Second Sunday of Easter

COLOR: White
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31 

THEME IDEAS

God has performed amazing works of immeasurable greatness, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. On this first Sunday after Easter, we share the conviction of Peter and the apostles who can’t help but share the message of God’s love and forgiveness. Yet we also share the all-too-human doubting of Thomas, as we struggle to believe the unbelievable. Finally, we join the
psalmist and John by raising our voices in praise and song for all that God has done for us.

INVITATION AND GATHERING

Call to Worship (Psalm 150)

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in the sanctuary.
Praise God in the vault of heaven.
Praise God in the earth and skies.
Sing praises to the Lord.
Shout and sing praises to God.
We have witnessed God’s mighty acts.
We have seen the Lord’s greatness.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
Let everything that draws breath
praise the Lord!

Opening Prayer (Acts 5, John 20)

We hear your calling, Lord;
how can we keep from singing?
How can we keep our lips
from proclaiming the good news,
that Jesus Christ is risen,
bringing healing and forgiveness to all?
From the life in his blood he has freed us,
making us a royal priesthood.
Whether we have seen or believe without seeing,
we have found life in his name.
In Christ’s name, we give thanks and praise. Amen!

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

Prayer of Confession (John 20)

Must we see you in order to believe you, Lord?
Is seeing truly believing?
Are we to be prisoners of our senses,
distrusting and rejecting
whatever we cannot see, touch, or hear?
Yet you are faithful—
you give sight to the blind,
you carry us when we are weary,
you call us to your side.
The locked room of our hearts
opens at the turn of your key.
Speak your words of life to us again:
“Do not doubt, only believe.”
Speak your words of life,
that we might live.

Words of Assurance (John 20)

The peace of God be with you.
Receive God’s forgiveness
and the promise of the Spirit,
for Jesus is risen from the dead.
Seen or unseen, he is present in our midst,
and we see the presence of Christ
reflected in each other’s faces.
Happy are those who have not seen,
yet have come to believe.

Response to the Word (John 20)

We have listened to your word, Lord.
Grant us ears to hear
what you would have us know.
We have watched you at work in the world, Lord.
Grant us eyes to see what you would show us.
You have touched us, Lord.
Grant that we may feel your presence,
and follow your guidance. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Invitation to the Offering (Psalm 150, John 20, Acts 5, Revelation 1)

What must be done to convince us of God’s unending love? What further proof do we need? We have only to look around us to see what the Lord has done. We have only to look to the One who poured out his life for us, who offered himself in our place, and whose Spirit casts out all doubt and fear. What can we offer in response? Only our very selves, and the fruit of our lives and labor.

Offering Prayer (Psalm 150, John 20)

In our songs and in our words,
we give praise to you, Lord.
In our worship, study, and service,
we bless you.
Loving God,
you breathe life into our mortal bodies;
you complete us and fill our every need.
For all that you have done;
for all that you have given to us,
we worship you.
Beautiful savior,
with all that we are, and with all that we have,
we offer you our thanks and praise. Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Benediction (Acts 5, John 20, Revelation 1)

Peace to you from the One who is and was,
and is to come.
Grace and peace to you
from the One who loves us and frees us,
the One who gives us repentance and forgiveness.
As God sent Jesus into the world,
so the Spirit now sends us
to continue God’s holy work.
To God be glory and dominion forever and ever!
Amen.

CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS

Contemporary Gathering Words (Acts 5, John 20, Revelation 1)

Jesus Christ: master, leader, savior,
messiah, faithful witness, Son of God,
Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end—
to you be all honor and glory.

Praise Sentences (Acts 5, John 20)

We have seen the Lord! Christ is risen!
There is no fear and no doubt, only belief!
There is life in Jesus’ name!

---

From The Abingdon Worship Annual edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press.