Easter 2014 Living Hope

GATHERING

ENTRANCE

REFLECTION

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.

Robert Fulghum, author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things

 

CANDLE LIGHTING

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

to restore our dreams and hopes for new beginnings.

to remember that love is stronger than death.

Christ is risen!

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS

COMMON CONFESSION

the resurrection of your Chosen One,

We confess that we often do not believe

We seek to live in the power

But usually we cling

afraid to trust the reality beyond our knowing.

seem too much to hope for,

Holy One, hear our prayers, forgive us,

ASSURANCE

God’s mercy triumphs over sin and death.

forgiveness of all our sins.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

PRAYER OF COMMITMENT

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

the joyful celebration of the people of God.

We gather now as one body, joined around the table.

united in Christ’s spirit, broken and whole all at once;

sinner and forgiven; we make one circle of knowing,

as God lights and rests among us.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

                        for dreams and memories that help us stand together

We give you thanks for your Holy Spirit,

                        as we learn to live and love anew.

                        whose life and death and resurrection

We give you thanks for your Holy Church,

                        calling us to be your Body here and now,

BLESSING THE ELEMENTS

to drink the cup of the new covenant.

Jesus said, I am the bread of life.

You who believe in me shall never thirst.

and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,

broken for the healing of the world.

After supper, Jesus took the cup and said,

poured out for you and for all.

that these gifts of bread and cup

Unite us with Christ forever

to your eternal realm.

SHARE THE ELEMENTS

If you do not wish to receive the elements today you are welcome to join the circle and allow them to pass, or remain in your seat. We serve grape juice in our cups.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

we give joyful thanks

in our celebration of bread and cup.

that we may attend faithfully

with each other and throughout the world.

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

 

BENEDICTION

            leaving the empty tomb behind.

            celebrate the triumph of love over death,

                        and joy over sadness.