The Liturgical Christianity Portal

Who Said Liturgical Services Were Boring?

Charismatic Catholics, some Anglicans and other Christianms worship together after a charismatic conference

Part of the Easter Vigil from St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church:

February 5, 2010 Posted by celticanglican | Liturgical Is Cool! | charismatic, easter vigil, ethiopian liturgy, new dawn, st. gregory nyssa san francisco, walsingham | No Comments Yet

Holidays, Political Correctness, and the Nativity

Once again this year, Christians are grappling with the inevitable fighting that occurs over whether store clerks wish customers a “Merry Christmas” or not, ad campaigns that try to show traditions strictly associated with Christmas as being part of a non-specific winter holiday, and the boycotts that come into play due to this controversy. Another blog recently questioned whether Christians should take part in such boycotts. I think this is a valid question, and my short answer may surprise you: “no”.

However well intentioned, boycotting businesses that don’t use the word Christmas in their advertising is somewhat counter-productive. It may get them to change some of their advertising, but does it stop what’s supposed to be a celebration of Christ’s birth from being turned into a secular, heavily commercialized holiday in many people’s minds? No. Personally, I’m more concerned with whether the person offering me a wish for a nice holiday knows the One it celebrates than whether they use the correct words.

I think one of the things that’s partially responsible for making people see Christmas as being all about gifts, family gatherings, meals, and sometimes a vacation is an emphasis on the part of some to paint Christmas as being a “baptized” version of pagan festivities, nothing more. While based on somewhat weak evidence, these assertions have caused some Christians to reject celebration of the Nativity. Others have forgotten the unique traditions that can keep Christmas Christian.

It is somewhat foolish for retailers to act as though the Christmas tree can be associated with just any holiday that occurs at this time of year, or to fear using the word Christmas out of fear of causing offense. However, do we, as Christians, really want a holiday named for “Christ’s Mass” to be associated with some of the tacky or adult-oriented products marketed to Christmas buyers? Wouldn’t we be better off refusing to be conformed to the world, as St. Paul said, and reclaiming our Christmas as the Feast of the Nativity as it should be?

The current mindset towards Christmas didn’t start overnight, and it won’t end overnight. However, individual Christians and families can make a difference by distancing themselves from the consumerism, rediscovering Advent* and the 12 days of Christmas, and letting others know what it means to them.

Have a blessed Feast of the Nativity!

*Don’t despair if your church doesn’t observe Advent. Many of the Advent traditions, such as the Advent wreath, can be kept in the home.

December 11, 2009 Posted by celticanglican | Holidays/Feasts | advent, christmas, holiday, political correctness | No Comments Yet

The Liturgical Tradition: Relevent in All Ages

It seems like we live in a really different world spiritually from what is was when I first became a practicing Christian 12 years ago and certainly when I was a little kid. (To give some context here, the current Book of Common Prayer is 1 year older than me <g>)

While reading something about the emergent/emerging church movement lately, I found a couple of subtle references to the fact that the author felt traditional liturgies were “boring”, “dead”, or “irrelevant”. With contemporary-style worship being a focal point in Christianity today, I think we liturgists are going to have to do a lot of explaining about why we do things a certain way.

How would you explain liturgical worship’s relevance to someone unfamiliar with it?

October 5, 2009 Posted by celticanglican | Liturgical Is Cool! | | No Comments Yet

Consecration to the Sacred Heart

A beautiful prayer for families

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=199

July 14, 2009 Posted by celticanglican | Prayers | consecration, families, jesus and mary, sacred heart | No Comments Yet

The Great Litany (Episcopal)

I’ve gotten into the habit of praying the Litany on Fridays. Here’s a sung version from St. Barnabas, Falmouth

July 14, 2009 Posted by celticanglican | Uncategorized | episcopal, falmouth, great litany, st barnabas | No Comments Yet

I’m Back, Sorta

Sorry I haven’t been posting, I’ve had a VERY manic last few months. I’ll be adding a new video category, so please stay tuned

July 14, 2009 Posted by celticanglican | Uncategorized | | No Comments Yet

A Modified Declaration of Faith for Our Age

I believe in God the Father, Maker of heaven and earth, whose name is to be hallowed and praised.
And in Jesus Christ our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, and the third day He arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, from where he will judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, in His power, in His ability to illuminate and direct the Christian Church and individuals here on earth. I believe in His ability to distribute the gifts of the Spirit for the Church’s edification and mission as He wills.
I believe in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the Body, and of life everlasting through the grace and finished work of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Written by Pastor Peter Olson

April 25, 2009 Posted by celticanglican | Creeds/Statements of Faith | | No Comments Yet

A Service for the 3rd Sunday of Easter

While not intended to be a substitute for regular church attendance, I hope this service will be helpful for this unable to attend services or looking to enrich their personal devotions.

Opening Hymn: Praise Him, Praise Him! (Music)

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long:

Refrain

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

Refrain

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.

Refrain (public domain)

Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia! (Book of Common Prayer, 1979)

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 1979)

Hymn of Praise: The Day of Resurrection (Music)

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.

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 own “All hail!” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend,
For Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end. (public domain)

Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer 1979)

Acts 3:12-19 (World English Bible) 3:12 When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 3:14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 3:15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. 3:16 By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

3:17 “Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 3:18 But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.

3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord

Lord, may Your words call us to true repentance.

Psalm 4
1
Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2
“You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols
and run after false gods?”

3
Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.

4
Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.

5
Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the LORD.

6
Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.

7
You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.

8
I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Book of Common Prayer 1979)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

1 John 3:1-7 3:1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. 3:3 Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure. 3:4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. 3:5 You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. 3:6 Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him, neither knows him.

3:7 Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (World English Bible)

Lord, may Your word continue to keep us in righteousness and love. Amen.

Hymn: That Eastertide with Joy Was Bright (Music)

That Eastertide with joy was bright,
The sun shone out with fairer light,
When, to their longing eyes restored,
The glad apostles saw their Lord.

He bade them see His hands, His side,
Where yet the glorious wounds abide;
The tokens true which made it plain
Their Lord indeed was risen again.

Jesus, the King of gentleness,
Do Thou Thyself our hearts possess
That we may give Thee all our days
The tribute of our grateful praise.

O Lord of all, with us abide
In this our joyful Eastertide;
From every weapon death can wield
Thine own redeemed forever shield.

All praise be Thine, O risen Lord,
From death to endless life restored;
All praise to God the Father be
And Holy Ghost eternally.

Luke 24:36-48 24:36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

24:37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

24:38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 24:39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 24:40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 24:41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

24:42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 24:43 He took them, and ate in front of them. 24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”

24:45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. 24:46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 24:48 You are witnesses of these things. (World English Bible)

Let Your word inspire us to be faithful witnesses always.

A Sermon

A Sermon for Kids

A Declaration of Faith by Pastor Peter Olson:

I believe in God the Father, Maker of heaven and earth, whose name is to be hallowed and praised.
And in Jesus Christ our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, and the third day He arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, from where he will judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, in His power, in His ability to illuminate and direct the Christian Church and individuals here on earth. I believe in His ability to distribute the gifts of the Spirit for the ChurchÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s edification and mission as He wills.
I believe in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the Body, and of life everlasting through the grace and finished work of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Intercessory Prayers:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

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

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
(Book of Common Prayer)

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 tresspasses,
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Numbers: 6:24 ‘The LORD bless you, and keep you.: cb(6,25); 6:25 The LORD make his face to shine on you,; and be gracious to you.
cb(6,26); 6:26 The LORD lift up his face toward you,: and give you peace.’ (World English Bible)

Closing Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (Music)

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.

O that, with yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all! (public domain)

April 25, 2009 Posted by celticanglican | Liturgy/Worship | | No Comments Yet

A Service for Resurrection Day

All collects, the Psalms, and the intercessory prayers are from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, unless otherwise noted. Bible readings are from the World English Bible. Hymns are public domain. While not intended to be a substitute for regular church attendance, I hope this service will be helpful for this unable to attend services or looking to enrich their personal devotions.

Opening Hymn: Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Music)

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

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

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Welcome, Happy Morning! (Music)

“Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say:
“Hell today is vanquished, Heav’n is won today!”
Lo! the dead is living, God forevermore!
Him, their true Creator, all His works adore!

Refrain

“Welcome, happy morning!”
Age to age shall say.

Earth her joy confesses, clothing her for spring,
All fresh gifts returned with her returning King:
Bloom in every meadow, leaves on every bough,
Speak His sorrow ended, hail His triumph now.

Refrain

Months in due succession, days of lengthening light,
Hours and passing moments praise Thee in their flight.
Brightness of the morning, sky and fields and sea,
Vanquisher of darkness, bring their praise to Thee.

Refrain

Maker and Redeemer, life and health of all,
Thou from heaven beholding human nature’s fall,
Of the Father’s Godhead true and only Son,
Mankind to deliver, manhood didst put on.

Refrain

Thou, of life the Author, death didst undergo,
Tread the path of darkness, saving strength to show;
Come, then True and Faithful, now fulfill Thy Word;
’Tis Thine own third morning; rise, O buried Lord!

Refrain

Loose the souls long prisoned, bound with Satan’s chain;
All that now is fallen raise to life again;
Show Thy face in brightness, bid the nations see;
Bring again our daylight: day returns with Thee!

Refrain

end(O 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 us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in 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 for ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: 10:34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; cb(10,35); 10:35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. cb(10,36); 10:36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—cb(10,37); 10:37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; cb(10,38); 10:38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. cb(10,39); 10:39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. cb(10,40); 10:40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, cb(10,41); 10:41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. cb(10,42); 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. cb(10,43); 10:43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

Psalm 118:

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.

A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians:

15:1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, cb(15,2); 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. cb(15,3); 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, cb(15,4); 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, cb(15,5); 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. cb(15,6); 15:6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. cb(15,7); 15:7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, cb(15,8); 15:8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. cb(15,9); 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. cb(15,10); 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. cb(15,11); 15:11 Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.

The Day of Resurrection (Music)

A Reading from the Gospel of John:

20:1 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. cb(20,2); 20:2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”cb(20,3);

20:3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. cb(20,4); 20:4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. cb(20,5); 20:5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. cb(20,6); 20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, cb(20,7); 20:7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. cb(20,8); 20:8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. cb(20,9); 20:9 For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. cb(20,10); 20:10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.cb(20,11);

20:11 But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, cb(20,12); 20:12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. cb(20,13); 20:13 They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” cb(20,14);

20:14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.cb(20,15);

20:15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

cb(20,16);

20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”

cb(20,17);

20:17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”cb(20,18);

20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

Now the Green Blade Rises (Music)

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom we had slain,
Thinking that He’d never wake to life again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

Up He sprang at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain;
Up from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

When our hearts are saddened, grieving or in pain,
By Your touch You call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

The Gardener (Grace Lutheran Church)

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.

Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may
be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal
your glory in the world.

Silence