You who are witnesses of Christ’s activity --
of his compassion
and kindness,
of his justice
and mercy --
Stand in the company of the apostles.

And you are still looking for evidence,
still searching for Truth,
still hoping,
stand with us.
Listen, and discern for yourselves,
if the Christ you see at work in the world today
is the embodiment of the Christ about whom you have heard.


Come and witness.
Stand and worship.

​

Christ calls us friends
and invites us to abide in his love,
to abide in him.
In Christ, we will find 
life abundant
and joy
that knows no end.
Let us abide in Christ.

Christ calls to us: "Abide in me as I abide in you."
Come to the Table.
Share in the Feast.
Join in the celebration.
Apart from Christ, you can do nothing.
You cannot do God's work without God.
So come.
Dwell.
Welcome the risen Christ who dwells within 
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us worship God.

You who are terrified and afraid,
peace be with you.
You who are startled by Christ's presence
and doubting it,
peace be with you.
You who are lost in wonder,
peace be with you.
You are witnesses of the risen Christ
at work in the world.
Proclaim the Good News in word and deed!
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

It is evening,
and the doors are still locked.
Here we wait,
for what we aren't sure.
We anticipate waiting for a return to what was,
but what was can never be again.
We are changed.
What has transpired among us
has impacted us forever.
So here we wait,
in the evening,
with the doors still locked,
knowing in our hearts that you will come to us ...
that we will see you again
if only we remain open
and ready.

This resurrection day, we will not travel to the tomb, Lord.
We have been in it with you in what has felt like one very long vigil.
We are waiting for it to be safe to venture outside into the light
after a year of hunkering down
in fear,
in frustration,
in anger,
in illness,
in faith,
in restlessness.
We are waiting for justice for our siblings in Christ
who have been crucified with you
because of their race
or their gender
or their orientation
or their country of origin.
We are waiting for comfort in our grief,
guidance in our confusion,
hope in our despair. 
This resurrection day, Lord, we are sitting in the shadows
as you rise
and still we may not recognize you standing before us
because of our angst,
or understand your imperative 
because of our surprise.
Speak to us clearly, O Lord, we pray.
Open our eyes to see you. 
Open our ears to hear your voice.
THIS resurrection day, Lord, grant us courage
to share the Good News with confidence: 
that Jesus Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Thanks be to God!

 Meditation: John 13:1-17, 31b-35

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A1-17%2C+31b-35&version=NRSV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjFNpoEy8mY

The voice of God rumbles like thunder.
Our God has glorified God's name.
Children of Light, believe the Good News.
The Light has come,
and the darkness has not ...
cannot ...
will not ...
overcome it.
​Let us worship God.