2023 Easter Liturgy: So That We May Be One

ENTRANCE

REFLECTION

LIGHTING THE ALTAR CANDLE

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:   Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

People:   Christ is risen indeed!

Leader:   The risen Christ, Ultimate Mystery of creation, is here,
flowing in us, and around us, and through us.

People:   God has come again as mystery:
the One who lived and died on a cross lives again,
a Spirit deep within, calling us to something new.

Leader:   We may not understand, but we are not alone.
The air is alive with hints of love emerging.

People:   We come to pour our spirits into this vessel that is the church,
so we can offer the good news of God’s emerging love.

All:          Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

OPENING PRAYER

HYMN

SILENCE 

CONFESSION

Leader:            Jesus invites us to be witnesses
to the kin-dom of God,
where there is no partiality and
all are made one.  

People:            We are burdened with a society
that shows partiality towards the abled,
rather than the disabled,
towards the rich, rather than the poor.

Leader:            Jesus invites us to experience,
like the disciples on the road to Emmaus,
our minds opened and our hearts burning within us.

People:            We are inundated with words and ideas
that confuse us and separate us from others
and from the Ultimate Mystery.

Leader:            Jesus invites us to journey inward
and to rediscover the oneness we share
with each other and all creation.

All:        Forgive us, Holy One, for wandering away
from your green pastures,
for turning away from your
invitation to oneness with you,
each other, and all of creation.

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE

Leader:   The Holy One forgives and loves us,
drawing us ever deeper inward,
breaking through our barriers with love  
until we are made one.

All:                   Amen.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

INTERCESSION AND PETITION

COMMITMENT
All:  O Holy One, we come today
to claim our relationship with you.
We pray for the commitment to grow together,
sharing the gifts you give us with others
here and in the wider world.

Forgive us for the hurt we have inflicted,
and help us forgive those who have hurt us.

Give us strength and discipline
to nurture our relationship with you;
to care for every part of your creation;
to foster justice and be in solidarity with those in need;
to work to end all war, and violence, and discord;
and to respond joyfully when you call,
freely giving our selves as you have shown the way.

We open our hearts to you and your creation
in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ.  Amen.

HYMN

THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
SERMON
SILENT REFLECTION

OFFERING

COMMUNION
PREPARATION
Leader 1:   This is the table of the heavenly feast,
the joyful celebration of the people of God.

Leader 2:   We gather now as one body, joined around the table.
Here we celebrate God’s presence among us,
united in Christ’s spirit, broken and whole all at once.

All:             Nourished and hungry, loved and loving,
sinner and forgiven, we make one circle
of knowing, believing, rejoicing, being,
as God lights and rests among us.

Leader 1:         Holy Maker of all that is,
we are thankful for your presence,
helping us to become one with you
and with others.

People:            We are grateful for the gift of Jesus,
who showed us your way
of being in the world
and with one another.

 Leader 2:        With gratitude we feel
the power of your Holy Spirit,
nourishing and challenging us
on our journeys.

People:            We give thanks for your Holy Church,
where we experience your presence
with one another.

BLESSING THE ELEMENTS
Leader 1:   Christ invites everyone to eat the bread of life,
to drink the cup of the new covenant.

Leader 2:   Jesus said, I am the bread of life.
You who come to me shall never hunger;
you who believe in me shall never thirst.

Leader 1:   On the night he gave himself up,
Jesus took bread,
and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,
This is my body,
broken for the healing of the world.
Whenever you eat it, do so remembering me.

Leader 2:   After supper, Jesus took the cup and said,
This is the cup of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for all.
Whenever you drink it, do so remembering me.

All: O Holy One, send down your Spirit
that these gifts of grain and grape,
and work of human hands
may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Unite us with Christ forever
and bring us with the whole creation
to your eternal realm.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
All:  God of abundance and mercy,
we give joyful thanks
for your eternal love and healing presence
in our celebration of bread and cup.
Bless this Body of Christ
that we may attend faithfully
to our call to be your servants,
with each other and throughout the world. Amen.

SHARED REFLECTIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

BENEDICTION

Leader:            Now, with hearts joined in the Ultimate Mystery,
let us go into our fragile, broken-hearted world,
sharing the healing, hope, and love of Jesus. 
Christ is risen! Alleluia!

People:            The risen Christ lives in our hearts!
Alleluia, amen!