Eastertide 1992: Signs of the Risen Christ in our Midst
CHURCH OF THE SAVIOUR
Seekers Church
Eastertide 1992
Signs of the Risen Christ in our Midst
"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….
"Yesterday I was buried with you, O Christ! Today I rise with you in your resurrection. Yesterday I was crucified with you: glorify me with you in your kingdom. Christ is risen from the dead! He has crushed death by his death and bestowed life upon those who lay in the tomb."
Easter Canon of John of Damascus, 3rd Ode
From Faith, Feminism and the Christ,
by Patricia Wilson-Kastner
CALL TO WORSHIP (Unison)
All sing: Jesus Christ is risen today:
A–le–lu–ia!
Let the joyful people say:
A–le–lu–ia!
Christ has shared our earthly life:
A–le–lu–ia!
Conquered death to end our strife:
A–le–lu–ia!
Leader:We are strengthened by the resurrection:
We are an Easter people.
Unison:Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed!
INVOCATION
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
LITANY OF EASTER CELEBRATION
Leader: Trembling, the women approach the tomb;
The tomb, that mysterious place of meeting.
Death meeting life. Women meeting the risen Christ.
Trembling.
People: Trembling, we approach the edge, where death and life meet.
Death, the unknown, meets life, new life.
New life faces us with its possibilities and uncertainties.
Trembling, we approach.
Leader: Easter morning; the women come face to face with Jesus,
face to face with the risen Christ;
They doubt, they fear, they wonder,
as life returns to them from death.
People: From a triumphant Palm Sunday to a dark, betrayed Friday,
we have journeyed to Easter.
Passing through sorrow, through death, to life and joy,
we arrive at Easter.
Leader: When Jesus spoke to them, they knew.
They responded to God's call,
and moved into the unknown future with joyful hearts.
People: We hear Christ speaking in our midst, and we too know.
We move to be God's people in this time and place.
All: "Let the whole universe celebrate the resurrection
by which we are strengthened!"
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION (Unison)
We forget that Jesus' resurrection is for us.
God have mercy upon us. (Sung)
We forget that Jesus' resurrection makes possible our own incarnation.
Christ have mercy upon us. (Sung)
We forget that though the present is in our hands,
the future belongs to God.
God have mercy upon us. (Sung)
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Remember the Good News, that what God promised to our ancestors, God has fulfilled for us, by raising Jesus and giving us the promise of new life. We are among the beloved children of God.
CONTINUING PRAYERS
HYMN
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
SERMON
SILENT REFLECTION
OFFERING
OFFERTORY MUSIC
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
The church is Easter!
Out of death: Life.
Jesus lives!
We live!
Resurrection resounds through our community.
Go forth in power.
