In the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer appointed the Pascha Nostrum to replace the Venite on Easter Day and throughout the Octave. This beautiful hymn is a declaration of our participation in the Paschal Mystery: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, and we, joined with Him in Holy Baptism, are called to keep the Feast. The verses of the Pascha Nostrum speak of what Christ has accomplished once for all, and of the new life into which the faithful are continually drawn—dead to sin, alive unto God, and sustained by the Real Presence of Our Lord.
CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7.
CHRIST being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 9.
CHRIST is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Listen to the Pascha Nostrum chanted by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles.
Holy Week Collects, Epistles and Gospels appointed for each day may be found below. Online versions of the readings are available courtesy of Episcopalnet.
▪️March 29, Palm Sunday
Collect (This Collect is to be said everyday, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.) Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect ALMIGHTY God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified; Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect O LORD God, whose blessed Son, our Saviour, gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame; Grant us grace to take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect Assist us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation; that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given unto us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect ALMIGHTY Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Collects ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Collect GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is full of photos and inspiration from APCK churches around the Province. Read the Shepherd’s Staff newsletter here.
In This Issue
Preparations Continue for the Upcoming Diocesan Synod
The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is full of photos and inspiration from APCK churches around the Province. Read the Shepherd’s Staff newsletter here.
In This Issue
Christmas photos from around the diocese
Registration information for seminary classes (open to all)
The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is full of photos and inspiration from APCK churches around the Province. Read the Shepherd’s Staff newsletter here.
Included in this issue:
Confirmations around the Province
Registration opens for Spring Seminary classes for All
St. Paul describes church members as diverse, but interconnected parts of one “Body of Christ,” emphasizing unity in diversity, where each individual with unique spiritual gifts (like apostles, prophets, teachers, healers) is essential for the church to function, serve, and grow, stressing mutual care, honor, and interdependence, not division.
Key passages are I Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4, showing members must work together, valuing the “weaker” parts, to achieve God’s purpose. Attending the Liturgy on Sunday mornings is just the beginning. Try the check list below to see what opportunities are available for your gifts:
Make a generous pledge
Altar Guild service for women and older girls
Men and women for Old Testament lesson lectors
Provide food for Sunday lunches
Men and older boys to serve as altar servers and train to become licensed Lay Readers
Sunday School teachers and helpers
Donate or bring flower arrangements for Sunday Liturgies
The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is full of photos and inspiration from APCK churches around the Province. Read the Shepherd’s Staff newsletter here.
Photos of Thanksgiving and Advent altars around the APCK Province
