EASTER WEDNESDAY

christ-resurrection

ALLELUIA!

Invitation to  Worship

Alleluia!  Christ is risen!  Alleluia!

O Holy One,+ open my lips.

~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

 

This is the day Adonai has made, alleluia;

~Let us rejoice and be glad in it, alleluia!

 

Hymn for Easter

We feast this day the death of death,

when heaven’s glory harrows hell;

to Christ who did the awesome deed

is raised creation’s canticle.

 

My Christ, they buried me with you,

as yesterday the tomb was sealed;

where we were both conjoined in death–

today your glory is revealed!

 

Though tears and grief first filled their hearts.

the mourning women mourn no more.

Their gloom is turned to joy in ou;

they spread the news: “It is the LORD!”

 

O victim indestructible,

God’s gift so free, love self-effaced,

in rising to your Abba’s throne

you raised up Eve and Adam’s race.

 

O Abba, Word and Spirit-Spring,

in whom we have been born anew.

our Earth is filled with Paschal praise:

ours is the joy in hymning you!

Text: Aelred Seton-Shanley; Tune: NEW JERUSALEM L.M.

 

 

PSALMODY

Antiphon

Alleluia!  The Lord is truly risen as he promised. Alleluia!

Psalm 149

Sing a new song to Adonai,

sing praise in the assembly of the faithful!

Let Israel rejoice in her Maker,

let the children of Zion exult in their God.

Let us all praise the Holy Name with dancing

and make music with timbrel and harp.

 

For Adonai takes delight in this people,

And crowns the poor with salvation.

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,

shout for joy and enjoy the feast.

Let the praise of God be on our lips 

and the sword of truth near at hand,

 

to teach God’s justice to the nations

revealing the consequences of their actions;

to break the chains of oppression

and unbind its fetters of iron;

to do God’s will on earth as in heaven,

the joy and honor of all who are faithful.

 

Glory to the ONE through the WORD

In the BREATH of Love!

As always before, 

so now and evermore.  Amen

Alleluia!  The Lord is truly risen as he promised. Alleluia!

READING   – Romans 6:8-11

If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must consider yourselves dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Responsory

R.  This is the day Adonai has made * alleluia, alleluia!.  V. Let us rejoice and be happy today *alleluia, alleluia!  V.  Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.

 

 

Canticle of Zachariah

Antiphon

 Jesus joined his dejected disciples, but they did not recognize him.

He asked them, “Did not the Christ have to suffer such

before entering his glory?”  Alleluia!

Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,

Who visits this people to set us free

Raising for us a sign of salvation

In the house and family of David.

 

God promised throughout past ages

In words of holy prophets

To save us from our enemies,

And from the control of our oppressors.

 

Adonai favored our ancestors

And remembered the sacred covenant.

The pledge to Abraham and Sarah

Is now renewed for us;

 

That freed from the grip of our foes

We might worship without fear

And be both just and holy

For the rest of our days.

 

And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”

Will go ahead to prepare the way,

By teaching this people of salvation

Through forgiveness of their sins.

 

For the loving compassion of the Holy One

As the Rising Sun will shine upon us

To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow

To guide our feet on the way of peace.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

And to the BREATH of Love!

As always before,

so now and evermore.  Amen

Jesus joined his dejected disciples, but they did not recognize him.

He asked them, “Did not the Christ have to suffer such

before entering his glory?”  Alleluia!

 SERVICE OF PRAYER

Litany of Intercession

O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection ~ by bringing good new to the poor and healing the hearts that are broken.

 

O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection, by feeding those who  are hungry and clothing those who are naked.

 

O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection, by releasing the captives of injustice and all those who are imprisoned in addictions and sin.

 

O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection, by welcoming strangers and immigrants and visiting those who are lonely or in prison.

 

O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection, by living fully and simply and caring for all creation.

 

Prayer of Jesus

Our Dear Abba in heaven,…

 

Closing Prayer

We bless and thank you, O Gracious God, for all that you have done in raising Jesus from the dead. You have conquered the power of death and opened to us a way to experience the freedom, flourishing and fullness of life which your love offers to us and all of your creation.  May the Risen Christ breathe into our hearts, minds and souls, and open our eyes that we may know him in the breaking and sharing of bread and follow him in his risen life now and forever.   Amen

Blessing

May the God of Peace who raised Jesus from the dead + bless us and grant us peace.  ~Amen.

 

Let us bless Adonai, Alleluia, Alleluia!.    ~Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

 

Haec Dies…   This is the day the Lord has made, let us exult and rejoice in it!