AN OUTLINE ORDER FOR MORNING PRAYER IN EASTER

OPENING RESPONSES

Drawn from many backgrounds and experiences, God gathers us as one body.

Bringing our whole selves before our Maker, God transforms us more and more into who we were created to be. 

We stand together as people loved by God, and who are called to love others in ordinary and extraordinary ways.

Come, let us worship together. O Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ, let heaven and earth rejoice.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation, to you be praise and glory for ever.

As once you ransomed your people from Egypt and led them to freedom in the promised land, so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.

May we, the first fruits of your new creation, rejoice in this new day you have made, and praise you for your mighty acts.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

The Psalm of the Day is said.

At the end of the Psalm, the following may be said.

Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

THE CANTICLE - The Song of a new Creation

Refrain:
I will make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.

1 ‘I am the Lord, your Holy One, •
the Creator of Israel, your King.’

2 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, •
a path in the mighty waters,

3 ‘Remember not the former things, •
nor consider the things of old.

4 ‘Behold, I am doing a new thing; •
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

5 ‘I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert, •
to give drink to my chosen people,

6 ‘The people whom I formed for myself, •
that they might declare my praise.’

Isaiah 43.15, 16, 18, 19, 20c, 21

Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

An appointed Reading from the Scriptures is read.

After a period of silent reflection the following is said.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is normally said

Refrain:
The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree.

1 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, ♦
who has come to his people and set them free.

2 He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, ♦
born of the house of his servant David.

3 Through his holy prophets God promised of old ♦
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all that hate us,

4 To show mercy to our ancestors, ♦
and to remember his holy covenant.

5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: ♦
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6 Free to worship him without fear, ♦
holy and righteous in his sight, all the days of our life.

7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, ♦
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8 To give his people knowledge of salvation ♦
by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9 In the tender compassion of our God ♦
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10 To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, ♦
and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1.68-79

Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word and Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lord is risen from the tomb who for our sakes hung upon the tree.

THE PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY

Intercessions are offered

THE COLLECT

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 LORD’S PRAYER

Rejoicing in God’s new creation, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

THE CONCLUSION

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.
Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.