Lectionary Readings
Acts 17:22–31
Paul introduces the Athenians to their “unknown god”: the Lord.
Psalm 66:8–20
Bless God, who hears our prayers and keeps us among the living.
1 Peter 3:13–22
Do not fear; testify to the hope that is in you through Christ.
John 14:15–21
Jesus says: the Father will send the Spirit, who will abide in you.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Bless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of praise be heard!
God has kept us among the living
and has not let our feet slip.
We went through fire and through water,
yet God has brought us out to a spacious place.
Come and hear what God has done for us,
all who fear God.
Surely God has listened to us
and heard our prayers!
Blessed be God, who is steadfast love.
Prayer of the Day
Faithful God,
through all the ages, you have kept your promises.
You have freed us
from the powers of scarcity and death
for abundant new life.
Stay with us as we wait and watch for your Spirit
with excitement and hope,
that we may experience your love
and share it with our lives,
in the name of Jesus Christ. 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:
God does not reject our prayers.
God does not withdraw love from us.
Even when we fail to love others
and struggle to love ourselves,
God’s love is steadfast.
Let us lift our prayers to God.
We love you imperfectly:
we do not always keep your commandments.
We love each other imperfectly:
we hurt those you call us to love
through our actions and our inaction.
We love ourselves imperfectly:
we struggle to believe that we are truly your children,
made in your image.
Forgive us.
By the power of your Spirit,
make us more faithful
that we might live as Christ has shown us,
reflecting your love and grace.
Because Christ lives, we also live.
Not because of anything we have done,
not because of our belief or faithfulness:
we live because Christ lives.
This is the Christ who forgives us.
This is the God who is in us.
This is the Spirit who is with us.
Alleluia! Praise 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 word 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
New life in Christ takes shape in a community
in which people know
that God loves and accepts them
in spite of what they are.
They therefore accept themselves
and love others,
knowing that no one has any ground
on which to stand,
except God’s grace.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.22
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 your Spirit of truth abide in us,
so that we may keep your commandments
and bear witness to the power of your love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for the earth . . .
Bless and keep the world you have made,
a gracious gift from the Creator of all.
Let it not be destroyed by human hands.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for all nations . . .
Bring all people into your saving purpose.
Show us that we are one family in you,
the children of a common ancestor.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for this community . . .
By your Spirit, make us always ready
to share the faith and hope that is in us
and to show your love to our neighbors.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Through Christ, we pray for loved ones . . .
Remember those who are tested and tried.
Do not let them slip; guard their lives
and keep them in your steadfast love.
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:
You are the Lord of heaven and earth, maker of all things,
and we are your children, by the grace of Jesus Christ.
In you, O God, we live and move and have our being.
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:
Because Christ lives, we also live in hope and love.
Though he ascended into heaven, he did not leave us alone,
but sent the Spirit of truth to abide with us forever.
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 seek what is good in your sight,
with gentleness and reverence, and a clear conscience,
proclaiming our hope in Christ the Lord.
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
“Cloud of Unknowing”
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (A) ST. DENIO GTG 12
- Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (E) EASTER HYMN GTG 232
- Come Down, O Love Divine (G) DOWN AMPNEY GTG 282
- Son of God, Whose Heart Is Peace (G) TAMA NGAKAU MARIE GTG 425
- Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds (E) LASST UNS ERFREUEN ELW 367
WORD
- In the Darkness of the Morning (G) KAS DZIEDAJA GTG 229
- Joyful Is the Dark (AEG) LINDNER GTG 230
- Be Not Afraid (EG) BE NOT AFRAID GTG 243
- Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire (G) VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS GTG 278
- God of This City (A) GOD OF THIS CITY LUYH 277
EUCHARIST
- I Need Thee Every Hour (AE) NEED GTG 735
- As the Wind Song (AG) WAIRUA TAPU GTG 292
- Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness (EG) SCHMÜCKE DICH GTG 514
- With Thy Spirit Fill Me (G) AAHH 322
SENDING
- In Christ There Is No East or West (A) MC KEE/ST. PETER GTG 317, 318
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (G) HYFRYDOL GTG 366
- Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (A) MIT FREUDEN ZART GTG 645
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 66:8–20
Metrical
- Make a Joyful Noise to God! [DIX]; GTG 54
- Heleluyan, We Are Singing [HELELUYAN]; GTG 642
Responsorial
- Let All the Earth Cry Out to God with Joy; PSA 58
Organ Music
- “Bread of Life from Heaven,” God of the World: Hymn Tunes from Many Nations, Edwin T. Childs, AF (M)
- “Come Down, O Love Divine,” DOWN AMPNEY, Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, Mark Sedio, AF (ME)
- “I. Intrada and VI. Meditation,” Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice: Partita on Nun freut euch, Kevin Hildebrand, CON (M)
- “Oh, Sing to the Lord,” God of the World: Hymn Tunes from Many Nations, Edwin T. Childs, AF (M)
Piano Music
- “Impromptu No. 3,” Impromptus, Franz Schubert, HEN (MA)
- “Twilight, Op. 12,” Arthur Sullivan, IMSLP.org (MA)
- “Prelude No. V,” 10 Preludes, Carlos Chavez, GSH (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “All Creatures of Our God and King,” Margaret Tucker, CGA, SAB, org, opt hb, opt fl, opt cong (E)
- “For the Beauty of the Earth,” John Rutter, OUP, SATB, pno (ME)
- “All Creatures of Our God and King,” Mark Hayes, LOR, SATB, pno (ME)
- “Children of the Heavenly Father,” Eric Nelson, MSM, SATB, pno (M)
- “If Ye Love Me,” Thomas Tallis, IMSLP.org, SATB, acap (M)
- “With a Voice of Singing,” Kenneth Jennings, AF, SATB div, acap (MA)
Art
- The River of Life, Corrine Peterson, 1999 (VDL)
- Watts Chapel—Ceiling Apex with Four Seraphs, Compton, UK, 1895 (VDL)
- Flying with Fabrics: Stitching Exchange, Melissa Sarris, 2023 (melissasarris.com/stitching-exchange)
