Worship Elements: April 23, 2023

March 27th, 2020

Third Sunday of Easter

Color: White
Scripture Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35

Theme Ideas

In the lesson from Acts, Peter speaks of the resurrection of Jesus with such power that some 3,000 people are numbered among the first Christians. Forgiveness of sins and the presence of the Holy Spirit are amazing gifts offered to all who hear the Lord’s call. In Luke’s Gospel, we find the risen Jesus unfolding scripture to two disciples as they journey to the village of Emmaus. Only when “their eyes were opened” did they truly understand who he was and what he had said. With the miracle of Easter still fresh in our memory, let us be filled with passion and conviction like Peter, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior!

Call to Worship (Psalm 116)

The Lord harkens to our call,
listening to our pleas and hearing our prayers!
We will praise God who gives rest to our souls!
In the courts of the house of the LORD,
in the presence of all God’s people,
we acknowledge our faith.
We will call on the Lord as long as we live!
We are your servant, O God;
you have loosed our bonds!
We will offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving!
How shall we repay the Lord for all we have been given?
We will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord!

Call to Worship

As you walk with us, as we journey together,
Lord, your word fills our hearts!
As you speak with us, as your love is revealed,
Lord, your fire burns in our hearts!
As we proclaim what we have seen and heard,
may all people be drawn to you, the risen Lord!

Praise Sentences (Psalm 116, Acts 2)

Jesus is Lord and Messiah!
God’s promise is given to us!
The Lord has saved my life!
God has unchained me and set me free!

Opening Prayer (1 Peter 1)

Lord, we celebrate the triumph of life over death—
this is the good news of Jesus, our risen savior.
You have ransomed us from our futility—
our salvation wasn’t purchased with gold or silver,
or with perishable earthly goods,
but with the precious blood of Christ himself.
In his resurrection, we are born anew with him—
born of the immortal, born of the everlasting,
born into a living hope.
Fill us with all good gifts of your Holy Spirit,
that we may share your love with boldness and power,
with passion and conviction!
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Dear Lord, you have so much to show us and to tell us—
things that no human eyes have seen,
things that no human ears have heard,
things that you have prepared for those you love.
Mighty God, your promises are like shelter in a storm—
to us and to our children,
to all those far and near,
to everyone who hears your call.
O, that we might have the mind of Christ,
that we may know and understand your truth.
We wait as empty vessels,
ready to be filled to overflowing with your living water,
as you reveal your love for us through Jesus Christ,
in whose name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

We’re afraid to take a truthful look at ourselves,
yet you see us as we really are.
Open our eyes, Lord.
Even when we won’t listen to you,
you hear us when we call your name.
Open our ears, Lord.
We keep the light of your word hidden to ourselves,
though you gave it to share with the world.
Open our mouths, Lord.
May we know and serve the One
who calls us to see, hear, and speak.
Open our hearts, Lord.

Benediction

Christ has brought us together:
together in faith, together in hope, together in love.
We have gathered together to be sent out again:
sent out with the welcome message of God’s love!
We go forth together,
to be living testimonies of Christ’s love!


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

comments powered by Disqus