Easter Season Joyful Liturgy of the Word

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1 Easter Season Joyful Liturgy of the Word Notes Liturgical colours for the Easter season are white or gold. Celebrations in Easter season should focus on the gift of new life in Christ Jesus. Easter season lasts for 50 days and includes some the major feast days of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost. Music choices should reflect the joy of Easter and Alleluia should be a major part of celebrations. Share with students the stories of Jesus appearing to various people and groups throughout these weeks of Easter season: o John 20:11-16 appears to Mary Magdalene o Luke 24:13 34 appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus o John 20: appears to the disciples in a locked room o John 20: appears to disciples, including Thomas o John 21: 1 14 appears to 7 disciples on the shore of Sea of Galilee Music suggestions: CBW III Spirit and Song Glory and Praise II (green cover) 383 Alleluia, give thanks to the Risen Lord 591 God is Alive! 394 The Light of Christ 557 Let Heaven Rejoice 392 That Easter day with Joy was bright 88 This is the Day 100 At the Name of Jesus 128 Lord of the Dance 175 Everybody Sing Alleluia 135 River of Glory 166 Worthy is the Lamb 378 Jesus Christ is Risen Today 386 Up From the Earth 392 Let Heaven Rejoice Opening Song: We gather together today in what is now our holy place to celebrate the joyful news of Jesus resurrection. Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! Please join in singing our opening song. Choose an appropriate song from the tables. We begin our celebration as we always do. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray.

2 God of the living, through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus, you have created a new heaven and earth. Bring the light and new life of Easter into our hearts so that we may be renewed in holiness. We ask this in the name of the Risen Lord. Amen. Reader: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. The Word of the Lord. Psalm: Thanks be to God. (should be sung if at all possible) Psalm 118 (CBW III # 89) Gospel Acclamation: (Choose one that is familiar to the school community and that expresses the joy of the season) A reading from the gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent

3 down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him in Hebrew, * Rabbouni! (which means Teacher). The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Reflection: The leader or another person may now give a brief reflection on the readings, emphasizing how they relate to the lives of the school community. A few key points that you may want to include are: The joy and glory of Easter Sunday continue throughout the 50 days of celebration that make up the Easter season. What happened on Easter Sunday is hard to understand; the disciples couldn t understand at first, either. Yet they came to believe and tell everyone that they had seen the risen Lord.

4 We come to believe by listening to the accounts of those who have encountered Jesus, either in the Scripture stories of the apostles or in the teaching of those around us family, teachers, and friends. Easter is not only a celebration of Jesus resurrection. It is also our invitation to see Christ in others and to add our voices to the long line of witnesses who proclaim the Good News of the Risen Lord. Heavenly Father, you know our needs before we even know them ourselves. That is why we bring our prayers before you now, confident in your love and care for us. 1. That all people everywhere come to see and believe in the saving gift of God s love, we pray to the Lord. 2. That those who are discouraged may find hope, those who are sick may find healing and those who are downtrodden may be lifted up, we pray to the Lord. 3. That all members of our school community at may receive new faith and hope throughout this Easter season of joy, we pray to the Lord. 4. That each of us may be good and faithful witnesses of God s love, we pray to the Lord. In the joy and hope of the Easter season, let us pray together as Jesus taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven As a sign of our faith in the resurrection, let us offer each other a sign of peace. Wait while people exchange handshakes with those around them. Let us pray. O saving and loving God, by raising Jesus from the dead, you gave us all the gift of eternal life. May we be enthusiastic witnesses of your presence in the world. May our joyful Alleluias ring out throughout the Easter season. We ask this in the name of the risen Lord, Jesus. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia. Closing song: Choose one from the table.

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