Easter 2007 – The Light of Christ

GATHERING

ENTRANCE
 
REFLECTION

Now is the time when the blessed light of Christ sheds its rays; the pure rays of the pure Spirit rise and the heavenly treasures of divine are opened up.  Night’s darkness and obscurity have been swallowed up, and the dense blackness dispersed in the light of day; crabbed death has been totally eclipsed.  Life has been extended to every creature and all things are diffused in brightness.  The dawn of dawn ascends over the earth, and he who was before the morning star and before the other stars, the mighty Christ, immortal and mighty, sheds light brighter than the sun on the universe.

— Psuedo-Hippolytus (ca 170 – 235 CE), quoted in "A Triduum Sourcebook,"

Liturgy Training Publications, pg 419

 

And then the sun rose and Jesus was alive and terror fled and the Resurrection was an inner brightness as glorious as the outer brightness of the Transfiguration.  And that light, inner and outer, began its journey around the earth, the solar systems, the furthest galaxies, light that is not power, but is wholly love.          

— Madeline L’Engle Bright Evening Star pg. 190-191

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      Come, let us celebrate the presence of the risen Christ!

 

People:      We come together,

                  for we are together in the Body of Christ.

 

Leader:      Come together,

                  for terror flees in the presence of the Light of Christ.

 

All:             Night’s darkness and obscurity are swallowed up.

                  Life is extended to every creature.

                  The mighty Christ sheds light brighter than the sun!

 

INVOCATION

HYMN

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

SILENCE 

RESPONSIVE READING    

 

Leader:      May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

                  dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

                  Christ, our light.

 

People:      Thanks be to God!

 

Leader:      Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels!

                  Exult, all creation around God’s throne!

 

People:      Jesus the Christ is risen!

                  Sound the trumpet of salvation!

 

Leader:      Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,

                  radiant in the brightness of your Light!

                  Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!

                  Darkness vanishes forever!

 

People:      Rejoice, O Holy Church! Exult in glory!

                  The risen Savior shines upon you!

                  Let this place resound with joy,

                  echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!

 

Leader:      Christ is risen!

 

All:             Christ is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!

                                               

SILENCE

PRAYERS

COMMON CONFESSION

 

Leader:      It costs so much to be a full human being.

                  We do not possess the courage to pay the price.

 

People:      Holy One,

                  you ask us to abandon the search for security

                  and reach out with both arms to the risk of living.

 

 

 

Leader:      We refuse to engage with doubt and darkness

                  and so we miss knowing the fullness of life.

 

All:             We keep finding ways to turn down

                  your invitation to embrace the world like a lover.

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
 

ASSURANCE

 

Leader:      The assurance of God’s steadfast love

                  is in the resurrection of Christ, our Saviour.

                  Christ is Risen, hope is alive, Alleluia.

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

JESUS PRAYER

 

                  Ah Creator, source of all that is and all that is coming,

                  thank you for letting us sense your presence.

 

                  Help us to harmonize our lives

                  with all that you are doing in us,

                  among us, and around us.

                  Give us the courage to follow where you lead.

                  Lure us into following you

                  both in our experience and in our imaginations.

 

                  Give us enough bread to live today.

                  Encourage us to claim your forgiveness

                  and to forgive each other.

 

                  Guide us away from temptations

                  and strengthen us in our resistance

                  to all that we know is evil.

 

                  We are deeply grateful

                  for the life and world you have given us

                  and stand in awe of what you have done

                  and are doing.

 

                  We offer again to direct our lives toward your glory

                  and hope to find rest in your peace.   Amen.

 

HYMN

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE

SERMON

SILENT REFLECTION 

OFFERING

 

The first Sunday of each month we switch to a Communion Liturgy

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

BENEDICTION

 

Leader:      Hear the glorious news!

                  The tomb is truly empty.

                  Christ invites us to new life.   

 

                  Go into the world

                  to mirror the light of Christ,

                  to bear the light of Christ,

                  to be the light of Christ,

                  for Christ has risen!

 

People:      Christ is risen.  Alleluia!

 

 

Worship Resources:

Responsive Reading from the Exsultet

Jesus Prayer by Pat Conover

 

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