April 9, 2023 – Resurrection of the Lord / Easter Evening

Prayers of Intercession

We offer our prayers through Christ,
who lives and reigns forever,
and prays for us in heaven.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Through Christ, we pray for the church . . .
Let us be people of joy, living witnesses
to the power of the resurrection
and the good news of your grace and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Through Christ, we pray for the earth . . .
From the dust of the damaged earth,
raise up your new creation,
full of beauty, wonder, and glory.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Through Christ, we pray for all nations . . .
Let the message of your saving power
spread throughout the world:
that the dominion of death is no more.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Through Christ, we pray for this community . . .
Let the doors of this church be open wide
as we go forth in love and service
and others come in to find a home.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Through Christ, we pray for loved ones . . .
Give hope to those who wait for good news.
Turn their mourning into dancing,
and their sorrow into joy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all power and glory, receive these prayers,
and continue your mighty work among us,
through Jesus Christ, our living Lord. Amen.
Ephesians 1:15–23

— 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:
Great God, to you we give our thanks;
your steadfast love endures forever.
With gratitude we bring our gifts to you.
Bless us and our gifts,
that our lives and our resources
may be a source of healing and hope,
of joy and justice in our world. Amen.

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:
Your love is everlasting; your faithfulness will never die.
You have extended the promise of salvation to all
through Christ Jesus, who is risen from the dead.

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:
Early on the first day of the week, Jesus’ disciples
went to his tomb, only to find it empty.
There they discovered that he had risen indeed.
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.

Teach us to set our minds on the things that are above,
where Christ is, seated at your right hand.
Make us ready to meet him when he is revealed in glory.

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

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