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THE FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD

THE of ST ALBAN the MARTYR A PARISH OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA

WELCOME TO ST ALBAN’S A CHURCH OF , THE , & THE GREAT TRADITION

Saint Alban’s is an historic part of the Arlington community, worshiping in the splen- dor of the Anglican tradition since 1947. We are a parish committed to spreading the Kingdom of God, making Jesus Christ known to His creation through the preaching of the and a robust participation in the sacramental life of His Holy . To learn more contact Fr. Francis at [email protected]

REGARDING RECEPTION OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

Those who have been baptized with water in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the ; who, being in and with others, have prepared themselves by repentance and fasting (at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion) and, if necessary, by the of ; and who believe in the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, may receive Holy Communion. Anyone may come forward to receive a blessing by folding their arms across their chest. The Blessed Sacrament is given “in one kind” (the Host), and may be received either on the tongue or in the palm of the hand.

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A PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP Most gracious God, incline thy merciful ears unto our prayers, and enlighten our hearts by the grace of the Holy Spirit; that we may worthily serve at thy Holy Mysteries, and love thee with an everlasting love. Amen.

A PRAYER AFTER WORSHIP May the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even my own heart, until the end of time. Amen.

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THE ORDER FOR CHORAL MASS 4TH APRIL, 2021 - EASTER SUNDAY

VOLUNTARY – Death & Resurrection LANGLAIS

PROCESSIONAL HYMN HYMNAL #207 Jesus Christ is Risen Today

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY lmighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration A of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW ear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and H great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

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Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit. Celebrant Let us pray.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY lmighty God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast over- come death and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, A who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by thy life-giving Spirit; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The People sit.

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THE LESSON ISAIAH 25:6-9 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined. And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

THE GRADUAL Sung by the Choir PSALM 118:14-29

The Lord is my strength and my song, * and he has become my salvation. There is a sound of exaltation and victory * in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! * The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord has triumphed!” I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has punished me sorely, * but he did not hand me over to death. 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. The same stone which the builders rejected * has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes. On this day the Lord has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it. Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! * Lord, send us now success. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; * we bless you from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord; he 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 he is good; * his mercy endures for ever.

THE EPISTLE ACTS 10:34-43 And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus

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Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all , begin- ning from after the which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witness- es to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in . They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL HYMN HYMNAL #208 (verse 3, choir only) The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done

THE GOSPEL :1-8

THE HOLY GOSPEL  OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. MARK People Glory be to thee, O Lord. And when the sabbath was past, , and Mary the mother of James, and , bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; – it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Naza- reth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid. of the Lord. People Praise be to thee, O Christ.

THE HOMILY The People sit.

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Following the Homily, all stand.

THE PRESENTATION & EXAMINATION OF THE CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM

The Candidates for Holy baptism will now be presented.

Parents & Godparents I present N. to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Celebrant Will you be responsible for seeing that the children you present are brought up in the Christian and life? Parents & Godparents I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you by your prayers and witness help these children to grow into the full stature of Christ? Parents & Godparents I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wicked ness that rebel against God? Parents & Godparents I renounce them.

Celebrant Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? Parents & Godparents I renounce them.

Celebrant Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God? Parents & Godparents I renounce them.

Celebrant Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? Parents & Godparents I do.

Celebrant Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love? Parents & Godparents I do.

Celebrant Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord? Parents & Godparents I do.

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The Celebrant addresses the Congregation, saying

Celebrant Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ? Congregation We will.

Celebrant Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.

THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT

Celebrant Do you believe in ? Congregation I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God Congregation I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under , was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? Congregation I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of , the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Celebrant Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers? Congregation I will, with God’s help.

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Celebrant Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? Congregation I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? Congregation I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Congregation I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you strive for and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? Congregation I will, with God’s help.

THE PRAYERS FOR THE CANDIDATES

The Celebrant then says to the Congregation

Let us now pray for these persons who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth

Deacon Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death. Congregation Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon Open their hearts to your grace and truth. Congregation Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit. Congregation Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church. Congregation Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit. Congregation Lord, hear our prayer.

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Deacon Send them into the world in witness to your love. Congregation Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory. Congregation Lord, hear our prayer.

rant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in G glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.

THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER

Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit. Celebrant Let us pray.

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and may continue for ever in the risen life of Je- sus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

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THE BAPTISM

Each candidate is presented to the Celebrant, who pours water on them, saying N., I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray.

eavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have be- stowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them H to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

The Celebrant marks the sign of the Cross on the forehead of the Newly Baptized, using the oil of Chrism, and saying N., you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever. Amen.

A Candle is lit from the Paschal Candle and given to the Newly Baptized, saying Receive the light of Christ, so that when the Bridegroom comes, you may go forth with all the saints to meet him; and see that you keep the grace of your Baptism. Amen.

Celebrant Let us welcome the newly baptized. Congregation We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

OFFERTORY ANTHEM NOW THE HOUR OF DARKNESS PAST Pinkham

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THE EUCHARISTIC SACRIFICE

The People stand and join in the following responses as the Oblation is offered to God.

At the Offering of the Bread Priest Blessèd art thou, Lord God of all creation; through thy goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the Bread of Heaven. People Blessèd be God for ever.

At the Offering of the Wine Priest Blessèd art thou, Lord God of all creation; through thy goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become for us the Cup of Salvation. People Blessèd be God for ever.

Priest The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered this day to the greater glory of God, in thanksgiving for the gift of his Son (and for ____). Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Father almighty. People May the Lord accept this sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his Name, for our good and the good of all his Holy Church. Priest Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all plac- es, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.

Here a Proper Preface is sung

Therefore with and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

SANCTUS

The People kneel and the Celebrant continues ll glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the A cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to con- tinue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.

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For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake 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.” 

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,

“Drink ye all of this; for THIS IS MY BLOOD of the , which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly be- loved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.

And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ,  be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.

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Remember, Lord, also the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, which are gone be- fore us with the mark of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace [especially ______]. We be- seech thee, O Lord, that unto them, and unto all such as rest in Christ, thou wilt grant a place of refreshing, of light, and of peace.

To us sinners also, thy servants who in the multitude of thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some portion and fellowship with blessèd Mary, the ever-Virgin Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ; with Joseph, her most chaste spouse; with our Patron Al- ban the Martyr; (with ___); and with all thy Saints, within whose fellowship we beseech thee to admit us.

And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacri- fice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Al- mighty, world without end. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

THE LORD’S PRAYER HYMNAL S-119

THE FRACTION Deliver us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and at the intercession of the blessèd and glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with thy blessèd Apostles Peter and Paul, and with Andrew, and all thy Saints,  favorably grant peace in our days: that by the help of thine availing mercy we may ever both be free from sin and safe from all distress. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

THE PEACE Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And with thy spirit.

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FRACTION ANTHEM Jeffrey Smith

Choir Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast. All Refrain.

Choir Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. All Refrain.

O Lord, Jesus Christ, who saidst to thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins but the faith of thy Church, and grant to her that peace and unity which is according to thy will; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

THE PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS E DO NOT PRESUME to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trust- ing in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. W We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Ta- ble. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The Celebrant issues the INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION and then ministers the Blessed Sacrament to himself. After this, those who are watching the live-stream are invited to make their ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION using the following prayer

AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION n union, O Lord, with the faithful at every altar of thy Church where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is now being celebrated, I I desire to offer thee praise and thanksgiving. I present to thee my soul and body with the earnest wish that I may always be united to thee. Though I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, yet I believe that

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thou art able, even when received by faith and desire only, to heal, en- rich, and sanctify me. Come thou spiritually into my heart. I desire to unite myself to thee, with all the affections of my soul. Possess me whol- ly; let the consuming fire of thy love absorb me, and thy presence abide so intimately in me, that it will be no longer I that live, but thou who livest in me. Let nothing ever separate me from thee. May I live and die in thy love. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION

At the direction of the Ushers, those desiring and prepared to receive the Holy Communion or a Bless- ing come forward to the Priests at the Communion Stations.

COMMUNION MUSIC SALVATOR MUNDI - Thomas LaVoy (Choral Scholars) SALVATION IS CREATED - Tchesnokoff (Brass and Organ)

Following the Ablutions, the People kneel.

POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING LMIGHTY AND EVERLIVING GOD, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the A most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting king- dom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

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THE BLESSING & DISMISSAL Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit.

The Celebrant here imparts his blessing to the Congregation.

Deacon The Mass is ended.

RECESSIONAL HYMN HYMNAL #194 Jesus Lives, Thy Terrors Now

VOLUNTARY – Final from Symphony No. 1 GUILMANT

DEPARTURE OF THE CONGREGATION: An usher will move from the back of the nave to the front dismissing worshipers pew by pew. Please do not depart until the usher allows. Take your Mass Book with you.

ALL ARE INVITED TO THE PARISH HALL FOR SNACKS AND AN EASTER EGG HUNT!

17 A sermon preached by Fr. Joseph Francis SSC at the Church of St. Alban the Martyr in Arlington, Texas Easter Sunday, 2021

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

Three women walk into a graveyard, wondering how they are going to roll the door away from the entrance to a tomb. This is how the Gospel for today begins. Three women going to anoint a dead body in a grave. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salomè had been followers of Jesus for some time. They had listened to him teach, seen him heal, marveled at his life, and felt something of his transforming power in their own lives. St. Mark’s Gospel tells us that they were there in Jerusalem for the past few days. They were there as Jesus was tortured and crucified. They looked on from a distance as he hung on the cross and breathed his last. The two Mary’s were there as his lifeless body was taken down and laid in the grave, a gift of from a man named . They were eyewitnesses, disciples, mourners of Jesus when almost everyone else had abandoned him. Where were the 12? Judas has betrayed Jesus and was in hiding. Peter – the “rock” upon which the Church would be built – had denied Jesus not once but three times and went away ashamed. All the others, except for John, had turned their backs to their Teacher and Lord. Our Blessed Lady Mary was there at the foot of the Cross… the only person to be with Christ, to have followed Him from the beginning of His life until the bitter end. But where was everyone else? Hiding, frightened, ashamed, cowardly… embarrassed even, to have been close disciples of the man who they thought would be a Messiah but who now lay dead and stinking in a grave.

But these three women were there. And even after witnessing the horrible events of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, here they are in the early morning hours,

1 carrying fragrant oils and spices to cover the body of the one they had loved…. of the one who had loved them. They had no real plan, had made no real preparations. We can imagine them waking up after a night of restless, difficult sleep, and saying to one another, “Well, let’s just go and do what we can.” Anyone who has experienced the death of a close friend or family member knows this instinct… this impulse simply to be present, to do something, to stay busy with little tasks, to bring a casserole or just sit with others who are mourning as well. It wasn’t until they were almost there that they began to whisper to one another and try to figure out how they would be able to roll away the massive stone door to the tomb. They simply went to do what should be done.

But what the three women find there is bizarre. It’s like an optical illusion. It doesn’t make any sense to them. The stone is rolled back and the door to the tomb stands open to the world. We can only imagine their shock at first. What could have gone through their minds?: “Was the body stolen? Who would have done this? And why? Was the whole thing a rouse? Maybe Jesus never really died in the first place? But no, that can’t be… we were there and saw him ourselves.” St. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that the Jews and the Romans were worried that something like this would happen, so guards were posted to make sure no one – neither Jesus’ friends nor his enemies - came around to steal the body for whatever reason. But here the three “myrrh-bearing women” find an and the guards gone away. And when they peek their heads in to see what had happened, an is there with strange news, for that is always the news given by messengers of the Lord. “Do not be amazed… you seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. Go and tell his disciples…”

2 Now if you and I were writing the story, what comes next is probably not what we would have put down. What is the response of the women to this shocking turn of events? It is not joy. It is not excitement. They don’t hang around in amazement. They don’t ask the angel what exactly has happened. They don’t look around to see if anyone else is there to tell them if they are crazy or not. They don’t run through the streets of Jerusalem yelling Χριστός ἀνέστη!: Christ is risen! They don’t fall down on the ground and cry for joy. Nope. St. Mark’s Gospel ends simply by telling us that “they fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.”

Shock, confusion, bewilderment! These are the reactions of the first Christians to the news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. It was news received with a mixture of emotions… with a mixture of confusion, fear, and the glimpse of a new hope for those who still believed Jesus was sent as Savior of the world.

Having the fortunate vantage point of 2,000 years between us and the bodily resurrection of God-incarnate, we can see God’s purposes in all of this. We know that Jesus does not just rise from death and go on his merry way, but that he will go on to appear to his disciples and to hundreds of others, and that he will ascend into heaven in the sight of the Apostles. We know that the reality of the resurrection will drive the earliest Christians to accept martyrdom rather than deny the one who is God and destroyer of sin and death. We know that the news of the resurrection will go on to change the lives of billions of people in every corner of the globe. We know that this moment will change the course of human history as no other moment or event has done.

3 But on this morning so long ago, these three women knew none of that. All they knew was that something had changed. All they knew was that the story they thought had ended in the stench and weight of death, was not in fact over at all.

Many of us – probably all of us - come to Mass today much like the three women came away from the tomb. We often live out our lives in a mixture of confusion and hope, fear and joy, anxiety and courage. So much in the world during this past year has been turned upside down. So many of us have experienced upheaval in the way we see ourselves, our society, and our own fragility. And we are just now at the beginning of feeling a “return to normalcy.” Perhaps this year we can understand the mixed emotions of the three women better than ever. We know what it is to live in this mixture of hope and fear.

And the reality is that this is always the place where the Church lives. We are given the news of Christ’s resurrection, but we have not yet seen him in his glory. We are given the gift of new life with our Divine Spouse, but we still endure the challenges of sin. We have the promise of eternal life, but we must – like Christ – still experience the sorrow of death.

Yet, in the midst of all this, one thing is clear to us this morning. And that is the fact that Jesus Christ was dead, and that now he is risen. Though they did not realize it at the time, the message of the angel to those three frightened women is the fulfillment of the longing of humanity from the very beginning. It is the completion of God’s mission in the world: to bring a wayward and hard-headed people back into love and union with their creator.

Our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Orthodox Churches on their celebration of Easter sing a hymn over and over again: “Christ is risen from the dead,

4 trampling down by his death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” Through his incarnation, his life, his death, his resurrection, and ascension, Jesus has brought the divine life of God to all of humanity. Because God himself died a truly human death, and truly rose again from the dead, it means that for us even death cannot enslave us any longer. In Christ, death has been destroyed, stripped of its weight and power. St. Augustine memorably saw the resurrected Christ much like a warrior or a hunter. He says: “[Christ] died, but he vanquished death; in himself he put an end to what we feared; he took it upon himself and he vanquished it, as a mighty hunter he captured and slew the lion. Where is death? Seek it in Christ, for it exists no longer…”1 At the center of the Gospel message is this good news: that there is no place we can go where God has not already been. Not even death can separate us from the source of all life.

The great mystery and hope of Easter is that you and I are no longer bound to evil, sin, death, and hopelessness. No longer are we like Adam and Eve, cast out of the garden. The New Adam, Jesus Christ, has conquered sin and death on our behalf. And those who are baptized into new life with him, those who live according to his will, and who seek eternal union with God, are given that gift of communion through God’s grace. To use St. Paul’s way of putting it, we “have put on Christ.” We have become and are becoming one with him so that his death and resurrection are in fact our own. Though Jesus rose again 2,000 years ago, he continues to rise every time a sinner turns to him and is baptized, every time we seek him out, every time we receive His Body and Blood… Christ is then raised again within us.

See, the great joy of Easter is not just that Jesus – our Lord and our God – has overcome death, but that each one of us is given the grace to do so as well. If

1 St. Augustine, Sermon 233:3-4

5 only we choose to accept it and live it. The Christ is not the end of the story, but the beginning. It is the beginning of God’s ministry through His Holy Church. It is the beginning of the Good News that we are no longer alone and helpless in our own corruption. God is not done with us yet.

With this great hope and joy we celebrate today the proclamation which has changed the course of history and brought new and everlasting life to creation.

Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

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EASTER OFFERINGS

THE SANCTUARY HAS BEEN BEAUTIFIED FOR THE FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION BY THOSE WHO MADE SPECIAL OFFERINGS:

The Paschal Candle is given by Randy & Pat Sparks in loving memory of Dan Lovato.

Martha Early in thanksgiving to God.

Mike & Susan Kennemer in loving memory of our parents - Glen, Helen, Clyde and Vera; our brothers - Don, Jimmy and Arthur; and for Luella and Lance.

Kathy & Dudley Jones in loving memory of Doug Schuster, Patsy and Ed F. Moody, Byrne C. Moody.

Joe & Janie Lundy in loving memory of Samuel Caleb Lundy. In thanksgiving for Altar Guild members and their families for their dedication to clean & prepare for services.

Bill & Laura Lace in loving memory of John Prokop Monkhouse.

Linda Thomas in loving memory of Bernie ad Cleo Vineyard, Candice Blair, Mae Arm- strong. In thanksgiving for family and friends and vaccines for Covid-19.

Bonnie Smith in loving memory of Maurice Smith. In thanksgiving for my 10 grand- children.

Sharon Fielder in loving memory of Dan Lovato. In thanksgiving for my family and friends and all of God’s blessings.

Jane Bush & Ann Prichard in loving memory of Welton and Margarette Berry, Debbie Taylor, Karol Bush, Mike Prichard. In thanksgiving for Paul, Leah, Sarah and Dean Varner, Eleanor and Nick Hooper, Merl Prichard and all our extended family.

Steve & Ann Cavender in loving memory of our parents, Winn and Alice Dalley, Rich- ard and Cavender and Mary Ellen Cavender. In thanksgiving of our extended family.

John & Carole Lemonds in thanksgiving for family, friends, Father Francis and St. Al- ban’s family.

Bob & Elly Ferbend in thanksgiving for Father Francis’ ministry, our children and grandchildren.

Alice Ernst in loving memory of Paul Ernst.

Johanna Houston in loving memory of John, Jo, Jean, Janice and Tom Houston. In

thanksgiving for Jennifer and Ryan, Matthew, Cammy and McKenzie Rose.

Roger & Janis Higham in loving memory of our parents: Keith and Betty Higham, J. W. and Mozelle Jones. In thanksgiving for our children, grandchildren and our church family.

Jo Fiddelke in loving memory of Nev Fiddelke, Kay and Earl Williams, Kate and Al- bert Fiddelke, Linda and Bob Schritter, Natalie and Jack Kirschbaum.

Jessica Craig in loving memory of Ann Damron, Leona Davis, Marion Damron, Troy Davis and Beryl Craig. In thanksgiving for Kathryn Craig.

Mike & Joyce Clark in loving memory of our parents.

Sue Hogg in loving memory of those who have gone before, especially Porky and Rob- ert. In thanksgiving for the gifts of family and friends and our risen Christ.

Tiger & Jodi Vinson in thanksgiving for the birth of granddaughter Monroe Ann Cain and the marriage of Courtney and Jonathan Wilson.

Christopher & Jeannette Hamilton in thanksgiving to God.

Mary Poe in thanksgiving for my family and friends.

Roger & Denita Kionka in loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Paul Kionka and Darrell Fellows. In thanksgiving to the glory of God for His Son Jesus Christ.

Bob & Sue Yarger in loving memory of our love ones who are now in the embrace of our Lord, especially our parents, our grandparents and other family members. In thanksgivings for our children and grandchildren.

Bill & Sara Beall in thanksgiving for our family.

Judy East in loving memory of Marge and Mike O’Halloran. In thanksgiving for our children and grandchildren.

Ed & Caren Maneikis in loving memory of our grandparents. In thanksgiving for Fa- ther Stanley’s ministry to the Diocese.

Father John & Kate Phelps in loving memory of Barbara Phelps.

William & Brenda Bailey in loving memory of the victims of COVID.

Father & Claire Francis in thanksgiving to God for the community of St. Alban’s Par- ish, and with gratitude for the example and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

THIS WEEK at ST ALBAN’S → Tuesday, April 6th - Tuesday in Easter Week Noon - Low Mass with Unction

→ Wednesday, April 7th - Wednesday in Easter Week 10:30am - Study in the Parish Hall

→ Thursday, April 8th - Thursday in Easter Week Noon - Low Mass

→ Sunday, April 11th - Second Sunday of Easter 8:00am - Low Mass 9:15am - Children’s Catechesis, Room 12 C.S. Lewis Class, Parish Hall 10:30am - Choral Mass (in the Church and live-streamed)

NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONGRATULATIONS to the Newly Baptized and those who made their First Com- munions on Easter morning!

EASTER INSTRUMENTALISTS We offer a special welcome and thank you to those as- sisting in our worship today: James Atilano and Kevin Strong (trumpet), Jon Bell and Kimmy Nelson (trombone), and Andrew Klein (timpani).

THANK YOU to all who helped prepare the Church for Holy Week and Easter! It can’t be done without many helping hands, and hours of hard work!

PARISH OFFICE HOURS The office will be closed Monday, April 5th but will be open Tuesday thru Thursday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

BOOKSTORE HOURS are Tuesday thru Thursday from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and Sunday from 9:00am to 10:30am.

Facebook.com/StAlbansMartyr stalbansarlington www.saintalbans.org