Opening Acclamation
Let us hear our Lord’s blessing on those who follow him:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are those who weep, for they shall be consoled.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be satisfied.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Collect for Purity
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Processional
Instrumental

Song of Praise
Christ the Lord is Ris’n Today (Charles Wesley)

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia
Earth andheaven in chorussay, Alleluia
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia
Christ hath opened Para - dise, Alleluia

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia
Where thy vic - tory, O grave? Alleluia

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia

The Collect of the Day from the Revised Common Lectionary
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen.

First Lesson Acts 10:34-43

Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that to God every person is the same. God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what country a person comes from. You know that God has sent his message to the people of Israel. That message is the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord of all people! You know what has happened all over Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached to the people about baptism. You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Christ by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. You know how Jesus went everywhere doing good. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, for God was with Jesus. We saw all the things that Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem. But they killed him by nailing him to a cross. Yet, on the third day, God raised Jesus to life and caused him to be seen. But he was not seen by all the people. Only the witnesses that God had already chosen saw him, and we are those witnesses. We ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. He told us to preach to the people and to tell them that he is the one whom God chose to be the judge of the living and the dead. Everyone who believes in Jesus will be forgiven. God will forgive his sins through Jesus. All the prophets say this is true.”

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 136

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is *good,
O give thanks to the God of *gods,
O give thanks to the Lord of *lords,
For his steadfast love endures for*ever.

Who alone does great *wonders,
Who by understanding made the *heavens,
Who spread out the earth on the *waters,
For his steadfast love endures for*ever;

Who made the great *lights,
The sun to rule over the *day,
The moon and stars to rule over the *night,
For his steadfast love endures for*ever;

It is he who remembered us in our low e*state,
And rescued us from our *foes,
O give thanks to the God of *heaven,
For his steadfast love endures for*ever;

Glory be to the Father and to the *Son
And to the Holy *Spirit
As it was in the be*ginning
Is now and ever shall be, world without end. A*men.

Second Lesson Colossians 3:1-4

You were raised from death with Christ. So aim at what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Christ is your life. When he comes again, you will share in his glory.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.

The Gospel Reading John 20:1-18

+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. It was still dark. Mary saw that the large stone had been moved away from the tomb. So Mary ran to Simon Peter and the other follower (the one Jesus loved). Mary said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb. We don’t know where they have put him.”

So Peter and the other follower started for the tomb. They were both running, but the other follower ran faster than Peter. So the other follower reached the tomb first. He bent down and looked in. He saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, but he did not go in. Then following him came Simon Peter. He went into the tomb and saw the strips of linen lying there. He also saw the cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up and laid in a different place from the strips of linen. Then the other follower, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. He saw and believed. (These followers did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from death.)

Then the followers went back home. But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. While she was still crying, she bent down and looked inside the tomb. She saw two angels dressed in white. They were sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the feet.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

She answered, “They have taken away my Lord. I don’t know where they have put him.” When Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?”

Mary thought he was the gardener. So she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir? Tell me where you put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Mary turned toward Jesus and said in the Jewish language, “Rabboni.” (This means Teacher.)

Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me. I have not yet gone up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them this: ‘I am going back to my Father and your Father. I am going back to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene went and said to the followers, “I saw the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Gospel Acclamation

In our death, a resurrection
At the last, a victory
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

Homily

A Creed from the United Church of Canada
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.

We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil,  to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

The Prayers of the People
by Rev. Terri Pilarski

For all the blessings of this life, we give thanks to you, Creator God. For families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and strangers, who nurture us, that the love of God may grow within. That your love, your Word, like a seed, may grow to produce in us, good fruit.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For the leaders of various nations and cities, that they may lead with strong hearts and gentle hands and generous spirits, with compassion and mercy, with wisdom and grace. May they reflect your will guiding all their actions and decisions.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who serve in harms way, those who live in dangerous places, those who live in areas of war and strife, those who live in fear, those who worry about employment, bills, food, and struggle just to find dignity in life. May your grace bring peace and safety to all people, one to another.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who suffer from any illness or dis-ease of mind, body, or spirit: Restore these, and all those we carry in our hearts, to fullness of health— health as only you, O God, can bring. May your mercy shower each of us with healing mercy and love.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who are dying, and for those who have died: send forth your comforting love. Give solace to those who mourn. Console those who grieve. May your grace surround us like a mantle upon our heads,
a shawl upon our shoulders, a hand, to hold our hand.
May your love, be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.
Amen.

The Peace
Jesus said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34) The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Song of Preparation
Now the Green Blade Riseth (John Macleod Campbell Crum)

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom had been slain,
Thinking that He’d never wake to life again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain,
Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Presentation Hymn
Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen

About Communion

On the night Jesus washed his disciples feet and promised to overcome the troubles of this world, he gave his friends a meal to remember their belonging to him and to one another. Friends of Jesus have continued to celebrate this communion meal since that night, and this table is open to all who desire the belonging and peace of Jesus.

Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available if you have those health needs. An usher will invite you to approach the kneelers to receive the meal. If for any reason you’re not prepared to join us, you’re welcome to remain in your seat. If coming to the front is physically difficult for you, please let an usher know and the elements will be brought to you. If you’d like to come up and simply receive a blessing, you can put your arms across your chest and a prayer of peace will be prayed over you.

Celebrating at the Lord’s Table
Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ our risen high priest; make yourself known in the breaking of bread.
Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving The Book of Common Prayer
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 our thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every- where 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:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
+ Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

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. 

Sanctify these gifts 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 for ever. Amen.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, so we pray:

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.

The Breaking of the Bread
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.

The Invitation
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
Love Will Never Fail (1 Corinthians 13) (The Porter’s Gate)

Love is patient, love is kind
It has no arrogance or pride
It seeks the good of others first
It keeps no record of wrong or hurt

It finds no joy in wickedness
But rejoices in the truth
Through it all it will endure

Love will never fail

Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail

Though all prophecy will cease
Though our knowledge, it will fade
Though an end will come to speech
And even death will pass away

We will see you face to face
And your mercy will prevail
Faith and hope, they will remain
Love will never fail

Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail

Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail

Behold (Taylor Leonhardt)

The empty filled, the wounded healed
The broken back together
The poor are blessed, the weary rest
We will dance forever

The blinded see, the chained are free
The doubtful now believer
The outcast known, the orphan home
You are my Redeemer

Behold, behold
Behold what love can do
Behold, behold
He’s making all things new

The lost return, the voiceless heard
The mourner now rejoicing
The mountains shake, the world awake
Creation all composing

The sad untrue, the earth renewed
The song has found its singer
The darkness light, the dead alive
You are my Redeemer

Behold, behold
Behold what love can do
Behold, behold
He’s making all things new

We’ve been struck down
We’re not destroyed
We’ve sown in tears
We’ll reap in joy

We’ve been struck down
We’re not destroyed
We’ve sown in tears
We’ll reap in joy

My eyes are open

Behold, behold
Behold what love can do
Behold, behold
He’s making all things new

Behold, behold
Behold what love can do
Behold, behold
He’s making all things new

The Great Silence
When all have received communion, ministers and people keep silence for reflection.

Prayer After Communion
Let us pray.

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

The Recessional
Come Christians Join To Sing (Henry Bateman, Benjamin Carr, Austin Lovelace)

Come, Christians, join to sing,
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us He'll condescend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again,
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven's blissful shore,
His goodness we'll adore,
Singing forevermore,
Alleluia! Amen!

The Dismissal

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.