大象传媒

Please note:
This script cannot exactly reflect the transmission, as it was prepared before the service was broadcast. It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors that were corrected before the radio broadcast.
It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world, and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons, or to reflect current events.听

RADIO 4 OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT:
大象传媒 Radio 4.听 Now it鈥檚 time to go live to Southwell Minster for Easter Sunday Worship. The celebrant is the Dean, the Very Reverend Nicola Sullivan, and the preacher is the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Right Reverend Paul Williams.听 The service begins now with the hymn 鈥楯esus Christ is risen today鈥�.

BRASS/ORGAN: Fanfare

CHOIR/ORGAN/BRASS: Hymn: Jesus Christ is risen to-day

CELEBRANT:
听Alleluia! Christ is risen.
ALL:听He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Welcome to Southwell Minster, parish and cathedral church here in Nottinghamshire, where we rejoice that 鈥楯esus Christ is risen today鈥�.

Easter has been celebrated on this ancient site since the earliest times of the Christian faith in our islands. Tradition tells of St Paulinus baptising new Christians in the seventh century nearby in the river Trent. And the wells of fresh spring water from which this town of 鈥楽outh-well鈥� gets its name, remind us of the power of the risen Christ in every age to give new life and faith and hope.

DEACON:
Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us.
Let us therefore rejoice by putting away all malice and evil
and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart.

[Silence is kept.]
鈥�
DEACON:
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life.
Lord, have mercy.
ALL:听Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins.
Christ, have mercy.
ALL:听Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you feed us with the living bread.
Lord, have mercy.
ALL:听Lord, have mercy.

CELEBRANT:
听May the God of love and power
听forgive you and free you from your sins,
听heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,
听and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.
础尝尝:听础尘别苍.

CHOIR/ORGAN: Gloria (Jackson in G)

鈥�
CELEBRANT:
听Let us pray.

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.
础尝尝:听础尘别苍.

EMMA: First Reading (1 Corinthians 15: 50-58)
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

鈥楧eath has been swallowed up in victory.鈥�
鈥榃here, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?鈥�

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.

This is the word of the Lord.
ALL:听Thanks be to God.

CHOIR/ORGAN: Gospel acclamation
听Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
ALL:听Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
听听
听I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one;
听I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.
ALL:听Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
DEACON:
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

CHOIR/ORGAN: Glory to you, O Lord.

DEACON: Gospel Reading (Luke 24: 1-12)
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had accompanied Jesus came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 鈥榃hy do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.鈥� Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

CHOIR/ORGAN: Praise to you, O Christ.

BRASS/ORGAN: Fanfare

+PAUL: Sermon
If you could witness one moment in history, I wonder, what would it be? How about this moment: when angels told the women, 鈥淲hy do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, he has risen.鈥�

For Christians all over the world this is the most hope-filled moment in history. It will hold special significance for the people of Paris this Easter morning as thousands meet beside the forlorn sight of the great Notre Dame and announce 鈥楥hrist is risen indeed, Alleluia鈥�.

Whether it鈥檚 a magnificent building or someone dear to us 鈥� painful loss can turn to hope in the bright light of Easter morning.

A moment was a medieval unit of time that could vary depending on the length of the solar day, but on average it corresponded to 90 seconds.

It took no more than 90 seconds for the women who came early in the morning to Jesus鈥� tomb, to move from aching grief to irrepressible wonder and joy.

Three days before, all they could do for six agonizing hours was watch from a distance as the ruling authorities dispensed their most humiliating and brutal justice, until the last breath was crushed from Jesus鈥� broken body.

This was not the first act of violent repression outside the walls of a city that was meant to be a city of peace, and it would not be the last. What made their grief so difficult to bear was that in an age of despair Jesus had filled them with what seemed an unshakable hope.
听
Most of us have pivotal moments in our lives when within less than 90 seconds our world suddenly looks very different. On one level nothing鈥檚 changed 鈥� we are still standing where we were before, the world still spinning on its axis at the same rate 鈥� yet on another level everything has changed, and life will never be the same, whether it鈥檚 in a way surpassingly good or unremittingly bad.

It might be the consequence of a decision, or a chance encounter; it may be due to hurtful words that tumbled from our lips without proper care, or gracious words spoken to rebuild a relationship that seemed beyond repair.

It could be receiving an unwelcome medical prognosis or the good news of something longed for. Perhaps most powerfully of all is the moment when a tender declaration of love is expressed from the heart 鈥� as vulnerable as it is beautiful 鈥� or alternatively the moment when a devastating betrayal is uncovered.

Whatever soul-defining moments have punctuated our lives, right now the story of our nation is at a pivotal moment, with an outcome that鈥檚 still unclear. But lasting hope doesn鈥檛 come from political solutions however cleverly designed or well-intended. As the poet Alexander Pope put it 鈥榟ope springs eternal in the hearts of men鈥�, precisely because it is not hope for something so much as it is hope in something.

Jesus taught his disciples not to base their hope on the circumstances of the present moment whatever it may hold. He called his followers to put their hope fully in him, confident that nothing could separate them from his transforming presence and purpose for their lives: no amount of uncertainty, disappointment, shame or despair could stand in the way. Because of the cross and the empty tomb the greatest enemy of hope had been defeated, sin and death had lost its fatal sting.

No wonder Peter ran so fast to the garden where the lifeless body of Jesus had been laid. 鈥淏ending over, he saw strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away. Wondering to himself what had happened.鈥�

Peter is left to marvel and remember what Jesus had taught them 鈥� naturally the resurrection was too unbelievable to register with the disciples until after it happened. Yet now for Peter it is a moment for reflection, decision and faith.

I don鈥檛 know if you recognise the name Mel Blanc? He was the voice behind all the cartoon characters in Loony Tunes. At the end of every movie Porky Pig would come on screen, and would always say the same thing: 鈥楾hat鈥檚 all folks!鈥�

A few years back, Mel Blanc died. Can you guess what his family put on his tombstone? 鈥楾hat鈥檚 all folks!鈥� This really is the most important question that can ever be asked: which is true: 鈥楯esus Christ is risen from the dead鈥� or 鈥楾hat鈥檚 all folks!

Resurrection was the only adequate explanation for what Peter had seen and heard, and before the day is out he will meet the risen Jesus in person.

This is a pivotal moment not only in his life, but for all who will relive this moment through Luke鈥檚 retelling.

Easter is not just a day to marvel, it is also a time to decide. What is being offered to the world at great cost is the truly momentous gift of God鈥檚 forgiveness in the here and now 鈥� and in the future eternal life. This is why traditionally Easter is a season for people to be baptized and confirmed in the faith, as was the case last night in Nottingham and today all over the world.

Having hope in Christ doesn鈥檛 make life easier. But knowing that the risen Jesus is with you and for you can transform the outlook on every moment however chaotic it may seem.

Over a hundred years ago in another season of tension and uncertainty for our nation, an eminent bishop, Handley Moule, put it like this when he wrote: 鈥楾here is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it still today.鈥�

It is hard to live well without hope. The risen Christ gives confidence not only to face the moment of death but also to seize the opportunities in life.

No wonder the apostle Paul concluded, 鈥淭herefore, be steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your life鈥檚 work is not in vain.鈥�

[A Hymn may be sung.]

CHOIR/ORGAN: Hymn: Now the green blade riseth

CELEBRANT:
听Let us declare our faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

听Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
听source of all being and life,
听the one for whom we exist?
ALL: 听We believe and trust in him.

听Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
听who took our human nature,
听died for us and rose again?
ALL: 听We believe and trust in him.

听Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
听who gives life to the people of God
听and makes Christ known in the world?
ALL: 听We believe and trust in him.

听This is the faith of the Church.
ALL:听This is our faith.
听We believe and trust in one God,
听Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
听Amen.

JAMIE/EVE: Intercessions

JAMIE:
In the power of the Holy Spirit let us pray to God our Father, who raised Christ from the dead.

God of resurrection, we rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters across the world in the new life we share in Christ. May we leave all our fears behind in the tomb to begin to live here and now the life of Paradise. Bless Christians who are persecuted and unable to share the good news with their neighbours. May their part in Christ鈥檚 suffering strengthen the whole Church and give us courage to witness to your saving power.

听Lord, in your mercy,
ALL:听give new life.

EVE:
God of resurrection, we bring to you a world shadowed by death and destruction. We pray for the people of France in the devastation of Notre Dame Cathedral, their Mother Church: we remember those who grieve and ache with loss after the killings in Christchurch, for those without homes after the cyclone in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, for the sick and hungry in Yemen, the refugees risking their lives at sea, the war weary in Syria. Your Son went down into the grave to rescue the lost. May our prayers and actions as his followers work to bring relief to all in need.

听Lord, in your mercy,
ALL:听give new life.

EVE:
God of resurrection, we pray for our country in her disunity as she faces an uncertain future, give wisdom to all in authority. Christ who makes all things new on Easter Day, refresh our imaginations and renew our minds to forge a sustainable way of living that brings respect and inclusion to everyone and protects the earth.

听Lord, in your mercy,
ALL:听give new life.

JAMIE:
God of resurrection, comfort and heal those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, especially those worshipping with us from their hospital bed or at home. Give hope to those lost in the miasma of anxiety, the pall of depression. Show them that there can be joy for them beyond the deepest sadness. And may the souls of the departed rest in peace and rise in the Easter you promise to us all.

听Lord, in your mercy,
ALL:听give new life.

EVE:
We do not pray alone, but with Mary Magdalene, Joanna, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, as we say:

听Merciful Father,
ALL:听accept these prayers
听for the sake of your Son,
听our Saviour Jesus Christ.
听Amen.

CELEBRANT:
In a moment we will share the peace which Jesus declared to his disciples on Easter Day. Then the altar is prepared for Communion, where we offer him our lives in bread and wine, and receive them back as his life, his body and blood, in the mystery of the Eucharist.听

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, 鈥楶eace be with you.鈥� Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.

听The peace of the Lord be always with you
ALL:听and also with you.

DEACON:
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

[Audible 鈥楶eace be with you鈥橾

CHOIR/ORGAN/BRASS: Hymn: The Day of Resurrection!

CELEBRANT:
听Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. In your loving 听care you spread before us the table of life and give us the 听cup of salvation to drink. Keep us always in the fold of our 听Saviour and our Shepherd, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
ALL:听Blessed be God for ever.

CELEBRANT/ALL:
听The Lord is here.
ALL:听His Spirit is with us.

听Lift up your hearts.
ALL:听We lift them to the Lord.

听Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
ALL:听It is right to give thanks and praise.

CELEBRANT:
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, almighty and eternal Father, and in these days of Easter to celebrate with joyful hearts the memory of your wonderful works. For by the mystery of his passion Jesus Christ, your risen Son, has conquered the powers of death and hell and restored in men and women the image of your glory.

He has placed them once more in paradise and opened to them the gate of life eternal. And so, in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound with gladness, while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation sing for ever the hymn of your glory:

CHOIR/ORGAN: Sanctus & Benedictus (Jackson in G)

CELEBRANT:
Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke 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.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: 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. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

DEACON/ALL:

听Great is the mystery of faith:
ALL:听Christ has died:
听Christ is risen:
听Christ will come again.

CELEBRANT:
And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord;

by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.
ALL: Amen.
CELEBRANT:
Rejoicing in his glorious resurrection, we pray as Jesus our Saviour taught us:

ALL:听Our Father in heaven,
听hallowed be your name,
听your kingdom come,
听your will be done,
听on earth as in heaven.
听Give us today our daily bread.
听Forgive us our sins
听as we forgive those who sin against us.
听Lead us not into temptation
听but deliver us from evil.
听For the kingdom, the power,
听and the glory are yours
听now and for ever.
听Amen.

CELEBRANT:
听We break this bread
听to share in the body of Christ.
ALL:听Though we are many, we are one body,
听because we all share in one bread.

CHOIR/ORGAN: Agnus Dei (Jackson in G)

CELEBRANT:
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
ALL:听Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

CHOIR/ORGAN: Rise, heart (Vaughan Williams)

CELEBRANT:
Let us pray.
ALL:听God of Life, who for our redemption gave your only-听begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious 听resurrection have delivered us from the power of our 听enemy: grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may 听evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life; through 听Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CELEBRANT:
May God, who in Christ gives us a spring of water welling up to eternal life, perfect in you the image of his glory; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

DEACON:
听He is not here. He is risen.
听Go in the peace of Christ.听 Alleluia, alleluia.
ALL:听Thanks be to God.听 Alleluia, alleluia.

CELEBRANT:
听Alleluia. Christ is risen.
ALL:听He is risen indeed.听 Alleluia.
听Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ALL:听He has given us new life and hope.
听He has raised Jesus from the dead.
听God has claimed us as his own.
ALL:听He has brought us out of darkness.
听He has made us light to the world.
听Alleluia. Christ is risen.
ALL:听He is risen indeed.听 Alleluia.

CHOIR/ORGAN/BRASS: Hymn: Thine be the glory

ORGAN: Voluntary: Symphony No 6 (Final) (Widor)

听