Worship Bulletin

EASTER DAY
HOLY EUCHARIST
April 20, 2025 | 10:00 AM

Welcome to St. John’s! This is a family friendly congregation. Children ages 4-12 are invited to Godly Play during the first half of the worship service. If you have toddlers, please feel free to sit to the front right where we have a “soft space,” and a nursery room is available in the back as needed. Please let an usher know if you require hearing assistance.

Today we celebrate Holy Communion. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, all are welcome to receive at the Lord’s Table.

PRELUDE Christ the Lord is Risen Today – arr. B. Kinyon
Handbell choir Joyful, Joyful, Christ is Risen – arr. D. Wagner

WELCOME & FLOWERING OF THE CROSS

PROCESSIONAL HYMN Welcome, Happy Morning Blue Hymnal #179

OPENING ACCLAMATION Book of Common Prayer p.355

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Celebrant & People: 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.

SONG OF PRAISE PASCHA NOSTRUM

1. God’s Paschal Lamb is sacrificed for us
therefore with joy we keep the Easter feast;
forsaking sin, we share the bread of truth.
Alleluia, alleluia!

2. Now Christ is raised; and will not die again;
death has no more dominion over him;
through him we die to sin and live to God.
Alleluia, alleluia!

3. In Christ we see the first fruits of the dead:
though Adam’s sin had doomed all flesh to die,
in Christ’s new life shall all be made alive.
Alleluia, alleluia!

COLLECT FOR EASTER DAY Book of Common Prayer p.222

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

FIRST READING ACTS 10:34-43

Reader: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles: “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.”

The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24 CONFITEMINI DOMINO

SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

Reader: A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Valerie Shields & Carol Sams

THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 24:1-12

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory be to you, Lord Christ.

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

SEQUENCE HYMN The Day of Resurrection Blue Hymnal #210

HOMILY The Reverend Tammy Smith-Firestone

THE RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS

Celebrant: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People: I do.
Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father?
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Celebrant: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People: I will with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God’s help.

The Celebrant concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows:

May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The Congregation is sprinkled with Holy Water as a reminder of our baptism.

ASPERGES HYMN Good Christians all, Rejoice and Sing Blue Hymnal #205 v.1-3

THE PEACE
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.

The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND OFFERTORY STATEMENT

BLESSING OF BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

THE LITURGY OF THE TABLE

OFFERTORY ANTHEM Easter Prayer – Jane Marshall

PRESENTATION HYMN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Eucharistic Prayer D Book of Common Prayer p. 372
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks…

…Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing

SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Celebrant: We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power……offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.
People: We praise you, we bless you,
we give thanks to you,
and we pray to you, Lord our God.
Celebrant: Lord, we pray that in your goodness…

…Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of theHoly Spirit, for ever and ever.
People: Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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 trespasses,
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.

Padre nuestro, que estás en el cielo.
Santificando sea tu nombre.
Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad
en la tierra como en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas,
como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden.
No nos dejes caer en tentación
y líbranos del mal.
Porque tuyo es el reino, el ponder, y la gloria, por todos los singlos. Amén.

The Celebrant breaks the bread.

Celebrant: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia.

FRACTION ANTHEM ALLELUIA, PASCHA NOSTRUM

THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION
Please follow the directions of the ushers. We go to the communion rail to receive. Respond to the words: “The Body of Christ, the Bread of Life” and “The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation” with a hearty “Amen.” After receiving Communion it is appropriate to return to your seat to kneel or sit in silence for personal prayer and thanksgiving.
There are two options for reception. First is drinking from the common cup. When approaching the priest giving the bread or host, raise cupped hands to receive the bread. Consume and then take the cup by its base to tip to your lips to drink. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
The second option for reception is intinction (bread dipped into the wine). As the clergy person approaches, point to the chalice that the priest may take a wafer, intinct it in the wine, and give to you to consume. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
If you are unable to come forth to receive Communion, simply make it known to the usher and the clergy will come out to you to bring the bread and wine. The priest will instinct the bread into the wine and give it to you to consume.
If you are not communing, please consider coming forth for a blessing. As you approach the priest, cross your arms across your chest to indicate you desire a blessing.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON PASCHA NOSTRUM

COMMUNION ANTHEM The Angel Rolled the Stone Away arr. Jeffrey Cooper

COMMUNION HYMN The Strife is O’er Blue Hymnal #208

POST COMMUNION PRAYER Book of Common Prayer p. 366

Celebrant: Let us pray. Eternal God,
Celebrant and People:
heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

EASTER BLESSING

FINAL HYMN Jesus Christ is Risen Today
1. Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing,
unto Christ, our heavenly King,
who endured the cross and grave,
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3. Cristo nuestro Salvador,
De la muerte vencedor,
Pronto vamos sin cesar
Tus lo-ores a cantar. ¡Aleluya!

4. Sing we to our God above
praise eternal as his love;
praise him, all ye heavenly host,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

DISMISSAL
Celebrant: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia! Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

VOLUNTARY Fugue in G (BWV 541) J. S. Bach

Thank you for worshipping with us this morning. If you are new, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the church and join us for Coffee Hour in our Parish Life Center. We invite you to our Newcomer’s Corner at Coffee Hour next week, April 27, after the 10:15 service. Get to know our rector, our ministries, and how to become involved at St. John’s.

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2341 Floral Avenue, Chico, CA 95926
(530) 894-1971 · office@stjohnschico.org
The Very Reverend Tammy Smith-Firestone, Rector
Jeffrey Cooper, Director of Music

Hymn permission used by Rite Song a one-time use reprint license for congregational use
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-735293. All rights reserved.”

Worship Bulletin

EASTER DAYHOLY EUCHARISTApril 20, 2025 | 10:00 AM

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EASTER DAY
HOLY EUCHARIST
April 20, 2025 | 10:00 AM