Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Easter II
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 150
Call to Worship (Psalm 150 & John 20)
One: Praise the LORD!
Many: Praise God for resurrection life!
One: Praise the LORD here in the sanctuary.
Many: Praise God for belief beyond sight.
One: Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Many: For in believing and singing out our praise, we, too, have LIFE!
Opening Prayer (You might ask the congregation to respond with “peace be with you” as you invite them to participate.)
Love Incarnate,
Creator of the bluebells and larks,
Redeemer of all that has life and breath,
Sustainer of the stars and galaxies
Meeting us in our varied seasons of life,
you come into our midst, speaking to each and to all,
“peace be with you”.
As we gather this morning, sharing our alleluias for death overcome,
come into our midst with your connecting words,
“peace be with you”.
Assure us of your presence surrounding us.
Hold us close.
Support us with your sustaining words, “peace be with you”. AMEN
(Opening prayer is adapted from the Church of Scotland.)
Moment for Stewardship
For people living in the northern hemisphere, spring is springing! Perhaps it’s tip-toeing into our awareness one blossom at a time, or it may be full greening of grass, trees, bushes as people are drawn outside to the wonders of azure blue skies and golden sun.
All that life emerging often serves to encourage us – especially if we’ve had a hard winter.
Not even a beautiful spring, however, can compare to the gift we’ve been given in Jesus, raised up from death into new life. In the Gospel of John, the writer details (John 20:31) the purpose of writing this book: “These (signs) are written so you may come to believe Jesus is the Messiah…and through believing you may have life in his name.”
Our full life comes as we believe! Part of full life is our own overflowing spirit of gratitude. Despite the challenges, today, in thanksgiving, we offer symbols of our full life.
This is our time to offer cash, a check or other gifts dropped into the offering plate. Our offering demonstrates our understanding of God’s generous giving to us.
For those worshiping electronically, our offerings may come in the form of a check mailed to the church. For all of us, we might also give during the coming week by calling to encourage others in our congregation, or creating cards of thanks for your minister, your musicians, your youth leaders.
However you are able to demonstrate your gratitude for the amazing gift of being a Resurrection Person, let’s join in making our offering.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Living God, we thank you for the most amazing gift of Jesus, raised from the dead. In joy, we celebrate the gift of your Holy Spirit, alive and at work in us and in your world.
So receive these gifts, and receive our gratitude, as we seek to live fully the life you give us today. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
John 20 leads us to CH #283, “Jesus, Stand Among Us.”
If possible, have the congregation or a soloist sing this as a communion prayer.
Jesus, stand among us in your risen pow’r.
Let this time of worship be a holy hour.
Breath the Holy Spirit into ev’ry heart.
Bid the fears and sorrows from each soul depart.
A week after that amazing, remarkable recognition of the empty tomb, the disciples were gathered once more in the house where they’d participated in Jesus’ last supper (a Passover meal).
So much had happened, we can imagine how disoriented the disciples were.
It makes sense that they returned to the space where they’d last shared bread with Jesus.
This is not simply a meal of looking back, however. Here we’re able to recognize the risen Jesus speaking “Peace” to each one of us. Here we can voice our joy, along with disciples across time and space.
So come, share in food and drink which call you to remember. As you eat and as you drink, remember Jesus, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, which he continues to give. “Breathe the Holy Spirit into every heart!”