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Preparation for Worship
Songs:
Ask yourself and the people who will be worshipping with you (kids included), “What are some of the songs we sing that talk about God’s peace and that God is with us?”
Play them on Spotify, sing them acapella, or create your own instrumental arrangement.
Bible:
You will need a Bible to read from the scriptures. You can use this doc or your phone as well, but I’d recommend using an actual Bible.
This week’s liturgy is based on the following texts:
Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Psalm 16, John 20:19-31, 1 Peter 1:3-9
You can decide who will lead the different movements of this gathering. It would be great for every person to have a part.
Gathering
Call to Worship
Based on Psalm 16
Leader: Come, bless the Lord,
in whom we find our refuge and safety.
All: You are our God;
all the good things come from You alone.
Leader: Come, bless the Lord,
who gives us a rich inheritance,
and surrounds us with abundance.
All: You are our God;
our lives are in your hands.
Leader: Come, bless the Lord,
who guides us on the path to eternal life,
whose presence strengthens and sustains us.
All: You are our God;
we will not be shaken.
Let’s worship God together!
Song of Praise
Sing one or two songs that focus on the risen Savior and God’s saving grace.
Some suggestions:
He’s Alive, He’s Alive (for kids)
Look at this list for other song ideas.
Prayer of Brokenness/Confession
(inspired by John 20:19-31)
Creator God,
we confess that at times we are skeptics.
At times we doubt that You exist
because of the evil we have seen in the world.
Oppression, marginalization, and plain hate still plague our world,
and it is hard to see Your love and light.
Sometimes, even those who bear Your name
do not walk in Your ways.
Help us to see Your goodness in this world.
Help us to know Your love.
Fill us with Your love and goodness,
so that we might love one another,
and lift up one another in faith. Amen.
Words of Assurance/Blessing
(from Psalm 27:13-14)
The psalmist says,
“I am sure I shall see the goodness of our God
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong,
and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!”
Know that you do not wait alone.
God has given us one another for this journey of faith,
to help one another.
Know that you do not wait alone;
Christ is with us.
Be encouraged, and encourage one another.
Go and share the Good News. Amen.
~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution.
The Recitation of the Psalm
Option 1:
Listen to the singing of Psalm 16
Option 2:
The reading of Psalm 16 (CEB)
Protect me, God, because I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.
Apart from you, I have nothing good.”
Now as for the “holy ones” in the land,
the “magnificent ones” that I was so happy about;
let their suffering increase because
they hurried after a different god.
I won’t participate in their blood offerings;
I won’t let their names cross my lips.
You, Lord, are my portion, my cup;
you control my destiny.
The property lines have fallen beautifully for me;
yes, I have a lovely home.
I will bless the Lord who advises me;
even at night I am instructed
in the depths of my mind.
I always put the Lord in front of me;
I will not stumble because he is on my right side.
That’s why my heart celebrates and my mood is joyous;
yes, my whole body will rest in safety
because you won’t abandon my life to the grave;
you won’t let your faithful follower see the pit.
You teach me the way of life.
In your presence is total celebration.
Beautiful things are always in your right hand.
Prayer for Illumination
Lord God,
Help us turn our hearts to you
And hear what you will speak,
For you speak peace to your people
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Listening
(The time of listening is a series of reading the scripture, re-telling the story, and paying attention to where God is stirring your hearts as you listen. Invite everyone to listen to the words of the scriptures and to be ready to retell the story.)
Reading
John 20:19-31 (CEB)
Let’s hear the word of God from the book of John. It says in John chapter 20,
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.”
After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them.
He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”
Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
Retelling
Let’s tell the story that we just heard. How did the story begin? What happened next? (go around the circle and tell the story again)
Paying Attention
Was there a word or phrase that spoke to you?
What do we learn about people in these scriptures?
What do we learn about God in this text?
Is there something we should remember for this coming week from what we heard from the scriptures?
Responding
Prayers of the People
Prayers are conversations with God. We offer now our prayers and intercessions to God.
Patient and Loving God,
As a family of believers we lift our prayers to you. We know you are faithful to listen as we bring to you the things that weigh on our hearts and minds.
We pray for your Church. May we be salt of the earth and light to the world. Breathe fresh life into your people.
We pray for those who lead. Inspire with your wisdom those whose decisions affect the lives of others, that all may act with integrity and courage.
We pray for all who serve our communities. For those who deliver goods, drive trucks, stock shelves, tend to the sick, serve food. We pray for your protection.
God of Hope, comfort and restore all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit . . . especially those we name silently or aloud (pause for people to respond).
Eternal God, you created us by your power and redeem us by your love. Guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that our prayers for ourselves and others may serve your will and show your steadfast love.
As we pray together the prayer you taught us to pray saying,
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. Amen.
Sending
As we go from here, remember:
God is always with us.
No matter what we face,
no matters what trials or hardships come our way,
God is right beside us,
guiding and directing our paths.
So do not live in fear, but in joy,
celebrating God’s presence
and singing God’s praise.
Amen!
Living Room Liturgist 