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Call to Worship (in unison)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through he resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 16)
L: I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
P: I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
L: Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
P: For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
ALL: You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

Prayer of the Day
by Rev. Thomas Hall

Keep us safe O God, for we have come to you for refuge. On this day of celebration of your victory over death, we draw near to your promise of refuge and resurrection.

We have awakened to your splendor and beauty. We have slept and risen in safety and peace, We acknowledge your ownership of the very breath that moves rhythmically in and out of our lungs. Our minds are clear enough to be aware of the presence of others; you have kept us safe, O God, to appreciate our friends and family and to ascribe the honor due your holy name.

Though you invite us to yourself for safety and refuge, too often we flirt with death and the things that lead us from your love. We cling too tightly to our inheritance and forget that you are our inheritance. We clutch our money as if it were the guarantee of happiness, but we leave off your joy that comes from the awareness that you are with us.

Free us from death. Free us from everything that keeps us from entering more fully into your love and care for us. Fill us with wonder and joy that can only come from trust in you.

You will not leave us alone. You will not leave us. You will not leave. You . . . will show us the way of life and give us the joy of your presence.

We celebrate your victory over death. And our victory over self. And our new life that comes from, is sustained by, and will return to, You. Amen.

Prayer for the Second Sunday of Easter:
Lord, we offer ourselves to you on this second Sunday of Easter. We pray that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead may enliven us too. We humbly ask that you would raise us from the dead works of the flesh and empower us to live a life of joyful service. May the thought of our hearts be aligned with your awesome purpose for our lives, so that we may go from victory to victory even in the midst of human suffering. We give you thanks for the assurance that because Jesus lives, we shall live also, in whose name we pray now, and forevermore. Amen.

Prayerful Devotional on the gospel lesson:
Lord Jesus, you once said to Thomas: "Blessed are they who have not seen and have yet believed."

Today, you say to us: Blessed are you ...

• who, without seeing the Risen Christ, also believe in the Resurrection of Jesus!

• who, without being wealthy or fortunate in life, continue to believe in the love of God!

• who, without receiving the good health or healing for themselves or for some loved one, even after much prayer and sacrifice, continue to believe in the goodness and power of Christ.

• who, in spite of the short-comings of many Christians, continue to believe in the  Church of Christ.

• who, before the mystery and pain of death of a loved one, still believe in the infinite mercy of Christ, and in that Christ would raise this loved one to eternal happiness.

• who, without seeing Christ with bodily eyes, believe that Christ is present in the church, in the believing heart and in the lives of the poor, the oppressed, in those who are hungry, in prison, in those who are despised.  Amen.

Children's Prayer (based on the gospel lesson):
"Dear God, thank you that we can always be open and honest with you.  Thank you that you always listen to our questions, and that you even understand our doubts. Help us to have the courage to ask ask honest questions and be open to your answers. Amen."

Closing Prayer:
Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord's resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Blessing:
Through the resurrection of his Son
God has redeemed you and made you his children.
May he bless you with joy. Amen.

The Redeemer has given you lasting freedom.
May you inherit his everlasting life. Amen.

By faith you rose with him in baptism.
May your lives be holy,
so that you will be united with him for ever. Amen