Category Archives: Easter

Easter

Readings and Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Easter

Collect: Fourth Sunday of Easter

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people:   Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Acts 9: 36-43 . . .  Peter is summoned to Joppa and raises up a disciple named Tabitha

Psalm 23 . . . A song from the flock of God, expressing the infinite care of God as the shepherd of humanity.

Revelation 7: 9-17 . . .  a vision of those who have survived great tribulation and now worship before the throne of God and the Lamb.

John 10:22-30 . . .  Jesus speaks to those who are unable to come to belief in him and then tells of his sheep that belong to him forever.

Sermon:  How do we discern the difference between the imitators and Jesus’ voice? Listen as Michael Renninger helps us figure out how to hear, and recognize, the Good Shepherd’s voice.

Easter

Readings and Sermon for Third Sunday of Easter

Collect: Third Sunday of Easter

 

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread:  Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

Acts 9:1-6 (7-21) . . . Paul is converted from being an enemy of the Christian way in order to become the great apostle to the non-Jewish people
Psalm 30 . . . The journey out of sorrow into joy
Revelation 5:11-14 . . . This is a vision of the Lamb that was slain—a figure of Jesus.
John 21:1-19 . . . This is another appearance by Jesus to his disciples—this time after their return to the Sea of Tiberias or Galilee
Sermon:   Jesus, Will Willimon, disciples, sheep, discipleship, Peter, Duke Divinity School, failure, Year C, John 21:1-19, fishermen, commissioning, feed, Third Sunday of Easter, fly fishing, follow me, command
Easter

Readings and Sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Easter

Religion celebrates what the rest of the world forgets – the inherent goodness of life itself.  Religion knows that life unadorned and raw is the ultimate high.  Everything else is a pale shadow of the real thing.  All the excesses in the world—sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, greed—are simply substitutes for the real thing.  They are made for people who have yet to discover the joy of being human, the glory of God among us.
It is religion, in fact, that built joy and excitement, happiness and satisfaction, abandon and trust, fun and holy leisure right into the midst of life in the first place.

Joan Chittister

Collect: The 2nd Sunday of Easter

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Acts 5:27-32 . . . the apostles are brought before the council of religious authorities in Jerusalem and again commended to cease preaching in the name of Jesus
Psalm 150 . . . all that have breath are invited to join
Revelation 1:4-8 . . . John the Seer addresses seven representative churches in Asia Minor with a hymn of praise to Christ, the first-born from the dead and now ruler of all.
John 20:19-31 . . . two appearance of the risen Lord to his disciples

Sermon by Richard W. Voelz

“Not long after I arrived at my last pastoral ministry, I was at a gathering for area clergy where I met a minister who told me had an interest in apologetics, that is proving and defending the Christian faith by logical, defensible proofs,” begins Richard W. Voelz, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. But Voelz says, “I have to be honest. I have no interest in proving the resurrection of Jesus. I wasn’t there. I don’t have a firsthand eyewitness account of the empty tomb or Jesus’ appearances after the crucifixion.” He says, “On my best days, I do believe that resurrection happened in some way, shape, or form. Even more than that, I believe resurrection because I see resurrection.” Today’s text, John 20:19-31, anticipates our search for resurrection. How do we see and live the resurrection? Listen as Voelz tells us how to make sure that our belief is never disconnected from resurrection living, so that others will see resurrection in us.
Easter

The Resurrection of the Lord: Easter Day

“Easter is the moment Christmas points to, the moment the Passion obscures, the moment the tomb reveals.  On Christmas morning we find the manger full of life; on Easter morning we find the tomb empty of death.”  Joan Chittister

Let us pray .  .

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

Isaiah 65: 17-25 . . . This about a blessed time, when God overcomes, for us,  many of life’s shortcomings and frustrations.
Psalm 118:1-4, 14-24 . . . praise of the Lord’s salvation

 Thank God because he’s good,
because his love never quits.
Tell the world, Israel,
“His love never quits.”

And . . .
1 Corinthians 15:19-26 . . . Paul describes the plan of the resurrection age: it has begun with Christ’s rising, and this event gives us confidence that  God defeated  death, the last enemy
John 20:1-18 . . . the discovery of the empty tomb and Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene

Bishop Barron on the Meaning of Easter

Followed by a further discussion on the Resurrection

“There is a Passover here, too, of course.  It is not the Passover of the ‘destroyer’ that spared the Jews in Egypt and generated their Exodus to the promised land.  This Passover is the passage of Jesus from this life to the fullness of divine life.  It is also, then, the passage of Christians from the life of this world to life lived in the light of the risen Jesus.”

Joan Chittister

Easter

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Aside
Come together in a community characterized by love

Collect: Sixth Sunday in Easter

 O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promise, which exceed all that we can desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Acts 10:44-48 . . . Peter tells Cornelius of God’s work in Jesus Christ, thus opening the doors of the Church to Gentiles.

Psalm 98 . . . A New Song to the Holy One: passions of victory

1 John 5:1-6 . . . The author describes Jesus as God’s love for us, and calls us to embrace one another in that love.

John 15:9-17 . . . Jesus tells his disciples that they have been chosen to love one another; in this they will find perfect joy.

Dr. Lauren Winner, Episcopal priest and Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality at Duke Divinity School preaches a sermon called, “A Little Trite, Don’t You Think?”

The Rev. Carla Pratt Keyes, Pastor of Ginter Park Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, preaches a sermon called, “If You’re Going to Live in My Love,” from John 15:9-17.

 

Easter

Fifth Sunday in Easter

Aside
What it means to live in and through Jesus

Collect: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Acts 8:26-40 . . . Philip explains to the Ethiopian eunuch the good news of Jesus

Psalm 22:24-30 . . .  The Cry of the forsaken.  Do you agree that whatever survives the ordeal is neither flippant nor naïve, but strong and sure?

1 John 4:7-21 . . . true faith becomes visible through the obedience of active love

John 15:1-8 . . . like branches connected to a vine, we abide with him and experience great fruitfulness

Sermon for the fifth Sunday of Easter.

Easter

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Aside
God’s constant, shepherd-like care.

Collect: Fourth Sunday of Easter.

 O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice  we may know him who call us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever.

Acts 4:5-12. . . Peter preaches that salvation is to be found in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, crucified, but raised from death by God

Psalm 23 . . . A Song From the Flock of God

1 John 3:16-24 . . . because of God’s love shown in Jesus, we are now God’s children.

John 10:11-18 . . . Jesus explains how he, as our Good Shepherd, lays down his life because he cares for his sheep.

Sermon Preached at Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California on the Fourth Sunday in Easter : “Jesus Christ the True Shepherd” by Pastor Todd Peperkorn

 

Easter

Third Sunday in Easter

Aside
 Jesus is risen and present with us

Collect: Third Sunday of Easter

 O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

.Acts 3:12-19  . . . Peter preaches about the power of God in Jesus and calls his listeners to respond with repentance and conversion

Psalm 4 . . . The Answering Voice

1 John 3:1-7 . . . Jesus intercedes for us, removing our sin and calling us to the obedience of love.

Luke 24: 36b-48  . . . Jesus invites the disciples to touch his risen body and to understand the meaning of the scriptures.

Will Willimon preaches a sermon called, “Presence Matters,” from Luke 24:36b-48, in which the risen Lord comes to stand among his disciples. “It’s not enough to be risen,” Willimon argues: “Jesus has to be present among us.”

Easter

Second Sunday in Easter

Aside
Jesus’ victory over death and his gift of faith to his followers

Collect: Second Sunday of Easter[i]

 Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation:  Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Acts 4:32-35 . . . the generosity and compassion of the disciples testify to their unity and faith

Psalm 133. . .  The Treasure of Unity

1 John 1:1–2:2. . . l  we are victors when we believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

John 20:19-31 . . . Thomas’s doubts are transformed as he worships the risen Lord.

“You Missed It”  Father Michael Renninger, Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia, tells the story of Doubting Thomas from John 20:19-31, and makes the observation that, if you’re not in the room, you could miss something really important

Easter

Easter Sunday

Aside
The good news of Jesus’ triumph over death with the conviction that what happened to Jesus will also happen to us.

Collect: 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.

Acts 10:34-43 . . .  Peter preaches the good news: Jesus, judge of the living and the dead, offers forgiveness.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 . . . the hearts of believers resound with shouts of victory: “The Lord has done a mighty thing!

1 Corinthians 15:1-11. . . Paul reminds us that Christ is now our life, and we have set our hearts on him.

John 20:1-18. . . the tomb is empty, and the risen Jesus reassure Mary Magdalene of his victory.

A sermon on John “Shed it.” in the West Zion Mennonite Church

or

Mark 16:1-8

Sermon on Mark  by The Rev. Michael Livingston, Senior Executive Minister of the Riverside Church in New York City, preaches a sermon called “In Praise of Mark’s Easter Story,” from Mark 16:1-8. Rev. Livingston is a great fan of Mark’s Gospel, and thinks of it not as a poorer telling of the Jesus story, but as a wonderful “primer” for ministry.