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Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

April 27, 2025

Introduction & Welcome

Pastor -SHARING OF THE PEACE

The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you today and always.

And also with you.

Congregation members greet each other by saying:

Peace be with you.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

In the name of ☩ the One

who was, who is, and who is to come.

Amen.

Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection,

and called to live the baptized life,

let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.

Water may be poured before or during the thanksgiving.

Holy God,

we give you thanks for the waters of baptism,

waters that make a people your own,

that restore to wholeness,

and empower us to be witnesses in your name.

Baptized into you, O Living One,

make us one as you are one.

We give you thanks for the waters of baptism,

waters that strengthen believers

and give new life to beloved servants of your church;

waters that extend your boundless love

and cross barriers of our own making.

Baptized into you, O Living One,

make us one as you are one.

We give you thanks for the waters of baptism,

waters that open the hearts of believers

and give a voice in the night to those in captivity;

waters that set your people on a new path,

rejoicing in the Spirit’s power.

Baptized into you, O Living One,

make us one as you are one.

Grant us grace, love, and life, O Living One,

that our every day is shaped by these waters

that give us our very lives in you.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Crucified and Risen One.

Amen.

HYMN “The Day of Resurrection!”

1 The day of resurrection!

Earth, tell it out abroad,

the passover of gladness,

the passover of God.

From death to life eternal,

from sin's dominion free,

our Christ has brought us over

with hymns of victory.

2 Let hearts be purged of evil

that we may see aright

the Lord in rays eternal

of resurrection light,

and list'ning to his accents,

may hear, so calm and plain,

his own "All hail!" and hearing,

may raise the glad refrain.

3 Now let the heav'ns be joyful,

let earth its song begin,

the round world keep high triumph

and all that is therein.

Let all things, seen and unseen,

their notes of gladness blend;

for Christ the Lord has risen,

our joy that has no end!

4 All praise to God the Father,

all praise to Christ the Son,

all praise to God the Spirit,

eternal Three in One!

Let all the ransomed number

fall down before the throne,

and honor, pow'r, and glory

ascribe to God alone!

Text: John of Damascus, c. 696-c. 754; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, alt.

Pastor - Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Kyrie

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia.

Canticle of Praise

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power and riches and wisdom and strength,

and honor and blessing and glory are his.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God

and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honor and glory and might

be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God,

for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia. Alleluia.

Prayer of the Day

O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The assembly is seated.

First Reading Acts 5:27-32

A reading from Acts beginning with the 5th chapter.

27 When they had brought [the apostles,] they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 118:14-29 Read responsively

14 The Lord is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted! The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord; here the righteous may enter.”
21 I give thanks to you, for you have answered me and you have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Hosanna! O Lord, save us! We pray to you, Lord, prosper our days!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God and has given us light. Form a procession with branches up to the corners of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever.

2nd Reading Revelation 1:4-8

A reading from Revelation beginning with chapter 1

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia.

Gospel John 20:19-31

The holy gospel according to John, the 20th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Congregation is seated

Sermon

Congregation stands for Hymn of the Day

Hymn of the Day “As the Wind Song”

1 As the wind song through the trees,

as the stirring of the breeze,

so it is with the Spirit of God,

as the heart made strangely warm,

as the voice within the storm,

so it is with the Spirit of God.

Never seen, ever known where this wind has blown

bringing life, bringing pow'r to the world,

as the dancing tongues of fire,

as the soul's most deep desire,

so it is with the Spirit of God.

2 As the rainbow after rain,

as the hope that's born again,

so it is with the Spirit of God,

as the green in the spring,

as a kite on a string,

so it is with the Spirit of God,

making worlds that are new,

making peace come true,

bringing gifts, bringing love to the world,

as the rising of the yeast,

as the wine at the feast,

so it is with the Spirit of God.

Text: Shirley Erena Murray, 1931–2020

Duplication in any form prohibited without securing permission from copyright administrator or reporting usage under valid license.

Apostles’ Creed

The presiding minister may introduce the Creed.

With the whole church, let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.*

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

Inspire believers with the breath of your Holy Spirit, that we sing the good news of the resurrection. Inspire deacons and pastors, lay leaders and bishops to boldly proclaim your love for all people. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Preserve the earth as a safe and bountiful home for all creatures. Restore places contaminated by pollution or overused, strengthen efforts of all people to shape more sustainable communities. Make us mindful of the impacts we have on your good creation. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Kindle in the nations a spirit of cooperation and mutual care. Raise up creative and collaborative leaders committed to finding just solutions to the world’s complex challenges. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Embrace all who carry wounds, that they might know your compassion and healing. Draw near to individuals and communities suffering in any way, Richard, Mary, Pastor Van Gundy, Sue, Pastor Hadley, Candy, Deann, John, Steve, Lynne, Margaret, Jay, Cork & Cheryl, Rillys, Louanna, Sharon, Carol, Norma, David, Mary Lou, Tyler, Janet and for those who we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Transform our fear into curiosity and love, for those who are different from us. Unravel stereotypes that lead to discrimination and dismantle systems that marginalize vulnerable communities. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

We remember the faithful departed from all times and places. Today, we remember especially the faithful life and leadership of your servant Pope Francis. Confident that you are the Alpha and Omega, we pray for your wisdom and guidance in the process of naming the next pope. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.

Amen.

Offering “Here is Bread, Here is Wine”

Offertory Prayer

Together we pray.

Risen One,

you have gathered us around your table of grace

along with these gifts we bring.

Come among us again,

breathe your life into us,

and enliven us with this meal,

that we may live as your risen body in the world.

Amen.

Holy Communion

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ,

the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin;

who in dying has destroyed death,

and in rising has brought us to eternal life.

And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection,

with earth and sea and all their creatures,

and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Eucharistic Prayer

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,

we await his coming in glory.

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,

and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food,

the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be all honor and glory, now and forever.

Amen.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. (Sung)

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

Come to the table of grace. Receive the gift of new life.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

grant us peace, grant us peace.

Communion

The Body of Christ, given for you. Amen

The Blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen

Post Communion Blessing

The Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and forever keep you in his grace. Amen.

Prayer after Communion

Living One,

in this feast you have made yourself known to us.

Send us now to tell of your wonders,

sing of your glory,

and proclaim your risen life

to a wounded and weary world.

Amen.

Benediction

The triune God,

who was, who is, and who is to come,

Sovereign, ☩ Savior, and Spirit,

light your way with resurrection dawn,

now and always.

Amen.

HYMN “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!”

1 Good Christian friends, rejoice and sing!

Now is the triumph of our king!

To all the world glad news we bring:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2 The Lord of life is ris'n this day;

death's mighty stone is rolled away;

let all the world rejoice and say:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3 Praise we in songs of victory

that love, that life, which cannot die,

and sing with hearts uplifted high:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4 Your name we bless, O risen Lord,

and sing today with one accord,

the life laid down, the life restored:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Text: Cyril A. Alington, 1872-1955, alt.

Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.

Dismissal

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Go in peace. In Christ you are made new. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Sundays and Seasons 2025