This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.
The people’s responses are given in bold.
ENTRANCE PROCESSION
The people are invited to stand as they are able as the sacred ministers enter the church from the south-east door.
THE GREETING
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia!
May Christ’s grace and peace be with you.
May he fill our hearts with joy!
THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God,
unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
Glory be to God on high,
and in earth peace, good will towards all.
We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee,
we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,
O Lord God, heavenly king, God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord;
thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
The collect is the prayer appointed for the day that reflects the theme of the day or season, and which celebrates the attributes of God revealed in the readings of the day.
Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son, you have overcome the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him. May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The people may be seated.
THE FIRST READING Acts 10. 34–43 Stephen White
Peter’s sermon, delivered at the home of Cornelius, a Roman army officer, is a summary of the essential message of Christianity: Everyone who believes in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the words of the prophets, “receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘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 Psalm 118. 1–2, 14–24 Confitemini Domino
The Psalms form the ancient songbook of God’s people.
The people are invited to join in saying the psalm responsively by the full verse as indicated.
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 marvellous in our eyes.
24 On this day the Lord has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it.
THE SECOND READING Colossians 3. 1–4 Stephen White
Easter means new life for us as it first meant new life for Christ. His resurrection reshapes the entire focus and motivation for our lives since we are now hidden with the risen Christ in God.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL John 20. 1–18
This morning begins with confusion: the stone has been moved and the tomb is empty. Disciples arrive, then angels, and finally Jesus himself. Out of the confusion, hope emerges, and a weeping woman become the first to confess her faith to the risen Lord.
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
Glory to thee, O Lord.
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 Christ.
Praise be to thee, O Christ.
THE SERMON The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson
The sermon follows the readings and reflects on one or more the readings, relating them to our Christian discipleship and daily life.
The people are seated.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed
Let us confess the faith as we say,
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds,
God, of God; Light, of Light; very God, of very God;
begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father;
through whom all things were made:
who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man,
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again
according to the scriptures, and ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead:
whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
who spake by the prophets.
And I believe one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The people may be seated for the prayers.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Stephen White
We pray for the Church throughout the world; the flourishing of creation; the nation, our King and all in authority under him; the needs of the world, the concerns of our community of faith, especially those who have requested our prayers; and for the departed.
Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
A brief silence.
Risen Saviour, you have conquered death and opened the gates of everlasting life.
We especially pray for the worldwide Anglican Communion, and particularly today for The Anglican Church of Mexico (La Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico). In our Diocese of Niagara, we pray for Church of the Incarnation, Oakville, The Reverend Canon Sue-Ann Ward, Rector; The Reverend Craig Luccock, Honorary Assistant; and the people of that parish. We pray for Susan and Colin our bishops; David, Sarah, and Patrick our priests, Adedayo Olomodosi our student minister, and for our other parish leaders and all the people. Dispel our doubts and fears and renew our faith and hope in you. Merciful God,
hear our prayer.
Life-giving God, the created world rejoices in Christ’s victory over death. May all the earth be renewed by the light of Jesus’ resurrection, and may we be faithful stewards of all you have made. Merciful God,
hear our prayer.
Sovereign God, let the nations acknowledge your reign of justice and truth. Where violence, oppression, and corruption hold sway, pour out your holy and life-giving Spirit to transform and redeem. We pray for Charles our king and all in authority under him; for Mark, the Prime Minister of Canada; Doug, the Premier of Ontario; Gary, the Chair of Halton Regional Council; and Rob, the Mayor of Oakville. We pray for peace among nations and peoples, especially for an end to war with the United States, Israel and Iran, and throughout the Middle East; between Ukraine and Russia; Afghanistan and Pakistan; and in Myanmar and Sudan. Merciful God,
hear our prayer.
Gentle Shepherd, like the women at the empty tomb, many grieve or feel lost and afraid. Draw near to those who are ill or in pain especially those who have requested our prayers: Bruce, Kevin, Marlene, Moira, Brooke, Kathryn, Peter, Jas, Isabel, Eileen, Madison, Pam, Andreas, Mary, Cheryl, Scott M, Cam, Freda, Connie, Tom, Melissa, Carter, Sylvia and Barence. Reveal yourself to them as the Risen One. Merciful God,
hear our prayer.
Faithful God, we thank you for the living hope you give us through Christ’s resurrection. Bless this community, that we may boldly proclaim Christ’s victory over death in word and deed. Merciful God,
hear our prayer.
Eternal One, we give thanks for all who have died and now share in the joy of your resurrection. Bring us, with them, to the unending feast of your victory. Today we remember Francis Eugene Smith & Beverley June Smith, Gus Josephs, Paul Davidson, Ruth and Ross Ryrie, Shirley and Bob Davidson, Jeremy Michael Burbidge, Morfydd and John Gibson, Marcel, Nicolae, Maria and Michael Caine in whose memory flowers and Easter decorations have been given. Bring us together with them, St. Jude, and all the saints to feast with you in the fullness of your new creation. Merciful God,
hear our prayer.
God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Saviour. Amen.
THE PEACE
As forgiven and reconcile people we exchange words of peace with one another.
On the day of resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples, saying, “Peace be with you.”
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with thy spirit.
The people are invited to share words of peace with one another.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
God our strength and salvation, receive all we offer you this day, and grant that we who have confessed your name, and received new life in baptism, may live in the joy of the resurrection, through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
It is meet and right so to do.
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, creator and preserver of all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord, but chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee and saying:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts,
heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessing and glory and thanksgiving be unto thee, almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of that his precious death, until his coming again.
Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all, of this; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Wherefore, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thy humble servants, with all thy holy Church, remembering the precious death of thy beloved Son, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again in glory, do make before thee, in this sacrament of the holy bread of eternal life and the cup of everlasting salvation, the memorial which he hath commanded:
We praise thee, we bless thee, we thank thee,
and we pray to thee, Lord our God.
And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion; And we pray that by the power of thy Holy Spirit, all we who are partakers of this holy communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in God’s new creation and gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
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, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
FRACTION ANTHEM Agnus Dei
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: grant us thy peace.
THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
All people who seek to follow Jesus are welcome to receive the Holy Communion. The Holy Communion is distributed at the altar rail. You are welcome to kneel or stand to receive. You may receive Holy Communion in either, or both the bread and the wine. Gluten free bread is available; if you prefer gluten free, please ask the priest distributing the bread. Receive the bread in your open and outstretched hands, responding, Amen. The wine is offered from a common cup. To receive please assist by helping guide the cup to your lips. If you prefer not to receive the cup, cross your arms across your chest. If you prefer to receive a blessing rather than the bread and wine of communion, again, cross your arms over your chest as the priest comes to distribute the bread and the priest will bless you.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
The people may stand.
God of life, bring us to the glory of the resurrection promised in this Easter sacrament. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has given us new life and hope.
He has raised Jesus from the dead.
God has claimed us as his own.
He has brought us out of darkness.
He has made us light to the world.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
BLESSING
May God open to you the gates of everlasting life, give you joy in the Easter faith, and fill you with the life of risen Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If it is needful that any announcements concerning the life and work of the church be made, they are given at this time.
DISMISSAL
The assisting minister dismisses the people to go forth to share in God’s mission in the world.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
As you are able, please remain standing as the sacred ministers make their way from the church.
TODAY’S MINISTERS. Presiding Celebrant and Preacher: The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson, Rector; Assisting Ministers: The Reverend Sarah Grondin, Priest Associate; and Adedayo Olomodosi, Student Minister. Reader & Greeter: Stephen White. Altar Guild: Sonja Buckland, Joan Price, Ann McCulloch.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This liturgy is in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer (Canada, 1962), and is adapted from the Book of Alternative Services, The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada (1984), and from other sources as follows. ‘The Collect of the Day’ is from Alternative Collects, The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada (2019). ‘The Prayers of the People’ are adapted from Sundays and Seasons, Augsburg Fortress, © 2026, used by permission. This liturgy is used at St. Jude’s Church by authority of the Bishop of Niagara.
ALTAR FLOWERS
The flowers on the reredos are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of Francis Eugene Smith & Beverley June Smith, from the family.
The flowers on the right stand are to the glory of God and in loving memory of Gus Josephs, given by his wife, Stelma, and family.
The flowers on the left stand are to the glory of God and in loving memory of my dear husband, Paul Davidson, Ruth & Ross Ryrie and Shirley & Bob Davidson, given by the family.
Easter flowers and plants have been given to the glory of God, in loving memory of: Jeremy Michael Burbidge, Morfydd and John Gibson, by Myfanwy Burbidge; Marcel, Nicolae and Maria, by Suzana Grozavescu; Michael Caine, by Barbara Caine.
St. Jude’s Church
www.stjudeschurch.net
office@stjudeschurch.net
905-844-3972
Clergy and Staff
The Right Reverend Dr. Susan J.A. Bell, Bishop of Niagara
The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson, Rector anderson@stjudeschurch.net
The Reverend Sarah Grondin, Assistant Curate grondin@stjudeschurch.net
The Reverend Canon Dr. Patrick Patterson, Priest Assistant pat.macrae.pat@gmail.com
Adedayo Olomodosi, Student Minister
Sebastian Moreno, Director of Music choir@stjudeschurch.net
Dr. Andrei Streliaev, Associate Organist
Corinne DeJong, Choral Lead and Youth Chorus Director choir@stjudeschurch.net
Grace D’Mello, Choral Scholar
Carmen Almeida, Coordinator of Youth and Children’s Ministry carmen@stjudeschurch.net
Amanda Judd, Operations Manager manager@stjudeschurch.net
Bharatie Malik, Parish Secretary office@stjudeschurch.net
Churchwardens
Kevin Coleman, People’s Warden peopleswarden@stjudeschurch.net
Nancy Coombs, Rector’s Warden rectorswarden@stjudeschurch.net
Dave Haslett, Deputy People’s Warden
Nick Choules-Burbidge, Treasurer nwrburbidge@gmail.com
All are invited to make a gift to support
St. Jude’s ministry of sharing God’s love.
As the plate is passed or by scanning the QR code at the left or
online at stjudeschurch.net/give.
Thank you for your generosity.
We’d love to stay connected with you.
St Jude's Book Club Meeting: Tuesday, April 7 @ 12 PM
We will be discussing ‘The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County’ by Claire Swinarski:
~ In Ellerie County, comfort comes in casseroles—and courage comes in community. A heartfelt story of friendship, faith, and the women who show up when it matters most~
Coffee and tea will be served. Feel free to bring a snack!
Jazz Vespers: Sunday, April 12 @ 4 PM
Join us for music with a Jazz Quartet, evening prayers, readings, and a short reflection. A free will offering is received.
The lineup: Kevin Barrett – Guitar Alan Zemaitis - Organ
Chris Banks – Bass Tim Shia – Drums
Parish Lunch: Wednesday, April 15 @ 11:30 AM
Celebrate the joy of the Easter season and the arrival of spring with a relaxed midweek gathering.
For just $8, enjoy lunch, a sweet dessert, and a glass of wine. Coffee and tea will also be available.
Please register online or at the office.
Newcomers’ Lunch: Sunday, April 19 @ 12 PM
New here? We’d love for you to stay and connect!
Join us after the 10:30 AM service on April 19 for a light luncheon, a chance to meet a few friendly faces, and simply feel at home.
Be sure to register using the QR code, and pick up an info pamphlet from one of our greeters (if you haven’t received one already) to learn about our clergy, what Sundays look like, and ways to get involved in our community.
Spring Rummage Sale: Saturday, April 25
As you change over your closets for spring, please remember the Spring Rummage Sale!
We welcome donations of clothing (women’s, men’s, children’s), shoes, accessories, household items, books (no textbooks), puzzles, games, sports equipment, luggage, artwork (no small frames), and small working electric appliances (no furniture, please).
Jewelry may be dropped off at the office anytime. All other items can be brought to Victoria Hall starting Sunday, April 19.
Questions? Please contact Sally or Jenny.