An Easter Day Family Service and Lord's Supper

1. Introduction and welcome, which may include the following



Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He has given us new life and hope

by raising Jesus from the dead.

God has claimed us as his own:

he has brought us out of darkness

into his marvellous light

and has made us light to the world.

Alleluia. Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!



2. Easter hymn or song, such as 'Christ the Lord is risen today' (Australian Hymn Book 290)

3. Children's talk

4. First Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The apostle Paul shows that the resurrection of Jesus is central to the gospel by which we are saved and identifies many witnesses to the risen Jesus.

5. Easter hymn or song, such as 'I know that my redeemer lives' (Australian Hymn Book 299 [can be sung to the tune of 276)

6. Second reading: Luke 24:1-12

Luke tells how those who first saw the empty tomb responded to the evidence before the risen Jesus appeared to them.

7. The minister prays the Collect for Easter Day



Almighty God, you have conquered death through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant us by your grace to set our mind on things above, so that by your continual help our whole life may be transformed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in everlasting glory. Amen.

8. An Easter sermon is preached

9. Easter hymn or song, such as 'Hail thou once despised Jesus' (Australian Hymn Book 295)

10. Prayers and thanksgiving follow, concluding with this General Confession

Heavenly Father,

you have loved us with an everlasting love,

but we have gone our own way,

and rejected your will for our lives.

We are sorry for our sins and turn away from them.

For the sake of your Son who died for us,

forgive us, cleanse us, and change us.

By your Holy Spirit, enable us to live for you,

and to please you in every way;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



11. This assurance of God's forgiveness follows

Our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us

to redeem us from all wickedness


and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,


eager to do what is good.


Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! Amen.

12. If the service concludes here, the following prayer of dedication may be used, together with a concluding hymn or song

Loving God, we thank you for hearing our prayers,


feeding us with your word,


and encouraging us in our meeting together.


Take us and use us to love and serve you, and all people,

in the power of your Spirit and in the name of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

13. If the Lord's Supper is to follow, this prayer of preparation should be said together

Merciful Lord, we come here to your table

trusting in your measureless grace

and not in our own goodness.

Even though we are not worthy to eat the crumbs under your table,

you are always rich in mercy.

Gracious Lord, enable us by faith

so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ,

and to drink his blood,

that we may be cleansed from sin

and forever dwell in him,

and he is us. Amen.

14. The minister says this prayer of thanksgiving and consecration. During the words of institution, the minister breaks the bread and takes hold of a cup.



We thank you heavenly Father that in your love and mercy

you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save us.

By this offering of himself once and for all time,

Jesus made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world,

satisfying your just demands.

Jesus commanded us to remember his death until his coming again.

Hear us, merciful Father,

and grant that we who eat this bread and drink this wine,

according to our Saviour's word,

in remembrance of his suffering and death,

may share in his body and blood.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,

'Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.'

In the same way after the meal, Jesus took the cup,

and when he had given you thanks, he gave it to them, saying,

'Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant,

which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' Amen.



15. The bread is given to each person with these words



The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, keep your body and soul for everlasting life. Take and eat this, remembering that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving. Amen.



The cup is given to each person with these words



The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was poured out for you, keep your body and soul for everlasting life. Drink this, remembering that Christ's blood was shed for you, and be thankful. Amen.



16. This thanksgiving prayer is said



Father, as we have received these gifts of bread and wine,

you have fed us with the spiritual food of the body and blood

of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Thank you for assuring us of your goodness and love,

and that we are members of his body.

Renew us by your Holy Spirit,

unite us in the body of your Son,

and bring us with all your people

into the joy of your eternal kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.



17. An Easter song or hymn is sung



18. The minister says



May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you what is pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.





This service is based on Sunday Services (© 2001 by The Archbishop of Sydney's Liturgical Panel), as revised on bettergatherings.com. The opening words of praise are based on a form found in New Patterns for Worship (2002) All rights reserved.