Easter Sunday

Context from : http://www.npm.org/Planning/yearb/easterday.html

A lot of parishes go all out for the Triduum, reaching a dramatic peak at the Vigil. Consequently, a lot of places have little energy left for the Masses on Easter Day. Yet for most parishioners, this is "Easter," and Holy Week consists of Passion Sunday, possibly Good Friday, and Easter Day Mass. We need to plan a rich celebration of all the Masses of Easter, so that all believers may share in the joy of the resurrection.

Acts 10:34a, 37-43. Peter's sermon is a summary of the early preaching of the Gospel and a reminder that our faith depends solely on the witness of those "who ate and drank with [Jesus] after he rose from the dead."

Psalm of the Day: Ps (117) 118

This individual song of thanksgiving becomes for us Jesus' own celebration of the resurrection and our assurance that the "rejected stone" of the crucified Christ has become the "cornerstone" of our faith.

Colossians 3:1-4. Paul's understanding of baptism is that it grants us a share in Christ's death as a promise that we will one day share in the resurrection.

Or:

1 Corinthians 5:6-8. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed! Let us keep the feast. This alternative second reading reminds us that the Eucharist is an Easter sacrament.

Sequence

The "Victimae Paschali" should be sung. During the singing, if your liturgical space permits it, you might want to process the Gospel Book through the congregation and use incense (if you can get away with it).

John 20:1-9. In the Eastern Churches, Mary Magdalene is honored as the "witness to the resurrection and co-equal of the Apostles." To her witness the Fourth Gospel adds the testimony of Peter and the beloved disciple.

Opening: Sing A New Song (CC-372)
Ps: This is the day (SS-277)
Sequence: ???
Gospel Acc: Celtic Allelluia
Offertory: All Creatures Of Our God and King(CC-358)
Lit. Of Eucharist : Mass of Creation
Com 1: The Supper Of The Lord(CC-486)
Com 2: Better Is One Day(SS2-381)
Com 3: We will Sing ( see sheet )
Closing: Jesus, Christ is Risen Today ( CC - 275 )
Thanks Be To God(see sheet)

Easter Vigil

Planning references can be found at the following websites

• http://www.npm.org/Planning/yearb/vigil.html
• http://www.usccb.org/nab/041506.shtml
  

Outline of worship

Commentary I: Introduction

Solemn Beginning/Easter Fire: LCMS Plaza

Procession: Christ Our Light 2x in center aisle

Commentary II: Liturgy of the Word

Presider Prayer

First Reading Genesis 1:1,26-30

Psalm
Ps 104 : Lord, Send Out Your Spirit (CC-296)

Presider Prayer

Second Reading Genesis 22:1-2,9,10-13

Psalm
Ps 16: For You Are My God (CC-425)

Presider Prayer

Third Reading Exodus 14:15--15:1

[The M.C. then moves from the font to the Easter candle near the ambo. He touches the candle and sings alone:

“Christ Our Light” from Paschal Candle

Exultet: Candidates line up at Sanctuary Steps with candles

[RCIA Candidates come forward and stand in front of the steps. The Director and Assistant then take the flame from the Easter candle and spread the light to the Candidates. When all is finished the Exultet begins. Candidates remain until end of Exultet.]

Gloria: Lights, Bells, Altar Cloth
Mass of Creation Gloria

Epistle: Rom 6:3-11

Alleluia
Celtic Alleluia(CC-118)

Homily -- Gospel :Mk 16: 1-7

Commentary III: Baptism/Confirmation

Calling of the Elect

Presider Prayer

Litany of Saints
Litany (SS2-330)

Profession of Faith

Procession to Baptismal Font in Narthex
Ps 42: As the deer longs (CC-415) -- Instrumental

Blessing of Baptismal Water

Rite of Sprinkling (moving back up towards Sanctuary)
Ps 42: As the deer longs (CC-415) -- Sung

Baptisms (shell font near Ambo): Candidates come forward from Narthex
Allelluia from Mass of a Joyful Heart

Clothing with White Garment

Presentation of Lighted Candle

Calling of Candidates for Full Communion

Act of Reception

Calling of All Candidates for Confirmation

Celebration of Confirmation Invitation

Laying on of Hands

Anointing with Chrism

Commentary IV: Liturgy of the Eucharist

Collection

Offertory
All Creatures Of Our God and King(CC-358)

Sanctus( Mass of Creation )

Eucharistic Prayer( Mass of Creation )

Our Father

Sign of Peace

Lamb of God( Mass of Creation )

Communion
Com 1: The Supper of the Lord (CC-486)
Com 2: Better Is One Day (SS2-381)
Com 3: May God Bless You (CC-335)

Announcements and Expression of Gratitude

Prayer After Communion

Solemn Blessing

Recessional Hymn
Jesus, Christ is Risen Today (CC - 275 )
Thanks Be To God (see sheet)

GOOD FRIDAY: CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S PASSION (A, B, C) Lectionary #40

Context from http://www.npm.org/Planning/yearb/goodfri.html

GOOD FRIDAY: CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S PASSION (A, B, C) Lectionary #40

The second ritual of the Triduum. We find ourselves between Eucharists, on a day when "according to the Church's ancient tradition, the sacraments are not celebrated." As with Passion (Palm) Sunday, the focus today is on the proclamation of the Passion, though just as on last Sunday, the popular focus for many people is on a secondary rite; in this case, the veneration of the cross. Planning should recognize that popular focus but still find ways of calling attention to the Passion narrative in the Fourth Gospel.

Isaiah 52:13–53:12. The "fourth song of the servant" repeats the image of the "lamb" from Holy Thursday's first reading, and it adds terrible details of the pain borne by the "man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity." Though all the details don't fit the story of Jesus' own suffering (for instance, he had no direct descendants), this song has helped us interpret Jesus' Passion as a redemptive act. Certainly "by his stripes we were healed."

Psalm of the Day: Ps (30) 31

An individual lament that reveals immense trust in God. As used by the church, it is placed on the lips of Jesus to express his trust in God even on the cross.

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9. Though he was not a member of the priestly tribe of Levi, Jesus is described in the Letter to the Hebrews as "a great high priest" who has broken the mold of priestly identity. As the "source of eternal salvation for all who obey him," he has the right to appropriate any title that helps us to understand what that salvation might mean for us.

John 18:1–19:42. Like Matthew (see Passion Sunday Year A), John presents Jesus as in charge of his own destiny. John goes farther, however, showing Jesus as totally in control of what happens to him, almost manipulating people into the pattern that will lead to his death. Jesus is the equal of all who address him, speaking on even terms with the high priest and the Roman governor. Note the anti-Jewish feeling in John's narrative. This stems from several events that preceded the final form of this Gospel: the expulsion of some Christians from the synagogues, in some places, and their denunciation as heretics; the first persecutions of Christians by Roman officials, which encouraged the Gospel writers to play down Roman involvement in Jesus' death; and particularly a theology of Jesus' death which included a belief that he died for the sins of the people, that is, for his own Jewish community, though many Jews did not accept him or his sacrifice. Misunderstood, such anti-Jewish sentiments were used in the past to justify persecutions, pogroms, and even the Holocaust.

Gathering Song: Silence
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 31: Father, I put my life in your hands. (CC-23)
Gospel Acc: None
General Intercessions: O God Hear Us(CC-200)
Procession with Cross: Behold the wood of the cross(CC-274)
Veneration of the Cross: Behold the Lamb of God (CC-262)
Procession with Blessed Sacrament/Dressing of Altar: ???
Return Procession with Blessed Sacrament: ???
Com1: O Sacred Head (CC-269)
Com2: Now we remain (CC-455)
Com3: Pieta (see sheet)
Recessional: Silence

PASCHAL TRIDUUM

Context from http://www.npm.org/Planning/yearb/paschal.html

Lent ends at sunset on Holy Thursday. The Paschal Triduum runs from the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday evening through evening prayer on Easter Sunday night. In your planning, remember that the Triduum actually ends with Evening Prayer II for Easter Sunday. Is there any way you can incorporate evening prayer into your celebration?

Apart from the specific suggestions for the psalms for Holy Thursday and Good Friday and music for the footwashing on Holy Thursday, given under those titles, for other music for the Triduum consult the Lenten suggestions and the Easter Sunday selections given before and after this section.

HOLY THURSDAY: MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER (A, B, C) Lectionary #39

The first ritual of the Triduum. It begins like a regular Mass, but it includes a dramatic action after the Gospel, and it doesn't exactly end. Instead, it remains open-ended, pointing us toward Good Friday.

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14. This reading, as re-interpreted in the Book of Revelation, has given us the "Lamb of God" image for Jesus. Passover is a memorial feast for "all generations" because it marks the beginning of God's great acts of liberation.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (115) 116

This song of thanksgiving, originally sung by a grateful individual, has become the song of the church as it takes up the cup of salvation in the Eucharist to give thanks to God.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Paul recounts the tradition that he has received concerning the Lord's last supper. The basic pattern has remained the same from the church's earliest days. Paul also points out the eschatological nature of the Eucharist: We proclaim the death of the Lord until his return in glory.

John 13:1-15. John's account of the last supper does not include the institution narrative; he has given us his Eucharistic theology in the "bread of life" sermon in chapter 6. Instead, John tells of Jesus' humility in taking on a servant's role (echoes of the "kenosis" hymn) as an example of the way that those who are bound together by the Eucharist should care for each other.

Prelude Music: ???
Opening: Table of Plenty( CC-475 )
Gloria: Mass of Creation Gloria (CC-185)
Ps: Our Blessing Cup (CC-78)
Gospel Acc: Lenten Gospel Acc. (see sheet)
Foot Washing: As I Have Done for You (CC-265)
General Intercessions: O God, Hear Us (CC-200)
Pres. of the Holy Oils: Out of Darkness (see sheet)
Offertory: Lord You Have Come (CC-458) (english and spanish)
Liturgy of the Eucharist: Mass of Creation
Com1: Taste and See (CC-28)
Com2: Christians, Let Us Love One Another(CC-447)
Procession of Blessed Sacrament: Sing, My Tongue, The Savior's Glory(CC-266)
Stripping of Sanctuary: Perhaps we can have some quiet pre-recorded music prepared for this time...

*** Other thoughts ***
We may need one or two more songs for adoration..

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S - April 9

Procession with Palms

Gospel at the Procession: Mark 11:1-10. Jesus is in charge of his own destiny. He enters Jerusalem the way a king would, riding instead of walking.

Opening Antiphon and Procession

At the Mass

Isaiah 50:4-7. The third Song of the Servant is actually more the song of a disciple who listens and learns and lives by what God says.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (21) 22

An individual lament whose opening line is quoted by Jesus on the cross (see Mark 15:34 in today's passion narrative.) After listing his trials, the psalmist affirms faith in God and promises to praise God “in the midst of the assembly.”

Philippians 2:6-11. This is the “kenosis” (“emptying”) hymn—a Christian hymn that Paul borrowed and inserted here, adding the phrase “death on a cross” to make his point that Jesus was actually a human being (and not a divine being who merely seemed human) who died and was exalted.

Mark 14:1–15:47. Note the rubric: “The Passion begins directly, without the greeting or the acclamation of the people, but concludes in the usual manner.” Mark's account of Jesus' suffering and death interweaves a series of betrayals with a series of surprising acts of fidelity. Through it all, Jesus is presented as knowing what is coming and choosing his fate. The betrayers include Judas Iscariot, Peter (several times), James and John (in the garden), the leaders of the Sanhedrin, and Pilate. Jesus even has doubts about God ( 15:34 ). Those who are faithful include Simon of Bethany, the woman with the perfumed oil, the man with the water jar, Simon the Cyrenian, the centurion, the women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, Salome, and other women—and Joseph of Arimathea. God, of course, as we learn on Easter, is the most faithful of all.

LITURGICAL NOTE: If you intend to read the Passion Narrative in parts, the traditional division is threefold: narrator, Christ, and crowd (all other voices). Some communities expand the number of voices, though it is probably not a good idea to give the congregation the "people's part" of this narrative, because that puts them in an adversarial relationship to Jesus. Instead, they should experience themselves as sharing not only in the sin that led to Jesus' death but also in his act of self-sacrifice to which they will soon join themselves once more in the Eucharist. Therefore, it might be good to proclaim this reading with the traditional three readers (which helps to hold attention), but break it at several points for a sung acclamation by the people: Some appropriate acclamations or responses are included in the list of music below.

Opening: The King of Glory (CC-315)
Opening 2: Hosanna (see sheet) [Not sure if needed...]
Ps: My God, My God (see sheet)

No Gospel Acc.

Offertory: Were You There (CC-271)
Com 1: Now We Remain (CC-455)
Com 2: You Are My King (Amazing Love)
Closing: Jesus, Remember Me(CC-270)

Fifth Sunday of Lent - April 2, 2006

Context taken from http://www.npm.org/Planning/yearb/index.html

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT A Lectionary #34
The Third Scrutiny: Life. There are various forms of life and various forms of resurrection. There is the restoration to life that the people experienced when they were allowed to return from Exile; there is the restoration to life that people experience when they have a religious conversion; and there is the miraculous resurrection that Lazarus received. But the resurrection of Jesus surpasses all these, offering us more than we could possibly imagine.

Ezekiel 37:12-14. God promises to restore the people to their homeland and to give them a rebirth of faith.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (129) 130
Psalm 130 is another traditional "penitential psalm." Like Psalm 51, it is used by the church during seasons and rituals of repentance. It sings of another kind of "resurrection"—the restoration of someone who is suffering, who has experienced God's mercy, forgiveness, and redemption.

Romans 8:8-11. Paul uses “flesh” to mean those who have not come to belief in Christ and “spirit” to mean those who have. For those who believe, the Spirit is at work restoring all of creation and raising it to the new life given us in Christ.

John 11:1-45. The story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus makes some points similar to those made in the previous week's Gospel: You need to see things from God's perspective in order to understand them. Jesus is the source of true life. Though he is “the Christ, the Son of God,” he is also very human, deeply touched by the sorrow of his friends at the death of Lazarus. God is acting through him not only in this miracle but also throughout his ministry (“I know that you always hear me”).

Opening: Let the fire fall (see sheet)
Ps: Ps 130: With God There Is Mercy (CC-90) - (need to make sure this is good)
Offertory: Precious Lord, Take My Hand(CC-343)
Com #1: I am the bread of life (CC-478)
Com #2: Give Me Jesus (CC-349)
Closing: Abba, Father (CC-365)

March 20 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT A Lectionary #31

Context from http://www.npm.org/Planning/yeara/4sl.html

The Second Scrutiny: Light. Enlightenment by Christ through initiation allows us to see things as they really are, with their full meaning.

1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13. The prophet Samuel sees David's spirit and God's election of David, even though on the surface he does not appear to be the obvious choice to be the "Lord's anointed."

Psalm of the Day: Ps (22) 23
Faith allows us to see beyond the dangers of "the dark valley" to the presence of God at our side.

Ephesians 5:8-14. The light of Christ should not simply shine on us; it should shine out from inside us. We should "live as children of light." We should see things as God sees them and act in ways that please the Lord.

John 9:1-41. Jesus sees things in the light of God, so he knows that problems like physical blindness are not the result of sin. But, as the former blind man discovers, once he has been given his sight, there is a kind of blindness that can afflict our spirit, which keeps us from seeing God's hand at work in our world and in ourselves. The former blind man does not suffer from such blindness, but those around him do. The very presence of Christ reveals those who suffer from blindness of spirit and those who "have eyes to see."

Opening: Open the eyes of my heart (see sheet)
Ps: Ps 23: The Lord is my shepherd( sing and read) (SS2-250)
Offertory: O Sacrament Most Holy (CC-518)
Com #1: Eat this Bread(CC-491)
Com #2: Amazing Grace(CC-423)
Closing: Beautiful Savior (CC-520)
CCM Closing: In the light(SS-186)

March 19 - THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Context from : http://www.npm.org/Planning/yeara/3sl.html

The First Scrutiny: Water. Immersion in the font of baptism brings much more than cleansing from sin. The water of baptism slakes our thirst for God and unites us to Christ, making us, like him, "living water."

Exodus 17:3-7. By God's mercy, using Moses as the divine instrument, water gushes from a barren rock at Horeb. The miracle is two-edged, however, because the people doubted that God could provide water in the desert, so it goes down in memory as a kind of edgy blessing. (Tradition held that because Moses hesitated and doubted God at Horeb/Massah/Meribah, he was denied entrance to the Promised Land; he was only allowed to view it from a distance, from the top of Mount Nebo.)

Psalm of the Day: Ps (94) 95
Though this psalm praises God as savior and creator, it also retains the "downside" memory of Horeb. Used by the church as the daily "invitatory" to begin the liturgy of the hours, Psalm 95 encourages us to use "today" to hear God's voice, and not to doubt as the people did "at Meribah/as in the day of Massah in the desert."

If Today You Hear His Voice (Haas) GC 89/PCY1 70/RS 129

Romans 5:1-2, 5-8. God provided water in the desert, but Christ laid down his life for us. “God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” There is no greater love.

John 4:5-42. The story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman is used by John to make several points. The Samaritan (who is also a woman) believes and gives witness to Jesus when even his followers don't understand who he is. He is "living water" which comes alive in believers as the source of eternal life. Jesus' disciples do not need to go to a particular place to worship, because they worship "in Spirit and truth." Finally, the church is on mission in the world, sent to reap the harvest that has been planted without our involvement.

Opening: Gather Your People (CC-474) Vs. 1,2,4
Ps: Ps 95: If Today You Hear God's Voice (CC-59)
Offertory: Breathe on me Holy One (see sheet)
Com1: O Lord, I Am Not Worthy (CC-522)
Com2: Be Not Afraid(CC-424)
Closing: Save Your People (CC-254)
CCM Closing: Kindness (see sheet)

Lent and Easter Schedule

Hello all!

I just wanted to let you know some key dates for our lent and easter season. Please try to talk and pray over some of these dates with your family. Please drop me an e-mail by March 17th in regards to which Holy week services you might be able to play for...

Thank you always for all that you do four our parish community and CCM ... It's awesome to see God working through our music teams. Wise man once say... "YOU ROCK!!!"



Penance service - April 3rd
- 7PM
- This will probably be held at LCMS

Palm Sunday - April 9th
- Regular mass schedule

Chrism mass - Wed. April 12
- 11AM
- WHERE: Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine
- Interested? A crew from MPB/CCM will be carpooling from the parish office

Holy Thursday - April 13
- 7:30PM
- Mass of the Lord's Supper
- LCMS Cafeteria
- Eucharistic Adoration after mass; Until 10PM(LCMS Choir Room)

Good Friday - April 14th
3pm - Veneration of the cross (LCMS Cafe)
7:30PM - Stations of the cross (LCMS Cafe)

Holy Saturday
- 9:30AM - Practice for Easter Vigil
- 8PM - Easter Vigil (LCMS Cafe)

Easter Sunday
-- 6AM - Sunrise service( Don't worry... We'll feed ya!! )
-- 8:30AM - Mass-English
-- 10:00AM - Mass-English
-- 12PM - Mass spanish

Check out Matt Maher's MySpace

Matt Maher, an extremly youthful and gifted Catholic song writer, is going to be releasing a brand new album very soon. We've done a few of his songs before including "I love you Lord", "You know who I am" and "Your Grace is enough." The album talks about themes of baptism. Last I checked, the album will be called "Overflowed..." There's two samples on the site. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.myspace.com/mattmahermusic

How to wrap cable -- 101

Hello there!

I just thought that you might find this educational yet amusing. Paul sent me a link regarding how to correctly wrap cables.. It's a neat little video lesson. Hope you enjoy!

http://stagecraft.theprices.net/gallery/cablewrap/cablewrap-qt.html

While we're on the subject of cool music resources, do you have any favorite links or Christian bands? Drop me some links in the comments of this post! Hope Lent is going well for you! God bless!