Gather at or around a table
– place a candle in the middle of it
If there is only one of you in your home – make up a circle by including symbols of your faith from around your home (hymn book / cross / bible / rosary ….)
When you are ready to begin the service – listen to the bells from St. Catherine’s.
St. Catherine’s Bells
Opening
The light of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Alleluia Christ is risen. He is risen indeed Alleluia Alleluia.
Sing along with the first hymn – CP147 Jesus Christ is risen today
Readings
Sing along with the response:
‘Alleluia! Surrexit Christus, Alleluia! Alleluia! Cantate Domino, Alleluia!’
The Gospel – John 20. 1-18
Listen to the Gospel read today from St John.
Pause to allow the gravity of these events speak to you…..
and pray the Collect for today
The Collect for Easter Sunday
God of glory
by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your Church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Listen to the choir anthem “This Joyful Eastertide”
The Creed
When you are ready to – as Christians throughout the world what unites us, not only at this time, but always is our belief, our trust in a loving and ever present God – but today because we live in extraordinary times we join in this unusual version.
We believe that behind the Lenten mist the sun waits.We believe that beyond the dark night of Good Friday it is raining stars.
We will not be robbed of faith and Easter hope, this shall not be broken.We believe – and may we live to prove, on earth as it is in heaven:that goodness is stronger than evilthat light is stronger than darknessthat love is stronger than hatethat life is stronger than death.(Adapted from: ‘Confessing our Faith Around the World’ from Chile, in ‘Bread of Tomorrow’ ed. by Janet Morley 1992 and Archbishop Desmond Tutu)
Sing along with the song we have all been learning – Halleluia
Intercessions
These today focus on God ‘appearing’ to individuals and the many, and indeed to us in our homes today.
These prayers close with: Christ who burst from the tomb burst into life through us.
Enjoy singing along with the hymn CP160 Thine be the Glory
The Closing
prepare to receive the Easter Blessing
Enjoy the organ voluntary J.S. Bach’s G Major Fantasia (BWV 572)
And some final Alleluias
Retiring collection
Notices
Many thanks to all those who have contributed to the home church resources over this Easter weekend: the readers, speakers, “Alleluia”ers, photographers, the organist and virtual choir and all who prayed and worshipped with us.
ChurchCoronaCare: We can’t be together in church at this time, but we can still BE church. Find out how in our ChurchCoronaCare programme.
Also as part of a caring church: a very very sick 7 year old (not Corona), along with his family, are in desperate and urgent need of prayer. If you are able to offer some time towards this please contact Kara directly for more details.
Our gallery of prayer and sharing of home church experiences is now online. Share in the experiences of other members of St. Catherine’s. If you would like to share photos of your Easter worship, Easter Gardens, prayer candles etc. please send them to webmaster@stcatherines-stuttgart.de