Lectionary Readings
Acts 4:32–35
The disciples share everything and testify to Jesus’ resurrection.
Psalm 133
How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.
1 John 1:1—2:2
Walk in the light of God; confess your sins and be forgiven.
John 20:19–31
Jesus shares the Holy Spirit; a week later, he appears to Thomas.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
How good it is
for us to come together as kindred spirits.
Hallelujah!
Our doubts are answered,
and we feel the presence of Christ.
The risen Christ
speaks to us and gives us peace.
Hallelujah!
Let our worship be the sign of our belief.
Prayer of the Day
Beloved Jesus, Living God,
you enter our hearts,
even when we are filled with disbelief.
You feel our sadness and hurt
as we struggle to make sense of our world.
You express your love for us
by offering yourself,
and we are amazed.
You ease our doubt,
and we are astonished.
We give you thanks, saying,
“My Lord, my God!” 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.
O Christ,
you rose from the depths of suffering,
from death itself,
to breathe peace upon your disciples.
Still, O Lord, we cannot trust your promise of peace.
Still, O Lord, we do not follow in the way of your love.
Forgive us when we fail to be people of resurrection.
Forgive us when we fail to recognize your grace.
Show us your hands and your feet once more,
and teach us to be your body in the world.
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 the People
In the blessed hope of the resurrection,
we pray to the Lord of endless life, saying:
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for the church . . .
Keep us faithful in the fellowship of Jesus Christ,
walking in the light of his life and love,
proclaiming the good news he has revealed.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for the world . . .
Enable the families of the earth to live together
in harmony and justice, in unity and peace,
so that all may know your blessing of abundant life.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for this community . . .
Let us be of one heart and one soul in you.
Take all that we have and hold in common
and distribute it for the good of those in need.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Be present to all who need to know you are near.
Encourage those who struggle with doubt or despair.
Breathe among us with the power of your peace.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Eternal God, show forth in us and in our world
the good news of your saving power and love,
so that all may believe and have life in you;
through Jesus Christ, who is risen indeed. 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 established your church to testify to the power of Christ’s resurrection,
a people of one heart and soul, holding everything in common,
sharing their abundance with the poor.
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 our joy complete! Lead us to walk in the light of Christ.
Continue to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,
for you alone, O Lord, are faithful and just.
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
Caring and Sharing
Washington National Cathedral
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Alleluia! Christ Is Risen (¡Aleluya! Cristo recusitó) (G) SANTO DOMINGO GTG 253
- Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing! (EG) GELOBT SEI GOTT GTG 239
- Here O Lord, Your Servants Gather (G) TOKYO GTG 311
- O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing (G) O FILII ET FILIAE GTG 255
WORD
- Before I Take the Body of My Lord (E) LAYING DOWN GTG 428
- Christ Has Risen While Earth Slumbers (G) SUO GAN GTG 231
- Faith Begins by Letting Go (G) LUX PRIMA GTG 684
- These Things Did Thomas Count as Real (G) KEDRON GTG 256
EUCHARIST
- Blest Be the Tie That Binds (A) DENNIS GTG 306
- Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (E) UNION SEMINARY GTG 529
- Give Us Light (Jyothi dho Prabhu) (G) JYOTHI DHO GTG 467
- Of the Father’s Love Begotten (E) DIVINUM MYSTERIUM GTG 108
SENDING
- Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining (Shine, Jesus, Shine) (E) SHINE, JESUS, SHINE GTG 192
- Now Go in Joy (E) JUNKANOO GTG 745
- We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight (G) DUNLAP’S CREEK GTG 817
- When the Poor Ones (Cuando el pobre) (A) EL CAMINO GTG 762
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- Miren qué bueno / O Look and Wonder [MIREN QUÉ BUENO]; GTG 397, PAS 133D, LUYH 260, SSS 230
- Behold the Goodness of Our (the) Lord [DETROIT, CRIMMOND]; PAS 133A, PH 241
- Mirad cuán bueno / Behold, How Good and Delightful [MIRAD CUÁN BUENO]; PAS 133B, SSS 234
Responsorial
- Miren qué bueno / O Look and Wonder [MIREN QUÉ BUENO]; PAS 133E
- God of Love and Mercy [SCARBOROUGH FAIR]; PP 268
- The Lord Anoints and Blesses; PSA 137
Organ Music
- “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing,” Eight Miniatures for the Seasons of Lent, Easter and Pentecost, Kristina Langlois, MSM (M)
- “Carillon on The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done,” Funeral Music for Manuals, Charles Callahan, MSM (E)
- “Toccata on GELOBT SEI GOTT,” A Gordon Young Tribute Album, vol. 2, Craig A. Penfield, LOR (E)
- “Ride On in Majesty!” The Organist’s Library, vol. 53, Edward Broughton, LOR (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “How Lovely and How Pleasant,” Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, org (E)
- “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Neil Harmon, MSM, SATB, acap (M)
- “Walk in the Light,” arr. Andre Thomas, CGA, SATB, pno (E)
- “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light,” arr. Tom Trenney, JWP (M)
- “Modimo,” arr. Michael J. Barrett, WAL, SATB, djembe (E)
- “We Walk by Faith,” Michael Helman, AF, SATB, pno, opt fl, hb (M)
- “Eternal Light, Shine in Our Hearts,” Robert Harris, MSM, SATB, pno or org (A)
- “And Peace Shall Guard You,” Michael John Trotta, MSM, SATB, acap (A)
Handbell Music
- “Suo Gan,” Kevin McChesney, 3–5 oct, C-inst and perc, JHS, 9552 (hb), 9552I (inst), Level 1
- “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing,” Valerie Stephenson, 3–5 oct, opt hc, GIA, G6150, Level 3
- “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” Kevin McChesney, 3–5 oct, RW, 8223, Level 2
Art
- Jesus Appears to Thomas, Jacek Andrze Rossakiewicz (VDL)
- Thomas Touches Christ’s Side, Béla Iványi-Grünwald (VDL)
- Into the Wound, Jan Richardson (JR)
- Caring and Sharing, Washington National Cathedral (VDL)
- Holding Hands, Liz Valente (VDL)
