Jesus' Appearance to the Disciples
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
A Celebration Of Resurrection
Invitation to the Easter Celebration
Welcome to the second Sunday of Easter. If Easter ended for you last Sunday, then it never began. For Easter is not so much a day on the calendar, but an ongoing event in our lives. So rejoice, and keep on rejoicing. And all the people said, "Tah-dah!"
P: So, again I ask, have you heard the news, with heart, mind, body, spirit?
M: Yes, we have! And tell us again. We need reminding.
P: God has sent a rescue party to search out those cut off from the truth.
M: Tell us more! We need to hear more.
P: The leader is Jesus. He has broadcast, "I have come to seek and to save the lost."
M: Is he doing this alone?
P: He began alone. In fact, he was killed in the effort. But God raised him from the dead. Now, he has millions assisting him in the search. If you have received him into your life, you are counted among those millions.
M: We celebrate the presence and power of this God who cared enough to send the very best.
Response
"Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!" (Ludwig von Beethoven, 1824; adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796-1867; alt. Brian Wren, b. 1936).
Prayer of Praise
"O God, the One who has given us permission to be in history, we stand judged by the great mystery of the Easter event, admitting that we have not understood it or lived by it. The event spoke to us of authentic life, but we are preoccupied with making a living. This event speaks to us of life today, but we see the present chaos as too large to deal with. This event speaks to us of life in the future, but we would rather restore the familiar patterns of the past. This event speaks to us of faith, but we are more at home with what can be measured and programmed. This event speaks to us of hope, but we limp along on wishful thinking. This event speaks to us of love, but we prefer our stance of indifference." Invite the congregation to complete this prayer, written by Robert E. Deckert, Charbonier United Methodist Church, Florissant, Missouri.
Response
"Easter for the World" (Avery and Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Recognizing Who We Are And Whose We Are
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Have any of you even had any doubts about the point of all this church business? Have you ever asked yourself, "Why bother? What does all of this church activity mean? Is it worth it?" Or, perhaps your doubting goes even deeper. "Did Christ really rise from the dead?" With Thomas, "I won't believe until I can get some tangible proof." Well, Thomas did doubt; and Jesus refused to reject him. So, doubting not only is okay, it is essential to a growing faith. Suggest that people read Leslie Weatherhead's The Christian Agnostic. Doubting is a part of faith, not apart from faith. So I invite all of you doubters to pray this prayer (source lost): "Lord God (in case you exist), on the basis of your word (in case you said it), I ask you (in case you can hear me) to forgive my sins; be with me in my anxiety, comfort me in my loneliness, show me my neighbor, and kindle love in my heart. Let me discover that, in good times and bad, in all the high points and frustrating times of my life, it is your hand that reaches out to me, shepherds me along, bears my burdens, strokes my brow in times of trouble, and makes death easier by cradling my head. I will get up tomorrow, making the most of my opportunities for you, and serving my neighbors 'as though' you exist. Then you will break out of the great silence surrounding you, and you suddenly will be with me."
Response
Two minutes of silence, followed by "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" (African-American Spiritual).
The Act of Receiving New Life
Doubting is not the "Unpardonable Sin." Healthy doubting leads to healthy growth. So, all you agnostics out there, stop being so hard on yourself! Give yourself a break today! Wrestle with God until you know the truth!
Response
(Ask the people to stand.) Choir: "As Long As Men On Earth Are Living," (Portuguese Tune, arranged by Paul Abels. Change "men" to "all." From Workers Quarterly: Hymns for Now, published by the Walther League. See Appendix I for address).
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Deal with doubting on their level. For example, a friend has lied to them, and they doubt that they can ever trust that person again. Let them know that Jesus never turned Thomas away because he doubted.
Response
"O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing" (French tune, fifteenth century, attr. Jean Tisserand, d. 1494; trans. John Mason Neale, 1852).
Proclamation of the Good News
In advance, ask several people what form their doubts took before they became Christians, and what doubts they continue to raise, even if they've been Christians for fifty years. If they prefer not to speak in worship, ask them to write a paragraph which you will read to begin the proclamation.
Response
Use a second time, "O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing."
Stewardship Challenge
(Even though you may have used this before) Before the offering: "If we gave our tithes and offerings in a face-to-face encounter with Christ, would we give him the same amount that we will put in the offering plate in a few minutes?" After the offering, "Thank you, Lord, for helping us to see you as you are, so that we will serve you as you will."
Charge to the Congregation
Again I say, if Easter is now over for us, it never began. For Easter is not a day on the calendar, sandwiched between the first day of spring and the opening of the fishing season. Easter is an experience of the heart, will, mind, body. Easter goes on, in the lives of the Easter people who have said "yes" to the Giver of Life, with renewed, enriched, abundant life. We are the Easter people, now! And, all the people said, "Tah-dah!"
Meditation
"I rate a man (person) or a church, not by the reasons they give for things, but by the things for which they give reasons" (written by George Bernard Shaw in a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury). Simeon Stylites, in The Christian Century, years ago commented on that letter with these words: "Our faith is not in the reasons we give for things but in the experiences for which we are impelled to give reasons. The experience of Easter comes first. The finding of reasons for it comes afterwards. The experience is our response to the tremendous affirmation that Christ is and is present with us."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns.
Hymn of Praise: "Come, You People, Rise and Sing," Cyril A. Alington (1872-1955); alt., 1972.
Response to the Act of Pardon: "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain," attr. to John of Damascus (675? - 749?); trans. John Mason Neale, 1859; alt., 1972.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "When We Are Tempted to Deny Your Son," David W. Romig, 1965.
Response to the Proclamation: "The Tree Springs to Life," Fred Kahn.
Offertory: "Rejoice, Ye Christians," Bach.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns.
Invitation to the Easter Celebration
Welcome to the second Sunday of Easter. If Easter ended for you last Sunday, then it never began. For Easter is not so much a day on the calendar, but an ongoing event in our lives. So rejoice, and keep on rejoicing. And all the people said, "Tah-dah!"
P: So, again I ask, have you heard the news, with heart, mind, body, spirit?
M: Yes, we have! And tell us again. We need reminding.
P: God has sent a rescue party to search out those cut off from the truth.
M: Tell us more! We need to hear more.
P: The leader is Jesus. He has broadcast, "I have come to seek and to save the lost."
M: Is he doing this alone?
P: He began alone. In fact, he was killed in the effort. But God raised him from the dead. Now, he has millions assisting him in the search. If you have received him into your life, you are counted among those millions.
M: We celebrate the presence and power of this God who cared enough to send the very best.
Response
"Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!" (Ludwig von Beethoven, 1824; adapt. Edward Hodges, 1796-1867; alt. Brian Wren, b. 1936).
Prayer of Praise
"O God, the One who has given us permission to be in history, we stand judged by the great mystery of the Easter event, admitting that we have not understood it or lived by it. The event spoke to us of authentic life, but we are preoccupied with making a living. This event speaks to us of life today, but we see the present chaos as too large to deal with. This event speaks to us of life in the future, but we would rather restore the familiar patterns of the past. This event speaks to us of faith, but we are more at home with what can be measured and programmed. This event speaks to us of hope, but we limp along on wishful thinking. This event speaks to us of love, but we prefer our stance of indifference." Invite the congregation to complete this prayer, written by Robert E. Deckert, Charbonier United Methodist Church, Florissant, Missouri.
Response
"Easter for the World" (Avery and Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Recognizing Who We Are And Whose We Are
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
Have any of you even had any doubts about the point of all this church business? Have you ever asked yourself, "Why bother? What does all of this church activity mean? Is it worth it?" Or, perhaps your doubting goes even deeper. "Did Christ really rise from the dead?" With Thomas, "I won't believe until I can get some tangible proof." Well, Thomas did doubt; and Jesus refused to reject him. So, doubting not only is okay, it is essential to a growing faith. Suggest that people read Leslie Weatherhead's The Christian Agnostic. Doubting is a part of faith, not apart from faith. So I invite all of you doubters to pray this prayer (source lost): "Lord God (in case you exist), on the basis of your word (in case you said it), I ask you (in case you can hear me) to forgive my sins; be with me in my anxiety, comfort me in my loneliness, show me my neighbor, and kindle love in my heart. Let me discover that, in good times and bad, in all the high points and frustrating times of my life, it is your hand that reaches out to me, shepherds me along, bears my burdens, strokes my brow in times of trouble, and makes death easier by cradling my head. I will get up tomorrow, making the most of my opportunities for you, and serving my neighbors 'as though' you exist. Then you will break out of the great silence surrounding you, and you suddenly will be with me."
Response
Two minutes of silence, followed by "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" (African-American Spiritual).
The Act of Receiving New Life
Doubting is not the "Unpardonable Sin." Healthy doubting leads to healthy growth. So, all you agnostics out there, stop being so hard on yourself! Give yourself a break today! Wrestle with God until you know the truth!
Response
(Ask the people to stand.) Choir: "As Long As Men On Earth Are Living," (Portuguese Tune, arranged by Paul Abels. Change "men" to "all." From Workers Quarterly: Hymns for Now, published by the Walther League. See Appendix I for address).
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
Deal with doubting on their level. For example, a friend has lied to them, and they doubt that they can ever trust that person again. Let them know that Jesus never turned Thomas away because he doubted.
Response
"O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing" (French tune, fifteenth century, attr. Jean Tisserand, d. 1494; trans. John Mason Neale, 1852).
Proclamation of the Good News
In advance, ask several people what form their doubts took before they became Christians, and what doubts they continue to raise, even if they've been Christians for fifty years. If they prefer not to speak in worship, ask them to write a paragraph which you will read to begin the proclamation.
Response
Use a second time, "O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing."
Stewardship Challenge
(Even though you may have used this before) Before the offering: "If we gave our tithes and offerings in a face-to-face encounter with Christ, would we give him the same amount that we will put in the offering plate in a few minutes?" After the offering, "Thank you, Lord, for helping us to see you as you are, so that we will serve you as you will."
Charge to the Congregation
Again I say, if Easter is now over for us, it never began. For Easter is not a day on the calendar, sandwiched between the first day of spring and the opening of the fishing season. Easter is an experience of the heart, will, mind, body. Easter goes on, in the lives of the Easter people who have said "yes" to the Giver of Life, with renewed, enriched, abundant life. We are the Easter people, now! And, all the people said, "Tah-dah!"
Meditation
"I rate a man (person) or a church, not by the reasons they give for things, but by the things for which they give reasons" (written by George Bernard Shaw in a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury). Simeon Stylites, in The Christian Century, years ago commented on that letter with these words: "Our faith is not in the reasons we give for things but in the experiences for which we are impelled to give reasons. The experience of Easter comes first. The finding of reasons for it comes afterwards. The experience is our response to the tremendous affirmation that Christ is and is present with us."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns.
Hymn of Praise: "Come, You People, Rise and Sing," Cyril A. Alington (1872-1955); alt., 1972.
Response to the Act of Pardon: "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain," attr. to John of Damascus (675? - 749?); trans. John Mason Neale, 1859; alt., 1972.
Response to the Newer Covenant: "When We Are Tempted to Deny Your Son," David W. Romig, 1965.
Response to the Proclamation: "The Tree Springs to Life," Fred Kahn.
Offertory: "Rejoice, Ye Christians," Bach.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns.
