Saturday, April 07, 2012

Easter Sunrise Service


The Welcome Table
A Free Universalist Christian Missional Community
Easter Sunrise Worship

A Time of Silent Vigil in the Dark

How long must we stay in the desert? How long in the absence of Love?

Comforter of Comforters, do not leave us bereft surrounded by those who bay

for our hearts, those who dismiss and disparage us, those who hunger for our

humiliation. We regret how we have strayed from the way of love; we yearn to be

once again in love’s presence, once again attending love’s teachings, once again

free to rejoice, to give thanks, to join in blessing. Sing to us the songs of starlight

and quiet waters, the songs of welcome and restoration, the songs that keep our

hearts steady and bring us bread. Even here in the desert, love persists. Even here

in the emptiness, love bears us comfort. Even here in the long vigil, love guides

us. May it always be so. Amen. (Rev. Naomi King)

Silence Until Sunrise

Invocation
Today is the day which God has made: Let us rejoice and be glad therein.
What does the Eternal require of us?
To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
This is our covenant as we walk together in life in the ways of God known and to be made known: In the light of truth, and the loving and liberating spirit of Jesus, we gather in freedom, to worship God, and serve all.


I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day #504, by ee cummings

Morning Has Broken, #38 O Life That Maketh All Things New #12

Psalms Readings #421, 422, 423  

Communion: Bread of Life and Cup of Hope

II.

Prayer: #510

“Precious Lord” #199 “Dona Nobis Pacem” #388

Prayers of Cares and Concerns followed by The Prayer of Jesus: 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

III.
Scripture Reading:
Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, "They took the Master from the tomb. We don't know where they've put him." Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home. But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus' body had been laid. They said to her, "Woman, why do you weep?" "They took my Master," she said, "and I don't know where they put him." After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn't recognize him. Jesus spoke to her, "Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?" She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, "Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him." Jesus said, "Mary." Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" meaning "Teacher!" Jesus said, "Don't cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, 'I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: "I saw the Master!" And she told them everything he said to her.

Reflection and Discussion: Embodying Easter

 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today #268

Benediction Response (Rev. Naomi King)

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice! Let the children dance and sing in praise

of the awesomeness of the Beloved!

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

Let the elders dance and sing in praise of Love’s restoration!

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

Let all the people dance and sing with wonder and gratitude to the Lover of Life!

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

Raised from death, brought back into life, with us once again

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

Put aside all mourning, my people. Set aside the ashes of grief for rejoicing

in the power of transforming love!

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

We have been brought out of exile and through the desert.

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

We have been called back to the wonders of transforming love.

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

A way has been made. Let us pick up our hearts and follow!

Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!
                                            Hallelujah! Let all the people shout and rejoice!

 

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thank you for this! Weather is dicey in New England, so ours is much shorter.