We give our hearts to you, Jesus Christ,
our model and savior, God Among Us, God from God,
Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made. You were incarnate
by the Holy Spirit and Blessed Mary
and became truly human.
You suffered under Pontius Pilate,
were crucified, died, and buried.
On the third day you rose again;
you ascended into heaven,
And are seated at the right hand of God Beyond Us,
and you will come again to judge the living and the dead,
your reign will have no end.
We give our hearts to you, Holy Spirit, God Within Us.
We give our hearts to the community of the church,
to the communion of saints, to the practice of forgiveness,
 to the hope of the resurrection,
and to the promise of life everlasting. Amen.
—Expansive Language Nicene Creed adapted from Expansive Language Apostles Creed, The Rev. Karl Stevens, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH)
 
Prayers of the People                                                                           Sue Spencer
O God, with faces touched by the light of a new day, and hearts warmed by our prayers and praises, we come before you to pray for the needs of our world.
 
Into the light of this Easter Season, we offer prayers for our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, and for all bishops, priests, seminarians and deacons, including Alan, Gayle, Marya, Brett and Jim. In our Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for the Parishes of the Charles River Deanery: Grace Church, Newton; St. John’s Church, Newtonville; St. Mary’s Church, Newton Lower Falls; Parish of St. Paul, Newton Highlands; and Prison Ministries. In our Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
May the light of Christ shine upon them.
 
Into the light of this Easter Season, we raise those who are struggling with illness, with despair over their lives, or with the breakdown of relationships. We pray for those who remain on waiting lists for vaccines. Give them strength to continue to keep themselves and others safe. For those who care for the sick, protect them. Let us also pray our country as we strive for herd immunity from a virus that has politically divided us. Give to the sick your healing, and to the suffering your hope, especially Carol and Ken Bouffard, Carolyn Dennis, Lizzie, Harry, Susan Sahoveyor, Drew Howard, Mary Pettus, Frank and Pat Swasey, Gail, Paul, Rick, Julie, Tim, Carol Quinn, Amy, Charles Boulanger, Joe Maher, Victoria, Sharon, Peter, Amy and Charlotte, Nora, Anne, Marie, Erik, Sonya, Chris, Lindley, Marge,  and Anna Bone. We also pray for all those waiting for vaccines, living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and elderly housing. For those who care for the sick, protect them. Are there others? May your steadfast love support all who call upon you.
May the light of Christ shine upon them.
 
Into the light of this Easter Season we give thanks for the blessings of this life. We pray for those who celebrate birthdays this week, especially Linda King, Priscilla Gerrard, Charles Heil, John Nichols, and Charles Blake. Are there others? May your steadfast love support all who call upon you.
May the light of Christ shine upon them.
 
Into the light of this Easter Season, we bring those places in our world where war, violence, poverty and need are the experiences of everyday life. We bring the headline news of this weekend, as hate has become a virus, with gun violence, migrants seeking asylum and minorities seeking equity. May your steadfast love support all who call upon you.
May the light of Christ shine upon them.
 
Into the light of this Easter Season, we pray for all who have died. Are there souls whose names you would like to offer in prayer? May your steadfast love support all who call upon you.
May the light of Christ shine upon them.
 
Into the light of this Easter Season, we bring ourselves, our private struggles, our heart’s yearnings, our hidden dreams and our unfulfilled potential. May your steadfast love support all who call upon you.
May the light of Christ shine upon us.
 
(Officiant 1) - Hear our prayers for those who are close to our hearts. In your resurrecting power, lift them up and give them renewed strength and hope; and give to us all, new faith by which to live our days with you. Amen
   
Offertory Sentences
(Deacon) - God of great gifts: This morning we give you praise, we give you glory, we give you thanks! With resurrection humming in our hearts, our minds are tuned to your song of peace! We joyfully prepare our love feast as a tangible chorus of thanksgiving, a harmony of hope for your reign to come!
 
Please use this time for reflection about how to give gifts of love to your neighbors and your community.
 
(Deacon) – The Sanctuary Lamp burns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, and in loving memory of the life of Hayley Blowers, by Leslie, Chuck, Ashley and Amy Blake. Flowers are given to the glory of God, and in loving memory of those listed in the Book of Remembrance.
 
Shared Agape Meal (bread and champagne/sparkling cider before each person)
 
(Preacher) - Today, in faith and love, gathered in this place, we celebrate the brightness of community. Agape is the Greek word for love, and it was a love feast of the early Christians. It was a time for sharing nourishment, of food for the body, for thanking God, for prayers, songs, and scripture for the soul, and a time for an offering of money for God's mission in the world.
 
(Officiant 2) - Blessed are you, O God, who breaks open wide the tomb of our world, calls life out of death, and leads all creation into life eternal. Blessed is your son, Jesus, who in life and death, revealed your glory. Breaking forth from the grave's stronghold, he pushed back the stone, met us on the road as a beloved stranger, and awakened in us the hope that the earth will be saved from its enemies. Ascended into glory, he is everywhere present, gathering up all things in the surprise of new life and desire fulfilled.
 
(Deacon) - We give thanks for the invitation to be at our tables, for here we are shown our lives. The daily bread of our work and care, the wine of delight, pressed from the fruits of our creativity, and our brokenness, with all its pain and self-knowledge. We celebrate the life that is ours, for we know we are precious in God’s sight.
 
(Officiant 2) - We have gathered together to celebrate new life in Christ together. We are ready to be fed. At this unusual Easter gathering in our sacred places, yet together, we take the food and drink of our love feast, the constant presence of the Spirit of Life, mindful of a relationship of love and trust between ourselves and God. Open our graves, unbind our eyes, and name us here; touch and heal all that has been buried in us, that we need not cling to our pain, but may go forth with power to release resurrection in the world. May it nourish our bodies and give us strength to carry out Your plan for peace in our lives.
—Written by Nathan Nettleton incorporating lines from prayers by Janet Morley, All Desires Known.
 
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
 
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.
 
Unmute your microphones while each person takes a portion of bread and a cup to pour champagne/sparkling cider, and listen for the pops and the Alleluias around you.
(Officiant 2) - Let us share the feast with each other! Experience the grace of God! Alleluia, Alleluia!!!
 
Agape Meal Voluntary
He Lives! (based on Lift Every Voice and Sing #42)
 
(Preacher) - Prayer of Thanksgiving
Loving God, we give thanks for our renewed friendships at this Love Feast! Grant us a heart wide open to the beauty of our relationships with You, Your Risen Son and Enduring Spirit. Save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing, the song birds, the never-resting winds, the salty sea and running waters, the everlasting hills and blessed sun, aflame with your glory. Renew us in body, mind, and spirit to work together for the coming of your reign of justice, love, and peace. Amen.
(Maureen Edwards, printed in Blessed be our Table, Wild Goose 2003)
 
The Passing of the Peace
Christ is here right now making peace among us. 
The peace of the Lord be always with you!
And also with you.
 
(Marya) - Announcements and Alleluia Prayers!
 
Final Blessing
(Officiant 2) - And now may we go forth in the certainty of faith, in the knowledge of love, and in the promise of hope!
And in our going, may we be blessed.
 
Closing Hymn 182
Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing

Benediction
(Mute your microphones and listen to the musical offering)
 
        God be with you till we meet again;
        By his counsels guide uphold you;
        With his sheep securely fold you;
        God be with you till we meet again.
 
(Deacon) - Dismissal
We are raised to new life with Christ.  Go in Christ’s peace.  Alleluia, Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
(Small pause)

(Officiant 2) - As we leave one another today with joyful voices of goodbye, let us remember the words of St. Augustine in his confessions:  “O God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Stay in love with God as God’s light shines in your lives until we meet again! Alleluia!! Alleluia!!!
 
Special thanks to our worship assistants this morning:
1^st Lesson and Psalm:              Scott McAllister-Dionne
2^nd Lesson:                               Sally Gamble
Prayers of the People:               Sue Spencer
Voice of the People:                  Erika Bianchi
Counters:                                   Chris Walker, Sue Dugan
  Altar Flowers are available April 11 and 18. Contact Barbara Hooper.
 
THANK YOU for joining us this morning to celebrate the Resurrection!!!  May you ENJOY a Blessed Easter with your friends and family!! Stay safe and sing Alleluia praises!