Second Sunday Of Easter
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
This is the second Sunday of Easter.
Easter is not confined to a day but reflects a new way of life.
We are to be an Easter people.
We are ones who proclaim and live the resurrection.
Let our worship today reflect the joy of knowing the risen Christ.
Let our faith boldly state what we have heard and seen and believe.
Invocation
O God, we are the people of a long and joyful heritage. From those who first saw the risen Lord to communities of believers today, we share the resurrection song of new life, new life made possible by holy love. Though today we do not see the resurrected Christ as did those first disciples, we nonetheless by faith know that he lives. There are signs all around us that point to this: lives transformed, lives that now risk themselves in love for Jesus. This is the message - good news of life abundant and eternal for all - broadcast far and wide, to heal lives and to give them a holy meaning and purpose. So, let us be part of that joyous entourage and carry with us wherever we go the label: Easter people. This, to herald your Son's name. Amen.
Call to Confession
Why would anyone not want to walk wholeheartedly in the way of the risen Christ? It is the way of life, the way of joy and hope and fulfillment. Why be at all hesitant, or withhold a part of self? Each of us will answer in his or her own way, as we examine the response we give to the call of Christ. From each of us will come forth words of confession, as we sadly but truthfully acknowledge that we have yet to reach that complete and full commitment to our God.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious and eternal God, you set before us the way of life. It is the way that leads through death to resurrection, a way that fulfills the meaning and purpose of life as you intend it to be. Help us, we pray, that we be willing to allow certain incomplete and unwholesome parts of ourselves to die, that the Spirit of the living Christ might gift us with new beginnings and set us on paths that spell freedom, growth, and service in your name. Moreover, at the same time, may doubt, fear, and uncertainty die, as we more and more become convinced of the power of holy love, a love meant for each of us, a love that can transform that which is selfish and worn into a brilliance of being that is all--giving and ever--lasting. May we gladly reach out to receive, even as you, God, are so eager to give - that Easter take root and blossom in this place. In Christ's name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
God is light; in God there is no darkness at all. If we choose to walk in this light, that which is incomplete, imperfect, and impure will be removed from our lives, this by virtue of Christ's great gift of life to us. So will we find ourselves able to follow in the steps of our Lord. Christ has prepared the way to life abundant and eternal. It is now for us to accept the gift - with gladness of heart and humbleness of spirit.
Praise be to God who loves us so, who through Christ would have us live.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 118)
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Offering Sentences
It is with thanksgiving that we respond to the goodness of our God. Thanksgiving, we find, can take many a tangible form and expression, such as the tithes and offerings we now bring forward, this to further the work of Christ's church in this place, indeed the work of Christ's church in many places round the world. Let our gifts be the glad response of an Easter people, those who know what it means to live by the power of the resurrection.
Prayer of Dedication
There are many who have not heard. There are many who have heard but have yet to believe. There are many who believe yet need to be supported in their infant faith, that they might grow to a greater depth of maturity. In each case, we have a responsibility and a mission. Thus do we pray: Holy God, by your Spirit's leading, may these tithes and offerings be directed to those arenas of service where they can make a profound difference in the lives of individuals, in the life of community, and in the fulfilling of your reconciling purpose for the whole of creation. This, that the name of Christ be praised. Amen.
Benediction
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." So would the power of God sustain us in our faith. If we but allow it, God promises to enrich our lives beyond measure. Yield, I implore you, to the prompting of a loving God.
This is the second Sunday of Easter.
Easter is not confined to a day but reflects a new way of life.
We are to be an Easter people.
We are ones who proclaim and live the resurrection.
Let our worship today reflect the joy of knowing the risen Christ.
Let our faith boldly state what we have heard and seen and believe.
Invocation
O God, we are the people of a long and joyful heritage. From those who first saw the risen Lord to communities of believers today, we share the resurrection song of new life, new life made possible by holy love. Though today we do not see the resurrected Christ as did those first disciples, we nonetheless by faith know that he lives. There are signs all around us that point to this: lives transformed, lives that now risk themselves in love for Jesus. This is the message - good news of life abundant and eternal for all - broadcast far and wide, to heal lives and to give them a holy meaning and purpose. So, let us be part of that joyous entourage and carry with us wherever we go the label: Easter people. This, to herald your Son's name. Amen.
Call to Confession
Why would anyone not want to walk wholeheartedly in the way of the risen Christ? It is the way of life, the way of joy and hope and fulfillment. Why be at all hesitant, or withhold a part of self? Each of us will answer in his or her own way, as we examine the response we give to the call of Christ. From each of us will come forth words of confession, as we sadly but truthfully acknowledge that we have yet to reach that complete and full commitment to our God.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious and eternal God, you set before us the way of life. It is the way that leads through death to resurrection, a way that fulfills the meaning and purpose of life as you intend it to be. Help us, we pray, that we be willing to allow certain incomplete and unwholesome parts of ourselves to die, that the Spirit of the living Christ might gift us with new beginnings and set us on paths that spell freedom, growth, and service in your name. Moreover, at the same time, may doubt, fear, and uncertainty die, as we more and more become convinced of the power of holy love, a love meant for each of us, a love that can transform that which is selfish and worn into a brilliance of being that is all--giving and ever--lasting. May we gladly reach out to receive, even as you, God, are so eager to give - that Easter take root and blossom in this place. In Christ's name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
God is light; in God there is no darkness at all. If we choose to walk in this light, that which is incomplete, imperfect, and impure will be removed from our lives, this by virtue of Christ's great gift of life to us. So will we find ourselves able to follow in the steps of our Lord. Christ has prepared the way to life abundant and eternal. It is now for us to accept the gift - with gladness of heart and humbleness of spirit.
Praise be to God who loves us so, who through Christ would have us live.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 118)
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Offering Sentences
It is with thanksgiving that we respond to the goodness of our God. Thanksgiving, we find, can take many a tangible form and expression, such as the tithes and offerings we now bring forward, this to further the work of Christ's church in this place, indeed the work of Christ's church in many places round the world. Let our gifts be the glad response of an Easter people, those who know what it means to live by the power of the resurrection.
Prayer of Dedication
There are many who have not heard. There are many who have heard but have yet to believe. There are many who believe yet need to be supported in their infant faith, that they might grow to a greater depth of maturity. In each case, we have a responsibility and a mission. Thus do we pray: Holy God, by your Spirit's leading, may these tithes and offerings be directed to those arenas of service where they can make a profound difference in the lives of individuals, in the life of community, and in the fulfilling of your reconciling purpose for the whole of creation. This, that the name of Christ be praised. Amen.
Benediction
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." So would the power of God sustain us in our faith. If we but allow it, God promises to enrich our lives beyond measure. Yield, I implore you, to the prompting of a loving God.
