Dear Lord: Somewhere the bells ring, rejoicing in your resurrection. Angelic voices soar as never before—the gates of righteousness are open! Death is an illusion, true life is eternal. We celebrate your return from the dead. You have been humiliated, journeyed to the darkest caverns, and returned to earth to tell all that death—no matter how ignominious— isn’t the end of the story. You have shown us that your kingdom is eternal, and you have given us the keys to it.

We thank you, dear Lord, for this wondrous story that lives through the ages and brings us hope.

And we thank you for Berto and Hugh, our priests, and their thoughtful engagement in helping those in our parish and in our larger community —their service to the Food Bank and Resource Center, as well as to our Emmanuel Community, are greatly appreciated. We thank and praise all who have facilitated the technology for communication during this troubling time, particularly Bill Bangs. We are grateful for the leadership of our Bishop, Greg and our presiding Bishop, Michael, and all others who support and hold the vision of healing and wholeness for all sentient beings on this planet.

We thank you, dear Lord, for their wondrous presence and shining example.

We thank Marianne and Carl and Monica and Jeffrey who have brought the beauty of musical prayer to the Internet rituals of Emmanuel Church.

We thank you, dear Lord, for their wondrous presence and shining example.

We thank and praise all those who risk their very lives to care for the afflicted during these troubles.

We thank you, dear Lord, for their wondrous presence and shining example.

We thank and praise all those who are keeping essential businesses alive, and all those who are heeding safety guidelines for the good of all, and all those who are doing their best to reach out in whatever ways are possible, to keep learning and connection with one another in times of isolation.

We thank you, dear Lord, for their wondrous presence and shining example.

And dear Lord, this prayer is endless. Even on this Eastermorn we ask you to assist all those in need—including, the rulers of every country, the unnamed and uncounted victims of this Corona virus, the victims of war and natural disasters and ongoing confusion.

May all take comfort in your loving presence.

We pray for all those in service to others during this challenging time. This includes all who are attempting to clarify and tell us the true facts of what is happening, the journalists and politicians. We pray and thank all who are following the health guidelines put forward by medical advisors, and ask for forbearance and patience as we look forward to future freedom.

May all find comfort in your loving presence.

We pray for the members of our church—those who are ill and those who seek special intentions including: .. and for all those for whom no one prays.

Blessed holy one, you know better than we, where prayers and help are needed. May the grace and glory of your resurrection fill the hearts of all. There’s so much more to pray for—so let’s be silent for a moment and add a few more names of those dearest to us (silence is kept). We pray also for the recently bereaved, and the souls of those departed—those known to us, and those unknown. May they find consolation and strength to carry on to dwell in eternal glory.

May all find comfort in your loving presence.

Presider         Resurrecting God, you conquered death and opened the gates of life everlasting. In the power of the Holy Spirit, raise us with Christ that we, too, may proclaim healing and peace to the nations.

People            Amen.