Vicki Verhulst Cok

This Lord's Supper Liturgy originally appeared in "Great Fifty Days—Easting Morning."We Celebrate the Lord's Supper[For Easter Sunday, or throughout Eastertide, consider placing the baptismal font at the front of your center aisle and inviting people to come forward for communion: “As you pass by the baptismal font on your way to partake, you are invited to place the sign of the water on your forehead as a reminder that through your baptism, you have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.”]Prayer of ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places, to give thanks to you, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us; your love remained steadfast. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our sin,  but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.Above all, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in gloryand ever lives to pray for us.We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth,defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy.Hymn“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” SanctusInstitutionAccording to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with two of his followers, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast, which he has prepared.In thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the assurance of our union with him, we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice dedicated to your service.Great is the mystery of our faith.Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer of Consecration Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.CommunionOur breaking of the bread is our sharing in the body of Christ. Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord was offered for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.Our giving thanks for the cup of blessing is our sharing in the blood of Christ. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.

This Easter sending originally appeared in "Great Fifty Days—Easting Morning."We Are Sent to Love and Serve the LordThe peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.Amen.Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory, and we shall feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal realm.Hymn“Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” [st. 3] Damascus 

This confession and assurance originally appeared in "Great Fifty Days—Easting Morning."We Bow in Prayer and ConfessionO Christ, after your resurrection you appeared to your disciples;you breathed on them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.You gave joy and exultation to the whole creation.Through your victory, we pray to you:Hear us, Lord of glory.O Christ, breathe on us your peace,that our eyes may be opened to recognize you in the breaking of the bread,and to follow wherever you lead.Hear us, Lord of glory.Sung Prayer“Open Our Eyes, Lord” Maranatha MusicScripture Reading: Matthew 25:31–40, The Judgment of the NationsReader 1: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.Reader 2: Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."Reader 3: Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?"Reader 2: The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for mePrayer of ConfessionLet us pray.Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death.We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry and pass by those who mourn. We are deaf to the cries of the oppressed and indifferent to calls for peace. We despise the weak and abuse the earth you made.Forgive us, God of mercy.Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant, given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen. Assurance of PardonRomans 6:1b–10

This gospel reading originally appeared in "Great Fifty Days—Easting Morning."Gospel Reading for EasterFor two men and a womanGospel Reading: John 20:1-18Female: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the     stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus   loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"Male 1: So Peter and the other disciple stated for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)Female: Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.Male 1 & 2: They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"Female: "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him. At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.Male 2: "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"Female: Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."Male 2: Jesus said to her, "Mary."Female: She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).Male 2: Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"Female: Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.ResponseThis is the gospel of Christ.Thanks be to God.Revised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Easter—Resurrection of the Lord

This is part of the worship series, "The Great Fifty Days”Series Introduction Easter Morning  | Eastertide 2 | Eastertide 3 | Eastertide 4  Eastertide 5 | Eastertide 6 | Ascension SundayAscension SundayTheme: Ascension and Reign—Christ as King Opening hymn“Once in Royal David’s City” AlexanderPsalm: Psalm 47Read responsively, alternating verses.Clap your hands, all you peoples;    shout to God with loud songs of joy.For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,    a great king over all the earth.He subdued peoples under us    and nations under our feet.He chose our heritage for us,    the pride of Jacob whom he loves.God has gone up with a shout,    the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.Sing praises to God, sing praises;    sing praises to our King, sing praises.For God is the king of all the earth;    sing praises with a psalm.God is king over the nations;    God sits on his holy throne.The princes of the peoples gather    as the people of the God of Abraham.For the shields of the earth belong to God;    he is highly exalted.—Psalm 47 NRSVUEHymn“Rejoice, the Lord Is King” WesleyPre-resurrection gospel readingLuke 1:26–33: His kingdom will never end.Post-resurrection readingsMatthew 28:16–20: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.Acts 7: 54–60: Stephen sees Jesus at the right hand of God.SermonRejoice! The Lord Is King!Sermon Outline:Christ is victor over Satan, sin, and death.Christ is judge over heaven and earth.Christ is with us.Hymn“At the Name of Jesus” NoelWe Celebrate the Lord's SupperPrayer of ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places, to give thanks to you, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us; your love remained steadfast. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our sin,  but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.Above all, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in gloryand ever lives to pray for us.We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth,defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy.Hymn“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” SanctusInstitutionAccording to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with two of his followers, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast, which he has prepared.In thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the assurance of our union with him, we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice dedicated to your service.Great is the mystery of our faith.Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer of Consecration Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.CommunionOur breaking of the bread is our sharing in the body of Christ. Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord was offered for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.Our giving thanks for the cup of blessing is our sharing in the blood of Christ. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.[For Easter Sunday, or throughout Eastertide, consider placing the baptismal font at the front of your center aisle and inviting people to come forward for communion: “As you pass by the baptismal font on your way to partake, you are invited to place the sign of the water on your forehead as a reminder that through your baptism, you have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.”]Communion songs“O Christ, Our Hope, Our Heart’s Desire” Latin“O Jesus, We Adore You” Russell“Beautiful Savior” Gesangbuch"Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” DixRevised Common LectionaryYear A: Easter—Fifth Sunday of EasterYear A: Season after Pentecost—Trinity Sunday

This is part of the worship series, "The Great Fifty Days”Series Introduction Easter Morning  | Eastertide 2 | Eastertide 3 | Eastertide 4  Eastertide 5 | Eastertide 6 | Ascension SundaySixth Sunday of Eastertide Theme: Atonement—Christ as PriestOpening hymn“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” WesleyPsalm: Psalm 72Read responsively as follows:Leader:Give the king your justice, O God,    and your righteousness to a king’s son.May he judge your people with righteousness    and your poor with justice.May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,    and the hills, in righteousness.May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,    give deliverance to the needy,    and crush the oppressor.Congregation:For he delivers the needy when they call,    the poor and those who have no helper.He has pity on the weak and the needy    and saves the lives of the needy.From oppression and violence he redeems their life,    and precious is their blood in his sight.Leader:May his name endure forever,    his fame continue as long as the sun.May all nations be blessed in him;    may they pronounce him happy.Congregation:Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,    who alone does wondrous things.All:Blessed be his glorious name forever;    may his glory fill the whole earth.                Amen and Amen.Hymn“I Will Sing of My Redeemer” BlissPre-resurrection gospel readingMatthew 1:18–21: He will save his people from their sins.Post-resurrection readingHebrews 9:24–28: Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.SermonSacrificed KingSermon Outline:Jesus was sacrificed in our place.Jesus was sacrificed once for all.Jesus will come again to bring salvation.Hymn“Man of Sorrows—What a Name” BlissWe Celebrate the Lord's SupperPrayer of ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places, to give thanks to you, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us; your love remained steadfast. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our sin,  but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.Above all, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in gloryand ever lives to pray for us.We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth,defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy.Hymn“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” SanctusInstitutionAccording to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with two of his followers, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast, which he has prepared.In thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the assurance of our union with him, we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice dedicated to your service.Great is the mystery of our faith.Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer of Consecration Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.CommunionOur breaking of the bread is our sharing in the body of Christ. Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord was offered for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.Our giving thanks for the cup of blessing is our sharing in the blood of Christ. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.[For Easter Sunday, or throughout Eastertide, consider placing the baptismal font at the front of your center aisle and inviting people to come forward for communion: “As you pass by the baptismal font on your way to partake, you are invited to place the sign of the water on your forehead as a reminder that through your baptism, you have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.”]Communion songs“To God Be the Glory”Crosby“O Christ, Our Hope, Our Heart’s Desire”Latin“Hail, O Once-Despised Jesus”Bakewell“Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”Watts

This is part of the worship series, "The Great Fifty Days”Series Introduction Easter Morning  | Eastertide 2 | Eastertide 3 | Eastertide 4  Eastertide 5 | Eastertide 6 | Ascension SundayFifth Sunday of EastertideTheme: Divinity of ChristOpening hymn“All Glory Be to God on High” TuckerPsalm: Psalm 24Read responsively as follows:Leader:The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,    the world, and those who live in it,for he has founded it on the seas    and established it on the rivers. Congregation:Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?    And who shall stand in his holy place? Leader:Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,    who do not lift up their souls to what is false    and do not swear deceitfully.They will receive blessing from the Lord    and vindication from the God of their salvation.Such is the company of those who seek him,    who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Congregation:Lift up your heads, O gates!    and be lifted up, O ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in! Leader:Who is the King of glory?    The Lord, strong and mighty,    the Lord, mighty in battle. Congregation:Lift up your heads, O gates!    and be lifted up, O ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in! All:Who is this King of glory?    The Lord of hosts,    he is the King of glory.—Psalm 24 NRSVUEHymn“The King of Glory Comes” JabuschPre-resurrection gospel readingJohn 2:12–19: Destroy the temple, and I will raise it in three days.Post-resurrection readingLuke 24:36–48: Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.SermonSigns of AuthoritySermon Outline:Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.Christ had to suffer and rise on the third day.Repentance and forgiveness are given in his name.Hymn“O Son of God the Father” HowWe Celebrate the Lord's SupperPrayer of ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places, to give thanks to you, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us; your love remained steadfast. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our sin,  but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.Above all, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in gloryand ever lives to pray for us.We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth,defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy.Hymn“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” SanctusInstitutionAccording to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with two of his followers, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast, which he has prepared.In thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the assurance of our union with him, we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice dedicated to your service.Great is the mystery of our faith.Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer of Consecration Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.CommunionOur breaking of the bread is our sharing in the body of Christ. Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord was offered for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.Our giving thanks for the cup of blessing is our sharing in the blood of Christ. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.[For Easter Sunday, or throughout Eastertide, consider placing the baptismal font at the front of your center aisle and inviting people to come forward for communion: “As you pass by the baptismal font on your way to partake, you are invited to place the sign of the water on your forehead as a reminder that through your baptism, you have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.”]Communion songs“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” Liturgy of St. James“How Bright Appears the Morning Star” Nicolai“Amen” Afro-American Spiritual“Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” WordsworthRevised Common LectionaryYear B: Easter—Third Sunday of Easter

This is part of the worship series, "The Great Fifty Days”Series Introduction Easter Morning  | Eastertide 2 | Eastertide 3 | Eastertide 4  Eastertide 5 | Eastertide 6 | Ascension SundayFourth Sunday of EastertideTheme: Holiness/New CreationOpening hymn“Jesus Lives, and So Do We” GellertPsalm: Psalm 118:17–29Read responsively as follows:Leader:I shall not die, but I shall live    and recount the deeds of the Lord. Congregation:The Lord has punished me severely,    but he did not give me over to death. Leader:Open to me the gates of righteousness,    that I may enter through them    and give thanks to the Lord. Congregation:This is the gate of the Lord;    the righteous shall enter through it. Leader:I thank you that you have answered me    and have become my salvation. Congregation:The stone that the builders rejected    has become the chief cornerstone. Leader:This is the Lord’s doing;    it is marvelous in our eyes. Congregation:This is the day that the Lord has made;    let us rejoice and be glad in it. Leader:Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!    O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Congregation:Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.    We bless you from the house of the Lord. Leader:The Lord is God,    and he has given us light.Bind the festal procession with branches,    up to the horns of the altar.[c] Congregation:You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;    you are my God; I will extol you. All:O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,    for his steadfast love endures forever.—Psalm 118:17–29 NRSVUEHymn“The Day of Resurrection” DamascusPre-resurrection gospel readingMark 8:14–21: Beware the yeast of the Pharisees.Post-resurrection reading1 Corinthians 5:6–8: You are now bread without yeast.Sermon New Bread; No YeastSermon OutlineA little yeast ruins a whole loaf.Our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed—get rid of the old yeast.We really are now a new batch—without yeast.Hymn“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” WesleyWe Celebrate the Lord's SupperPrayer of ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places, to give thanks to you, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us; your love remained steadfast. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our sin,  but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.Above all, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in gloryand ever lives to pray for us.We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth,defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy.Hymn“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” SanctusInstitutionAccording to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with two of his followers, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast, which he has prepared.In thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the assurance of our union with him, we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice dedicated to your service.Great is the mystery of our faith.Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer of Consecration Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.CommunionOur breaking of the bread is our sharing in the body of Christ. Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord was offered for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.Our giving thanks for the cup of blessing is our sharing in the blood of Christ. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.[For Easter Sunday, or throughout Eastertide, consider placing the baptismal font at the front of your center aisle and inviting people to come forward for communion: “As you pass by the baptismal font on your way to partake, you are invited to place the sign of the water on your forehead as a reminder that through your baptism, you have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.”]Communion songs“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Hatch“Praise the Savior, Now and Ever” Fortunatus“A Shout Rings Out, a Joyful Voice” Gerdes“This Joyful Eastertide” WoodwardRevised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Easter—Easter Evening

This is part of the worship series, "The Great Fifty Days”Series Introduction Easter Morning  | Eastertide 2 | Eastertide 3 | Eastertide 4  Eastertide 5 | Eastertide 6 | Ascension SundayThird Sunday of EastertideTheme: The Sacrificial Nature of LoveOpening hymn“O Come, My Soul, Sing Praise to God” PsalterPsalm: Psalm 103Read responsively as follows:Leader:Bless the Lord, O my soul,    and all that is within me,    bless his holy name.Bless the Lord, O my soul,    and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your iniquity,    who heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the Pit,    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,who satisfies you with good as long as you live    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Congregation:The Lord works vindication    and justice for all who are oppressed.He made known his ways to Moses,    his acts to the people of Israel.The Lord is merciful and gracious,    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.He will not always accuse,    nor will he keep his anger forever.He does not deal with us according to our sins    nor repay us according to our iniquities.For as the heavens are high above the earth,    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;as far as the east is from the west,so far he removes our transgressions from us. Leader:As a father has compassion for his children,    so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.For he knows how we were made;    he remembers that we are dust. Congregation:As for mortals, their days are like grass;    they flourish like a flower of the field;for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,    and its place knows it no more.But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting    on those who fear him,    and his righteousness to children’s children,to those who keep his covenant    and remember to do his commandments. Leader:The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,    and his kingdom rules over all. Congregation:Bless the Lord, O you his angels,    you mighty ones who do his bidding,    obedient to his spoken word. Leader:Bless the Lord, all his hosts,    his ministers who do his will. All:Bless the Lord, all his works,    in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul.—Psalm 103 NRSVUEHymn“O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High” LatinPre-resurrection gospel readingJohn 10:14–18: I am the Good Shepherd.Post-resurrection readingJohn 21:15–19: Follow me and feed my lambs.SermonLoving the SheepSermon Outline:The Good Shepherd loves the sheep enough to die for them.Jesus asks us to love him by loving his sheep.Loving God means following him, even to the point of death, for the sake of his sheep.Hymn“Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult” AlexanderWe Celebrate the Lord's SupperPrayer of ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places, to give thanks to you, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us; your love remained steadfast. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our sin,  but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.Above all, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in gloryand ever lives to pray for us.We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth,defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy.Hymn“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” SanctusInstitutionAccording to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with two of his followers, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast, which he has prepared.In thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the assurance of our union with him, we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice dedicated to your service.Great is the mystery of our faith.Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer of Consecration Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.CommunionOur breaking of the bread is our sharing in the body of Christ. Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord was offered for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.Our giving thanks for the cup of blessing is our sharing in the blood of Christ. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.[For Easter Sunday, or throughout Eastertide, consider placing the baptismal font at the front of your center aisle and inviting people to come forward for communion: “As you pass by the baptismal font on your way to partake, you are invited to place the sign of the water on your forehead as a reminder that through your baptism, you have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.”]Communion songs“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” Hymns for the Young“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” Wilkinson“My Jesus, I Love Thee” Featherstone“I Will Sing of My Redeemer” BlissRevised Common LectionaryYear B: Easter—Fourth Sunday of EasterYear C: Easter—Third Sunday of Easter

This is part of the worship series, "The Great Fifty Days”Series Introduction Easter Morning  | Eastertide 2 | Eastertide 3 | Eastertide 4  Eastertide 5 | Eastertide 6 | Ascension SundaySecond Sunday of EastertideTheme: The Lord’s Supper Opening hymn“Lift Your Heart to the Lord” Bowers[Ties together last week (baptism) with this week (The Lord’s Supper)]Psalm: Psalm 66Read responsively as follows: Leader:Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;     sing the glory of his name;    give to him glorious praise.Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!    Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.All the earth worships you;    they sing praises to you,    sing praises to your name.” Congregation:Come and see what God has done:    he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.He turned the sea into dry land;    they passed through the river on foot.There we rejoiced in him,    who rules by his might forever,whose eyes keep watch on the nations—    let the rebellious not exalt themselves. Leader:Bless our God, O peoples;    let the sound of his praise be heard,who has kept us among the living    and has not let our feet slip.For you, O God, have tested us;    you have tried us as silver is tried.You brought us into the net;    you laid burdens on our backs;you let people ride over our heads;    we went through fire and through water;yet you have brought us out to a spacious place. Congregation:I will come into your house with burnt offerings;    I will pay you my vows,those that my lips uttered    and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatted calves,    with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Leader:Come and hear, all you who fear God,    and I will tell what he has done for me.I cried aloud to him,    and he was extolled with my tongue.If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,    the Lord would not have listened.But truly God has listened;    he has heard the words of my prayer. All:Blessed be God,    who has not rejected my prayer    or removed his steadfast love from me.—Psalm 66 NRSVUEHymn“Lift Up Your Hearts unto the Lord” StassenPre-resurrection gospel readingMatthew 26:26–29, Institution of the Lord’s SupperPost-resurrection readingLuke 24:13–35, The Road to EmmausSermon Their Eyes Were OpenedSermon Outline:Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament.Seeing Jesus in our life’s walk.Seeing Jesus in the Lord’s SupperHymn“Come, Risen Lord, as Guest among Your Own” BriggsWe Celebrate the Lord's SupperPrayer of ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places, to give thanks to you, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us; your love remained steadfast. We thank you that you did not abandon us in our sin,  but sent prophets and teachers to lead us into the way of salvation.Above all, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son, to deliver us from the way of sin and death by the obedience of his life, by his suffering upon the cross, and by his resurrection from the dead. We praise you that he now reigns with you in gloryand ever lives to pray for us.We thank you for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into truth,defends us in adversity, and out of every people unites us into one holy church. Therefore with the whole company of saints in heaven and on earth we worship and glorify you, God most holy, and we sing with joy.Hymn“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” SanctusInstitutionAccording to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with two of his followers, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast, which he has prepared.In thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the assurance of our union with him, we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice dedicated to your service.Great is the mystery of our faith.Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer of Consecration Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.CommunionOur breaking of the bread is our sharing in the body of Christ. Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord was offered for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.Our giving thanks for the cup of blessing is our sharing in the blood of Christ. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.[For Easter Sunday, or throughout Eastertide, consider placing the baptismal font at the front of your center aisle and inviting people to come forward for communion: “As you pass by the baptismal font on your way to partake, you are invited to place the sign of the water on your forehead as a reminder that through your baptism, you have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.”]Communion songs“O Lord, My God, Most Earnestly” Psalter"O Lord, my God, most earnestly I seek your holy face"“Jesus, the Very Thought of You” Latin“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” Wesley“Taste and See” PetterRevised Common LectionaryYear A: Easter—Third Sunday of Easter