Lectionary Readings
Acts 10:44–48
Gentiles receive the gift of the Spirit; they should be baptized too.
Psalm 98
Make a joyful noise to the Lord; give thanks for God’s victory.
1 John 5:1–6
Trust in Jesus, who came by water and blood, and be born of God.
John 15:9–17
Jesus says: This is my commandment, that you love one another.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
The psalmist encourages us to praise God
for all the marvelous things God has done.
We join with all creation in praise,
for God’s love and faithfulness to us is endless.
We sing because God chooses us out of God’s great love.
We choose God’s love,
which bears us in fullness beyond compare.
Prayer of the Day
You promise to complete us with your joy, O Christ.
This blessed assurance is ours
as we do what you commanded
and live in the fullness of love.
As you love us,
give us the strength of heart to love one another.
Fuel us with love and joy,
that our petitions might fly to your ear.
May our faith bear fruit pleasing to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. 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 God, whose love knows no bounds,
forgive us when we fail to reflect your loving kindness.
When we turn away from the goodness of your love,
call us back with the tender voice of a caring friend.
When we stumble over the gift of your grace,
lift us up with the strong arms of a loving parent.
When we are certain that we are alone in the chaos of this world,
shower us with peace, the gentle breeze of an evening rain.
When we cannot feel the flowing of your peace,
show us your love with the hands and feet of Christ, your love incarnate.
Forgive us, risen Christ, of all the ways we fall short,
and teach us to be agents of resurrection 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
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 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 . . .
Pour out the gift of your Holy Spirit upon us,
so that we may speak your truth and live your love
as believers in the body of Christ our Lord.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for the world . . .
Let the whole earth make a joyful noise to you.
Let the sea laugh and the mountains sing
in the justice and joy of your presence.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for this community . . .
Help us to love one another as Christ loves us,
laying down our lives for those in need,
so that all may know fullness and joy in you.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Let those who struggle with sickness and sorrow
know your victory over the powers of sin and death.
Surround and sustain them with your love.
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:
The sea roars, the floods clap their hands; the hills sing together for joy,
for you judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
All the ends of the earth have seen your victory!
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:
There is no greater love than the love revealed to us in Christ Jesus,
who taught us to love one another even as he has loved us,
and who laid down his own life in love for the world.
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 keep your commandments with freedom and joy.
Let your Spirit of truth testify through our lives
that Christ Jesus, your Son, has triumphed over all the world.
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
Coventry Cathedral Baptistery, 1962
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- All Creatures of Our God and King (G) LASST UNS ERFREUEN GTG 15
- All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! (A) CORONATION GTG 263
- Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather (G) TOKYO GTG 311
- Joy to the World (A) RICHMOND GTG 266
WORD
- He Came Down (G) HE CAME DOWN GTG 137
- Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me (G) ST. CATHERINE GTG 703
- Spirit of the Living God (A) LIVING GOD GTG 288
- Un mandamiento nuevo (A new commandment) (G) MANDAMIENTO NUEVO SSS 152
EUCHARIST
- Blest Be the Tie That Binds (E) DENNIS GTG 306
- Bread of Heaven, on Thee We Feed (G) ARFON GTG 496
- Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (G) CHEREPONI GTG 203
- One Bread, One Body (A) ONE BREAD, ONE BODY GTG 530
SENDING
- Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (E) BEECHER GTG 761
- For Everyone Born (AEG) FOR EVERYONE BORN GTG 769
- How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord (E) REPTON GTG 432
- In Christ There Is No East or West (AG) MCKEE GTG 317, ST. PETER GTG 318
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- New Songs of Celebration Render [RENDEZ À DIEU (GENEVAN 98/118)]; GTG 371, PH 218, SSS 442 (with Spanish translation)
- Sing, Sing a New Song to the Lord God [RENDEZ À DIEU (GENEVAN 98/118)]; PAS 98C, LUYH 547
- Sing a New Song to Our Savior [8.7.8.7 D]; SGP 145
- To God Compose a Song of Joy [RICHMOND, KEDDY]; NCH 36, PH 219
- Joy to the World [RICHMOND]; GTG 134
Responsorial
- All the Ends of the Earth Have Seen the Victory; PAS 98B (alt. refrain)
- Sing to the Lord a New Song; PAS 98A
- Sing a New Song unto the Lord [SING A NEW SONG]; GTG 276
Organ Music
- “In Christ There Is No East or West,” The Essential Dale Wood, Dale Wood, LOR (M)
- “Coronation,” A Mighty Fortress, David Schelat, MSM (ME)
- O Worship the King, The Organist’s Library, vol. 53, Franklin Ritter, LOR (ME)
- “LASST UNS ERFREUEN,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, Mark Sedio, AF (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Holy Spirit, Gift of God,” John Eggert, SATB, MSM, cong, obo, org (E)
- “If Ye Love Me,” Philip Wilby, JWP, SSATB, org (M)
- “If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments,” Thomas Tallis, OUP, SATB, acap (E)
- “Let All the Multitudes of Light,” TUPELO, Howard Helvey, BP, SATB, org (M)
- “Now the Green Blade Rises,” David McCullough, MSM, SATB, keybd (M)
- “Let Us Love One Another,” Mark Sirett, AF, SATB, org (E)
Handbell Music
- “For Everyone Born,” Sandra Eithun, 3–7 oct, opt hc, LOR, 202141L, Level 3+
- “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above,” Cynthia Dobrinski, 3–5 oct, HOPE, 2084, Level 3
- “In Christ There Is No East or West,” Anna Laura Page, 2–5 oct, CGA, CGB953 (2–3 oct), CGB854 (3–5 oct), Level 2
Art
- Prodigal Son, wood carving, Paszym, Poland (VDL)
- Messenger of Sympathy and Love, Eugene Savage (VDL)
- Baptistry, Coventry Cathedral (VDL)
- Wooden Love Sign, Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand (VDL)
- Baptized and Beloved, Jan Richardson (JR)
