Easter at MtE in 2016

Easter is a time of special celebration in the Christian church. At MtE, we come together for a series of services marking particular aspects of the Easter, from Palm Sunday to Easter day itself.

You are very welcome to join us at any – or all! – of these services. The service dates and times for 2016 are:

  • Palm Sunday: 20 March, 10.00am
  • Maundy Thursday, including the Eucharist and the foot-washing ritual 24 March 7:30pm
  • Good Friday: 25 March 10.00am
  • Easter Vigil: 26 March from 8.00pm
  • Easter Day, including the Eucharist and a re-affirmation of baptism: 27 March 10.00am

 

The order for the reaffirmation of baptism on Easter Day

Sisters and brothers, in our baptism, we died and were buried with Christ, so that we might rise with him to new life. We were initiated into Christ’s holy church and brought to life through water and the Spirit. God’s mighty acts of salvation for us and for all people are gracious gifts, freely given.

As we reaffirm our baptism, we declare our common allegiance to Christ and seek to be obedient to his will.

And so I ask you now:

Do you turn to Christ?

    I turn to Christ.

Do you repent of your sins?

    I repent of my sins.

Do you renounce evil

and the false values of this world?

    I renounce them.

 

And now I ask you to confess the faith into which you were baptised, and in which you continue to live and grow:

Do you believe in God, who made you and loves you?

    I believe in God, the Father almighty,

    creator of heaven and earth.

 

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, your Saviour and Lord?

    I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

    who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

    born of the Virgin Mary,

    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,

    he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

    and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

 

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, and the continuing work of our salvation?

    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.  Amen.

 

This is the faith of God’s baptised people.

    We are not ashamed to confess it

    in Christ our Lord.

(Water is poured into the font.)

Come Lord Jesus,

refresh the lives of your faithful people.

(The people are sprinkled with water.)

(During the music those who wish to are invited to come to the font and, using the water, make the sign of the cross on yourself, or your neighbour with the words, I/You belong to Christ.)