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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 133)

L: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
P: It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.
L: Come let us worship God in love and unity.

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.

An Affirmation of Unity in Christ

Who are we whom God has called? Few of us are wise; few are powerful.
Yet to shame the wise God has chosen what the world counts folly;
to shame the strong God has chosen what the world counts weakness.
In union with Jesus Christ, we are all children of God.
Baptized into union with Christ, we have put on Christ like a garment.
There is no such thing as Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female;
we are all one in Jesus Christ.

 

Litany for Christian Unity

Across all our barriers of language, race, and nationality:
Unite us, Jesus.

Across all our mutual ignorance, prejudice and hostility:
Unite us, Jesus.

Across all our differences of thought, outlook, and religious allegiance:
Unite us, Jesus.

O God, for your greater glory:
Gather together your separated people.

O God, for the triumph of goodness and truth:
Gather together your separated people.

O God, that there may be one flock and one shepherd:
Gather together your separated people.

O God, that peace may reign in the world at last:
Gather together your separated people.

Amen.

Prayer of Confession (1 John / Acts)
from the Graz worship book

L: Eternal and all-powerful God, you put away nothing of what you have created, and you forget the sins of those who repent. Create and awake in us a new and contrite heart, that we may regret our sins, recognize our weaknesses, and receive from you, God of all mercy, full pardon and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

L: Let us seek the forgiveness of God and of each other for the divisions that have hindered Christian witness: Lord we have sinned against you and against each other.

C: Lord, have mercy.

L: O Christ, our divisions are contrary to your will and have impeded our common witness to you.

C: Christ have mercy.

L: Lord, we have not loved you enough in our brothers and sisters, created in your image, but different from us.

C: Lord, have mercy.

L: Creator God, let us no longer live beside each other as strangers. Satisfy the longings of our hearts, grant our rightful requests, and unite us soon in one holy church through your Son Jesus Christ who with you in the communion of the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally.

brief silence

Pardon:  Hear the Good news: If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In the name of Christ, you are forgiven.

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 for Unity:

Father, you have reconciled us with yourself in Christ your Son. With him we have been buried in the waters of baptism and raised to share his life by the Holy Spirit. In him we have become a new creation. Help all those who bear his name repent of their sins, reach out to one an other and continue together un to the fullness of life. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our one 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.