Order of Service / Third Sunday of Easter / April 14, 2024

 *Gathering Hymn Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks (#179 VU | vs. 3&4)

Welcome& Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: We gather in this place finding the peace that God offers.

  All: We are more at home within ourselves when we find our rest in Christ.

One: We are witnesses to God’s glory, steadfast love, and faithfulness.

  All: We see the beauty of creation and sing praises of joy!

One: We abide in God’s love and keep God’s commandments.

  All: Today, we awaken to the call, and show up fully to love one another.

One: Come, let us worship.

*Seasons of Spirit L/E 2021, page 132.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

All that our senses experience in a life-giving season awakens our frozen hearts, O God. With hearts so warmed, we gather to sing praises and glorify your holy name. With songs of thankfulness and prayers of longing, we meet you here, our Christ. Let our joyful, thankful expressions be heard in heaven. Amen.

*Kate Gregory. Gathering L/E 2024, page 43.

*Opening Hymn I Come with Joy (#477 VU | vs. 1,2,4,5)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God, forgive us when we become so busy we forget to pray. Forgive us when we are so enthralled by devices and gadgets that we forget to look up and take notice. We fail to notice our neighbours. We fail to notice the needs of others. Forgive us when we are so saturated by the news that we shut down completely, we forget that we are called to be your servants, your witnesses here and now. Wake us up to the work of love at hand. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Seasons of Spirit L/E 2021, page 132.

Words of Assurance

One: Our words of confession are released into the air, and in the act of speaking them aloud, we have been set free. In the stillness, God whispers “Take heart; you are forgiven, cleansed of all unrighteousness.”

All: Praise God, in whose fullness we receive grace upon grace.

*Seasons of Spirit L/E 2021, page 121.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Draw the Circle Wide (MV 145), Refrain)

Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still.

Let this be our song: no one stands alone.

Standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Acts 3:12-19 Peter preaches in Solomon’s Portico.

Psalm 4 (VU p. 727) Answer me when I call, O God.

Luke 24:36b-48 Jesus invites the disciples to touch his hands and feet.

This is the Good News from the Bible.  /   Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn We Meet You, O Christ (VU 183)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541 VU| Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise God, all creatures high and low;

give thanks to God in love made known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

God, we give you our thanks for all that we have and all we are. May the tithes, gifts, and offerings we bring be of healing service to our hurting world. May our collective offering be an expression of love and healing through the risen Christ. Amen.

*Seasons of Spirit L/E 2021, page 134.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Joy Comes with the Dawn (#166 VU)

*Commissioning

One: We are called to be vessels that carry the precious message from the God of love.

  All: We are called to give of ourselves so that the world can be made whole.

One: Let us resist the urge to make it all about us.

All: Let us reach out in love and bring healing hope to the world. Amen.

*Beth W Johnston. Gathering L/E 2024, page 49.

*Commissioning Song God Now in Peace (#211 MV)

Go now in peace, guided by the light of Christ.

So you may be, nourished by the Word of Life. (x2)

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