2nd Sunday of Easter, 27th April 2025

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Opening Hymn 322 [8: 13]

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

℣ In the name of the Father, and of the Son,✠and of the Holy Spirit.

℟  Amen.

℣ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and communion of the Holy Spirit be  with you all.

℟  And with your spirit.

After the greeting, the Priest stands with a vessel containing the water to be blessed before him, he calls upon the people to pray in these words:

Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly beseech the Lord our God to bless this water he has created, which will be sprinkled on us as a memorial of our Baptism. May he help us by his grace to remain faithful to the Spirit we have received.

After a brief pause for silence, he continues:

Lord our God, in your mercy be present to your people’s prayers, and, for us who recall the wondrous work of our creation and the still greater work of our redemption, graciously ✠ bless this water. For you created water to make the fields fruitful and to refresh and cleanse our bodies. You also made water the instrument of your mercy: for through water you freed your people from slavery and quenched their thirst in the desert; through water the Prophets proclaimed the new covenant you were to enter upon with the human race; and last of all, through water, which Christ made holy in the Jordan, you have renewed our corrupted nature in the bath of regeneration. Therefore, may this water be for us a memorial of the Baptism we have received, and grant that we may share in the gladness of our brothers and sisters who at Easter have received their Baptism. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

The Principal Celebrant sprinkles himself and the ministers, then the clergy and people, moving through the church while this song is sung.

Baptised in water, sealed by the Spirit,

cleansed by the blood of Christ our King:

trusting his promise, heirs of salvation,

faithfully now God’s praises we sing.

Baptised in water, sealed by the Spirit,

dead in the tomb with Christ our King:

one with his rising, freed and forgiven,

thankfully now God’s praises we sing.

Baptised in water, sealed by the Spirit,

marked with the sign of Christ our King:

born of one Father, we are his children,

joyfully now God’s praises we sing.

The Principal Celebrant concludes the rite:-

May almighty God cleanse us of our sins,

and through the celebration of this Eucharist

make us worthy to share at the table of his Kingdom.

R. Amen

The Gloria 

Glory to God, glory in the highest. 

Peace to his people, peace on earth.

Glory to God, glory in the highest. 

Peace to his people, peace on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father.

Glory to God, glory in the highest. 

Peace to his people, peace on earth.

We worship you,

Glory in the highest.

Give you thanks,

Glory in the highest.

Praise you for your glory.

Glory to God, glory in the highest. 

Peace to his people, peace on earth.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God, 

you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us;

You are seated at the right hand of the Father: 

receive our prayer,

Receive our prayer.

Glory to God, glory in the highest. 

Peace to his people, peace on earth.

Glory to God, glory in the highest. 

Peace to his people, peace on earth.

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 

glory of God the Father.

Glory to God, glory in the highest. 

Peace to his people, peace on earth.

Amen. Amen.

The Collect

God of everlasting mercy,

who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast

kindle the faith of the people you have made your own,

increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed,

that all may grasp and rightly understand

in what font they have been washed,

by whose spirit they have been reborn,

by whose Blood they have been redeemed.

Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

R. Amen

First Reading (Reference: Acts 5:12-16)

Theme: ‘More than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.’

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the Apostles. And they were all together in the Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, 

multitudes of both men and women, so that they even 

carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns round Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those 

afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

℣ The Word of the Lord. 

℟ Thanks be to God.   

Responsorial Psalm

R  Give praise to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures for ever.

Let the house of Israel say,

‘His mercy endures for ever.’

Let the house of Aaron say,

‘His mercy endures for ever.’

Let those who fear the Lord say,

‘His mercy endures for ever.’ R

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

By the Lord has this been done,

a marvel in our eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice in it and be glad. R

.

We beseech you, O Lord, grant salvation;

we beseech you, O Lord, grant success.

Blest is he who comes

in the name of the Lord.

We bless you from the house of the Lord;

the Lord is God, and has given us light. R

Second Reading (Reference: Revelation 1:9-13.17-19)

Theme: ‘I died, and behold I am alive for evermore.’

A reading from the Book of Revelation.

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, ‘Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches.’

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash round his chest. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.’

℣ The Word of the Lord. 

℟ Thanks be to God. 

Please stand for the Gospel Acclamation.

O sing a new song giving praise to the Lord, 

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Gospel  (Ref: John 20:19-31)

Theme: ‘‘Eight days later, Jesus came.’ 

℣   The Lord be with you

℟  And with your spirit.

℣   A reading ✠ from the holy Gospel according to John

℟ Glory to you, O Lord.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you 

withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord’. But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

V. The Gospel of the Lord.

R Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Please sit for the Address and then stand for the Creed and Prayer of the Faithful

The Creed

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, 

and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,

he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

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.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.  

The Prayer of the Faithful

V.    Father, hear our prayer 

R:    in the power of the Holy Spirit 

Those in Need:

Fr Keith, Brenda Anscombe, Joanne Besgrove, Pete Boyes, Diane Burrell, Valerie Clarke, Elle Deveson, 

Denise Edmunds, Emily Glass, Sue Korth, Pete Mac, Jen and Jez McAteer, Jo Rees-Davies, Terry Roberts, 

Chris Swetman, Julie Swetman, Dorothy Valder, Alex, John, Rita, Timothy

The Recent Departed:

Pope Francis

Janet Alderton

Year’s Mind: 

(27) Brian Tyler (Pr)

(28) John Jackson

(29) Ivy Powell, Ernest Slater

(30) Thomas White, Violet Hoad, Marjory Warde

(31) Fanny Madden, William Harper, Kate Burns, Maxwell Deegbe

(2) Lilian Bundy, Sophie Green

(3) Dorothy Valder, Katherine Alexander

Offertory Hymn  NEH 103 [8:2]

Alleluia, alleluia!
hearts to heaven and voices raise:
sing to God a hymn of gladness,
sing to God a hymn of praise;
he who on the cross a victim
for the world's salvation bled
Jesus Christ, the king of glory,
now is risen from the dead.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!
death at last has met defeat:
see the ancient powers of evil
in confusion and retreat;
once he died, and once was buried:
now he lives for evermore,
Jesus Christ, the world's redeemer,
whom we worship and adore.

Christ is risen, we are risen!
set your hearts on things above:
there in all the Father's glory
lives and reigns our king of love;
hear the word of peace he brings us,
see his wounded hands and side!
now let every wrong be ended,
every sin be crucified.

Alleluia, alleluia!
glory be to God on high:
alleluia to the Saviour
who has gained the victory;
alleluia to the Spirit,
fount of love and sanctity:
alleluia, alleluia
to the Triune Majesty!

℣ Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

℟ May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

The Prayer over the Gifts

℟ Amen

℣ The Lord be with you

℟. And with your spirit.

℣ Lift up your hearts

℟ We lift them up to the Lord

℣ Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

℟ It is right and just.

The Proper Preface

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and God of might:

Heaven and earth, heaven and earth 

are full of your glory, your pow’r and might.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest heav’ns. (Twice)

Blessèd, blessèd is he who comes, 

Blessèd, blessèd is he who comes;

Blessèd is he, Blessèd is he comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna…...

The Eucharistic Prayer

V. The mystery of faith 

When we eat this living bread, 

when we drink this saving cup,

We proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, 

until you come in glory. Hosanna…..

The Eucharistic Prayer

℟ Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

℣ Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,

graciously grant peace in our days,

that, by the help of your mercy,

we may be always free from sin

and safe from all distress,

as we await the blessed hope

and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

℟ For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

℣ Lord Jesus Christ,

who said to your Apostles:

Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,

look not on our sins,

but on the faith of your Church,

and graciously grant her peace and unity

in accordance with your will.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.. 

℟ Amen.

℣ The peace of the Lord be with you always.

℟ And with your spirit. 

℣ Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

The Agnus Dei

Jesus, risen lord, triumphant king:

Jesus, true redeemer of the world:

R.  HEAR OUR PRAYER HAVE MERCY;

HEAR OUR PRAYER HAVE MERCY;

GIVE US YOUR PEACE.

Jesus, Morning Star which never sets;

Jesus, Paschal Lamb and sacrifice: R.

Jesus, bursting from the shattered tomb:

Jesus, mighty Victor over death: R

Jesus, Lord of life and Lord of light:

Jesus, here in form of bread and wine: R

℣. ✠Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.

Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

℟ Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Please be guided to Communion by the Stewards 

Silence will be kept after Communion.

The Post Communion Prayer

Post Communion Hymn 32 [8:1]

Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord,
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation. R

Spread the good news o’er all the earth.
Jesus has died and has risen. R 

We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live forever. R

God has proclaimed the just reward:
Life for all men, alleluia! R

Come, let us praise the living God,
Joyfully sing to our Saviour. R

℣ The Lord be with you

℟ And with your spirit.

℣   And may the blessing of God Almighty, the  Father ✠ and of the Son and of the Holy   Spirit, come down upon you and remain with you for ever.  

℟ Amen

℣ Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord  

℟ Thanks be to God.

The Regina Caeli 

Joy to thee O Queen of Heaven, Alleluia.

He whom thou wast meet to bear, Alleluia.

As he promised hath arisen, Alleluia.

Pour for us to him thy prayer, Alleluia.

℣  Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.

℟  For the Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia..

Let us pray.

O God, 

by the resurrection of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, 

you have brought joy to the whole world: 

grant that, by the help of his mother the Virgin Mary,

we may obtain the joys of everlasting life; 

through Christ our Lord.

℟ Amen.