The Season of Easter These liturgical texts are appropriate for use throughout the Season of Easter and may be repeated from week to week. Confession and Pardon Prayer for Illumination At the baptismal font: At the lectern or pulpit: The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness, Season of Easter interceding with sighs too deep for words. Living God, with joy we celebrate the presence of your risen Word. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin. Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit The prayer of confession is included here. so that we may proclaim the good news of eternal and abundant life; Lifting water from the font: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hear the good news of God’s promise: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Season of Easter, Ascension of the Lord Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord God Most High, reigning in glory, will be saved. send down your Spirit of wisdom to shine in your heavenly Word, In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! so that we may worship you with joy Thanks be to God. continually blessing your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Thanksgiving for Baptism Season of Easter, Day of Pentecost At the baptismal font: God of power and grace, The Lord be with you. And also with you. fill us with the wisdom of your Word Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. and the understanding of your Spirit It is right to give our thanks and praise. so that we may be your church: O Lord our God, we give you thanks a people with dreams and visions for the new life you raise up in us at work in all the world; through the mystery of our baptism— through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. the sorrow of the heavy cross, the surprise of the empty tomb, Before the readings: the love that death could not destroy. O dry bones, hear the world of the Lord. By the power of your Holy Spirit, Ezekiel 37:4 poured out upon us in baptism, fill us with the joy of resurrection, After the readings: so that we may be a living sign This is the good news which we have received, of your new heaven and new earth; in which we stand, and by which we are saved. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Thanks be to God. 1 Corinthians 15:1–2 Call to Worship 76 Volume 51.1, 2017 Ascription of Praise Invitation to Offering After the sermon: At the communion table: All authority and power and dominion How does God’s love abide in anyone to the name that is above all names— who has the world’s goods Jesus Christ our Lord— yet refuses to help a sister or brother in need? now and in the age to come. Amen. Remembering God’s great love for the world, Ephesians 1:21 let us offer our lives to the Lord. 1 John 3:16–17 Affirmation of Faith Season of Easter, Ascension of the Lord Prayer after Communion Life in Christ is life eternal. At the communion table: The resurrection of Jesus is the sign Season of Easter that God will consummate the work Thank you, O God, for giving us communion of creation and reconciliation beyond death with our risen and glorious Lord. and bring to fulfillment Now send us out to be a sign the new life begun in Christ. of the new life that has come into the world; Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26 through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Season of Easter, Ascension of the Lord Season of Easter, Ascension of the Lord New life in Christ takes shape in a community God Most High, we have lifted our hearts to you in which people know in this joyful meal with our risen Lord. that God loves and accepts them Continue to surround and sustain us in spite of what they are. so that we may feast with you in glory They therefore accept themselves at the wedding of heaven and earth; and love others, through Christ, who lives and reigns forever. Amen. knowing that no one has any ground on which to stand, Season of Easter, Day of Pentecost except God’s grace. Holy God, by the gift of your Spirit Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.22 you have nourished and filled us. Now send us out to share the vision Season of Easter, Day of Pentecost of new creation you have begun; God the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. fulfills the work of reconciliation in human life. The Holy Spirit creates and renews the church as the community in which people are reconciled Blessing and Charge to God and to one another. At the doors of the church: The Spirit enables people to receive forgiveness May the love of the holy triune God— as they forgive one another Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— and to enjoy the peace of God abide with you forever. Alleluia! as they make peace among themselves. 1 John 4:13–16 In spite of their sin, the Spirit gives people power Now go forth in Jesus’ name, to become representatives of Jesus Christ remembering his new commandment and his gospel of reconciliation to all. to love one another, just as he has loved us. Amen. Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.20 1 John 3:23 Lectionary Aids for 2017–2018, Year B 77 The Season of Easter The Season of Easter These hymns and songs are appropriate for use throughout the Season of Easter and may be repeated from week to week. Gathering Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! (stanza 1) LLANFAIR; GTG 245 (PH 113) Hail Thee, Festival Day! (refrain and designated stanzas) SALVE FESTA DIES; GTG 277 (PH 120) This Is the Day ESTE ES EL DÍA; GTG 391 O Day of Rest and Gladness ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN; GTG 393 (PH 470) All People That on Earth Do Dwell OLD HUNDREDTH; GTG 385 (PH 220, 221) We Gather Here in Jesus’ Name COME, SHARE THE LORD; GTG 510 (STF 2269) Come, Behold! the Feast of Heaven LLANFAIR; GTG 511 Pentecost Holy Spirit, Come to Us VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS; GTG 281 (STF 2218) Come, O Holy Spirit, Come WA EMIMIMO; GTG 283 (STF 2124) Holy Spirit, Come to Us TUI AMORIS IGNEM; GTG 284 Call to Confession Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! (stanza 2) LLANFAIR; GTG 245 (PH 113) Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands (stanza 1) CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN; GTG 237 (PH 110) Lord, Have Mercy KYRIE ELEISON (REINDORF); GTG 577 Christ Has Risen While Earth Slumbers (stanza 3) SUO GAN; GTG 231 (STF 2115) Where Charity and Love Prevail (stanza 4) TWENTY-FOURTH; GTG 316 Pentecost Breathe on Me, Breath of God (stanza 2 or 3) TRENTHAM; GTG 286 (PH 316) Response to Forgiveness Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! (stanza 3) LLANFAIR; GTG 245 (PH 113) Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (stanza 3) EASTER HYMN; GTG 232 (PH 123) The Strife Is O’er (stanza 1) VICTORY; GTG 236 (PH 119) Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia (stanza 5) MFURAHINI, HALELUYA; GTG 251 He Is King of Kings (stanza 3) HE IS KING; GTG 273 (PH 153) Gloria Thine Is the Glory (stanza 1) JUDAS MACCABEUS; GTG 238 (PH 122) A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! (stanza 1) DEO GRACIAS; GTG 258 (PH 141) The God of Heaven (stanza 3) GLORY; GTG 259 (PH 180) Glory Be to the Father GLORIA PATRI; GTG 580, 581 (PH 578, 579) Call to Worship 78 Volume 51.1, 2017 Gospel Acclamation Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! (stanza 4) LLANFAIR; GTG 245 (PH 113) Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (stanza 1) EASTER HYMN; GTG 232 (PH 123) Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing (stanza 4) GELOBT SEI GOTT; GTG 239 (PH 111) O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing (refrain) O FILII ET FILIAE; GTG 235, 255 (PH 116, 117) Alleluia HONDURAS ALLELUIA; GTG 589 (STF 2078) Baptism or Reaffirmation Take Me to the Water TAKE ME TO THE WATER; GTG 480 There in God’s Garden (stanza 5) SHADES MOUNTAIN; GTG 226 Out of Deep, Unordered Water RUSTINGTON; GTG 484 (PH 494) We Know That Christ Is Raised ENGELBERG; GTG 485 (PH 495) Prayers of the People Shepherd Me, O God SHEPHERD ME; GTG 473 Take Us As We Are, O God ENDLESS FEAST; GTG 312 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying CHILDREN PRAYING; GTG 469 Offering Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise THANKFUL HEARTS; GTG 648 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (stanza 4) HAMBURG, ROCKINGHAM; GTG 223, 224 (PH 100, 101) God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending (stanza 1) BEACH SPRING; GTG 716 (PH 422) Doxology Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (stanza 4) EASTER HYMN; GTG 232 (PH 123) A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! (stanza 5) DEO GRACIAS; GTG 258 (PH 141) O Sing a New Song to the Lord (stanza 4) GONFALON ROYAL; GTG 304 (PH 216) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow LASST UNS ERFREUEN; GTG 609 Communion Music Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna HYMN TO JOY; GTG 248 (PH 104) Day of Arising RAABE; GTG 252 The Risen Christ WOODLANDS; GTG 257 Pentecost Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading NJOO KWETU, ROHO MWEMA; GTG 287 Loving Spirit OMNI DIE (CORNER); GTG 293 (PH 323) Sending Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia (stanzas 1 and 4) MFURAHINI, HALELUYA; GTG 251 Alleluia! Christ Is Arisen (stanzas 1 and 2) SANTO DOMINGO; GTG 253 Go to the World! (any stanza) SINE NOMINE; GTG 295 Go in Grace and Make Disciples (any stanza) WONDROUS LIGHT; GTG 296 Pentecost Go in Grace and Make Disciples (stanza 3) WONDROUS LIGHT; GTG 296 Lectionary Aids for 2017–2018, Year B 79 The Season of Easter Liturgy, Music, Preaching, and the Arts March 31, 2018 Great Vigil of Easter Colors: White and Gold Lectionary Readings A minimum of three Old Testament readings should be chosen; Exodus 14 is always included.