SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Bless our God who has given us counsel.
Come to worship with exulting heart and rejoicing spirit.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of creation and resurrection; Savior by birth, death and resurrection; Spirit of our rebirth into hope; we confess that we can take our hope for granted. The passing of Easter year after year is accepted in many ways as routine, and we forget that the first Easter is unique in human history. If we give short shrift to the significance of the resurrection of Jesus, forgive such indifference. The death of a loved one or the imminence of our own death will test our faith soon enough, and we need a strong faith to sustain us; in the living Lord. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God, with great mercy, has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Trust the Christ you cannot see and love him with joy beyond words for that faith brings at last the salvation of your soul.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Loving God, in a doubting world, keep us alive in ourfaith that Jesus is our Messiah, your Son and our brother, that we may have life in his name. Amen.
God of purpose, portents, and plans, no rebel power can defeat your final purposes, and we look for continuing signs that your objectives will be realized. In Jesus of Nazareth you fulfill ancient promises to David, not with earthly pomp and circumstance, but with heavenly power over death through resurrection. No ancient throne can bring us gladness, but the presence of the Living Christ through the Spirit brings us joy and hope of eternal life. We are filled with thanksgiving in the confidence that you do not abandon us in death, but lead us on in the way of life. All glory be given to you, O God. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Sovereign God, though you can accomplish your purposes despite the wicked and the evil use of money, we would rather he among your disciples, serving you knowingly with what we have and what we are, in obedient faith. Amen.
PSALM 16
Protect me, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you."
As for the holy ones in the land,
they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.
Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand,
I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Bless our God who has given us counsel.
Come to worship with exulting heart and rejoicing spirit.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of creation and resurrection; Savior by birth, death and resurrection; Spirit of our rebirth into hope; we confess that we can take our hope for granted. The passing of Easter year after year is accepted in many ways as routine, and we forget that the first Easter is unique in human history. If we give short shrift to the significance of the resurrection of Jesus, forgive such indifference. The death of a loved one or the imminence of our own death will test our faith soon enough, and we need a strong faith to sustain us; in the living Lord. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God, with great mercy, has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Trust the Christ you cannot see and love him with joy beyond words for that faith brings at last the salvation of your soul.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Loving God, in a doubting world, keep us alive in ourfaith that Jesus is our Messiah, your Son and our brother, that we may have life in his name. Amen.
God of purpose, portents, and plans, no rebel power can defeat your final purposes, and we look for continuing signs that your objectives will be realized. In Jesus of Nazareth you fulfill ancient promises to David, not with earthly pomp and circumstance, but with heavenly power over death through resurrection. No ancient throne can bring us gladness, but the presence of the Living Christ through the Spirit brings us joy and hope of eternal life. We are filled with thanksgiving in the confidence that you do not abandon us in death, but lead us on in the way of life. All glory be given to you, O God. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Sovereign God, though you can accomplish your purposes despite the wicked and the evil use of money, we would rather he among your disciples, serving you knowingly with what we have and what we are, in obedient faith. Amen.
PSALM 16
Protect me, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you."
As for the holy ones in the land,
they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.
Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand,
I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
