THE EASTER VIGIL AND FIRST EUCHARIST OF EASTER

Transcription

1 THE EASTER VIGIL AND FIRST EUCHARIST OF EASTER 1

2 THE EASTER VIGIL PART ONE: THE SERVICE OF LIGHT We gather around the brazier outside the Church for the beginning of our Easter celebrations. The Priest leads the other ministers, one of whom carries the Paschal Candle. Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Priest: The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Priest: Dear friends in Christ, on this most holy NIGHT when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life, the Church invites her children throughout the world to come together in vigil and prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord: if we honour the memory of his death and resurrection by hearing his Word and celebrating his mysteries, then we may be confident that we share his victory over death and live with him for ever in God. (THE FIRE IS NOW IGNITED) THE BLESSING OF THE NEW FIRE OF EASTER Priest: Let us pray. Father, we share the light of your glory through your Son, the light of the world. Make this new fire holy and inflame us with new hope. Purify our minds by this Easter celebration, and bring us one day to the feast of eternal light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. After the blessing of the New Fire, the candle is presented to the Priest who traces a cross upon it. He then traces the Greek letter alpha above the Cross and the letter omega below, and the numerals of the current year between the arms of the Cross. Meanwhile, he says: 2

3 1. Christ yesterday and today (I) 2. The beginning and the end, (-) 3 The Alpha (A) 4. And the Omega; (Ω) 5. All time belongs to him, (2) 6. And all ages; (0) 7. To him be glory and power, (0) 8. Through every age and for ever. (8) Amen Five 'grains of incense' are now inserted into the candle as a sign of the holiness of our Lord's wounds: 1. By his holy 1 2. And glorious wounds May Christ our Lord 4. Guard us 3 5. And keep us. Amen The Priest lights the Easter Candle from the new fire, saying: Priest: May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds. We all light our candles by passing the flame from the Paschal Candle from one to the other as quickly as possible and we enter the Church following closely behind. When the Nave is entered by the Priest and when some of the people have also entered, a minister sings Priest: All reply: The light of Christ Thanks be to God The Procession moves further into the Church and the versicle and response is again sung: Priest: The light of Christ All reply: Thanks be to God 3

4 On reaching the front of the church, the versicle and response is sung a third time. Priest: The light of Christ All reply: Thanks be to God The candle is placed on its stand and is censed and then all the other church candles are lit from it. Priest: Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Priest: Alleluia! Christ is risen. A Cantor sings: Rejoice, heavenly powers! sing choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our King is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, O earth in shining splendour, Radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered, glory fills you! Darkness vanishes forever! Rejoice, 0 mother Church! Exult in glory! The risen Saviour shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God's people! My dearest friends, standing with me in this holy light, join me in asking God for mercy, that he may give his unworthy minister grace to sing his Easter praises. Priest: Priest: Priest: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. Cantor: It is truly right that with full hearts and minds and voices we should praise the unseen God, the all powerful Father, and his only Son, our 4

5 Lord Jesus Christ. For Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid for us the price of Adam's Sin to our eternal Father. This is our Passover Feast, when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain, whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers. This is the night when first you saved our fathers, you freed the people of Israel from their slavery and led them dry shod through the sea. This is the night, when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin. This is the night when Christians everywhere washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement are restored to grace and grow together in holiness. This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave. What good would life have been to us had Christ not come as our Redeemer? Father, How wonderful your care for us, how boundless your merciful love! To ransom a slave you gave away your Son. O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a redeemer. Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead! Of this night, scripture says, "The night will be as clear as day, it will become my light, my joy." The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace, and humbles earthly pride. Night truly blessed, when heaven is wedded to earth and man is reconciled with God. Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, receive our evening sacrifice of praise, your Church s solemn offering. Accept this Easter Candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honour of God. Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night! May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. 5

6 6 PART TWO: LITURGY OF THE WORD After the Easter proclamation, the candles are put aside and all sit down. Before the readings begin, the priest speaks to the people in these or similar words: Priest: Dear friends in Christ, we have begun our solemn vigil. Let us now listen attentively to the word of God, recalling how he saved his people throughout history and, in the fullness of time, sent his own Son to be our Redeemer. Through this Easter celebration, may God bring to perfection the saving work he has begun in us. FIRST READING Genesis 1:1, Reader A reading from the book of Genesis In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. Reader: Priest: Let us pray. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Almighty and eternal God, A brief period of silence follows.

7 you created all things in wonderful beauty and order. Help us now to perceive how still more wonderful is the new creation by which in the fullness of time you redeemed your people through the sacrifice of our passover, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen SECOND READING Exodus 14:15-15:1 Reader: A reading from the book of Exodus The LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go on dry ground through the sea. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." Then the angel of God who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness; and the night passed without one coming near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down upon the host of the Egyptians, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and 7

8 upon their horsemen." So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its wonted flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it, and the LORD routed the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not so much as one of them remained. But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore. And Israel saw the great work which the LORD did against the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Reader: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God The Choir will immediately sing Psalm 27: THE Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear: the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh: they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid: and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him. 4 One thing have I desired of the Lord which I will require: even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to visit his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle: yea in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone. 6 And now shall he lift up mine head: above mine enemies round about me. 7 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness: I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord. 8

9 Priest: Let us pray. Father, even today we see your wonders of the miracles you worked long ago. You once saved a single nation from slavery, and now you offer that salvation to all through baptism. May the peoples of the world become true sons of Abraham and prove worthy of their heritage of Israel. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen THIRD READING Isaiah 55:1-12. Reader: A reading from the Prophet Isaiah Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call nations that you know not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. "Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 9

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. "For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Reader: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God A brief period of silence follows. Priest: Let us pray Almighty, ever-living God, Only hope of the world, By the preaching of the prophets You proclaimed the mysteries we are celebrating tonight. Help us to be your faithful people, For it is by your inspiration alone That we can grow in goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen FOURTH READING Ezekiel 36: Reader: A reading from the prophet Ezekiel The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their doings; their conduct before me was like the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. So I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood which they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it. I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries; in accordance with their conduct and their deeds I judged them. 10

11 But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, `These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.' But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel caused to be profaned among the nations to which they came. "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations will know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. Reader: This is the word of the Lord. Priest: Thanks be to God Let us pray A brief period of silence follows. God of unchanging power and light, look with mercy and favour on your entire Church. Bring lasting salvation to mankind, so that the world may see the fallen lifted up, the old made new, and all things brought to perfection, through him who is their origin, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen 11

12 12 PART THREE: THE MASS OF EASTER NIGHT THE GLORIA The bells are rung to herald the dawn of Easter to the sleeping world. Those who have brought a bell now ring them while the organ thunders the introduction Glory to God in the highest and Peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father. We worship you. We give you thanks. We praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer. For you alone are the holy one, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, the Father. Amen THE COLLECT Priest: Let us pray Lord God, you have brightened this night with the radiance of the Risen Christ. Quicken the spirit of sonship in your Church; renew us in mind and body to give you whole-hearted service. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, World without end. Amen NEW TESTAMENT READING Romans 6:3-11. Reader: A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

13 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Reader: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! WE LISTEN TO THE GOSPEL LITURGICALLY PROCLAIMED Priest: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to... Glory to you O Lord. YEAR A: MATTHEW 28:1-10 YEAR B: MARK 16:1-8 YEAR C: LUKE 24:1-12 Priest: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ THE SERMON 13

14 PART FOUR: THE LITURGY OF BAPTISM The Blessing of the Waters of Baptism During the procession to the font to bless the waters of baptism, we sing Hymn: See hymn list (Please turn to face the font.) Priest: Dear friends in Christ, let us ask God, the almighty Father, to bless this font, that those reborn in it may be made one with his adopted children in Christ. (Water is now poured into the font.) Priest: Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power. In baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament. At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery, to be an image of God's holy people, set free from sin by baptism. In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptised by John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross. After his resurrection he told his disciples: "Go out and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Spirit give to the water of this font the grace of your Son. You created man in your own likeness: cleanse him from sin in a new birth of innocence by water and the Spirit. 14

15 The Priest lowers the Easter candle into the water three times as he continues:) Priest: (1) We ask you, Father, with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of this font. (2) We ask you, Father, with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of this font. (3) We ask you, Father, with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of this font. (He holds the Candle in the water and says:) May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen (The candle is taken out of the Water) Salt of Exorcism is added to the font. The Oil of Chrism is poured into the font - the sacramental sign of God's Holy Spirit. All say together: Springs of water, bless the Lord; give him glory and praise for ever. RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES All the peoples candles are lit and we all stand to renew our baptismal profession of faith Priest: Dear friends, Through the paschal mystery We have been buried with Christ in baptism, So that we may rise with him to a new life. Now that we have completed our Lenten observance. Let us renew the promises we made in baptism When we rejected Satan and his works, And promised to serve God faithfully In his holy Catholic Church. Therefore I ask you: Priest: Do you reject Satan? I do! 15

16 Priest: And all his works? 16 I do! Priest: And all his empty promises? I do! Priest: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? I do! Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? I do! Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? I do! Priest: God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, And forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen The clergy and servers, preceded by the Paschal Candle, return to the chancel, the Priest sprinkling the congregation with the waters of baptism as a reminder of our own baptism and of the promises we have renewed and during which we will sing : (1st Line and refrain) Water of life, cleanse and refresh us; Raise us to life in Christ Jesus. All you who thirst, come to the waters and you will never be thirsty again. Refrain: Water of life... As rain from heav 'n so is God's word, It waters the earth and brings forth life.

17 Refrain: Water of life... Dying with Christ, so we shall rise with Him, Death shall no longer have power over us. Refrain: Water of life... Turn to the Lord, cast out your wickedness, You will find peace in His infinite love. Refrain: Water of life... PART FIVE: THE CONTINUED LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST The priest goes to the Chair, the Paschal Candle is replaced in its stand. THE PEACE Priest: The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, Peace be with you. Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia! The peace of the risen Christ be always with you. And also with you. Alleluia! Alleluia! Priest: Let us offer one another a sign of Easter peace All may exchange a sign of peace, greeting one another with these or other words. Greeting - Answer - THE LORD IS RISEN. HE IS RISEN INDEED! OFFERTORY HYMN: See hymn list. THE PREPARATION OF THE TABLE The table is prepared and the gifts are offered quietly by the Priest, saying Blessed be God... The Altar and people are censed, and the priest continues: with the prayer over the gifts: Priest: Pray, dear friends, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the almighty Father. 17

18 May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his Church. PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS Priest: Let us pray. Lord, accept the prayers and offering of your people. With your help may this Easter mystery of our redemption bring to perfection the saving work you have begun in us. We ask this through Jesus the Lord. THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Priest: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Priest: Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God It is right to give him thanks and praise. Priest: Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. We praise you with greater joy than ever on this Easter night, when Christ became our paschal sacrifice. He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world. By dying he destroyed our death; by rising he restored our life. And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Priest: Lord you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; 18

19 grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be the body + and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: 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. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Choir: Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again Priest: And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. Remember, Lord, your Church in every land. Reveal her unity, guard her faith, and preserve her in peace. Remember John our bishop and all who minister in your Church. Remember all your people, and those who seek your truth. Remember all who have died in the peace of Christ, 19

20 and those whose faith is known to you alone; bring them into the place of eternal joy and light. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of Mary, the virgin mother of God, with [the apostles, the martyrs, St Wilfrid] and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, and in whom, In the unity of the Holy Spirit. All honour and glory be yours, Almighty father, For ever and ever. Amen THE LORD S PRAYER Priest: Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen BREAKING OF THE BREAD (The Fraction) Priest: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. 20

21 Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. The Agnus Dei is sung or said as the bread is broken. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. Priest: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are we who are called to his supper. Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed. (The Priest now receives Communion.) All those who are in 'good standing' with their own Church may come forward to the Altar to receive the Holy Communion. We hope all others will come to the Altar to receive God's blessing from the Priest and indicate this by carrying their service sheet. At the distribution of the Sacrament, the minister says to each communicant: The body of Christ/The blood of Christ. The communicant replies each time: AMEN THE COMMUNION Communion Hymn: See hymn list. The Anthem 21

22 COMMUNION ANTIPHON Priest: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast; not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness and with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. POST COMMUNION PRAYER Priest: Let us pray Lord, you have nourished us with your Easter sacraments Fill us with your Spirit And make us all one in peace and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO ARE REMEMBERED IN CHURCH WITH LILIES ARE NOW READ ALOUD. AT THE END OF THE NAMES Priest: Rest eternal grant unto them, 0 Lord. Priest: And let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace. And rise in glory. Amen Priest: The Lord be with you. And also with you. THE BLESSING Priest: Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing Priest: May Almighty God bless you on this solemn feast of Easter and may he protect you from all sin. Amen 22

23 Priest: Through the Resurrection of his Son, God has granted us healing. May he fulfill his promises, and bless you with eternal life. Amen Priest: You have mourned for Christ's sufferings; now you celebrate the joy of his resurrection May you come with joy to the feast which lasts for ever. Amen Priest: May + Almighty God bless you The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen Priest: Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Recessional Hymn: See hymn list. 23

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