Lectionary Readings
Acts 11:1–18
Peter has a vision about unclean food; God’s gift of life is for all.
Psalm 148
Praise the Lord, all creation! God is exalted in heaven and earth.
Revelation 21:1–6
A new heaven and earth; a holy city; God’s home is among mortals.
John 13:31–35
Jesus gives a new commandment: love one another as I love you.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise God on high!
Praise God, sun and moon.
Praise God, all you shining stars!
Praise God from the earth,
you sea monsters and ocean depths!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
praise the Lord!
Kings and all peoples of the earth,
princes and all rulers of the earth,
praise the Lord!
Old and young together;
all people praise the Lord!
Let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
Ever-present God,
we give thanks that you have made
your dwelling place among your people.
We trust your promises of a just future,
and we wish to play our part.
Christ has taught us to love one another.
Help us to keep this commandment
in our minds and hearts,
that we might come to realize
the new heaven and new earth awaiting us. 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:
Because we are loved,
we are called to turn to God in humility.
We fall short of who God calls us to be,
but we are never forsaken.
In faith and with confidence as beloved children,
let us confess our sin to God.
Holy God,
you command us to love one another,
yet we hold grudges
and refuse to work for peace.
You command us to care for all of creation,
yet we neglect the earth
and abuse nature through carelessness.
You command us to walk in the ways of Jesus,
yet we too often walk our own way.
Forgive us, O God.
Guide us as we work toward
a new heaven here on earth.
Lead us to reconciliation
and a vision for your beloved community,
as we share your love
with your people everywhere.
Lifting water from the font:
Believe the good news:
Jesus loves us and forgives us and sets us free.
Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace. Amen.
— 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 . . .
Make your home among us, O God.
Let us be a true and trustworthy sign
of the new thing you are doing.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Heal the suffering of your creation.
Let all creatures join together in praise
for your renewal of the earth.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Give us a new dream, a new vision
of your amazing love for all people,
without prejudice or partiality.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Be with them in their suffering.
Wipe away the tears from their eyes.
Let mourning, crying, and pain be no more.
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:
The sun and moon and shining stars
praise your name;
the creatures of the earth and sky and sea
all glorify you.
Women and men, young and old
give thanks for your saving love.
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:
Though Christ has ascended
to reign with you in glory,
he left us this commandment:
to love one another, as he loves us.
By this love, the world will know
that we are his disciples.
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 a home among us;
let us be your people, as you are our God.
Show us a glimpse of your new creation,
your new heaven and earth,
and let us drink from the wellspring
of everlasting life.
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
Anastasia fresco
Kariye Camii
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
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For the Beauty of the Earth (ARG) DIX GTG 14, PH 473
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Let Us Build a House (ARG) TWO OAKS GTG 301
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Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (R) AUSTRIAN HYMN GTG 81, PH 446
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Sing a New World into Being (R) HYMN TO JOY VT 809
WORD
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Help Us Accept Each Other (AG) BARONITA GTG 754, PH 358
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O Holy City, Seen of John (R) MORNING SONG GTG 374, PH 453
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Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (G) CHEREPONI GTG 203, PH 367
EUCHARIST
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I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table (AG) WELCOME TABLE GTG 770
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Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (AG) UNION SEMINARY GTG 529, PH 504
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Where Charity and Love Prevail (AG) TWENTY-FOURTH GTG 316
SENDING
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We Are One in the Spirit (AG) THEY’LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS GTG 300, STF 2223
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Soon and Very Soon (R) SOON AND VERY SOON GTG 384
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To God Be the Glory (G) TO GOD BE THE GLORY GTG 634, PH 485
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 148
Metrical
-
Let the Whole Creation Cry [SALZBURG]; GTG 679, PH 256, PAS 148 I
-
Let All Creation’s Wonders [THAXTED]; PAS 148A; LUYH 555
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Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah [PRAISE JEHOVAH]; PAS 148C, LUYH 6
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Praise the Lord! O Heavens Adore Him [AUSTRIAN HYMN]; PAS 148F
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Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator / Nyanyikanlah [NYANYIKANLAH]; GTG 18, PAS 148E, LUYH 550
Responsorial
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Alleluia! Alleluia!; PSA 155
-
Hallelujah [Zimbabwe]; PAS 148G (alt. refrain)
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O Bless the Lord; PAS 148B
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Sing to the Lord a New Song! [GELOBT SEI GOTT]; HTP1 92
Organ Music
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“Declamation on DIX,” Oxford Hymn Settings: Epiphany, Craig Phillips, OUP (M)
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“TWO OAKS,” Jubilate 2, Lynn Trapp, CON (E)
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“RENDEZ À DIEU,” Organ Tapestries, vol. 1, Mark Sedio, CON (M)
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“Cantilena on A New Commandment,” Oxford Hymn Settings: Lent and Passiontide, David Blackwell, OUP (ME)
Piano Music
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“All Creatures of Our God and King,” LASST UNS ERFREUEN, All Nature Sings, Larry Shackley, LOR (M)
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“Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life,” GERMANY, The Church Pianist’s Library, vol. 11, Lloyd Larson, LOR (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“I Am Content,” John A. Behnke, CON, SATB, keybd (E)
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“As You Serve, Remember Me,” Joel Raney, LOR, SATB, keybd, opt orch (ME)
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“Christ Still Rises,” Benjamin Brody, GIA, SATB, pno, opt vln (ME)
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“One Day Soon, We’ll See Jesus,” Andraé Crouch and Mary McDonald, HOPE, SATB, keybd, opt vln, opt guitar (ME)
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“If Ye Love Me,” Philip Stopford, HAL, SSATBB, acap (MA)
Art
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Revelation 21:03, Timothy R. Botts, 2016 (EYE)
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Celebration, John August Swanson, 2016 (EYE)
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I Sapore de Amore_979, Wayne Forte, 2016 (EYE)
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Plexus A1, Gabriel Dawe, 2015 (VCS)
