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 about the forgiveness and peace Jesus gives 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 3:12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48
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
Leader: Though we may be inclined to brag, let us come together with humility.
All: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
Leader: Though we may be tempted to use harsh words, let us come together with gentleness.
All: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
Leader: Though we may want everything to happen quickly, let us come together with patience.
All: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
Leader: Though the world around often encourages division, let us come together in love.
All: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
Leader: In humility, gentleness, patience, love, and unity,
All: Let us worship the God who has called us together.
Song of Praise
Sing one song that focuses on God’s love and God’s call.
Some suggestions:
He’s Alive He’s Alive (for kids)
I’ve Got Peace Like a River (for kids)
For other song ideas click here.
New Testament Reading
It says in 1 John chapter 3,
1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
Prayer for Illumination
Living God,
You call us to be your light in the darkness,
your voice in the wilderness,
your hope for the hopeless.
You give us strength in our weakness,
peace and gentleness, words and boldness,
to proclaim your life, your love and your power in this world.
Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what you have to say to us today.
We pray in Christ’s name.
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 re-tell the story.)
A reading from Luke 24 (NRSV).
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Re-Telling
Let’s remember together what was said in these readings. What was said first? What happened next? (go around the circle and tell the story to each other. Try to remember as many details as possible.).
Paying Attention
What part of the scripture grabbed your attention? Why do you think that part stood out?
Let each person in the circle take a turn to wonder about something in this text . . . a word, a phrase, something that happened in the text, something that you’re thinking about, etc. Start out by saying “As we read these texts, it made me wonder . . . ”
Have you ever had doubts about Jesus? What do you think he’d say to you in your doubts?
How can we be praying this week?
Responding
Prayers of the People
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.
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.
And now 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 sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
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
Benediction
Dear Friends,
Go with this blessing.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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