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March 23, 2008 - Easter Sunday
Maundy Thursday
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it,
gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup,
and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness
of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day
when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." When they had sung the hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
-- Matthew 26:20-30
We pray: Eternal God, in the sharing of a meal your Son established a new
covenant for all people. Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit this sign of our
life in faith may speak again to our hearts, feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies,
through your life-giving Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Amen
Good Friday
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about
three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is,
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it,
they said, "This man is calling for Elijah." At once one of them ran and got a sponge,
filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others
said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." Then Jesus cried again
with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was
torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.... Now when
the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake
and what took place, they were terrified and said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"
-- Matthew 27:38-54
We pray: Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your family, for whom our
Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners,
and to suffer death on the cross, Amen
Holy Saturday
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees
gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was
still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' Therefore command the tomb to be made
secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell
the people, 'He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse
than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure
as you can." So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
-- Matthew 27:62-65
We pray: Holy Lord, on this most holy day when our Savior Jesus Christ passed
from death to life, we gather with the church throughout the world in vigil and prayer.
Through light and the word, through water and oil, bread and wine, we proclaim Christ's
triumph over sin and death. Amen
Lessons for Easter Sunday:
- Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24
- Colossians 3:1-4
- Matthew 28:1-10
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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