St. Luke's Episcopal Church
313 Main Street
Chester, Vermont 05143
(802) 875 - 6000
followed by Coffee Hour
Heading 5
The Day of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday
April 5, 2026
Prelude
St. Luke’s Golden Hearted Singers & Karlaine Livingston.
Following the prelude the bell is rung inviting all Chester to join us to celebrate Easter.
(the bell rings, inviting all of Chester to this service of the Resurrection.)
Entrance Hymn
Hymn 207 The Hymnal 1982
(trumpeter: Mallory Figorar, music teacher at Chester-Andover Elementary School)
Presider: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia
Presider: Let us pray.
Presider and 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
Hymn S 280 The Hymnal 1982 Service Music
Presider: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
Collect for Easter
Presider and people:
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 Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43
Reader: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
34Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how 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. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not 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. 42He 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. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm
#118:1-2, 14-24
1 Give thanks to God who is good; * God’s mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim * “God’s mercy endures for ever.”
14 God is my strength and my song * and 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 Most High has triumphed; * the right hand of the Most High is exalted; the right hand of the Most High has triumphed!”
17 I shall not die, but live * and declare the works of God.
18 God has punished me sorely, * but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; * I will enter them; I will offer thanks to God.
20 “This is the gate of the Holy One; * those who are 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 God’s doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 On this day the Holy One has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Second Reading
Colossians 3:1-4
Reader: A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Colossians
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn
Hymn 208 The Hymnal 1982
The Holy Gospel
Matthew 28:1-10
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People: Glory to you, O Christ.
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord
People: Praise be to you, O Christ.
The Sermon
Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie
Nicene Creed
Presider and people:
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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.
Prayers of the People
Reader: Jesus Christ is risen today, our triumphant holy day. Alleluia! So let us pray to our Lord, saying, “Risen Christ, to you we give undying praise.”
Reader: Heavenly King, for us you endured the cross and the grave. When we were yet sinners, you redeemed and saved us. May we sing your eternal praises everywhere we go.
Silence
Reader: Risen Christ,
People: To you we give undying praise.
Reader: Incarnate Love, where hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain, call forth new life by your touch. Bring forth life in the barren places of your world.
Silence
Reader: Risen Christ,
People: To you we give undying praise.
Reader: Author of Life, you are the ruler of creation. All things created on earth sing to your glory. From the death of the winter, raise the fair beauty of earth.
Silence
Reader: Risen Christ,
People: To you we give undying praise.
Reader: Resurrected One, bring our neighbors from sadness into joy. Where they live in darkness, brighten their lives with a day of splendor and give to all that peace that passes human knowing.
The congregation is invited to add their thanksgivings, followed by silence
Reader: Risen Christ,
People: To you we give undying praise.
Reader: Triumphant Lord, gladden the faces of all who are sad and fearful-hearted. May they rejoice in your victory over sin and pain—even as they share in your glorious triumph.
The congregation is invited to add their petitions, followed by silence
Reader: Risen Christ,
People: To you we give undying praise.
Reader: Risen Christ, you have opened heaven’s gate. You have freed us from the power of sin and death. Through your resurrection, you give us the promise of resurrection to a holier state. Bless the dying and the dead.
Silence
Reader: Risen Christ,
People: To you we give undying praise.
Confession of Sin
Presider: Let us confess our sins to God. Silence may be kept.
Minister and People:
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will.
Amen.
Absolution
Minister: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.
The Peace
Presider: The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Offertory Sentence
Presider: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
Offertory Hymn
Hymn 174 The Hymnal 1982
Eucharistic Prayer
The people remain standing.
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Presider: All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord; Because you gave Jesus Christ your only Son, to be born for us; who by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we night be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. And so as the stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:
Hymn S125 The Hymnal 1982
The people stand, sit, or kneel as is comfortable.
Presider: Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.
Presider: We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Presider: After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Presider: And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension,
longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:
Presider and people:
Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising, you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!
Presider: Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ. Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Luke, the patron of this congregation, and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home.
Presider: Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise.
Presider and people:
Blessed are you now and for ever.
AMEN.
Presider: And now, As our Savior Christ Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Presider and people:
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.
The Breaking of the Bread
Presider: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Hymn S 164 The Hymnal 1982
Presider: The Holy Gifts of God for the Holy People of God.
This is the table, not of the Church but of Jesus Christ. It is made ready for those who love God and who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time or ever before, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. It is Christ who invites you to be known and fed here. All are welcome to receive communion. (Special COVID precautions may be voiced here.)
Communion Hymn
Hymn 189 Lift Every Voice and Sing II
Post-communion Prayer
Presider: Let us pray.
Presider and People:
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Closing Hymn
Hymn 205 The Hymnal 1982
Closing Blessing for Easter
Presider: The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Savior Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well 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.
Postlude
St. Luke’s Golden Hearted Singers & Karlaine Livingston.
The congregation is invited to join the choir in singing the following refrain:
“The angel rolled the stone away, The angel rolled the stone away.
It was early Easter Sunday morning, The angel rolled the stone away.”
(After the 4th verse, we all sing the refrain 3 times, getting faster and more exuberant each time.)
Announcements
Dismissal
Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
PLEASE!! Take this service leaflet with you. Read the scriptures again. Learn a hymn or two. Use the prayers of the people all this coming week. Blessings!
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
April 8 Easter Wednesday Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM.
Commemoration of William Augustus Muhlenberg
April 12 The Second Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist 10-11:15AM
Reading group resumes following coffee hour
April 15 Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM
Commemoration of Damien and Marianne Cope of Hawaii
April 19 The Third Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist 10:00-11:15 AM
April 22 Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM
Commemoration of Hadewijch of Brabant
April 26 The Fourth Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist 10-11:15 AM
April 29 Midweek Eucharist 5:30-6:00 PM
Commemoration of Catherine of Siena
OTHER EVENTS
April 22 6:30 PM Vestry Meeting
