St.

Stephen’s Episcopal
Church

1 9 0 Ra ughl e y Hi l l Rd.
Ha rri ngton, De l aw are
3 0 2 -39 8 -3 71 0
www.ststephensde.org

O ur Mi s s i on i s to grow a c ongre ga ti on tha t

w el c ome s a l l , to c ome toge the r to c e l e bra te
our be l i e f i n J es us Chri s t through bi bl i c a l
te a c hi ngs a nd pra ye r w hi l e s tri vi n g to a c hi e ve
a s pi r i tual c onnec ti on a nd fe l l ow shi p w i thi n i ts
m e m be r s hi p a nd c ommuni t y w e s er ve .

Holy Eucharist
April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday
 The Lighting of the Paschal Candle
In the darkness, fire is kindled; after which the Celebrant may
address the people in these or similar words

Dear friends in Christ: On this most holy night, in which our

Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church invites
her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in
vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which,
by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share
in his victory over death.

The Celebrant may say the following prayer

Let us pray.

O God, through your Son you have bestowed upon your

people the brightness of your light: Sanctify this new fire, and
grant that in this Paschal feast we may so burn with heavenly
desires, that with pure minds we may attain to the festival of
everlasting light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Paschal Candle is then lighted from the newly kindled fire,
and the Deacon (the Celebrant if there is no deacon) bearing the
Candle, leads the procession to the chancel, pausing three times
and singing or saying

The Light of Christ

People Thanks be to God

Candles on the Altar are now lit

Processional Hymn- S t an d H 207

 Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may
perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us Pray.
The Collect:

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son

to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection
delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die
daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of
his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever. Amen.

The Lessons:

A Reading from Acts 10:34-43: Selena Fry

Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles: "I
truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every
nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is
acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the
people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord
of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in
Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 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. 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; but God
raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 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.
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. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who
believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his
name." The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24: Janet Voss

 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."
14 The LORD is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.
15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:
16 "The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! *
the right hand of the LORD is exalted! the right
hand of the LORD has triumphed!"
17 I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD.
20 "This is the gate of the LORD; *
he who is righteous may enter."
21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD's doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 On this day the LORD has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Epistle- 1 Corinthians 15: 19-26: Selena Fry

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all
people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised
from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For
since death came through a human being, the resurrection of
the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die
in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his
own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who
belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the
kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler
and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has
put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be
destroyed is death The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Gospel Hymn- Stand H 209

The Gospel- John 20:1-18: The Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

People: Glory to you Lord Christ
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 toward the tomb. The two
were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and
reached the tomb first. He bent 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 around and saw Jesus standing
there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her,
“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”
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). 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.’” 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. The Gospel
of the Lord! Praise to you Lord Christ

Sermon The Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
 by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of the People- Form II: Janet Voss

In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer
their own prayers, either silently or aloud.

I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world;

for our Bishop(s) The Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe Presiding Bishop,
and The RT. Rev. Kevin S. Brown our Diocesan Bishop, Bruce
Lomas, our Priest, Vestry Group: Susan, Selena, George, Sonny,
Margaret Kinney and Cathy. The Diocesan Cycle of Prayer— St.
Martha’s Church, Bethany Beach, The Rev. Victoria Pretti, Rector
and the Rev. Deacon Christine Miller-Marcin for this gathering;
and for all ministers and people.
Pray for the Church.

Silence
I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations;
and for the well-being of all people. We prayer for those in the
Military: C hri s t opher Dawson, J ust i n Garey, R ussel l
Knaub, J ai m e Gri m es , Bruc e C arrol l , A m ber Mabre y,
J ared Farm e r, Da rre n Hearn, J ohn Hea rn & Ga rret t
Burri s

Pray for justice and peace.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed,
and those in prison. We pray for the following:

For th e S i ck , an d / or i ssu es:

J ohn M acce y R egi na Mi l l er Karen Hi l l
Lex i M i l es S hi rl e y Bowden P aul a S wi ft
Em m a Fi s her Bri st ol Herd Ti m W al t ers
J ean M os s Karen W ri ght S arah Kenn y
Donal d Fr az i er Barb ara Faj no r J im Fri el
P at Bake r Mi chael C l ul e y Berni e Dupr as
Hunt Hacket t Andrea T a yl or C al vi n Hi l l
J as on Dean El i z abet h R os s Moni ca S wane y
Debbi e M cKi nn e y R occo Herm o genes

F or Good H eal t h i n Ol der Y ears:

M ar yAnn P rui ksm a J i m P rui ksm a

Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper

knowledge of him.
Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Silence

I ask your prayers for the departed [especially

___________________].
Pray for those who have died.

Silence

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been
honored [especially whom we remember today].
Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Silence

The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect

Confession of Sin

The Deacon or Celebrant says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People

Most merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and
by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace

All stand. The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People- And also with you.

Offertory Hymn- Stand H 304

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest,

faces them and sings or says

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.
Celebrant Life up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every-
where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on
other
occasions as appointed.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and

Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever
sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Celebrant and People

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel.

Then the Celebrant continues

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us

for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become
subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus
Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human
nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the
God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross,
and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice
for the whole world.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to

hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the
cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel
containing wine to be consecrated.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our

Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks
to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take,
eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the
remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given
thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you
and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in

this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death,
resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the

Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new
and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully
receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy,
and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints
into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and
with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor
and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior
Christ has taught us,
we are bold to say,

People and Celebrant

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said

[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]

In Lent, Alleluia is omitted, and may be omitted at other times

except during Easter Season. In place of, or in addition to, the
preceding, some other suitable anthem may be used. Facing the
people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

And may add- Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then

immediately deliver it to the people.

The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these
words

The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in

everlasting life. [Amen.]

or with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Eternal God, heavenly Father,

you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements

The Blessing
Recessional Hymn- Stand H 182

Dismissal

Alleluia, Alleluia, let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the

power of the Spirit!

Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia

Announcements:

-Cof f ee H ou r / E gg H u n t f ol l ow i n g th e servi ce tod ay

- I f y o u ord ered a E aster L i l l y you may tak e i t w i th

you .

April 21st- Bill Shaw Memorial & Baptism of a Family

Member at 12:30pm
- Church Doors will be open at 9:30am for
anyone that would like to drop off their covered dishes or
desserts.
-We need Desserts and Covered Dishes.
-The church will supply the paper
products, drinks and Meat.