Collect, Readings and Prayers for Easter Sunday

Collect

Lord of all life and power,

who through the mighty resurrection of your Son

overcame the old order of sin and death

to make all things new in him:

grant that we, being dead to sin

and alive to you in Jesus Christ,

may reign with him in glory;

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be praise and honour, glory and might,

now and in all eternity.
 

Readings

Acts 10:34-43

Gentiles Hear the Good News

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. ³⁷ That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

John 20:1-18

The Resurrection of Jesus

20 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. ² 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.’ ³ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷ and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; ⁹ for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

¹¹ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; ¹² 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. ¹³ 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.’ ¹⁴ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ 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.’ ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

OR

Matthew 28:1-10

The Resurrection of Jesus

28 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ² And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ ⁸ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

Prayers

Christ is Risen, and the power of His resurrection fills the world today with new life, hope and expectation and so, with joy in our hearts, we bring him all our needs.

• Father God, we thank you that for many generations your Church has followed the example of those first disciples and proclaimed the resurrection of your Son. Language race and nationalities may be different but our worship and our joy on the Day of Resurrection make us one in the Gospel We pray that today your Church throughout the world will continue to proclaim with joy, the truth and wonder of your risen Son. We pray that all Christians will work together to help everyone find peace, hope and fresh strength in the good news of Easter. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us in mission and service and day by day may we grow in love for you and for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen

• Jesus, we’ve heard the Easter story so many times that we can sometimes move past it without really engaging with it. Today, we’re asking You to make it new for us again.

Thank You for the empty tomb and what it means for every part of our lives, not just our church life. Thank You for choosing the cross — knowing even the worst parts of us and loving us anyway. Thank You for Your amazing victory over death and sin!

Because You rose, we can believe that our past is forgiven, our present has purpose, and our future is still being written. Help us live like the resurrection is true on Monday and every day of the year, so that the way we speak, love, forgive, hope, and welcome reflects Your example. Amen

• Lord of life
  We pray for all who bring your word of life
  As a light to those in darkness
  For those who bring your word of peace
  To those enslaved by fear
  For those who bring your word of love
  To those in need of comfort
  Lord of love and Lord of peace
  Lord of resurrection life
  Be known
  Through our lives
  and through your power
  Christ the Lord is risen to-day
  Alleluia! Amen

• Lord, often our violence is rooted in our inner conflicts and our unfinished attempts to grow up. Where once we fought in the playground,  now we fight in our marriages and offices and committees. By your Spirit, help us to grow in grace so that we can put things in perspective, step back from the brink of conflict and speak your words of peace.  We call to mind an area of conflict with which we have some involvement or where we could be a peacemaker and we ask for the wisdom and strength of your Spirit, to be an agent of peace in that place.  Amen

• Creator God, we thank you for the delightful sights and sounds of spring, that show us the wonders of your creation. Lord guide us to become better stewards of your world, to care for it and everything that lives on it. Amen

• We pray for Your protection over for the astronauts launched into space, as they travel toward the moon and back. Grant them calm minds, steady hands, and safe passage through the vastness of space. May Your guiding light be with them in every moment, and may they feel Your peace surrounding them. Lord, bless all those striving to expand our understanding of Your creation. Let this mission be not just a scientific milestone, but a reminder of the wonder and unity we share as human beings. Keep these explorers safe and bring them home in joy and health. Amen

• Conscious of the many wars and conflicts around the world, and in particular the war in Iran, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the fragile truce in Gaza and Palestine, we thank you God our Father, for the efforts of the peacemakers around the world working tirelessly to bring reconciliation where there is strife. We pray that all world leaders play their part and strive for truth, justice, reconciliation and peace. We pray for all nations of the world, that people will learn to live together with respect and love for one another. Amen

• Loving God, we thank you for all the people who work so hard to care for those in hospitals, in care homes, the grieving, the lonely and the lost. We pray for all who are suffering, be it in mind, body or soul. May they know the comfort of your presence with them. Amen

• Risen Lord Jesus, as Mary Magdalene met you in the garden on the morning of your resurrection, so may we meet you today and every day: speak to us as you spoke to her; reveal yourself as the living Lord; renew our hope and kindle our joy; and send us to share the good news with others. Amen