Topical Prayer: God, we are all the characters int he story. The women who find the stone rolled away, and are terrified of the angel, the disciples who do not believe the resurrection to be true, Peter who runs to see it all only to be left with the wrappings from the tomb. As we experience this story, let us embrace the amazement and perplexity of the events. They are truly beyond human ken. Though that is uncomfortable, let us sit with the wonder that Easter is we pray. Amen.
Easter Sunday Prayers
Journey to Resurrection
April 4
Resurrection
Resurrection of Our Lord
Luke 24:1-12: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=476536856
Psalm 118: 17, 21-24: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=476536876
Call to Worship:
God, I thank you that you have become my salvation
Look! The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
This is the day that the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen, indeed, alleluia.
Invitation: Let all who are astonished by the resurrection confess themselves to God.
Confession: God we confess that we too are perplexed by the resurrection. How did it happen? Is it real? Did it truly happen to save us all? Help us in our confusion and questions. Give us the courage to ask about the things we don’t know and the wisdom to let some things be mysterious. Help us to be a resurrection people, ready to go out and proclaim the mystery and the truth of God’s love to all we meet. In the name of your risen son Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Christ is alive! Risen to forgive all sins. Let us tell the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God we are in great need of alleluias! Let us go into Easter with full hearts and dripping with grace we pray.
Communion Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is a great honor to celebrate your death once again. This time in the midst of the very resurrection you promised. You remind us that we cannot have resurrection without death. Comfort us as we mourn your death, and enable us to celebrate your life all within this meal. Send you Holy Spirit to dance upon our tongues and give us a foretaste of the feast in heaven, with all the saints that were and are and will be we pray. Amen.
Hymns: Christ is Alive!, Come Ye Faithful Raise the Strain, The Day of Resurrection!, Thine is the Glory, Jesus Christ is Risen Today!,
Taize: Laudate Dominum: Sing, Praise and Bless the Lord, Peoples, Nations, Alleluia!
For the Complete List of Narrative Lectionary Lent Resources can be found here including a way to receive a doc copy
Hearts Aflame Prayer
Holy Jesus, how can we not recognize you? How can we have celebrated the resurrection with the women, and yet still the disciples are not yet aware that Easter has taken place. Melt our hearts, O Lord, set us on fire, so we might no longer journey frightened and alone, but know you are more than footprints in the sand, so we might know you walk with us. Amen
Easter/Resurrection Links of Prayer
Invitation to be Raised by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl
Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl) appreciated.
Luke 24:1-12 and Psalm 118: 17, 21-24 or Psalm 118:20
Call to Worship/Opening Prayer
Option A: Gospel
Bring us to your place of resurrection, Lord.
Perplex us. Terrify us. Make us remember.
Send us out to tell the good news.
Bring us back to see for ourselves.
Amaze us by what has happened, and by what continues to happen.
Make us your resurrection people.
Option B: Gospel
We are perplexed when Christ Jesus is not in the tomb.When confronted by your messengers, we are moved to worship.They tell us we are looking for the living among the dead and testify to who Jesus is and what he has promised.Confront us. Speak to us. Fulfill your promises to us.Embolden us to carry Easter news to the world:Christ is risen! ALL: Christ is risen indeed!
Option C: Psalm
I shall not die, but I shall live
I shall recount the deeds of the Lord.
I thank you that you have answered me and become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Prayer of Confession
God, many times we do not pay attention to the tales of what you do. We think they are idle nonsense, full of wishful thinking and overactive imaginings. We are afraid to believe them. We don’t want to be ridiculed or disappointed. When we do not see you, we think that you are missing-in-action. We expect death and tombs, not resurrection and new life. Often we do not remember what you have promised or what you have done. We think that you acted in other times and place, not our own, or we want to be in charge of how and when and why you are act. Forgive us, Lord, and help our unbelief.
Easter Litany
(Possibly for Communion)
One; On this Easter morning,
Many: on this day of resurrection,
ALL: O Lord, raise us up.
One: As Jesus rose up from the grave.
Many: and Peter rose up to go and see
ALL: O Lord, raise us up.
One: Raise us up to the surface
Many: where we can breathe.
One; Raise us up to the mountain
Many: where you can be seen and heard.
ALL: O Lord, raise us up.
One: Raise us up from the tomb
Many: renouncing the old life in favor of the new.
One: Raise us up in mutiny against the powers of evil
Many: resisting hate and injustice.
One: Raise us up in rebellion against all that would separate and divide
Many: Straighten us up in the face of overwhelming threats
ALL O Lord, raise us up.
One: Raise us up from death.
Many: Raise us up with your burgeoning life.
One: Raise us up with your effervescent Spirit.
Many: As your resurrection people
ALL: O Lord, raise us up.
