Lessons, Hymns, and Prayers, Easter Day, the Resurrection of Our Lord, A (April 5, 2026)
April 5, 2026, Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of Our Lord
Easter Sunrise:
All: Exodus 14:10-15:1 (Song of thanksgiving after crossing the Red Sea)
All: Psalm 118:15-29 (I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord!)
All: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (I handed on to you what I received: that Christ rose
from the dead)
All: John 20:1-18 (Peter and John’s foot race; Mary Magdalene encounters risen Jesus)
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Easter Day
All: Acts 10:34-43 (Peter preaches Gospel to Gentiles)
OR RCL/ELW: Jeremiah 31:1-6 (I have loved you with an everlasting love; You have found grace in the wilderness)
Sola/LSB: Psalm 16 (You do not give me up to Sheol, nor let your faithful one see the Pit)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (I shall not die but live, and declare the works
of the Lord!)
All: Colossians 3:1-4 (your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,
for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.)
OR RCL/ELW: Acts10:34-43 (God doesn’t show partiality, but accepts all who fear him)
All: Matthew 28:1-10 (Risen Jesus greets the women, bids them tell disciples to go to Galilee)
OR RCL/ELW: John 20:1-18 (An apostolic footrace; Jesus and Mary Magdalene)
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Opening Hymn: Jesus Christ is Risen Today: LBW #151, ELW #365, LSB #457
Hymn of Praise: Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia: WOV #678, ELW #364, LSB #466
OR Hymn paraphrase of “This is the Feast” by Cathy Ammlung. Tune: “In Thee is Gladness”
This feast of gladness triumphs o’er sadness; Jesus, Lord, the victor now.
The Lamb, once slain now lives again! Every knee to him shall bow.
Joy in full flower! Blessing and power, honor and praises all heaven raises,
And earth shall echo: Alleluia!
Sing of his glory, for Christ is worthy of adoration; and our salvation
In love he wins for us. Alleluia!
Gospel Procession Hymn: This Joyful Eastertide: WOV #676, ELW #391, LSB #482
Hymn of the Day: Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands: LBW #134, ELW #370, LSB #458
OR Awake, My Heart, With Gladness: LBW #129, ELW #378, LSB #467 (This is a DANCE tune! Play it as a sprightly minuet, not a solemn dirge, and by, er, verse 7, folks will be warbling and swaying!)
Communion Hymn 1: Thine is the Glory: LBW #145, ELW #376
OR The Strife is O’er: LBW #135, ELW #366, LSB #464
Communion Hymn 2: I Know that My Redeemer Lives: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461
Closing Hymn: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus: LBW #158, ELW #392, LSB #821
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In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our risen Lord Jesus, on behalf of the world, the Church, and one another.
A brief silence
Thank you, dear Father, for the victory of Jesus over all that hurts and destroys your people. Tune our hearts to sing his praise. Purify our spirits so we may see his beauty forever. Fortify our minds to learn the depths of his love. Open our mouths to proclaim his triumph over our ancient enemy. Direct our hands – one to clasp his nail-scarred hand, the other to draw a fellow sinner closer to his loving embrace. Fill us with your Spirit, so that in all things, we bear witness to and his love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Look with kindness upon your Church as it worships your risen Son. Make it radiant in faith, lovely in holiness, and beautiful in charity. By its words and deeds, bring many to know and adore Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fill our persecuted sisters and brothers with faith, courage, and joy. Let their faces shine with confidence in the victory of Jesus. Let that light shine on their enemies, so they turn to him in repentant faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Feed the people of this congregation with the milk and honey of sincerity and truth. Make us lovely with your mercy, forgiveness, and goodness. Use us to draw many who are afar off into your adopted family, so together we sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We ask your blessing upon all who hear this Gospel with disbelief, doubt, bitterness, or scorn. Give us wise words and loving hearts, so we share the hope that is in us on account of Jesus’ resurrection. Give them new, or renewed, faith in Christ, for he is their hope and heart’s desire.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bestow your peace upon this sin-stained world. Teach all who wield authority and power, in any field or enterprise, to use those gifts wisely and humbly. And give to all – especially those who are poor, forgotten, grieving, or despairing – a foretaste of the joys you have prepared for all who love you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Even in this glad season, good men and women risk their lives to protect others from fear, sickness, injustice, and violence. Shield, strengthen and direct them. Let their words and deeds accomplish your will. Keep them safe, support their loved ones, and speed the day when war shall be no more.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray that Jesus’ triumph over sin and death may bless all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, including: {List}. Turn mourning into singing, and exchange the sackcloth of sorrow for the mantle of praise and the garment of joy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O most kind and loving Father, thank you for the lives and the faithful witness of those who have already gone “farther up and farther in” to your glorious Kingdom. Let your Son accompany us along our pilgrimage, to lighten our load and brighten our path. Let your Holy Spirit fill us with confidence and compassion. And let us, with all the redeemed of every time and place, stand before your throne and sing your praise in strains of triumphant gladness for ever and ever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We praise and magnify you, most holy Father; we entrust our prayers and petitions to you in the strong name and for the dear sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
