The Risen Christ
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
God is never far from any of us.
Indeed, God is very present, at all times and in all places.
It is an affirming, guiding presence, enabling and supportive.
Thus we should call upon God and welcome God into our lives.
Let us seek that presence this hour, and see how the risen Christ would appear to us.
Let us be prepared for him to enter our lives, and bless us with his kind of power.
Invocation
God of mercy, God of grace, ever living, ever near, you come to us rather than wait for us to come to you. You are available - and have resources to meet our every need. It is for us to recognize this, and then to welcome you for who you are, as one who bestows life and love. May our worship this hour lead to this sort of recognition and welcome, a true celebration of people with their God. Enliven our spirits with your Holy Spirit, that we become bearers of good news, that of resurrection, new beginnings, faithful testimony to your work among us. So be it. Amen.
Call to Confession
Even though God stands before us, even though God is here in our midst, we find it difficult to recognize this God. God's Holy Spirit, God's divine power, would assist us that we meet in positive fashion each challenge of this life, yet we fail to take into our lives gifts of God so freely and liberally offered. We limp along, when in truth we could be growing - in faith, in word, and in deed. Let us ask God in prayer that our eyes be opened, that we see and savor the good that God has for each of us.
Prayer of Confession
Just as the disciples saw a figure on the shore that they could not at first recognize, we too sense that a power is present here, one that would help us rather than oppose us, yet we hesitate to call it by name. So do we miss the best that you, God, would offer us. We daily struggle with our problems, when in truth help stands right by our side. When will we wise up, open our eyes, and see? Christ, you never force yourself upon us, yet you have for us the very nourishment that we need for body, spirit, and soul. May we, like Peter, on recognizing you be so overcome by joy that we immediately approach you and pledge to you our love and our loyalty, never again to leave you in this life or in the next. So awaken us today, we pray, that our future be powerfully and inexorably changed - for the good. This we ask in the name of the Risen One, our Advocate and Friend. Amen.
Words of Assurance
The risen Christ motions to us to come, to enjoy his presence, and to be nourished by the life--giving food that he offers. It is indeed freely given, yet it calls for a faithful response. It is there in abundance, yet we are called to share it with all, all who hunger and like ourselves need to be spiritually renewed. Let us not hold back; Christ means to share with you and with me, until we all be filled.
With joy we recognize the Christ and all that he offers. Thanks be to God for such a gracious and filling gift.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 30)
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol.
You restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
This that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Offering Sentences
With Christ, a little turns into much. With Christ, there is no hesitancy about offering to another in love. Christ says to each, "Follow me." So, let us follow his example in our giving and in our service, and we will be amazed at how our little can grow - and grow - and become much. Let us present to God our tithes and our offerings on this day of resurrection.
Prayer of Dedication
For every gift dedicated in love there is a purpose. God, we ask you to show us the purposes for these gifts, those useful ways in which they may be employed to accomplish your will in places near and far. We bow to your wisdom and guidance, O God. May we be perceptive enough to interpret it aright and faithful enough to act upon it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
The risen Christ stands beckoning. To each of us he offers those same words as he spoke to Simon Peter: "Follow me." Let us too reply, "Lord, you know that I love you." And then let us authenticate our words with our deeds and follow faithfully. Amen!
God is never far from any of us.
Indeed, God is very present, at all times and in all places.
It is an affirming, guiding presence, enabling and supportive.
Thus we should call upon God and welcome God into our lives.
Let us seek that presence this hour, and see how the risen Christ would appear to us.
Let us be prepared for him to enter our lives, and bless us with his kind of power.
Invocation
God of mercy, God of grace, ever living, ever near, you come to us rather than wait for us to come to you. You are available - and have resources to meet our every need. It is for us to recognize this, and then to welcome you for who you are, as one who bestows life and love. May our worship this hour lead to this sort of recognition and welcome, a true celebration of people with their God. Enliven our spirits with your Holy Spirit, that we become bearers of good news, that of resurrection, new beginnings, faithful testimony to your work among us. So be it. Amen.
Call to Confession
Even though God stands before us, even though God is here in our midst, we find it difficult to recognize this God. God's Holy Spirit, God's divine power, would assist us that we meet in positive fashion each challenge of this life, yet we fail to take into our lives gifts of God so freely and liberally offered. We limp along, when in truth we could be growing - in faith, in word, and in deed. Let us ask God in prayer that our eyes be opened, that we see and savor the good that God has for each of us.
Prayer of Confession
Just as the disciples saw a figure on the shore that they could not at first recognize, we too sense that a power is present here, one that would help us rather than oppose us, yet we hesitate to call it by name. So do we miss the best that you, God, would offer us. We daily struggle with our problems, when in truth help stands right by our side. When will we wise up, open our eyes, and see? Christ, you never force yourself upon us, yet you have for us the very nourishment that we need for body, spirit, and soul. May we, like Peter, on recognizing you be so overcome by joy that we immediately approach you and pledge to you our love and our loyalty, never again to leave you in this life or in the next. So awaken us today, we pray, that our future be powerfully and inexorably changed - for the good. This we ask in the name of the Risen One, our Advocate and Friend. Amen.
Words of Assurance
The risen Christ motions to us to come, to enjoy his presence, and to be nourished by the life--giving food that he offers. It is indeed freely given, yet it calls for a faithful response. It is there in abundance, yet we are called to share it with all, all who hunger and like ourselves need to be spiritually renewed. Let us not hold back; Christ means to share with you and with me, until we all be filled.
With joy we recognize the Christ and all that he offers. Thanks be to God for such a gracious and filling gift.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 30)
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol.
You restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
This that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Offering Sentences
With Christ, a little turns into much. With Christ, there is no hesitancy about offering to another in love. Christ says to each, "Follow me." So, let us follow his example in our giving and in our service, and we will be amazed at how our little can grow - and grow - and become much. Let us present to God our tithes and our offerings on this day of resurrection.
Prayer of Dedication
For every gift dedicated in love there is a purpose. God, we ask you to show us the purposes for these gifts, those useful ways in which they may be employed to accomplish your will in places near and far. We bow to your wisdom and guidance, O God. May we be perceptive enough to interpret it aright and faithful enough to act upon it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
The risen Christ stands beckoning. To each of us he offers those same words as he spoke to Simon Peter: "Follow me." Let us too reply, "Lord, you know that I love you." And then let us authenticate our words with our deeds and follow faithfully. Amen!
