happy Easter and welcome to St. Peter's by the sea in Narragansett, Rhode Island. We're glad to have you with us and this most glorious and wonderful day. Just one announcement before we begin our service this morning. To allow all of our staff, a little bit of rest and renewal this week, we will not be providing a prerecorded service for the first Sunday after Easter. However, I do invite everyone to come and join us on the front lawn of the church for a service at 10 15.
Yeah. Let us begin our service with welcome happy morning. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen. Indeed. Hallelujah. All mighty God to all hearts are open, all desires known and from, you know, secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy spirit. That we may perfectly love you and worthy magnify your Holy name through Christ. Our Lord. Amen. Our song of praise is the first two verses of Christ is alive. the Lord be with you and also with you, let us pray.
Oh, God who for our redemption gave your only begotten son to the death of the cross. And by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy. Grant is so to die daily, to sin that we may evermore live with him and the joy of his resurrection through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit one God now and forever. Amen. Yeah. Our reading from the acts of the apostles, Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles.
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 the 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 we 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 of the dead. All the prophets testify about him, that anyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his, the word of the Lord.
Thanks. Be to God. give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and doors for the house of Israel, his mercy and doors for. the right hand of the Lord has struck with I shall not die, but it is wonderful. a reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians. Now I would remind you brothers and sisters of the good news that I proclaim to you, which you in turn received. In which also you stand through which also you are being saved.
If you hold firmly to the message that I proclaim to you, unless you have come to believe in vain for, I hand it on to you as of first importance. What I in turn had received that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. And that he appeared to SciFest and then to the 12, then he appeared to more than 500 brothers and sisters at once. Most of whom are still alive though.
Some have died. Then he appeared to James and then to all the apostles, last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me for, I am the least of the profits unfit to be called an apostle. Because I persecuted the church of God, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace towards me has not been in vain on the contrary. I worked harder than any of them though. It was not high, but the grace of God, that is with me, whether then it was I, or they, so we proclaim.
And so you have come to believe. The word of the Lord. Thanks. Be to God, our sequence him, the Stripe is over. We'll sing the first two verses prior to the reading of the gospel. The third one after. The Holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to John glory to you, Lord Christ 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 disciples set out and went toward the tomb. The two are 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 loon 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, yeah, 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. And 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 which means teacher.
Jesus said to her, do not hold onto 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, the gospel and the Lord praise to you. Lord Christ. in the name of God, father, son, and Holy spirit.
Amen. Today I can't help, but think what a difference a year makes last year at this time, we were all. Shut in place, quarantined as a pandemic descended upon us and out of fear of the unknown and at the request of our leaders, we sheltered in place in hopes that this pandemic might pass over us in so many ways. It feels like this Easter is really the first Easter we've had in two years. But like the disciples, we too are sheltered away in the upper room.
We are acknowledging that somehow life is different, but yet when we go outside our door, life seems so much the same, just different. Because something major has happened in our life for Mary Magdalen and the disciples, that major event has been the loss of their friend and teacher Jesus, who they know and witnessed throughout a trial and to death on a cross who they saw laid in a tomb and now sat in an upper room.
Both afraid and grieving the loss of their friend, but in the darkness of her grief, Mary Magdalene does what the women of her day did. She tended to a herbal loved rabbi and left the upper room to one last time, take care of Jesus. And as she walked from where they were staying to the tomb.
She thought mundane thoughts, the same thoughts that so many other women had in their head before tending one last time to a deceased, relative, something mundane as who will remove the rock in front of the tomb. Why would she expect any differently? Despite the fact that Jesus had died as far as she could see all around her, the world had to continue on just as it continued the day before.
And the day before that there was no way that she expected that something great and transforming had taken place. And so when she arrived at the tomb, it was to her surprise that the rock had been moved. And the body of her Lord had been removed in fear and hurt and grief. She ran back to where the disciples were staying and brought back with her Peter and John, the beloved to see what she had seen and to ask, where was Jesus? The one they had known to be dead. Something was different.
Something was wrong for so many of us today. We are like Mary Magdalen. We are now feeling this sense of euphoric freedom as through a miracle of science, a vaccine has been found to counteract the pandemic and as we receive our shots, we feel this sense of relief.
As we hope to return to a world that appears to be totally the same as it was when we began this process over a year ago only to find that something has changed a year ago, quarantine and isolation and social distancing has changed each and every one of us in a way that we are not yet quite able to explain. In the same way that Jesus' death changed Mary in the disciples and acquired in a way they could not quite explain either it is married. Who on that Easter Sunday is the first to see Jesus.
Now, this is where the gospel of John and the gospel of Mark. Take two different tasks. In the gospel of John Jesus speaks to Mary and she doesn't recognize him when she recognizes is the first thing she does cause his grab hold of him and hold onto him almost in hopes that despite the crucifixion, nothing has changed, she and the disciples can now go back to their old ways. And times will be just like they were, but Jesus says to her, Mary, you can't hold on to me.
Things are not the same life has changed. You can't look to the past and to the incarnation itself, but must look to the future of what is. And to my Ascension, where I will go in Mark's rendition of Easter Sunday, Mary is the first to look into the tomb and there she sees the angel, but she is told by that angel, not that Jesus is nearby, but to tell the disciples, to look for Jesus, not in Jerusalem, but in Galilee.
The place where Jesus began his ministry, not to go back to rebuild, begin what was, but with the resurrection and the Ascension, just around the corner to begin a new, a new way of being now, the time has come. That the disciples, as we see in acts will have to move from being followers of Jesus to Jesus apostles sent out to take on the mantle of the risen one and to proclaim the good news of Christ and the redemption of our sins for our salvation.
We like Mary and the disciples, as we find our new freedom and renewed life, as we come to the end of this pandemic, we cannot hold on to what was, but to acknowledge that what was, is no longer and what will be is what is to be. And the hope that yes, we end this world are changed much in the same way that Jesus resurrection changed life forever for what can be. It is our chance to bring in new life and the greater hope of the kingdom for which we wait. Yes, this is.
A new Easter, a new beginning for each and every one of us in the same way that the resurrection brought in new life. We now have the opportunity to continue that new life through risen Christ in a new world, post pandemic. Amen. Let us affirm our faith with the words of 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 be got into 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 pilot. He suffered death and was buried. And 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. The prayers of the people, God of love. We rejoice with angels and all the hosts of heaven as we celebrate the resurrection of your son. Blessed today's joyful celebration and turn our hearts to you with new delight and commitment. We praise you almighty God. Hallelujah. Amen. God have mercy. Bring your church to new life awaken in us.
A faithfulness that manifests itself enjoy in dedication to work of reconciliation in the world in care for your creation in awe of your glory. We praise you all mighty God. Aloia amen. God of wholeness bring those who suffer to new life. We pray for those who bear the burden of pain and anxiety whose relationships are shattered, whose lives are full of despair. Lead us to find ways to present with them and reflect your love for them. We praise you almighty God. Hallelujah. Amen. God of light.
Bring those in authority to new life. In the ways they lead their nations, show them the path of integrity and truth that their people may live in peace. That all may have plenty. We praise you almighty God. Hallelujah. Amen. God of eternity. We give, thanks for those who have gone before us and have entered into new and everlasting life in your presence. We praise you almighty God. Hallelujah. Amen. The peace of the Lord. Be always with you and also with you.
Take a moment and offer the peace in the comment section below, or take time to text a friend. And wish them a happy Easter offered to God, a sacrifice of Thanksgiving and make good your vows to the most high. Yeah. All things come from you. Oh Lord. You have your own. Have we given you? Amen. Yeah, Lord. Be with you. And also with you lift up your hearts. We lift them and the Lord, let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is right to give him. Thanks and praise.
It is truly right to glorify you father and to give you thanks for you alone are God living and true dwelling in light and accessible from before time and forever fountain of life and source of all, goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing. You created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radius. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day and be holding the glory of your presence.
They offer you unceasing praise, joining with them and giving voice to every creature under heaven. We acclaim you and glorify your name, as we say, Holy Holy, Holy Lord. God of power and light, 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 we acclaim you. Holy Lord, glorious in power.
Your mighty works, reveal your wisdom and love you formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care so that in obedience to you, our creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandoned us to the power of death in your mercy.
You came to our help, so that in seeking you, we might find you again and again, you called us into the, into covenant with you and through the profits, you taught us to hope for salvation father. You love the world so much that in the fullness of time, You sent your only son to be our savior incarnate by the Holy spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He lived as one of us yet without sin to the poor. He proclaimed the good news of salvation to prisoners, freedom to the sorrowful.
Joy. Do you fulfill your purpose? He gave himself up to death and rising from the grave destroyed death. And made the whole creation new and that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and Rose for us, he sent the Holy spirit, his own first gift for those who believe to complete his work in the world and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all. When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly father having loved his own, who were in the world.
He loved them to the end at separate with them. He took bread. And when he 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. Father. We now celebrate this Memorial of our redemption recalling Christ's death and his dissent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and Ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory and offering to you from the gifts you have given us this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you. We praise you. We bless you. We give thanks to you.
We pray to you, Lord our God Lord. We pray that in your goodness and mercy, your Holy spirit may descend upon us. And upon these gifts, sanctify them and showing them to be Holy gifts for your Holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the body and blood of your son. Jesus Christ. Grant that all who share in this bread and cup, maybe come one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of your name.
Remember Lord you're one Holy Catholic and apostolic church redeemed by the blood of your Christ reveal. Its unity guard, its faith and preserve its peace. Remember Michael, our presiding Bishop, Nicholas, our Bishop. And all who minister in your church, remember all your people and those who seek your truth. Remember all who have died in the peace of Christ and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Bring them into the place of eternal joy and light grant that we may find our inheritance with the blessed Virgin Mary. With patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs with Peter, our patron and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past, we praise you in union with them and give you glory through your son. Jesus Christ, our Lord through Christ and with Christ and in Christ all honor, and glory are yours. All mighty God and father and the unity of the Holy spirit.
Forever and ever. Amen. And now, as I say, behavior, Jesus 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 and the power and the glory forever endeavor. Amen. Christ.
Our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast. Are they Luhya? 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, the body of Christ, the bread of heaven, the blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. let us pray. Almighty and ever living 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 sharing us in these Holy mysteries, that we are living members of the body of your son and is 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 forever. Amen. Yeah, the Lord bless you and keep you the Lord, make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy spirit. Amen. Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Thanks be to God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Our closing him today. Is Jesus Christ is risen today.