FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come to the Lord, our living Stone--the Stone rejected by many but choice and precious in the sight of God. Come, and let yourselves be built as living stones into a spiritual temple; become a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Invisible Father seen only in the visible Son, invisible Worker at work in Jesus of Nazareth, Divine Doer doing greater things still in those who have faith in you; forgive our failure to accomplish what you have wanted to do through us. Too often we have allowed our faith to grow weak, not sustaining it with honest questions addressed to you in your church and in your word. Like Thomas and Philip, we have had doubts of a lack of understanding, but not the same readiness to get our questions answered. Forgive our wandering, our fuzzimindedness, our lack of vitality, when you have given us Jesus to be for us the way, the truth and the life. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! You are now the people of God, who once were not; once outside God's mercy, now you have received mercy. Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
You are a people owned by God, to proclaim the triumphs of Christ, who has called you out of darkness into marvelous light.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Bring us to your house, heavenly Parent, trusting in your preparation to receive us, following Jesus who is the way, learning of Jesus who is the truth, drawing strength from Jesus who is the life. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Light in darkness, Life out of death, Creator of unity, we rejoice in the triumphs of your love and grace. Out of darkness and doubt and distress you bring us to light and certainty and peace. Out of mortality and fear of death and unbelief, you lead us to trust and hope and eternal life. Out of scatteredness and shapelessness and clumsy purposelessness you make us into a people, a worshipping community, a corporation for service; through Jesus Christ, Prince of Priests. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Creator and Sustainer of the church, so keep us in the faith that we may not he separated from you and one another, hut united in a common service with diverse hut complementary gifts to offer you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 31:1-5, 15-16
In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever he put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
Come to the Lord, our living Stone--the Stone rejected by many but choice and precious in the sight of God. Come, and let yourselves be built as living stones into a spiritual temple; become a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Invisible Father seen only in the visible Son, invisible Worker at work in Jesus of Nazareth, Divine Doer doing greater things still in those who have faith in you; forgive our failure to accomplish what you have wanted to do through us. Too often we have allowed our faith to grow weak, not sustaining it with honest questions addressed to you in your church and in your word. Like Thomas and Philip, we have had doubts of a lack of understanding, but not the same readiness to get our questions answered. Forgive our wandering, our fuzzimindedness, our lack of vitality, when you have given us Jesus to be for us the way, the truth and the life. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! You are now the people of God, who once were not; once outside God's mercy, now you have received mercy. Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
You are a people owned by God, to proclaim the triumphs of Christ, who has called you out of darkness into marvelous light.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Bring us to your house, heavenly Parent, trusting in your preparation to receive us, following Jesus who is the way, learning of Jesus who is the truth, drawing strength from Jesus who is the life. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Light in darkness, Life out of death, Creator of unity, we rejoice in the triumphs of your love and grace. Out of darkness and doubt and distress you bring us to light and certainty and peace. Out of mortality and fear of death and unbelief, you lead us to trust and hope and eternal life. Out of scatteredness and shapelessness and clumsy purposelessness you make us into a people, a worshipping community, a corporation for service; through Jesus Christ, Prince of Priests. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Creator and Sustainer of the church, so keep us in the faith that we may not he separated from you and one another, hut united in a common service with diverse hut complementary gifts to offer you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 31:1-5, 15-16
In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever he put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
