Third Sunday of EasterEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin. P: To you, O God, C: all hearts are open, to you all desires known. We come to you, confessing our sins. Forgive us in your mercy, and remember us in your love. Show us your ways; teach us your paths; and lead us in justice and truth, for the sake of your goodness in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. P: By water and the Holy Spirit God gives you a new birth, and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God forgives you all your sins. The God of mercy and might strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life. C: Amen. HYMN “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. First Reading: Acts 3:12-19 12[Peter] addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. 17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.” Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48 Jesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “The Strife is O’er the Battle Done” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: O God our holy one, you feed our deepest hungers. As we share the holy meal that is the body and blood of Jesus given for us, lead us to share all that we have, and find, in generosity, abundant life. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our creator, you bring forth all life on earth. Calm storms, bring water to parched places, and protect the soil. Be with our farmers as they prepare for planting season. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our savior, you offer wisdom and guidance beyond all human knowledge. Guide lawmakers, judges, and elected officials in making decisions grounded in your justice and care for all people. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our heavenly parent, you care for all your children. Encourage those who are in times of transition, facing the loss, and anticipating change. Guide those who journey in grief, hope, and uncertainty (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our center, you bring all people together in you. Help us to remember our identity and purpose in our ministry. Move us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to share in beloved community. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our resting place, your Son Jesus promised that we are held in your love forever. We remember our beloved who have died. As we remember and share their love, comfort those who mourn. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts can be sent to the church P: Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here, today, be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our true vine. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung BENEDICTION P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! P: The God of resurrection power, the Christ of unending joy, and the Spirit of Easter hope + bless you now and always. C: Amen. HYMN “This Joyful Eastertide” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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