Lectionary Readings
Acts 5:27–32
Peter stands trial before the council: we must obey God.
Psalm 118:14–29
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
or Psalm 150
Praise the Lord! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Revelation 1:4–8
Jesus is coming; I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord.
John 20:19–31
Jesus shares the Holy Spirit; a week later, he appears to Thomas.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Praise God in God’s sanctuary!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Praise God for God’s mighty deeds!
Praise God according to
God’s surpassing greatness!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Hallelujah!
Let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
Loving Jesus,
in a broken and fearful world,
you continue to reveal yourself to us each day,
bringing your peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We seek to live a life worthy of these gifts,
knowing that we can never repay you.
You have been our steadfast companion.
Guide us still, that we might follow you
before any human authority
and know the saving power of your love. 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.
Creator God,
you drew out life-giving water from a desert rock.
We give you thanks for the water of baptism.
In being joined with Christ,
we die to what destroys
and are raised to new life with Christ.
As streams rush into rivers,
may our lives flow into yours,
joining your creative work for a world in need.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Christ Jesus comes among us
with extended hands and a wide embrace,
offering mercy and forgiveness
and promising new life.
Trusting in the one who has been raised from the dead,
let us make our confession.
O God, your love is boundless
and your grace exceeds our imaginations.
You keep finding ways to be among us,
even when the doors of our hearts are locked.
Graciously, you seek us out.
We cannot hide,
but we can confess that sin has us in its grip.
It has led us from your ways
and corrupted our best intentions,
tempting us to believe that you don’t notice,
that you aren’t even present.
Correct our vision.
Cleanse our hearts.
Create in us a place where we can welcome you
and receive the fullness
of what you have given us in Jesus Christ.
Lifting water from the font:
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
the power of sin has been defeated.
God’s love is stronger still.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, Living Word,
as you revealed yourself to Mary
that Easter morning,
so reveal yourself to us.
By the power of your Spirit,
give each of us faith,
that hearing your Word
we, too, may proclaim,
“I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Testimony for the church
from Jesus, the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation 22:13–14
After the readings:
These words are trustworthy and true.
Thanks be to God.
Revelation 21:5
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might be to our God
forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 7:12
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
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
Rejoicing in God’s promise of new creation,
let us pray to the Maker of heaven and earth,
saying: God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Empower us, by your Holy Spirit,
to seek the grace and peace of Christ
in the church and in the world.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Heal this scarred and wounded earth
so that the whole creation may praise you
with one breath and one voice.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Make us better neighbors to one another.
Unlock the doors we close in fear
and teach us to transcend dividing walls.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Save those who are sick or in trouble.
Hold them in your powerful hand
and deliver them from danger.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, keep us working and praying
for the coming of your holy realm of peace,
when we will share abundant life with you;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
As God gave us Christ,
the firstfruit of creation,
let us humbly offer
the substance of our lives
in thanksgiving to our God.
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:
By the power of the Holy Spirit
we are witness to these things:
that you raised up Jesus Christ from the dead
and exalted him at your right hand
as Leader and Savior of all.
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:
With Thomas we confess
that Christ Jesus is our Lord and our God!
He breathes on us with the gift of the Spirit
and the power of forgiveness.
By the gift of faith
we have eternal life in his name.
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.
Make us to be your holy kingdom,
your royal priesthood,
worshiping and serving you
with praise and thanksgiving
as we wait for the glorious coming of Christ,
the Alpha and Omega.
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:
At your table, Giving God,
we have been fed;
our thirsty spirits have been quenched.
We give you thanks
for this taste of your kingdom meal
when wolf and lamb will feed together
and peace will reign
on your holy mountain;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The blessing of the eternal, triune God—
Alpha and Omega,
first and last,
beginning and end—
be with you all. Alleluia!
Revelation 22:13
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Revelation 22:20
The Adoration of the Name of Jesus
El Greco
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
-
Este es el día / This Is the Day [ESTE ES EL DÍA]; GTG 391
-
This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made [NUN DANKET ALL’]; GTG 681, PH 230, PAS 118E
-
Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness [RENDEZ À DIEU (GENEVAN 98/118)]; PAS 118H, LUYH 196
-
I Thank You, Lord, for You Are Good [8.7.8.7 D with refrain]; SGP 175
WORD
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We Walk by Faith (EG) DUNLAP’S CREEK GTG 817, PH 399
-
Alleluia! Christ Is Arisen (G) SANTO DOMINGO GTG 253
-
These Things Did Thomas Count as Real (G) KEDRON GTG 256
-
The Right Hand of God (A) LE MANO DE DIOS GTG 332
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How Great Is Our God (AE) Chris Tomlin LUYH 574
-
Margam, Satyam, Jivam nive (Living, Moving, End and Beginning) (E) MARGAM, SATYAM, JIVAM NIVE VT 425
EUCHARIST
-
Here, O Our Lord, We See You (EG) MORECAMBE GTG 517, PH 520
-
Peace of God Be with You (G) AS-SALAAMU LAKUM GTG 448
-
Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen (AG) SURGE ECCLESIA GTG 536
SENDING
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Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (EG) HYFRYDOL GTG 366, PH 376
-
You Are Holy (AE) YOU ARE HOLY GTG 705
-
The Risen Christ (G) WOODLANDS GTG 257
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 150
Metrical
-
Rab ki / Blest Be God [SANAA]; GTG 617, PAS 150C
-
Praise Ye the Lord [CLEVELAND]; GTG 633, PAS 150B, PH 258, LUYH 563
-
Hal’luhu b’zilz’le shama / Come and Sing [HAL’LUHU]; GTG 389
-
Sing Praise to the Lord, You People of Grace [CHU LEUNG]; PAS 150A, LUYH 7
-
Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above [AMSTERDAM]; PAS 150 I
-
Praise God! Earth and Heaven Rejoice [GENEVAN 150]; PAS 150J, LUYH 952
Responsorial
-
Praise Ye the Lord [CLEVELAND]; PAS 150G (alt. refrain: EASTER HYMN)
-
From God’s House Let Praises Ring [MADRID]; PP 300
Psalm 118:14–29
Metrical
-
Este es el día / This Is the Day [ESTE ES EL DÍA]; GTG 391
-
This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made [NUN DANKET ALL’]; GTG 681, PH 230, PAS 118E
-
Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness [RENDEZ À DIEU (GENEVAN 98/118)]; PAS 118H, LUYH 196
-
I Thank You, Lord, for You Are Good [8.7.8.7 D with refrain]; SGP 175
Responsorial
-
Psallite Deo / This Is the Day [Taizé]; PAS 118C, PSA 120
-
Alleluia, Alleluia!; PAS 118G (alt. refrain)
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Jesus Is Risen; PAS 118 I
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Surrexit Christus / The Lord Is Risen [Taizé]; PAS 118J
-
This Is the Day; PFTS2 16
Organ Music
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“DUNLAP’S CREEK,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, James Biery, AF (ME)
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“WOODLANDS,” Hymn Prelude Library: Lutheran Service Book, vol. 12, Gerald Near, CON (ME)
-
“Joyful Bells Ringing,” BERTOLINO, Ten Hymn Settings for Organ, vol. 1, Marilyn Biery, GIA (M)
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“CEDARWOLF,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter II, David Sims, AF (ME)
Piano Music
-
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” HYFRYDOL/BEECHER, Refreshing, Tom Fettke, LOR (M)
-
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God,” TRENTHAM, The Hymn Collection, Phillip Keveren, HAL (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“O Sons and Daughters, Let us Sing,” arr. Michael Larkin, MSM, SATB, pno, opt inst (M)
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“Let This Day Be Filled with Wonder,” James Biery, GIA, 2 pt mx, org (E)
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“The Turtle Dove,” ar. Burton Bumgarner, GIA, SATB, pno (M)
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“This Is the Day,” Anne Krentz Organ, AF, SATB, org, opt cong (E)
-
“Love’s Redeeming Work,” Hugh Benham, H. T. Fitzsimons Co., SATB, org (M)
Art
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Risen Christ-4, Lucinda Naylor, 2016 (EYE)
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Thomas_778, Wayne Forte, 2016 (EYE)
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The Adoration of the Name of Jesus, El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos), 1577–79 (PD)
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Christ Displaying His Wounds, Lo Spadarino (Giovanni Antonio Galli), 1625–35 (PD)
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Christ Shows Himself to Thomas, Washington National Cathedral, Rowan and Irene LeCompte (VDL)
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Book-Cover Plaque with Christ in Majesty, French, 1200 (MET)
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Unless I See, Trey Everett, 2018 (VDL)
