EASTER SUNDAY – 31st March - Saint Michael Center

From Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday (The Jesus Film)

Easter Sunday is a Christian Festival celebrating the resurrection to life of Jesus Christ, on the third day after death by crucification at Golgotha. The date of Easter varies between March 22 and April 25. Previously the first Christians celebrated the Passover feast on the 14th Nissan of the Hebrew Calendar like the Jews. There was a difference of opinion regarding the celebration on the 14th Nissan. In the Council of Nicaea convened in the year 325 A.D. by Emperor Constantine-I the Great, it was decided that the resurrection of Jesus only. It was also decided that the resurrection of Jesus should be celebrated on the first Sunday

Easter Prayer of Saint Hippolytus

Christ is risen: The world below lies desolate.
Christ is risen: The spirits of evil are fallen.
Christ is risen: The angels of God are rejoicing.
Christ is risen: The tombs of the dead are empty.
Christ is risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers! Glory and Power are His forever and ever!
Amen.

A Prayer for Easter Sunday

Lord God, you loved this world so much that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world.
All for your glory do we pray, Lord,
Amen.

An Easter Prayer

Good and gracious God,
Our most glorious Creator,
As we greet the signs in nature around us:
Of Spring once again regaling us in bloom,
In the songs of returning birds and fields soon to be planted,
We give you praise for an even greater sign of new life: the resurrection of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, that we especially celebrate at this time.
The sadness and despair of his death has given way to the bright promise of immortality.
For the Resurrection is our guarantee that justice will triumph over treason, Light will overcome darkness, and love will conquer death.
As we celebrate, we also dare to ask for your grace that we may live the promise given to us,
By imitating the life of Jesus in reaching out to the poor, the marginalized, the least among us,
As we strive to be neighbor to all those we meet,
We ask your special blessings each and every day on our President.
Working with him may we strive to make this great country of ours a beacon of hope and justice in a world hungry for peace and so in need of your love.
We praise you in this Easter season. Change our lives, change our hearts to be messengers of Easter joy and hope.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever.
Amen.

Anglican Prayer for Easter Sunday

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 forever.
Amen.

0331 EASTER SUNDAY 2p SMC 8.5 x 11 R1R 20240316

Love Overcame

Love overcame
Emerging from a cold tomb
All the truth, majesty and creativity of a living God
Transforming a broken heart
Making a quiet return, in a still and sorrowful garden
The grave stone rolled away, to release redemptive love
Jesus resurrected and restored
Comforts a weeping woman
Speaks with travellers on a journey
Meets with his faithful friends
And they bow down before Christ alive
And acknowledged that the saviour has arrived
That the word of God has come alive
And that the extraordinary transformation of heaven and earth is complete

An Easter Prayer

Loving Lord, today we remember
the veil of darkness
transforming to the brightest light.
The most dreadful end
becoming the most beautiful beginning.
We remember with trembling hearts
the depths of despair
fading to reveal hope everlasting.
The curse of death
defeated by eternal life.
Today we remember with thankfulness
your willingness to be pierced for our sins.
We sing with abounding joy
of your miraculous rise,
from death’s tomb to resplendent life.
Thank you for the promise of heaven
and your generous invitation of eternal life for all.
Amen.

The Gate of Everlasting Life

Lord, the resurrection of Your Son has given us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people in pursuit of the Christian ideal.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do, the will to want to do it, the courage to undertake it, the perseverance to continue to do it, and the strength to complete it.

Easter Prayer to the Holy Trinity

O Lord,
Risen, alive and full of grace.
You paid such a price that we may live in freedom today.
We worship your holy name and give thanks for your redeeming grace.
Heavenly Father,
May we drink in your tender love so that we can pour this love out to others.
Come reign in our hearts, minds and spirits.
Holy Spirit,
We welcome you to blow through our every word, action and thought.
Come transform us on the inside so that each day we become more like our risen Lord.
Amen.

An Easter Prayer from Matthew 28

“Do not be afraid.” God, I hand over to You those things that make me so afraid. Resurrect the parts of my faith squelched by fear.
“I know that you are looking for Jesus.” God, when my soul is searching, help me know the answer to every longing can be found in You.
“He has risen.” God, the fact that Jesus is risen should lift my head, my heart and my attitude. Help me to live today as if I really believe this with every part of my life.
“Just as he said.” Jesus, you keep Your promises. Help me live as though I believe that with every part of me. Help me trust you more, obey You more and resemble You more.
“Come and see.” Jesus, you had the angels invite the women in to see for themselves that You had risen. You invite me into these personal revelations every day. Forgive me for sometimes rushing about and forgetting to come and see for myself … You, Your Word, Your insights.
“Then go quickly and tell his disciples.” Jesus, I don’t want to be a secret keeper with my faith. I want to be a bold and gracious truth proclaimer. For You. With You. Because of You. Me, the unwanted girl whom You loved, redeemed and wanted.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.