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2024 - Easter Sunday Service - from Canterbury Cathedral

A joyful celebration for Easter Sunday, live from the magnificent and historic setting of Canterbury Cathedral, led by the dean, the Very Revd Dr David Monteith.

A joyful celebration for Easter Sunday, live from the magnificent and historic setting of Canterbury Cathedral, led by the dean, the Very Revd Dr David Monteith. The preacher is the archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, who shares his Easter message.

With choral music and favourite seasonal hymns, including Jesus Christ Is Risen Today and Thine Be the Glory, sung by the Cathedral Choir and congregation, directed by Dr David Newsholme.

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59 minutes

Order of Service - Easter Sunday Service

THE CATHEDRAL AND METROPOLITICAL CHURCH OF CHRIST, CANTERBURYÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý

SUNG EUCHARIST

EASTER DAY


SUNDAY 31 MARCH 2024, 10:00am


ORDER OF SERVICE

The Gathering

All sing

Jesus Christ is risen to-day,ÌýAlleluia,
Our triumphant holy day,ÌýAlleluia,
Who did once, upon the cross,ÌýAlleluia,
Suffer to redeem our loss.ÌýAlleluia.

Hymns of praise then let us sing,ÌýAlleluia,
Unto Christ, our heavenly King,ÌýAlleluia,
Who endured the cross and grave,ÌýAlleluia,
Sinners to redeem and save.ÌýAlleluia.

But the pains that he endured,ÌýAlleluia,
Our salvation have procured;ÌýAlleluia,
Now above the sky he’s King,ÌýAlleluia,
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia.

°Â´Ç°ù»å²õ:ÌýLyra Davidica (1708)
°Õ³Ü²Ô±ð:ÌýEASTER HYMNÌý Ìý Ìý AM 205


Greeting

The Dean greets the congregation

Grace mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us.
Let us therefore rejoice by putting away allÌýmalice and evil
and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart.

Deacon

Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord,
We come to you in sorrow for our sins,
And confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength,
And not by the power of your resurrection.
In your mercy forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.Ìý

We have lived by the light of our own eyes,
As faithless and not believing.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.Ìý

We have lived for this world alone,
And doubted our home in heaven.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.

The President pronounces the 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.

The choir sings:

Gloria in Excelsis

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu: in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

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

The Dean says

Let us pray.Ìý

Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.
Amen.


The Liturgy of the Word

New Testament Reading
Acts 10.34-43Ìý

Peter began to speak to those assembled in the house of Cornelius: ‘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.’ÌýÌýÌý

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.ÌýÌý


The choir sings theÌýEaster AnthemsÌý

Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
therefore let us keep the feast;

Not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness:
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more:
death hath no more dominion over him.

For in that he died, he died unto sin once:
but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.Ìý

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin:
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.Ìý

Christ is risen from the dead:
and become the first-fruits of them that slept.

For since by man came death:
by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die:
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:
world without end. Amen.

Music:ÌýWalter Parratt (1841-1924)


The cantor sings the Alleluia and we respondÌýÌýÌý

Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one;
I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.
Alleluia.


The Gospel
Mark 16.1-8

The Lord be with you.Ìý
And also with you.Ìý

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.

The Gospel Book incensed.Ìý

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,Ìýthey 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 theyÌýlooked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking forÌýJesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just asÌýhe told you.' So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

The organist plays a Gospel fanfareÌý


SermonÌýThe ArchbishopÌý


The choir sings:Ìý

MotetÌýThis joyful EastertideÌý ÌýÌý

This joyful Eastertide away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the crucified, hath sprung to life this morrow.

Ìý Ìý ÌýHad Christ, who once was slain,
Ìý Ìý Ìýne’er burst his three-day prison,
Ìý Ìý Ìýour faith had been in vain.
Ìý Ìý ÌýBut now hath Christ arisen,
Ìý Ìý Ìýarisen, arisen, arisen.Ìý

My flesh in hope shall rest and for a season slumber
till trump from east to west shall wake the dead in number:

Death’s flood hath lost its chill since Jesus crossed the river,
Lover of souls, from ill my passing soul deliver:

°Â´Ç°ù»å²õ:ÌýG R Woodward (1848-1934)Ìý
Music:ÌýTrad. arr. Charles Wood (1866-1926)

Ìý

Affirmation of Faith

The President says

Let us declare our faith
in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.Ìý

Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he was buried;
he was raised to life on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
afterwards he appeared to his followers,
and to all the apostles:
t
his we have received,
and this we believe.
Amen.

Let us pray to Jesus who is present with us to eternity.Ìý

Prayers of IntercessionÌý

Led by members of the Community of St Anslem and of the Canterbury Cathedral CongregationÌý

Jesus, light of the world,
bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.Ìý

Jesus, bread of life,
give food to the hungry
and nourish us all with your word.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.Ìý

Jesus, our way, our truth, our life,
be with us and all who follow you in the way
Deepen our appreciation of your truth
and fill us with your life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.Ìý

Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep,
recover the straggler,
bind up the injured,
strengthen the sick
and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures.
Jesus Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us.

Jesus, the resurrection and the life,
we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you
Raise us with them to eternal life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us,
accept our prayers, and be with us always.
Amen.


The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

The President says

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said,
‘Peace be with you.’ÌýThen were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.Ìý

The peace of the risen Christ be always with you.
And also with you. Alleluia.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Members of the congregation may greet those either side of them with the words of peace.

The Offertory Hymn

During which the table is prepared with bread and wine. There will be the opportunity to make a financial offering at the end of the service.Ìý

The day of resurrection!
earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God;
from death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over
with hymns of victory.Ìý

Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection-light;
and, listening to his accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his ownÌý‘All hail,’ and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful,
and earth her song begin,
the round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein;
let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen,
our joy that hath no end.Ìý


Prayers at the Preparation of the TableÌý

Be present, be present,
Lord Jesus Christ,
our risen high priest;
make yourself known in the breaking of bread.
Amen


The Eucharistic Prayer

The President saysÌý

The Lord be with youÌý
and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.Ìý
We lift them to the Lord.Ìý

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.Ìý
It is right to give thanks and praise.Ìý

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
almighty and eternal Father,
and in these days of Easter
to celebrate with joyful hearts
the memory of your wonderful works.
For by the mystery of his passion
Jesus Christ, your risen Son,
has conquered the powers of death and hell
and restored in men and women the image of your glory.
He has placed them once more in paradise
and opened to them the gate of life eternal.
And so, in the joy of this Passover,Ìý
earth and heaven resound with gladness,
while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation
sing for ever the hymn of your glory:Ìý

The choir singsÌý

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus,ÌýÌýÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýHoly, holy, holy Lord,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýGod of power and might.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Heaven and earth are
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýfull of your glory.
Hosanna in excelsisÌýÌýÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýHosanna in the highest.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father,
through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and as we follow his example and obey his command,
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us his body and his blood;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke 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.
In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
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.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.

Therefore, heavenly Father,
we remember his offering of himself
made once for all upon the cross;
we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension;
we look for the coming of your kingdom,
and with this bread and this cup
we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.Ìý

Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.Ìý

Accept through him, our great high priest,
this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of your divine majesty,
renew us by your Spirit,
inspire us with your love
and unite us in the body of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.Ìý

Through him, and with him, and in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,
we worship you, Father almighty,
in songs of everlasting praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.Ìý


The Lord’s Prayer

We pray the words that Jesus taught us, each in our own language, led this morning in Urdu, by a member of the Community of St Anslem

Our Father in heaven,Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýNotre P±ðÌ€°ù±ð...
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Vater Unser...
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Onze Vader...
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sinsÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Padre Nuestro...
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptationÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Ojcze Nasz...
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý
Baba Yetu...
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýE to matou Matua...

Amen.Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýEin Tad...


Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.Ìý

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.Ìý

The ministers receive communion and then begin the distributionÌý


The Distribution of Communion

During Communion, the choir sings theÌýAgnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

After the Agnus Dei, the congregation is invited to join the choir inÌýsinging the hymn:Ìý

Ìý Ìý ÌýAlleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord,
Ìý Ìý ÌýAlleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth:
he is the King of creation:

Spread the good news o’er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen:

We have been crucified with Christ:
now we shall live forever:

God has proclaimed the just reward:
life for the world, alleluia:

Come, let us praise the living God,
joyfully sing to our Saviour:ÌýÌý

Words:ÌýDonald Fishel (b.1950)Ìý Ìý Ìý
Tune:ÌýALLELUIA No. 1Ìý Ìý ÌýAM 197Ìý


Prayer after CommunionÌý

The Dean says

Let us pray.Ìý

Silence is kept

God of Life,
who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son
to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection
have delivered us from the power of our enemy:
grant us so to die daily to sin,
that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.Ìý


The DismissalÌý

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 thy body lay.

Ìý ÌýÌýThine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
Ìý Ìý 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 hymns of triumph sing,
For her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting:

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;
Life is nought 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:Ìý

Words:ÌýFrench, Edmond Budry (1854-1932)
Tr:ÌýRichard Hoyle (1875-1939)
Tune:ÌýMACCABAEUSÌý Ìý AM 218Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý


The Archbishop gives the Blessing and Dismissal

May Christ
Who out of defeat brings new hope and a new future,
Fill you with his new life;
And the blessing of God almighty,Ìý
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.Ìý

We are raised to new life with Christ.
Go in his peace. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.Ìý


Organ Voluntary

Toccata in D MajorÌý–ÌýMarcel Lanquetuit (1894Ìý–Ìý1985)


Some of this material is copyright:
© Archbishops’ÌýCouncil, 2000, 2006
Hymns and songs reproduced under
CCLI number: 1031280

Credits

Role Contributor
Music Director David Newsholme
Production Manager Dalena Vo
Executive Producer Catherine Stirk
Producer Hattie McCall Davies
Director Peter Jones

Broadcast