Third Sunday Of Easter
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle C
Theme: The Conversion Of Saul
Call To Worship
Leader: Lord, you have changed my sadness into a joyful dance.
People: You have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy.
Leader: I will not be silent; I will sing praises to you.
People: Lord, you are my God. I will give you thanks forever.
Collect
O Lord, as you appeared to Saul while he was bent on persecuting your followers, come to us as we, too, pursue those who do not believe as we do and ridicule those who seek peace in our time through the path of love. Blind us to the folly of our ways, and make clear to us the path you would have us follow that we may become true disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God, we have been slow to recognize that you are the God of all nations, all people everywhere. We have been quick to criticize and slow to forgive. By your mercy forgive our foolish ways, help us to make amends, and by the power of the Risen Christ enable us to carry your message of salvation to those rejected by others. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O God, we have lifted to you our songs of praise and thanksgiving. With this offering we present ourselves to you that we may proclaim with our lives that we are your children, and by our deeds show your love for the world. Amen.
Hymns
"There's Within My Heart A Melody"
"It Is Well With My Soul"
"Savior, Thy Dying Love"
Third Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: Revelation 5:11-14
Theme: The Lamb Of God
Call To Worship
Leader: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
People: Blessed is the Lamb of God. To him be all praise and honor, glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
Collect
O Lord, we your faithful people sing praises to you. We remember what you have done and we give you thanks. We are not worthy to stand before the Lamb who was slain for our sins, but in the power of the Risen Christ we pray that we may become new creatures living lives worthy of the Lamb's glory. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God, our Father, you have given us power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, but we have been blinded to the cries of the world. We have used your gifts to our own advantage. Forgive us, Lord, and grant us the courage and strength to go forth this day determined to live lives worthy of the Lamb, your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O Lamb of God, we come before you as your chosen instruments to serve the world. Receive these our gifts as well as our lives; bless them, we pray, and use them to perform deeds of love and mercy that will glorify your holy name. Amen.
Hymns
"See The Morning Sun Ascending"
"O The Lamb"
"What Wondrous Love Is This"
Third Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 21:1-19
Theme: "Do You Love Me?"
Call To Worship
Leader: The resurrected Christ asks us, as he did Simon Peter: "Do you love me?"
People: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
Leader: Jesus responded: "Take care of my sheep." Then he asked again: "Do you love me?"
People: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
Leader: Then Jesus said, "Follow me!"
People: Yes, Lord, where you lead us we will follow. Amen.
Collect
O God, by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, you have overcome death and shown us that you are with us always. We now know, too, that your love extends to people of all nations and races. You have called us to be your Church, your Body on earth. We gladly respond to the call to follow you, and pray that in this time of worship you will make clear to us your will. Send us forth with the eagerness of those who have seen the Lord and wish to make his love known to all whom we encounter. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we have not always been clear about our priorities. Often we have hesitated in our response to your call because we had other business to attend to. Grant us the enthusiasm of Peter, that when we become aware of your presence and your will for us we may without hesitation follow you. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O Christ, you gave your life for us, and now we bring these offerings as symbols of our lives that we present unto you. Use us and our gifts, we pray, that your love may be received by those who turn a cold and defiant heart to you. Amen.
Hymns
"Alleluia, Alleluia"
"My Jesus, I Love Thee"
"More Love To Thee, O Christ"
Call To Worship
Leader: Lord, you have changed my sadness into a joyful dance.
People: You have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy.
Leader: I will not be silent; I will sing praises to you.
People: Lord, you are my God. I will give you thanks forever.
Collect
O Lord, as you appeared to Saul while he was bent on persecuting your followers, come to us as we, too, pursue those who do not believe as we do and ridicule those who seek peace in our time through the path of love. Blind us to the folly of our ways, and make clear to us the path you would have us follow that we may become true disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God, we have been slow to recognize that you are the God of all nations, all people everywhere. We have been quick to criticize and slow to forgive. By your mercy forgive our foolish ways, help us to make amends, and by the power of the Risen Christ enable us to carry your message of salvation to those rejected by others. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O God, we have lifted to you our songs of praise and thanksgiving. With this offering we present ourselves to you that we may proclaim with our lives that we are your children, and by our deeds show your love for the world. Amen.
Hymns
"There's Within My Heart A Melody"
"It Is Well With My Soul"
"Savior, Thy Dying Love"
Third Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: Revelation 5:11-14
Theme: The Lamb Of God
Call To Worship
Leader: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
People: Blessed is the Lamb of God. To him be all praise and honor, glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
Collect
O Lord, we your faithful people sing praises to you. We remember what you have done and we give you thanks. We are not worthy to stand before the Lamb who was slain for our sins, but in the power of the Risen Christ we pray that we may become new creatures living lives worthy of the Lamb's glory. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God, our Father, you have given us power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, but we have been blinded to the cries of the world. We have used your gifts to our own advantage. Forgive us, Lord, and grant us the courage and strength to go forth this day determined to live lives worthy of the Lamb, your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O Lamb of God, we come before you as your chosen instruments to serve the world. Receive these our gifts as well as our lives; bless them, we pray, and use them to perform deeds of love and mercy that will glorify your holy name. Amen.
Hymns
"See The Morning Sun Ascending"
"O The Lamb"
"What Wondrous Love Is This"
Third Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 21:1-19
Theme: "Do You Love Me?"
Call To Worship
Leader: The resurrected Christ asks us, as he did Simon Peter: "Do you love me?"
People: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
Leader: Jesus responded: "Take care of my sheep." Then he asked again: "Do you love me?"
People: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
Leader: Then Jesus said, "Follow me!"
People: Yes, Lord, where you lead us we will follow. Amen.
Collect
O God, by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, you have overcome death and shown us that you are with us always. We now know, too, that your love extends to people of all nations and races. You have called us to be your Church, your Body on earth. We gladly respond to the call to follow you, and pray that in this time of worship you will make clear to us your will. Send us forth with the eagerness of those who have seen the Lord and wish to make his love known to all whom we encounter. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we have not always been clear about our priorities. Often we have hesitated in our response to your call because we had other business to attend to. Grant us the enthusiasm of Peter, that when we become aware of your presence and your will for us we may without hesitation follow you. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O Christ, you gave your life for us, and now we bring these offerings as symbols of our lives that we present unto you. Use us and our gifts, we pray, that your love may be received by those who turn a cold and defiant heart to you. Amen.
Hymns
"Alleluia, Alleluia"
"My Jesus, I Love Thee"
"More Love To Thee, O Christ"
