Easter 2001: Turning Our World ‘nwoD edispU’
Seekers Church
A Christian Community
In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour
Easter 2001
TURNING OUR WORLD
REFLECTION
Today the whole creation, heaven and earth and the deepest abysses of the earth are filled with joy. Let the whole universe celebrate the resurrection by which we are strengthened…
Easter Canon of John of Damascus, 3rd Ode
from Faith, Feminism and the Christ,
by Patricia Wilson-Kastner
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: We gather here to celebrate the resurrection,
The coming of new life
in ways we can’t imagine.
All: We watch the earth pour forth new life,
A greening celebration of the Good News.
Voice A: O Holy Maker of this wonderful reality
You come among us as the unexpected Jesus.
Voice B: You show us how to live and love
in ways we still can barely understand …
All: to love our enemies,
to offer kindness in the face of anger,
to give, and give again to those in need.
Turn us upside down today,
for we would be an Easter people.
INVOCATION
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
LITANY OF THE RISEN CHRIST
One: The heavens rumble alleluias:
Christ is risen!
Voice A: Earth dances to the tune
and the wail of the graves becomes a song.
Voice B: Every one and every thing sings with you,
the risen Christ, in the new creation.
For you have turned the world around –
inside out and upside down.
Voice A: Now the homeless are at home
and the martyred embrace their assassins;
and the rulers and profiteers wonder
whose world this is after all.
Voice B: After all, let us stand and sing
with the heavens and the earth and the graves,
All: Christ is risen indeed! ALLELUIA! Amen.
PRAYER
COMMON CONFESSION
One: God of miracles, we hear the song,
the joyful chorus of new beginnings,
the celebration of the risen Christ.
Many: But sometimes we can’t follow the tune,
and the words of salvation hold no meaning.
One: God of love, you invite us to dance:
to swing and whirl with you, with one another, with all creation;
to live out the good news that Jesus brought.
Many: But too often our feet stumble,
we turn our backs on the joy of the story.
One: God of faithfulness, you are always with us,
showing yourself in every new morning,
holding us in love every night.
Many: But we are afraid and lonely,
refusing the comfort of living
as the body of Christ.
All: Forgive us, Holy One, for rejecting your gifts,
for allowing our burdens
to give meaning to our lives.
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
One: The heavens rumble alleluias!
The captives are set free,
the lame dance, and the voiceless sing.
Our world is upside down,
and we know that Christ is risen, indeed.
COMMUNITY PRAYERS
HYMN
THE WORD
First Lesson
Silence
Gospel Lesson
Sermon
Silent Reflection
OFFERING
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
One: Rejoice in this day of hopeful upheaval
as you dance to the music of God’s promise.
Embrace the invitation
to turn our world upside down
with unexpected acts of kindness.
Celebrate our risen Christ!
