Easter Day
Easter 2B
Easter 3B
Easter 4B
Easter 5B
Easter 6B
Easter 7B
Pentecost
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Easter 3B LECTIONARY GENERATED LITURGY
Third Sunday of Easter, Year B. Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48. . Recommended text - NRSV. Hymns are from the Australian Hymn Book (AHB) or Together in Song (TIS) or Sing Alleluia (SA ) unless otherwise indicated. Worship Leader - normal type. Congregational responses – bold type Permission is granted to churches to use this material in services of worship. This liturgy remains the property of Moira B Laidlaw Additional resources for Easter 3B: Scripture in Song .CMC Australasia, Unit 9/147 Marshalltown Road Grovedale, Victoria 3216; All Together OK, Openbook Publishers, Adelaide, 1996; Australian Prayers, Bruce Prewer, Lutheran Publishing House, Adelaide, 1983 . CALL TO WORSHIP: based on Psalm 4. How blessed are we when God who created this world and all that is in it, listens to us in our distress and answers us when we call. Yet, sadly, people ignore these blessings and turn away, loving vain words, and seeking after lies. But let us put our trust in God and celebrate the wonder of God’s glory revealed in and through the risen Christ. Let us worship God. TIS 675/SCRIPTURE IN SONG 580: "Shine, Jesus, shine" TIS 361/AHB 277: "The day of resurrection" TIS 261: "Lord, you are the light of life to me" PRAYER OF APPROACH Lord Jesus Christ, the light of your love shines on, illuminating the places where you are present. As the bewildered disciples pondered the stories of your appearance, you penetrated the darkness of their fear and doubt with your word of peace. You showed them the appalling marks of evil pierced on your hands and feet. You opened their minds to understand why you had to die to defeat such evil and death. Increase our understanding, we pray, and open our minds and hearts to receive you, Lord. Speak your word of peace to us and let your love shine on any dark areas in our lives. May this worship which we offer in your name be a worthy response to your love and your sacrifice for us. Amen A WORD WITH CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE : Acts 3:12-19 If basing a children's talk on this passage, either read from the beginning of the chapter or have the reader paraphrase the healing of the lame beggar. Then contrast Peter's behaviour with his behaviour on Good Friday when he kept away from the limelight and denied knowing Jesus. Here, in a very public place - in front of the temple in Jerusalem - he acts and teaches with authority - as we can also - for he was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit - Jesus' risen life - as we are - from the time of our Baptism. So, with Jesus' life in us - our hearts and hands are kind and loving - just as his were..... TIS 236/AHB178: "Jesus' hands were kind hands" TIS 686: "Lord Jesus, we belong to you" PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, we hear the story of Peter and marvel at the transformation which occurred in his life, enabling him to stand up fearlessly before people and proclaim the message of Christ crucified and risen. We confess that all too often, our attitudes reflect more of the Peter of Good Friday, than the Peter of Easter and Pentecost. We forget that Peter shows how surprising things happen when faith is put to the test. Forgive us if we don't expect surprises to happen in our journeys of faith - when we are more inclined to focus on our limitations rather than the limitless power of the Holy Spirit. Help us to remember how Peter demonstrates that guilty memories have been transcended by his relationship with the resurrected reality of Jesus. Forgive us if we find it difficult to move beyond any feelings of guilt to the forgiveness offered by Jesus . Help us to remember that Jesus gives us the same message that he gave his disciples - that repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be proclaimed in his name- to all nations - beginning right there with them. Easter is therefore the affirmation that Jesus came into the world not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him. So, hear the good news: "Those who are in Christ are a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, to whom we are reconciled through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation." Based on 2 Cor 5:17,18 Thanks be to God. Amen! Alleluia! TIS 230/AHB172: "It passes knowledge…" SCRIPTURE IN SONG 584: "Lord your face so shines upon me" PASSING THE PEACE: The peace of the risen Christ be always with you. And also with you. Invite people to share a sign of peace with those round about. EPISTLE: 1 John 3: 1-7 ; GOSPEL: Luke 24: 36b –48 SERMON ALL TOGETHER OK 313: “Christ be our light” TIS 210/AHB 141: Tune 223 (2) Lyngham: " O for a thousand tongues" TIS 360 Part 2/AHB 276 verses 6,7,8: "That Eastertide with joy was bright" SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYERS FOR OTHERS "For Faith" Page 110 in AUSTRALIAN PRAYERS - Following the second paragraph which ends: "..lighten our darkest hours", add words about Christ's light penetrating the dark corners of the world where conflict, violence, poverty etc. reigns.... OFFERING OFFERTORY PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, you have enlightened us with your endless love, your peace, and your forgiveness. Receive and bless these gifts, for we offer them and our lives in your name to be used to proclaim your love, peace and forgiveness to all people, beginning right here and right now. Amen TIS 461/AHB 395: "God, your glory we have seen in your Son" TIS 609/AHB 537:: "May the mind of Christ my Saviour" TIS 391: "Come God's people, sing for joy" BENEDICTION Go, strengthened by the power of God which raised Jesus Christ from the dead. And the blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, be with you and upon you this day and every day. THREEFOLD AMEN ADVANCE NOTICE Reprinted from UC Information - No 13 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity This year the WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY is being extended to become TEN DAYS of PRAYER FOR RECONCILIATION AND CHRISTIAN UNITY. Dates: Friday, 26th May (Sorry Day) to Sunday, 4th June (Pentecost). The original texts for the resources came from Ireland. Our Christian sisters and brothers in Ireland wanted to share the insight that new relationships between divided communities often begin in small gatherings of two or three. It was out of that experience that they chose the verse, Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them (Matthew 18:20), as the theme. For resources online see: http://www.ncca.org.au/departments/faith_and_unity/weekofprayer. Resources can also be ordered from Queensland Churches Together, ph: (07) 3369 6792 or email qctadmin@tpg.com.au. A flyer and order form is also available there. Why not organize an ecumenical gathering around the Ten Days of Prayer for Reconciliation and Christian Unity? Heather den Houting, SRA & International Mission Consultant |