a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
One: Come, let us worship God!
All: We come with joy and amazement. We come, startled and frightened. We come as we are.
One: We assemble together, saying “It is true!”
All: Are not our hearts burning within us?
One: Look! Touch and see! It is Jesus!
All: He has appeared! Our Lord is risen indeed!
One: Christ stands among us, saying “peace be with you.”
All: And we are witnesses of all these things!
Submitted by Rev. Betsy Turner, Luther Hays Presbyterian Church, Hayston, GA
We exalt you, O Lord,
because you have raised us from the grave
and have given us the victory over our enemy Death.
When we called out to you, you raised us up and restored us to life.
We sing praises to you and give you thanks
when we remember the marvelous things you have done.
We pray for your favor, O God,
on those who suffer
and endure the wrath of illness, brokenness, change, or loss.
We pray for those who weep,
that your joy would break forth like the dawn.
We pray for those who are uncertain and insecure,
that you would show your favor, protect your people,
and strengthen those in need.
We pray for those who seek your face,
who have not yet found what they long for,
that you would reveal yourself again.
We pray for those who face death or despair,
that your faithfulness would be known even in the dust.
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on us.
In Christ’s resurrection
you have turned our wailing into dancing;
you have taken off our mourning clothes and dressed us with joy.
Therefore we trust, and our hearts sing unceasingly,
O Lord our God, in the name of the risen Christ,
who taught us to pray as we say:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
Risen Christ,
you opened the scriptures to your disciples
and made their hearts burn within them.
Open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts,
so we might recognize you once again
in these words of scripture,
by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
One: It was dawn. The sun was warming the earth. The birds were singing.
Many: The beauty of the day was lost on the grieving women.
It may as well have been midnight as they approached the tomb.
One: It was dawn. The earth was rejoicing. The breeze whispered alleluias across the land.
Many: It made no sense. The stone had moved. The body was gone.
Confusion and fear shoved grief to the side.
One: It was dawn. The trees swayed in the rhythm of songs from the heavens.
Many: Dazzling clothes, strange voices, familiar words:
On the third day the Son of Man will rise again.
One: It was dawn. The women were running. The words were forming.
Many: Christ is risen! Come and see!
One: Christ is Risen!
ALL: He is risen indeed.
Submitted by Laura Viau.
Risen One, you accompany us on our journey, but we don’t always see you or know you are there
Be with us as we meet in fellowship today
Our hearts burn within us as you teach us your Way, and we want to love as you love
Be with us as we follow your Way
Our eyes are opened as you break bread and pour wine for us.
Be with us as we remember your life, death, and resurrection. Amen!
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Keppel, Ancho + Corona Presbyterian Churches, New Mexico
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