This Sunday at St. John's
The Celebration
of Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
A Festal Celebration of Holy Eucharist
April 5, 2026
Follow along with today's service
Prelude
Feierlicher Einzug (Solemn Entry)
Richard Strauss
Welcome and Announcements
Vestry Member of the Month
Processional Hymn
Hymn #207
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
The Proclamation of Easter
Presider: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Presider: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Presider: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Hymn of Praise
Melodic Gloria
The choir will sing the refrain first, and then the congregation is invited to sing the refrain subsequent times.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father.
Refrain
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
The Collect of the Day
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
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 for ever. Amen.
The First Reading
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Lector: A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel!
Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant,
and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim: “Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.”
Lector: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
The organ will play the antiphon once, then the choir and the congregation is invited to sing the antiphon subsequent times.
1.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
God’s love endures forevermore.
So let the children of Israel say:
God’s love endures for evermore!
Antiphon
2.
The Lord’s right hand has triumph brought;
the Lord’s right hand has raised me up.
I shall not die but I shall live,
singing of all God’s mighty deeds!
Antiphon
3.
The stone which the builders would not use
Has now become the cornerstone.
Such wonders are the work of the Lord,
and they are marvels in our sight!
Antiphon
The Second Reading
Acts 10:34-43
Lector: A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
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."
Lector: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn
Please stand as you are able to sing the Sequence Hymn and for the reading of the Gospel.
James Chepponis
Festival Alleluia
The choir will sing the Alleluia, and the congregation is invited to sing the subsequent Alleluia
Christ our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed,
let us feast with joy in the Lord.
Alleluia refrain
The Gospel
John 20:1-18
Presider: 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.
Presider: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Rev. Brian Lennstrom
The Renewal of Baptismal Vows
Presider: Through the Paschal mystery, dear friends, we are buried with Christ by
Baptism into his death, and raised with him to newness of life. I call upon you, therefore, now that our Lenten observance is ended, to renew the solemn promises and vows of Holy Baptism, by which we once renounced Satan and all his works, and promised to serve God faithfully in his holy Catholic Church.
Presider: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People: I do.
Presider: Do you believe in God the Father?
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Presider: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Presider: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Presider: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Presider: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Presider: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Presider: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Presider: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Presider: May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
People: Amen.
Prayers of the People
Intercessor: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! At this the heavenly choirs of angels rejoice, the earth exults, and mother church is glad. Therefore I ask you, who praise the loving-kindness of almighty God by joining all of God's people, in prayer for the good of all creation and every nation according to their needs.
We thank you for Mary Magdalene, who, despite every reason to despair, woke early on the Great Day to tend the body of her beloved Jesus. Glorious God, kindle in our hearts that same fierce love so we may receive the fullness of Christ’s paschal victory in our lives at this time. We pray, saying:
Intercessor: Risen Christ,
People: make known your glory.
Almighty and merciful God, we give you thanks for those who have come through the waters of rebirth into the promised land of your eternal kingdom. Guide all your baptized people who struggle to know and to do your will in the kingdoms of this world, that by their lives they may show forth the new life in Christ to all nations.
Intercessor: Risen Christ,
People: make known your glory.
We give you thanks for those who struggle for peace and justice in the world. Guide their efforts, that they may act with prudence and vision to plant the signs of your dominion in the earth.
Intercessor: Risen Christ,
People: make known your glory.
We give you thanks that Mary Magdalene found healing in the encounter with the risen Christ. Give wholeness and peace to all those in need: peace for people in every nation and comfort for those whose lives have been shattered by natural disaster and violence.
Are there others? (Please offer your prayers and the names of those on your prayer card.)
(The intercessor pauses to allow the people to offer their own prayers and petitions)
If you received a green card please speak the name of the person written on it.
Intercessor: Risen Christ,
People: make known your glory.
We give you thanks for the abiding presence of your Son in word and sacrament. As we feast this Easter Day on the true bread from heaven, set our minds on things above, so that we may gain a new perspective on the things that are on earth.
Intercessor: Risen Christ,
People: make known your glory.
We give you thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith, who now rest from their labors awaiting the resurrection to eternal life, and for their families and all whose mortal journey has ended.
Are there others? (Please offer your prayers and the names of those on your prayer card.)
(The intercessor pauses to allow the people to offer their own prayers for the departed.)
If you received a purple card please speak the name of the person written on it.
May we, like them, remain faithful to the end and share in the fruits of the victory of Christ, the paschal lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
Intercessor: Risen Christ,
People: make known your glory.
Presider: Almighty God, you give us the gift of prayer. Shine your light upon those who have no one to pray for them; all who have lost the heart to pray; and any whose faith has ebbed away or never found a home in you. Make our lives a prayer of compassion that raises up the downtrodden, searches for your wisdom, and opens to us the imitation of your Son, our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
(The Rev. Samuel Wells and the Rev. Abigail Kocher)
The Peace
All stand.
Priest: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Please greet one another in Jesus’s name
The Liturgy of the Table
The Offertory
The Presider begins the Offertory by saying:
Jesus said: ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven; whoever eats of this bread, will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ John 6:51
Offertory Anthem
Our Risen Lord, our King of Kings
Sally Ann Morris
Our risen Lord, our King of kings, earth with your Easter triumph rings;
Hear how the whole creation sings, Alleluia.
O holy child, whose saving Name the angels sang when first you came,
let every tongue your love proclaim, Alleluia.
O Son of Man, your life you gave, and chose for us the cross and grave,
we sing with all you came to save, Alleluia.
O Lamb of God, ordained to die, and lifeless in that tomb to lie,
immortal praise be yours on high, Alleluia.
O Prince of life who lives again, risen indeed from death’s domain,
come to our hearts, and rule and reign, Alleluia.
Great Thanksgiving
Eucharist Prayer B
The People remain standing.
Presider: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
The Sanctus
S-125
Please kneel or stand, as you are able.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days, you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory.
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Fraction
The Presider breaks the bread followed by a period of silence.
Fraction Anthem
The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread. Silence is observed.
The Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome to God's Table to receive the Bread and Wine made Holy.
Communion Anthem
Christ our Passover
Paul Halley
Alleluia. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Post-Communion Prayer
Presider: Let us pray.
Almighty and ever-living God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
The Easter Blessing
Presider: May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. Amen.
May God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever. Amen.
May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Post-Communion Hymn
Dismissal
Presider: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. The grace we receive today is not ours alone. Let us go forth in the knowledge that God shall surely call us to be the answer to another’s prayer.
People: We will, with God’s help! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Postlude
Fanfare and Processional
Lynn Trapp
Today's Ministers
Want to know who’s leading different parts of the service? Here’s who’s serving today.
Altar Guild
Flowers
Ushers
Sound
1st Reader
2nd Reader
Intercessor
Torch Bearer
Banner Bearer
Altar Server
Chalice Bearers
Choir
Instruments
Music Minister
Homilist
Presider
Jane Martin, Marilyn Robinson
Debbie Baxter, Jane Martin, Janina Sierakowska, Christine Kurczewska, Dana Pitts
Joe Kattenhorn, Tony Martin, Bruce Pitts
Rick Long, Evan Ortega
Donna Murphy
Paula Copley
Becky Lennstrom
Lucas Carignan
Rick Long
Chris Berger, Dianne Dunn
Mary Lou Sales, Karen Rongren
St. John’s Choir
St. John’s Brass Ensemble
Michael Monnikendam
Fr. Brian Lennstrom
Fr. Michael Ryan
Birthdays
Darrell Nelson 04/06
Phoebe Chen 04/10
Fr. Brian Lennstrom 04/10
Pierre Lauzon 04/11
Anniversaries
Doug and Joni Pascoe 04/11
Music and Easter Flower Dedications are given to the Glory of God
Music Dedications
Patrick & Barbara Davis
Joe & Susan Kattenhorn
Janinne Fredlund
Donna Murphy
Diane & Russ Perman
Lupe Reyes & Connie Smith
Maureen Schroder
Janina Sierakowska & Christine Kurczewska
Tim & Erica Blue
Bruce& Dana Pitts
Marilyn Robinson
Paula Copley
Joyce Kulina
Amy Morrison
The Rev. James McEachran
Mark & Susan Wilterding
Jim & Emily Besaw
John Bedard & Joan Kenney
In loving memory of my parents Leon & Lois Stevenson
In loving memory of Greg and Kevin Gill and my sister Gloria
In loving memory of Richard Fredlund, William & Francis Moore and in thanksgiving for Jackie, Andrea, Will & Chris
In loving memory of our moms, Margie & Marilyn
In loving memory of my parents, John & Elsie Murphy
In thanksgiving for Mallory Robinson for her birthday
In loving memory of Russ’s mom June & my mom, Marge
In loving memory of our deceased parents
In thanksgiving for God’s many blessings
In loving memory of Azalea Sherer, my mom
In thanksgiving for Easter
Debbie Graham
Marlene Gill
Janinne Fredlund
Dana & Bruce Pitts
Donna Murphy
Marilyn Robinson
Diane & Russ Perman
Lupe Reyes & Connie Smith
Barb & Pat Davis
Paula Copley
Jim and Emily Besaw
The Easter Flowers in the Chapel and Narthex are given in loving memory of Janusz Sierakowski, Janina’s late husband; Florian Kurczewski, the late father of Janina and Christine. Both of them passed away in the month of April, during the Easter season - two years apart and they are very much missed. Janina and Christine have made the Easter baskets in tribute to them as it is a very traditional custom in their home country of Poland. We have continued this tradition throughout the years and wanted to share it with everyone at St. John’s. The Easter Basket is highly decorated and always contains colored eggs, the symbol of new life. It is blessed by the priest on Easter Saturday and is the centerpiece of the traditional Easter breakfast on Sunday.
Janina Sierakowska and Christine Kurczewska
Today at St. John's
You Are Invited - Easter Sunday Brunch
Join us for Easter brunch after the joyful celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord! Everyone is welcome; bring a friend! Many thanks to Grace Vogelzang and Mary Lou Sales for planning and organizing this special meal!
This Week & Beyond
Food Pantry (Urgent Needs)
Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, stew, soup), peanut butter, and pet food needed.
(We currently have enough ramen and mac & cheese.)
Coffee Hour Hosts
Volunteers needed for August–December.
Host as an individual or team—just organize simple treats.
Contact Michael Monnikendam to sign up.
Arts Ministry: “Trees” Exhibit
Now on display in the narthex.
Photos and watercolors by Doug Pascoe and Carolyn McConnell.
Select works available for purchase benefiting St. John’s.
Women’s Fellowship Update
April lunch rescheduled to fall.
Spring Tea: June 6 (featuring storyteller Debbie Demitri).
Book Group
Next meeting: May 3 after the service (Marsh Hall).
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.
All are welcome.