Easter

Fully Alive!?

EASTER

FULLY ALIVE!?
2015 IN THE WILDERNESS

The resurrection of the morning.

The mystery of the night.
The hummingbird's wings.
The excitement of thunder.
The rainbow in the waterfall.
Wild mustard, that rough blaze of the fields.
Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings
What does it mean to be fully alive?
What does it mean for Jesus? And what does it mean for us?
Easter is more than a single day. The Church intentionally celebrates Christs resurrection for fifty
days every year. But Easter never really ends . . . because Christs rising changed what it has meant
to be fully alive ever since.
The fullness of life includes the fullness of our range of experiences and emotions not just the
good ones. And so too does Easter.
Fear. Freedom. Darkness. Possibility. Action. Light. Bravery. Confusion. Change. Redemption.
Transformation.
The first Easter experience was hardly one of pure joy. It wasnt then, and it isnt now.
But with Easter comes hope and a reminder not only of Christs divine nature but also the sanctity
of our own. The process of coming to God opens an endless stream of new possibilities. In a
sense, every morning offers a fresh start . . . a daily resurrection. And like the empty tomb, rarely
do those possibilities turn out to be what they first seem.

The Dean, The Canons, The Associate Clergy, The Wardens, Vestry and Staff,
wish all our parishioners, friends, and visitors a blessed and happy Easter.

Page 1

THE ORDER

OF

SERVICE

Please turn off all cellphones and other electronic devices.

All stand.

OPENING HYMN



 

CHRIST



  


 

1.Christ
is
a2.Christ
is
a3.Not throned a 4.In
ev - ery
5.Christ
is
a-

cross
stands
dis - tant
touched, un co - lor,
this
and

streets
comes
dai suf all

Let Chris
No long
re - mote
sult, rift,
His Spi

   
emp years
moved
scorn
ev -

  

live!
live!
bove,
in
live!



  

IS ALIVE!

ty
in
by
or
ery

and
to
ly,
fers
cre

homes
claim
in
still,
a
-

with
the
the
yet
tion

- tians
- er
- ly
and
- rit

 

sing.
bound
high,
war
burns

His
to
un where
through

 

sky.
tine,
pains,
vide,
age,

to
the
Pal - es hu - man
wealth
di fu - ture

   

prais here
midst
loves
lives

ring.
now
life,
more,
learns

es
and
of
the
and

Let
he
but
he
till

 
His
and
our
and
his

13



  

love
in
con - quer
Sa - vior
lives,
though
joy,
his

   
death
ev
with
ev
jus -

shall
ery
the
er
tice,

nev - er
place
and
Fa - ther
cru - ci
love,
and

die.
time.
reigns.
fied.
praise.

THE ACCLAMATION
Presider:
People:

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Truely He is Risen! Alleluia!

Page 2

TE

DEUM

Presider:
People:

We long for you O God,

we confess our deep desire;
for the heavens are arrayed with your unhidden beauty,
and the entire earth surrenders to your touch

Presider:

The powers of everlasting light cry aloud to you;

the holy and ancient places of darkness continually cry your name.

People:

Saints in every generation speak your outrageous glory;

those who have seen and proclaimed you are passionate with praise;
those who have cried for justice are satisfied with you;
those who carried you in their wounds are bodied forth with life.
Your holy and stumbling church throughout all the world
is filled with your desire.

Presider:

Merciful creator, of an infinite tenderness;

wounded redeemer, by whom all flesh is moved;
comforter of fire, who leads us into truth;
God is difficult and beautiful, we offer your our praise.

People:

You are the source of our yearning, O Christ: you are the way of glory.
Bearing our sweet and humble flesh, fruit of a womans womb,
you were made and molded as we are by human particular touch.
Breaking forth from the tomb you opened wide our hearts,
turning the sharpness of death to the terror of new life
and of desire fulfilled.

Presider:

We believe that you will come, our lover and our judge;
increase our longing for justice in your afflicted world,
that we may be counted among your saints in glory,
and know ourselves beloved.

People:

Spirit of discernment integrity and fire:

breathe on our fearfulness, refine our truthfulness,
and sing through our speechlessness;
that we may daily refuse what is evil, and be taken up with praise.

GATHERING PRAYER
Please see the insert for the Gathering Prayer, Reading, Psalm, and Gospel.

READING
PSALM
GOSPEL
REFLECTION
After the Reflection, there is silence.

Page 3

Via Sacra
V

The Peoples Prayers

During this extended time of prayer you are invited to leave your seat and journey to the various
prayer stations that are set around the Cathedral. Light a candle as a way of offering prayer for
specific cares and concerns for personal prayers, for the needs of the Church, or the world, for
those who are suffering from illness, addiction, or any kind of need, or for those who have died.
To conclude the prayers, the Presider says
Let us pray.
People:

I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance;
to live so that which came to me as seed goes to the next as blossom
and that which came to me as blossom goes on as fruit. Amen.

THE CONFESSION
Presider:

AND

FORGIVENESS

Let us admit our failings to God.

Silence.
Presider:
People:

We serve a risen Saviour yet live as if in chains.

Forgive us, O God, that we are so hesitant to live in the light of the resurrection.
Forgive us that we fail to show through word and action the truth that you love and
embrace as we are, through the glorious mystery of the Cross. Forgive us that
there is still fear in our lives that prevents us from achieving our full potential. Draw
us close. Open our eyes to the glory of the risen Christ, our hearts to the wonder
of the Cross and our hands to the service of your will, that your name might be
glorified through our lives. Amen.

Presider:

God sent his Son to redeem the world and not to condemn it. Through Christ your
faults are forever forgiven that you may fully live.
Thanks be to God!

Presider:

THE PEACE
Presider:
People:

May the Peace of our Risen Christ dwell deeply within you.
And also in you.

Presider:

Let us share this Peace with one another.

Page 4

OFFERTORY MUSIC

Desert Rose

by Sting

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in pain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand
I dream of fire
Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire
And in the flames
Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire
This desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this
And as she turns
This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams
This fire burns
I realise that nothing's as it seems
I
I
I
I

dream of rain
dream of gardens in the desert sand
wake in pain
dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of rain
I lift my gaze to empty skies above
I close my eyes, this rare perfume
Is the sweet intoxication of her love
I
I
I
I

dream of rain
dream of gardens in the desert sand
wake in pain
dream of love as time runs through my hand

Sweet desert rose

Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this
Sweet desert rose
This memory of Eden haunts us all
This desert flower, this rare perfume
Is the sweet intoxication of the fall
Oh night, oh night
Page 5

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

All stand.
Presider:
People:

We are gathered here in the presence of Christ! Alleluia.

For he is risen, and lives, and invites us to this Feast!

Presider:

Let us eat of the Bread of Life!

For he is risen, and nothing separates us from Gods love!

Presider:

So let us drink from the Cup of Gladness!

For he is risen-as he said! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Presider:

Praise to you, God of glory!

You created the universe and all living things.
You breathed life into our dust and gave us a paradise.
You sought us when we hid ourselves, ashamed of our sin.
You made a people for yourself, and saved them from oppression.
In the fullness of time, your love came also to us in your servant Jesus.
He ministered to us, offering his healing touch and welcome to all until,
confronted by his truth and goodness, we crucified him on a cross of shame.
But in him you changed death forever, giving us a life that is forever new.
This is the life he shares with us: a life of justice, mercy,
and citizenship in your realm of peace.
All your creatures testify to your life-giving deeds and declare your everlasting love,
offering unending hymns of praise:

SANCTUS



Ho - ly

ho - ly

  

ho - ly

Lord,



earth.



All



Ho - san - na


God

 

cre - a - tion is

full




in

the

of heaven and

   

of your glo

ry

high - est!

Page 6

Presider:

With grateful hearts, O God, we remember that you gave us Jesus. We remember how
he was laid in a borrowed grave, how the women came, early in the morning, on the
third day, and how they did not find him among the dead. We remember that his
disciples met him on the road, and how, as he opened their eyes, their hearts burned
within them. They said to him, Stay with us, for it is evening.
So he went in with them. And while they were at table, he took bread, gave thanks,
and broke it for them to share. Then their eyes were opened, and they knew him in
the breaking of the bread, and they remembered when he had said, Take, eat: This
is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
So too, we remember with them, Jesus took a 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 sin.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.
Come, Holy Spirit, bless this bread that earth has given and human hands have made
and this fruit of the vine, created for our gladness. Make them the food and drink of
everlasting life your Sons body surrendered and blood poured into the world.
As we rejoice in the resurrection, enliven your Holy Spirit within us. Give us love for
each other, and make us servants of your peace until your new realm is fully revealed.

People:
Silence.
Presider:
All say:

We ask and pray in the name of Jesus, fully alive and with us at this table, showing
forth your glory now and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
And now we pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be
done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as
we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us
from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.
Amen.

THE BREAKING

OF THE

BREAD

The Presider breaks the bread and then says:

Presider:
People:

INVITATION
Presider:

Christ our life is risen for us. Alleluia!

So let us celebrate and feast. Alleluia!
TO

COMMUNION

Behold who you are, become what you receive.

The Presider and People receive communion.

All are welcome to come forward. You may receive the Bread and Wine, or just the Bread if that is
your custom. Gluten-free bread is available by alerting the priest. If you wish to receive a blessing
instead of Holy Communion, please signify by crossing your hands over your chest.

Page 7

COMMUNION HYMN

THE KING

OF

LOVE

MY SHEPHERD IS

During Communion all sing the following hymn.


 


good fail The King

Where streams of li - ving wa - ter flow,
my ran - somed soul he
Per verse and fool - ish oft I strayed, but yet in love he
In death's dark vale I
fear no
ill,
with thee, dear Lord be Thou spreads't a ta - ble
in my sight,
thy unc - tion grace be And so through all the length of days,
thy good - ness fail - eth





              




 ver,


of love my she pherd is, whose
ness
eth
-

no - thing
where the
on
his
rod and
O what
Shep - herd

if
lack
ver - dant
should - er
staff my
trans - port
I
may


I
past gen com of
sing

  

am
ures
tly
fort
de thy

his,
grow,
laid,
still,
light,
praise,




and

he
with food
and home,
thy cross
from thy
with - in

is mine
ce - les re - joi be - fore
pure cha thy house


for
tial
cing
to
lice
for -

ne
lead sought
side
stow ne

  
ver.

e
feed
brought
guide
flow
e
-

I
And
and
thy
and
Good

eth,
me,
me,
eth,
ver,

eth.
me.
me.
eth.
ver.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

All stand.
Presider:

Let us pray.

All say:

We thank you,
O God, for giving us life in Jesus the Christ,
for gladness in this bread and cup,
for love that cannot die,
for peace the world cannot give,
for joy in the company of friends,
for the splendors of creation,
and for the mission of justice you have made our own.
Continually enliven in us the gifts of this holy communion:
oneness of heart,
love for neighbors,
forgiveness of enemies,
and the will to serve you every day,
that we may reflect the glory of Christs risen life that never ends.
In His name we pray.
Amen.

Page 8

THE BLESSING
Presider:
People:

God be with you.

And also with you.

Presider:

May the living God

who raised Jesus from the dead
raise up new life in you,
and the blessing of God who is Eternal Majesty,
Incarnate Word, and Abiding Spirit,
be upon the fullness of your life now and forevermore.
Amen.

People:

THE DISMISSAL
Presider:
People:

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Truly He is Risen! Alleluia!

Page 9

CLOSING HYMN

NOW LET



  




all with one ac - cord

Lord our sin - ful race
pray you Lord for - give




in
has
so

             

com - pa - ny
with a - ges past keep vi - gil with our heav -en- ly Lord
not re turned but
fal - si - ed
turn your face and heal our pride
when our wan - derings here shall cease we may with you for - ev - er live



             


 

In his temp - ta - tion and his fast

Re mem - ber Lord though frail we be
in love and u - ni - ty
and peace.

      
  
 
Now let
us
Your love oh
There fore we

US WITH ONE ACCORD




The
Cre

              

cov - e nant so long re vealed to those of

in your im - age were we made
grant us
a - tor of the earth and skies to whom the



  
Christ

faith in for - mer time.

truth to make us wise.
words of life be - long.

       
 
by

his own

ex - am




ple

sealed

the



              

    

Christ

by his own ex - am

11

14

lord of love in love sub - lime he is.



                     
- ple

sealed

the lord of love in love sub - lime he is.

Page 10

Special thanks this season to

Permissions:
This liturgy was created by The Reverend Canon Jadon D. Hartsuff for the Wilderness,
in collaboration with Kate Eaton and Mishkhah, April 2015.
All hymns are from The Hymnal 1982, arranged by Kate Eaton, all rights reserved.
This version of the Te Deum is by Janet Morley and may be found in her collection All Desires Known, 3rd Edition, 2006.
The prayer that concludes the Via Sacra comes from Dawna Markova's poem "Fully Alive."
Lyrics and music for "Desert Rose," the music at the Offertory, are by Sting, from his 1999 album Brand New Day.
The Eucharistic Prayer and Prayer After Communion were adapted by Jadon Hartsuff from "A Liturgy for Easter Day" posted to J. Mary
Lutis's blog Sicut Locutus Est and accessed March 30, 2015:
http://sicutlocutusest.com/2013/03/29/a-liturgy-for-easter-day-with-holy-communion/

1350 Washington Street

Denver, CO 80203
( 303-831-7115
www.sjcathedral.org/wilderness