Lectionary Readings
Acts 3:12–19
Peter speaks of Jesus’ rejection and calls the people to repent.
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God; in you I will find joy and peace.
1 John 3:1–7
See what love the Father has given us; we are children of God.
Luke 24:36b–48
The risen Lord eats with the disciples and interprets the Scriptures.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
We are God’s children.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The risen Christ brings healing.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Even now, Jesus stands among us.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Prayer of the Day
Blessed Savior,
you keep showing up for us in unexpected places.
When we face uncertainty, you are there.
When we worry about our tomorrows,
you are there.
And even in the doubt-filled lonely hours,
you are there.
Hear our prayer of thanks for your constant love,
which convinces us to sing aloud,
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.” Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the new life you raise up in us
through the mystery of our baptism—
the sorrow of the heavy cross,
the surprise of the empty tomb,
the love that death could not destroy.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
fill us with the joy of resurrection,
so that we may be a living sign
of your new heaven and new earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness,
interceding with sighs too deep for words.
Romans 8:26
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
What love you have given us, O God,
that we should be called your children.
What love you have given us, O Christ,
that we should share a table with you.
Forgive us when we act as if we were your only children:
when we do not recognize your image
in the faces of strangers, enemies, or friends;
when we do not share our own tables,
forgetting that we need each other.
Forgive us, O Christ, maker of peace,
and teach us to follow in your way.
Lifting water from the font:
Hear the good news of God’s promise:
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.
Acts 2:17, 21
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Living God, with joy we celebrate
the presence of your risen Word.
Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit
so that we may proclaim the good news
of eternal and abundant life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
O dry bones,
hear the world of the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:4
After the readings:
This is the good news
which we have received,
in which we stand,
and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 15:1–2
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
All authority and power and dominion
to the name that is above all names—
Jesus Christ our Lord—
now and in the age to come. Amen.
Ephesians 1:21
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Season of Easter, Ascension of the Lord
Life in Christ is life eternal.
The resurrection of Jesus is the sign
that God will consummate the work
of creation and reconciliation beyond death
and bring to fulfillment
the new life begun in Christ.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Prayers of Intercession
Holy God,
you call us your children.
Let the light of your face shine on us,
and hear our prayer.
We pray for our nation . . .
Deliver us from the allure of vain words and lies.
God of our salvation, answer us with grace.
We pray for all nations . . .
Let your love cover the earth.
God of our salvation, answer us with grace.
We pray for the church . . .
Give peace when doubts arise
and confidence to proclaim
the good news of the risen Christ.
God of our salvation, answer us with grace.
We pray for an end to war . . .
Rule the nations with justice and peace.
God of our salvation, answer us with grace.
We pray for ourselves and those we love . . .
Remind us who and whose we are.
God of our salvation, answer us with grace.
Holy God, we are your children now.
What we will be has not yet been revealed.
Look with love upon your whole creation
and draw us ever closer to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
How does God’s love abide in anyone
who has the world’s goods
yet refuses to help a sister or brother in need?
Remembering God’s great love for the world,
let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 John 3:16–17
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Eternal God, take and use these gifts
for your purpose in the world—
giving food to the hungry,
hope to the despairing,
and new life to the dead.
Teach us to live each day for you,
so that future generations
will know your goodness
and praise your glory;
in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 22:25–31
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You are the God of our ancestors, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
You spoke through your prophets of the Messiah who would come to suffer
so that all might repent and be delivered from sin.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Christ is our peace. He still comes among us to eat with us, to speak with us,
and to open our minds so that we may understand the Scriptures.
We are witnesses: Through Christ your word is fulfilled.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Help us to show the world the great love that you have given us,
that, in Jesus Christ, we should be called children of God—
and that is what we are!
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
Thank you, O God, for giving us communion
with our risen and glorious Lord.
Now send us out to be a sign
of the new life that has come into the world;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the love of the holy triune God—
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—
abide with you forever. Alleluia!
1 John 4:13–16
Now go forth in Jesus’ name,
remembering his new commandment
to love one another,
just as he has loved us. Amen.
1 John 3:23
Breaking Bread
Christa Prema Seva Ashram, Prune, India
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Christ Is Alive! (TRURO) GTG 246 (AG)
- Crown Him with Many Crowns (DIADEMATA) GTG 268 (G)
- Joyful Is the Dark (LINDNER) GTG 230 (G)
- Now the Green Blade Rises (NOËL NOUVELET) GTG 247 (G)
WORD
- Woman, Weeping in the Garden (KINGDOM) GTG 241 (G)
- Fairest Lord Jesus (CRUSADERS’ HYMN) GTG 630 (EG)
- For You, Dear Child (YE BANKS AND BRAES) Breathing
- Spirit into Dust, GIA (E)
EUCHARIST
- For the Bread Which You Have Broken (KINGDOM) GTG 516 (EG)
- Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts (QUEBEC) GTG 494 (A)
- The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing (THE FEAST IS READY) GTG 505 (AEG)
SENDING
- May the Love of the Lord (SOON TI) GTG 549 (E)
- Go in Grace and Make Disciples (WONDROUS LIGHT) GTG 296 (G)
- Go to the World! (SINE NOMINE) GTG 295 (G)
- Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded (IN DER IST FREUDE) GTG 242 (AEG)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 4
Metrical
- Give Me Joy in My Heart [SING HOSANNA] CP 433
- O God, Be Gracious [TALLIS’ ORDINAL] GTG 776
Responsorial
- In the Night I Can Take My Rest PH 160
- There Is a Balm in Gilead UMH 741
Organ Music
- “My Song Is Love Unknown,” John Ireland, arr. Michael Burkhardt, MSM (E)
- “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain,” GAUDEAMUS PARITER, Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, Johann Horn, arr. Robert Buckley Farlee, AF (M)
- “At Easter-tide,” 6 Occasional Preludes, op. 182, Charles Villiers Stanford, IMSLP
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Day of Arising,” Michael Burkhardt, MSM, 2 pt, org, ob (E)
- “Emmaus,” Tony Alonso, GIA, SATB, pno, C inst (E)
- “I Will Be a Child of Peace,” Elaine Hagenburg, BP, SATB, pno (M)
- “If Ye Love Me,” Thomas Tallis, CPDL, SATB, acap (M)
- “Hear My Prayer,” Moses Hogan, HAL, SATB, acap (M)
- “O Sons and Daughters,” arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, HAL, SATB, acap (A)
Art
- Between You and Me, Jen DePaolo, 2018 (SECC)
- Make a Salad, Alison Knowles, 1962 (WA)
- Breaking Bread, Christa Prema Seva Ashram, Pune, India (VDL)
- Road to Emmaus, Altobello Melone, 14th century (VDL)
- Road to Emmaus, Fritz von Uhde, 1891 (VDL)
