O Jesus, I Have Promised
Lord, Speak to Me
Thine Be the Glory
I Love You, Lord
How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord
From the Nets of Our Labors (We Will Rise Up and Follow)

Come, you disciples,
you laborers,
unsure what to do with your
waiting time.
Come to the shore,
dragging your nets --
full and running over --
and be warmed by the fire
and nourished at the
Table
which Christ has set for you.
Come
and worship the risen Lord.

Breathe on Me, Breath of God
We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight
Thine Is the Glory
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
The Day of Resurrection
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise
Will You Come and Follow Me?
Dona Nobis Pacem
I Need Thee Every Hour
Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
The Church of Christ, in Every Age

Teacher!
In wonder and awe
we approach the empty tomb
this Easter day!
Your victory over death
still amazes us,
and we sing our alleluias
with glad and grateful hearts.

Hear our prayers, O God,
for those who come looking for you
and do not understand what they find.
Send your church
to embrace them, we pray,
and to speak their names 
in love.

Hear our prayers, O God,
for those who come weeping ...
grieving and in pain.
Send your church 
to comfort them
with reassurance and the message
of hope
that resurrection is assured 
in the name of Jesus.

Hear our prayers, O God,
for those who wait in upper rooms,
still processing the shouts for destruction
and the images of blood poured out
on the ground,
fearful and in despair.
Send your church
with a message of hope ...
with the Good News of the gospel
that Christ is risen!
Risen indeed!
That death has been swallowed up
in victory!

Hear our prayers
for your church, O God,
that every encounter with the holy,
every act of compassionate ministry,
every proclamation of the Word,
brings glory to you
and a message of redemption
to a world that desperately longs
to be made whole. 

Call to Confession

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.  (I John 4:7-8) In the name of Love, let us approach the throne of grace and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession

We come before you, O God,
as those who shouted "Hosanna! Save us!"
and then turned from you
and denied knowing you.
We come as those who walked behind
without following
and fell asleep waiting.
We come as those who did not speak up
when you were persecuted
or carry your cross
or even stay with you
to help bear your pain
at crucifixion.
We come as those who have witnessed
the laying down of life
and the conquering of death
in the name of love
to say "Thanks be to God!" 
and "Blessed is the One who comes
in the name of the Lord!"
Hear our confessions, O God of Majesty.
Hear our deep regret,
and raise us to new life in you, we pray.

Assurance of God's Grace

thus says the Lord,
    he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1) Hear the Good News: in the name of Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thank be to God!

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this week.

Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed!
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Alleluia!
Alleluia! Thanks be to God!