Special preparations for Easter service

If you have an area in your home which you have set up as an altar, bring back the cloth, cross, Bible and candles, and decorate it with flowers. You might like to add symbols of new life or even an Easter garden.

Leave your biggest, most beautiful candle unlit – you will be lighting it during the service. It will need to be one an adult can lift up and move.

You might like to add a bowl of water to the altar as a reminder that we are joined to Christ’s resurrection life through our baptism into him.

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For the children

Colin Buchanan has a special ‘kid’s talk with Colin” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAaU-4TanJs&feature=youtu.be which includes the song “Super Saviour “at 4:00. Thanks to Compassion Australia for making this available.

If you use this, you can do it whenever it seems right.  (Before the sermon is a traditional option.) Or you could just use the song at about the 4:00 minute mark to replace one of the other songs in the service.

 

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We begin

 

Christ is risen. Alleluia!

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Christ has trampled down death by his death,
and has brought light to those in the grave.
And to us he has given eternal life.

Thanks be to God!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

​

Light your Easter candle

​

Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad,
and all creation, both seen and unseen, keep the feast.

Thanks be to God!

Very carefully lift up your Easter candle.

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Thanks be to God!

Place the candle on your altar.

The light of Christ.

Thanks be to God!

​

​

We sing

Choose one of the following to sing.

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Jesus Christ is risen today

‘Lyra Davidica’, 1708
and John Arnold’s ‘Compleat Psalmodist’, 1749
Revised, Tate and Brady’s ‘Supplement’, 1816
Lutheran Hymnal 88

 

Lyrics below, tune at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBNamFYN_6E

Jesus Christ is risen today,  Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day,  Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross,  Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss.  Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing   Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly king   Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave,  Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save.  Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured  Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured;  Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king,  Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing.  Alleluia!

​

​

Jesus is alive

CCLI Song # 7121850
James Tealy | Jaywan Maxwell | Jesse Reeves | Michael Farren | Niki Shepherd | Tiarne Tranter
© 2018 BEC Worship (Admin. by CopyCare Pacific Pty. Ltd.)
My Eleiht Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
WriterWrong (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
CityAlight Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)
Farren Love And War Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)
Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI Licence # 113439

 

Tune and lyrics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-70IOsdU7I&feature=youtu.be

 

Verse 1
There is now a hope that lasts beyond our days
For the One that once was buried lives again
Now the tomb is bare and empty
And the stone is rolled away
Praise the risen One who overcame the grave

Verse 2
All you brokenhearted all you worn and weak
Come find living water everlasting streams
To the wandering spirit
Lost and searching wanting something more
Find the risen King who overcomes the world

Chorus
Let there be dancing in the darkness
And let our song break through the night
Lift your voice and sing that Christ is King
For Jesus is alive

Verse 3
No more condemnation no more doubt and fear
For our sin and shame they have no power here
In His resurrection
Perfect love has set the captives free
Praise the risen King who stands in victory

 

Chorus

Let there be dancing in the darkness

And let our song break through the night

Lift your voice and sing that Christ is King

For Jesus is alive

(x2)

Bridge
Hallelujah death is undone
Hallelujah Jesus has won
Hallelujah we overcome
Oh in Jesus oh in Jesus

(x3)
 

Chorus

Let there be dancing in the darkness

And let our song break through the night

Lift your voice and sing that Christ is King

For Jesus is alive

(x2)

Tag
Lift your voice and sing that Christ is King
For Jesus is alive

​

​

We prepare to hear the word of God

 

Let us pray.

Almighty God,
you have overcome sin and death
through the death of your Son,
and have brought forgiveness and eternal life
through his resurrection.
Help us confidently to believe this
and always praise you with our whole heart.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Amen.

​

​

Read Jeremiah 31:1-6 (NIV)

 

“At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
This is what the Lord says:
“The people who survive the sword
    will find favour in the wilderness;
    I will come to give rest to Israel.”
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
I will build you up again,
    and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.
Again you will take up your timbrels
    and go out to dance with the joyful.
Again you will plant vineyards
    on the hills of Samaria;
the farmers will plant them
    and enjoy their fruit.
There will be a day when watchmen cry out
    on the hills of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Zion,
    to the Lord our God.’”

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(After the reading)

 

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

​

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Read Psalm 118:1,2,15-24 (NIV)

 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”

 

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

 

Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
    The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
    the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”

 

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

 

I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
The LORD has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

 

Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD
    through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the LORD has done this,
    and it is marvellous in our eyes.
The LORD has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

​

(After the reading)

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

​

​

Read John 20:1-18

​

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.

​

(After the reading)

 

This is the gospel of the Lord

Praise be to you, Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for rising from death.
Let us share in your new life forever.

Amen.

​

​

We sing

 

Choose one of the following to sing.

​

I know that my redeemer lives

Samuel Medley (1738-1799)
Lutheran Hymnal 103

 

Tune and Lyrics at https://youtu.be/XrKPaEaJf_I

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my prophet, priest, and king.

He lives, and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare,
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
O the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!

​

​

Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

CCLI Song # 5638022
John Wilbur Chapman | Mark Hall | Michael Bleecker
© 2009 Curb Word Music (Admin. by CopyCare Pacific Pty. Ltd.)
Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
My Refuge Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI Licence # 113439

 

Tune and lyrics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ntwGWzdCwc

Verse 1
One day when heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men my example is He

Verse 2
One day they led Him up Calv'ry's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish despised and rejected
Bearing our sins my Redeemer is He
The hand that healed nations
Stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me
 

Chorus

Living He loved me dying He saved me

Buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

O glorious day (glorious day)

Verse 3
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose over death He had conquered
Now is ascended my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him
From rising again
 

Chorus

Living He loved me dying He saved me

Buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

O glorious day (glorious day)

Bridge
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine
 

Chorus

Living He loved me dying He saved me

Buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

O glorious day (glorious day)

Ending
O glorious day glorious day
O glorious day

​

​

We dwell in the Word (Sermon)

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​

​

​

We confess our faith and remember our baptism into Christ

 

Let us renew our ourselves in the grace of our baptism.

So that a new self may rise to live with Christ.

Let us turn from evil.

I renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways.

 

Let us declare our allegiance to the Triune God. 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty,
from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

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. Amen.

 

Do you intend to remain firm in this faith and reflect it in love to God and your neighbour?

Yes, I do.

​

May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth by water and the Spirit and has forgiven us all our sins, strengthen us with his Spirit +, so that we receive eternal life.

Amen.

​

​

We sing

 

Choose one of the following to sing.

 

The strife is o’er, the battle won

Finita iam sunt praelia‘Symphonia Sirenum’ (Cologne), 1695Tr. Francis Pott, 1859and ‘Hymns Ancient and Modern’, 1875Lutheran Hymnal 97

 

Lyrics below, and music at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJjq4RFnLnk&feature=youtu.be

 

The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the Victor’s triumph won;
O let the song of praise be sung.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Death’s mightiest powers have done their worst,
But Jesus hath His foes dispersed;
Let shouts of praise and joy outburst.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

On the third morn He rose again
Glorious in majesty to reign;
O let us swell the joyful strain.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

He broke the bonds of death and hell;
The bars from heaven’s high portals fell;
Let hymns of joy His triumph tell.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free,
That we may live, and sing to Thee.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

​

​

In Christ alone 

CCLI Song # 3350395Keith Getty | Stuart Townend© 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Licence # 113439

​

Tune and lyrics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KYvfIc2bE

 

Verse 1
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

 

Verse 2
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

 

Verse 3
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

 

Verse 4
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

​

No power of hell no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

​

​

We pray for the church, for ourselves and the world

 

On this day of resurrection, let us pray that the light of Christ may rise over the whole world.

Creator God, we ask that the light of Christ would shine in the church, so that all may see it and be drawn to faith in God.

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

 

Redeeming God, we pray that the light of Christ would shine in our community, so that our friends and neighbours may know with us the joy of new life.

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

 

Loving God, we ask that the light of Christ would shine into the darkness of despair, to lift up all who are grieving, lonely, suffering, or without hope.

​

[Intercessory prayers for those who are unwell or for the grieving may be added here]

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May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Saviour God, we pray that the light of Christ would shine into the darkness of human hearts, wherever deeds of greed, oppression and injustice are being planned.

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Risen God, we ask that the light of Christ would shine in the darkness of the grave and tomb, and that all who have died in Christ may rise to life again.

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Lord of all creation, we thank you for the gift of light, which you created in the beginning by the power of your word. Shine the light of Christ upon us and all the world, so that we may come to feast with you in eternal light; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our light and our life, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

​

​

We pray the Lord’s Prayer

 

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

​

​

We go with God

 

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again;
death no longer has any power over him.

The life he lives, he lives to God. Alleluia!

Because of our sins, he was handed over to die;
and he was raised to life in order to put us right with God.

The life he lives, he lives to God. Alleluia!

May the God of peace,
who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus,
provide us with every good thing we need
in order to do his will;
and the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with us now and forever.

Amen.

​

​

We sing our closing song

Choose one or two of the following 3 songs to sing.

 

He is risen he is risen

Cecil Frances Alexander (1823-1895)Lutheran Hymnal 95

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Lyrics below, and music at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILjos7zeAnc&feature=youtu.be (from 1:50-2:25 they play with the tune a little)

 

He is risen, He is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice;
He has burst His three days’ prison,
Let the whole wide world rejoice.
Death is conquered, all is free,
Christ has won the victory.

Come with high and holy hymning,
Chant our Lord’s triumphant lay;
Not one darksome cloud is dimming
Yonder glorious morning ray,

Breaking o’er the purple east,

Symbol of our Easter feast.

 

He is risen, He is risen!
He has opened heaven’s gate;
We are free from sin’s dark prison,
Risen to a holier state;
And a brighter Easter beam
On our longing eyes shall stream.

And a brighter Easter beam

On our longing eyes shall stream.

​

Because he lives

CCLI Song # 16880Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither© 1971 Hanna Street Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Licence # 113439

​

Lyrics below and music at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1czuvSCXrUE

 

Chorus

Because He lives I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives

 
God sent His Son they called Him Jesus
He came to love heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove
My Savior lives

Chorus
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

And then one day I'll cross that river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then as death gives way to vict'ry
I'll see the lights of glory
And I'll know He lives

 

Chorus

Because He lives I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives

​

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

CCLI Song # 6016351Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman© 2011 Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)sixsteps Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)Thankyou Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Licence # 113439

 

Tune and lyrics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3K3roEF36k

 

Chorus
Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Verse 1
The sun comes up it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Chorus
Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Verse 2
You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Chorus
Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Verse 3
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Chorus
Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
(X2)

Ending
Worship Your holy name
Lord I'll worship Your holy name