• Easter Sunday

    The Holy Eucharistic: Rite II

    The Liturgy of the Word
    Prelude: O sons and daughters, let us sing Hymn 206

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    Processional Hymn: Jesus Christ is risen today Hymn 207

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    The Opening Acclamation

    Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
    People : The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

    Gloria in Excelsis Hymnal S 280

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    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 of the Day
    Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    The Lessons

    The First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43
    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.”

    Reader: The word of the Lord.
    People: Thanks be to God

    Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
    1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
    his mercy endures for ever.
    2 Let Israel now proclaim, *
    “His mercy endures for ever.”
    14 The Lord is my strength and my song, *
    and he has become my salvation.
    15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *
    in the tents of the righteous:
    16 “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *
    the right hand of the Lord is exalted! the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!”
    17 I shall not die, but live, *
    and declare the works of the Lord.
    18 The Lord has punished me sorely, *
    but he did not hand me over to death.
    19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
    I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord.
    20 “This is the gate of the Lord; *
    he who is righteous may enter.”
    21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
    and have become my salvation.
    22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
    has become the chief cornerstone.
    23 This is the Lord’s doing, *
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
    24 On this day the Lord has acted; *
    we will rejoice and be glad in it.

    The Second Lesson: Colossians 3:1-4
    If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

    Reader: The word of the Lord.
    People: Thanks be to God.

    Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
    People: Glory to you Lord Christ.

    After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

    Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.
    People: Praise to you Lord Christ.

    The Sermon The Rev. Jim Morrison

    The Nicene Creed
    We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the
    Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

    Prayers of the People (The Leader and People pray responsively)

    V: Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
    R: That we all may be one.

    V: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
    R: That your Name may be glorified by all people.

    V: We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
    R: That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

    V: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
    R: That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

    V: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
    R: That our works may find favor in your sight.

    V: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
    R: That they may be delivered from their distress

    V: Give to the departed eternal rest;
    R: Let light perpetual shine upon them.

    V: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
    R: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

    V: Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

    Silence
    The People may add their own petitions.

    The Peace

    Welcome and Announcements

    The Holy Communion
    The Offertory

    The Great Thanksgiving: Prayer A

    Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
    People: And also with you.
    Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
    People: We lift them to the Lord.
    Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
    People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

    Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
    It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
    Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

    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:

    Celebrant and People sing

    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.

    The Celebrant continues
    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:

    Celebrant and People
    Christ has died.
    Christ is risen.
    Christ will come again.

    The Celebrant continues
    We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them 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.

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

    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.

    The Breaking of the Bread

    Communion Music: Let us break bread together LEVAS 152

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    Who May Receive Communion
    At St. Matthew’s we welcome all persons, regardless of denomination, who have been baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to share in the communion at this Altar. Those wishing to receive a blessing only may cross their hands over their heart.

    Post Communion Prayer
    Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

    Recessional Hymn: The strife is “Oer Hymn 208

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    The Dismissal

    Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia
    People : Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia

    Birthdays and Anniversaries

    Week of 4/9-4/15: Shanna Himel

    Watch over Your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Worship Team Schedule

    Eucharistic Minister Alex Ostheimer, Hildegard Blanchard
    Lectors Sinclair Buquet, Keith Hampton
    Ushers Sharon Pontiff, Keith Hampton
    Vestry Member on Duty Keith Hampton
    Altar Guild Gail Duhé
    Flower Guild All Members
    Hospitality Debby Fortier, Shirley Usé

    PARISH PRAYER LIST

    Andrèe, Jay, Norma, Sybil, Lydicia, Jere, Lona & Sidney, Earl, Bonnie, Leonard, Randolph, Jamie, AnnaBelle, Betty, Kim, Earl, Al, Matt & Miles, Stella, Bob, Lois, Wallace, Paul. Rick. Lois, Terry, Liz, Janie, Tootsie, Charlie, Hartley, and Legion Park School. We give thanks and pray for St. Matthew’s Episcopal School, Head of School, Thomas Soudelier, members of the Board, faculty, staff and students, and our Parish Vestry.

    Announcements

    We are excited to invite all our St. Matthew’s members and friends to participate in a nine-session small group faith program entitled, “The Way of Love”. These small groups will allow us to grow in friendship with one another as we share faith. “The Way of Love” teaches us to Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Go, and Rest. It is a thoughtful way to live by the Rule of Life practiced by the followers of Jesus that will help us to live a holy life. We will offer groups in the day time, evenings, weekdays and weekends. Please consider signing up today. If you are uncertain, sign up and place a question mark next to your name and someone will call to touch base and answer any questions or concerns you may have.