DAY 2021 ALL SAINTS WITLEY: LITURGY OF THE WORD

CHOIR INTROIT Words: George R Woodward, 1848–1934 Music: Charles Wood, 1866–1926 This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow. My Love, the Crucified, hath sprung to life this morrow: Had Christ, that once was slain, ne’er burst his three-day prison, our faith had been in vain: but now hath Christ arisen.

My flesh in hope shall rest, and for a season slumber: till trump from east to west shall wake the dead in number: Had Christ, that once was slain, …

Death’s flood hath lost its chill, since Jesus crossed the river: Lover of souls, from ill my passing soul deliver: Had Christ, that once was slain, …

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The Lord be with you and also with you.

Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

HYMN sung by James, a former chorister at All Saints 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 that he endured, Alleluia, our salvation have procured; Alleluia, now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia, where the angels ever sing. Alleluia.

COLLECT God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains of death and hell: fill your Church with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

CONFESSION Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you feed us with the living bread. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

ABSOLUTION May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

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New Testament Reading: 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.’

HYMN sung by the Junior Choir Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth: he is the King of creation: Alleluia, alleluia, …

Spread the good news o’er all the earth: Jesus has died and has risen: Alleluia, alleluia, …

We have been crucified with Christ: now we shall live for ever: Alleluia, alleluia, …

Come, let us praise the living God, joyfully sing to our Saviour: Alleluia, alleluia, …

Gospel: Mark 16. 1 – 8 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 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

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SERMON The Revd James McKeran

CHOIR ANTHEM Sing choirs of heaven! Words: The Easter Proclamation Music: Richard Shephard, 1949–2021 Sing choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing! Around God’s throne exult in harmony. Now Jesus Christ is risen from the grave. Salute your King in glorious symphony. Sing choirs of earth! Behold, your light has come! The glory of the Lord shines radiantly. Lift up your hearts, for Christ has conquered death. The night is past; the day of life is here. Sing church of God! Exult with joy outpoured! The gospel trumpets tell of victory won. Your Saviour lives: he’s with you evermore. Let all God’s people shout the long Amen.

PRAYERS As disciples who know that Christ is risen, let us pray for the Church and for the world. As your Church rejoices this day in the Resurrection of her Lord and Saviour, may her worship be beautiful and her proclamation faithful. We pray for our Bishops Andrew and Jo, our Diocese, and for all its parishes, at this time of anxiety and isolation. May every Christian soul respond in faith to the call of the Master and make haste to tell the good news. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let the Easter hope be known in all the world. We pray for every nation affected by the Covid19 Pandemic, that their governments may make the right decisions to preserve life and protect people. We pray for the Queen, our Prime Minister, his Cabinet, and all those charged with authority in our country. Give light to those who seek, assurance to those who doubt, and peace to all. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

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Be with our families and friends and all who share with us this wonderful day of Resurrection. Though we cannot be together, empower us with a common spirit of peace and joy. May the presence of Christ bring us close to those who are separated from us, in the knowledge that no distance can part us from his love. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Have mercy on those who stand at the open door of faith but are held back by doubt or fear. Draw them in, that they may begin the new life that Christ has brought. Help and comfort those for whom suffering and sorrow mar the happiness of this day. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray for those who, having shared with Christ the death of the body, now share with him the eternal life of his Resurrection. May the promise that has been fulfilled in them be our hope in this world and our place in the world to come. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray in the name of Christ who conquered death that we might live. Amen.

THE PEACE 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 Lord be always with you and also with you.

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 for ever. Amen.

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HYMN Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won; angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave-clothes where the body lay. Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom; let the church with gladness of triumph sing, for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting: Thine be the glory, …

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life; life is naught without thee: aid us in our strife; make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love; bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above: Thine be the glory, …

NOTICES

BLESSING God the Father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

DISMISSAL Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Organ Voluntary

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