This is part of the worship Series
Our Living Guarantee
Series Introduction
Easter Sunday | Easter 2 | Easter 3
Easter 4 | Easter 5 | Easter 6
EASTER 3
Living the Guarantee of a Better Vision
Acts 9:1–20; Revelation 5:11–14
Gathering Sentences
Alleluia! The Lord is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
All you saints, sing your hearts out to Yahweh!
Thank God face to face!
God gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.
When things were going great, I crowed, "I've got it made. I'm Yahweh's favorite. God made me king of the mountain."
Then you looked the other way and I fell to pieces.
I called out to you, O Lord; I laid my case before you.
You did it: you changed my wild lament into a whirling dance; you ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst into song; I cannot keep quiet about you.
Jehovah, my God, I cannot thank you enough.
May all the best from God and Christ be yours.
Grace be with you.
—adapted from Psalm 30:4–8, 11–12, Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson
Prayer of Confession
Note: The prayer of confession is based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45; part of the prayer (in italics) will change each week to reflect the Scripture theme.
Almighty God, who raised up your Son, Jesus, overcoming death that we might also share in his righteousness, we confess that we have not lived as people already raised to new life. We have forgotten the guarantee of our own glorious resurrection. We have been so focused on the world's path, the path to what we think we should do, that we cannot see your better path, the path to what we might become.
Merciful God, forgive our sins and make us bolder disciples. Help us to be courageous and daring, rather than compromising and shallow. Help us to live as people anticipating life and victory, rather than shrinking from death and despair. Resurrect us to your new life once again, dear God, in the name of Jesus Christ, living by your side and in our hearts. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Note: The Assurance of Pardon remains the same throughout the Easter season.
Who is in a position to condemn?
Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us,
Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
Anyone in Christ is a new creation: the past is gone; the new has come.
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
—Based on Romans 8:34 Phillips & 2 Corinthians 5:17
Suggested Hymns
"Because You Live, O Christ" Murray
"Amazing Grace—How Sweet the Sound" Newton st. 5; Cowper
"Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" Dix
"At the Name of Jesus" Noel
"Lift High the Cross!" Kitchin
"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" Wesley
Ways to Involve Children and Youth
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Sermon Starter
The reading from Acts relates the familiar story of Saul's conversion on the Damascus road. Saul's perspective is probably the most dramatic one from which to tell the story of how we can become so wrapped up in doing what seems to be right (as Saul did in trying to stop the spread of Christianity) that we miss the better possibility Christ lays before us.
The Revelation passage, with its image of saints from all times and places gathered singing in joy, holds out one of those better possibilities we sometimes fail to see. Often, as in Paul's case, it takes a traumatic event to make us recognize what we have been missing. Assure the congregation that Jesus never gives up on us, just as he never gave up on Paul.
Suggested Anthems
"Let the Whole Creation Cry" by Robert Leaf (Augsburg 11-1618), SA
"Followers of the Lamb" arr. Dorothy Christopherson (CGA 672), unison with instruments
"Rejoice, the Lord is King" set by George Frederic Handel, Rejoice in the Lord 597, SATB
"Amazing Grace" arr. David Ashley White (Selah 420-733), SATB with C instrument
Revised Common Lectionary
Year C: Easter—Third Sunday of Easter
