Jesus Appears to the Disciples, Who in the Beginning, Did Not Believe it
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
An Invitation To The Easter Celebration
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the one who lived and died and who lives again, welcome to the third Sunday in Easter. Yes, on the church calendar, we continue in the season of Easter. So, rejoice! As we begin, consider these questions: (1) Why have you come?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) (2) What do you expect to happen to you, through you?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) (3) "Have you come as spectators or participants?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) Invite anyone who chooses to respond verbally. (Give time for responses.)
Hymn of Praise
"God of Love and Joy and Laughter," Jane Parker Huber.
Prayer of Praise
Invite three people ahead of time to offer sentence prayers of praise.
Taking Responsibility For Ourselves
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Invite the people to examine those times when they had difficulty believing because of their fears. Write them down. Now, invite them to examine those times when they did not, or would not, believe because of their joy and amazement. Write them down. Identify the difference between the two. Ask if anyone would like to respond. (Never rush through the confession.) If no one does respond, offer one of your own insights.
Response
"Jesus is the Answer, Jesus is the Question," by Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Taking Responsibility
Whatever form our sin takes, be it subtle or blatant, we can know, because of God's promise and power, it is already forgiven. The question is: "Are we willing to accept God's forgiveness?" (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
"Good News Is Ours to Tell," Jane Parker Huber, 1978 (based on Luke 24:1-11; John 3:16); William H. Walter, 1894.
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
What is your favorite truth about Jesus? That is, what do you most appreciate about him? Tell them about the disciples' experience with him in this passage for today. Give thanks for his presence and his love for each of us, and for all of us.
Reading the Scripture
This is easy to dramatize with Jesus and the disciples in conversation. Dramatizing the passage will greatly increase its impact.
Proclamation of the Gospel
Possibly consider the doubts of the disciples, their disbelief because of their joy and amazement, and the promise from the Father.
Response
Include each aspect of the Gospel in your prayer.
Being Responsible In The World
Stewardship Challenge
Someone has said, "You are poor only when you want more than you have." So, as we prepare to give, do we consider ourselves poor or rich? (One minute of silence before receiving the offer.)
Prayer following the Offering
"By your Spirit, prevent us, God, from becoming niggardly in our response to you."
Hymn of Commitment
"Christ Is Alive!" Brian Wren, 1968; Thomas Williams, 1789; harm. Lowell Mason (1792-1872).
Charge to the Congregation
Use Jesus' words in verses 46-48.
Meditation
"Throughout this coming week, in response to the invitation and call of God on our lives, what is the most loving, caring response that we will make to this person, in this situation, at this time? Does our witness matter, to God, to each other, to self? Absolutely!" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns (invite the people to come early and sing the hymns); or, "St. Anne Fugue," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Lord God of Hosts, Whose Purpose," Shepherd Knapp, 1907; alt., 1972; or, for Communion Sunday, "We Come Unto Our Father's God," Thomas H. Gill, 1868; alt., 1972.
Response to the Message with Children: "Of My Hands," Ray Repp, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Scripture: "All Glory, Praise and Majesty," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Rejoice, Ye Christians," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak," Frances Ridley Havergal, 1872; Robert Schumann, 1839.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns (invite the people to stay and sing).
Pastoral Invitation
In the name of the one who lived and died and who lives again, welcome to the third Sunday in Easter. Yes, on the church calendar, we continue in the season of Easter. So, rejoice! As we begin, consider these questions: (1) Why have you come?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) (2) What do you expect to happen to you, through you?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) (3) "Have you come as spectators or participants?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) Invite anyone who chooses to respond verbally. (Give time for responses.)
Hymn of Praise
"God of Love and Joy and Laughter," Jane Parker Huber.
Prayer of Praise
Invite three people ahead of time to offer sentence prayers of praise.
Taking Responsibility For Ourselves
Introduction to the Act of Confession
Invite the people to examine those times when they had difficulty believing because of their fears. Write them down. Now, invite them to examine those times when they did not, or would not, believe because of their joy and amazement. Write them down. Identify the difference between the two. Ask if anyone would like to respond. (Never rush through the confession.) If no one does respond, offer one of your own insights.
Response
"Jesus is the Answer, Jesus is the Question," by Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Introduction to the Act of Taking Responsibility
Whatever form our sin takes, be it subtle or blatant, we can know, because of God's promise and power, it is already forgiven. The question is: "Are we willing to accept God's forgiveness?" (Two minutes of silence.)
Response
"Good News Is Ours to Tell," Jane Parker Huber, 1978 (based on Luke 24:1-11; John 3:16); William H. Walter, 1894.
The Teaching
Message with the Children of All Ages
What is your favorite truth about Jesus? That is, what do you most appreciate about him? Tell them about the disciples' experience with him in this passage for today. Give thanks for his presence and his love for each of us, and for all of us.
Reading the Scripture
This is easy to dramatize with Jesus and the disciples in conversation. Dramatizing the passage will greatly increase its impact.
Proclamation of the Gospel
Possibly consider the doubts of the disciples, their disbelief because of their joy and amazement, and the promise from the Father.
Response
Include each aspect of the Gospel in your prayer.
Being Responsible In The World
Stewardship Challenge
Someone has said, "You are poor only when you want more than you have." So, as we prepare to give, do we consider ourselves poor or rich? (One minute of silence before receiving the offer.)
Prayer following the Offering
"By your Spirit, prevent us, God, from becoming niggardly in our response to you."
Hymn of Commitment
"Christ Is Alive!" Brian Wren, 1968; Thomas Williams, 1789; harm. Lowell Mason (1792-1872).
Charge to the Congregation
Use Jesus' words in verses 46-48.
Meditation
"Throughout this coming week, in response to the invitation and call of God on our lives, what is the most loving, caring response that we will make to this person, in this situation, at this time? Does our witness matter, to God, to each other, to self? Absolutely!" (WHK).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Easter hymns (invite the people to come early and sing the hymns); or, "St. Anne Fugue," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Lord God of Hosts, Whose Purpose," Shepherd Knapp, 1907; alt., 1972; or, for Communion Sunday, "We Come Unto Our Father's God," Thomas H. Gill, 1868; alt., 1972.
Response to the Message with Children: "Of My Hands," Ray Repp, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Scripture: "All Glory, Praise and Majesty," J. S. Bach.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Rejoice, Ye Christians," J. S. Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak," Frances Ridley Havergal, 1872; Robert Schumann, 1839.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Easter hymns (invite the people to stay and sing).
