Easter 7B – May 12

Sunday, May 12, 2024 | Easter 7B
“Waiting for the Feast Lenten Series: Fulfilled”
Luke 24:44-53

Call to Worship
One: Let us praise God for sending Jesus Christ to offer his saving love to us all.
All: We give God all our praises.
One: Let our hearts be filled with joyful celebration for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
All: We open our hearts to receive the joy of Christ.
One: Let us move forward with Jesus Christ as our guiding light.
All: The light of Jesus Christ is shining in each of us.
One: Come, let us worship our Risen Christ, whose love and light guide us still.

Invocation
Ever present God, we are grateful that you meet us right where we are. Speaking our language and giving us the blessed assurance that you are with us. We look forward to the glory that awaits us, trusting that Christ will guide us to our heavenly home. In his name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Life-giving God, we find joy in your newness of life through Jesus Christ. Help us to feel the joy of inhaling and exhaling the breath of life in every season. Transform us when we come together as your beloved and diverse creation. Guide us in our praise as we seek your saving love toward a world where there is peace and justice for all. Amen.

Words of Grace
Loving God, in Christ we see the fulfillment of your promise to be with us always. Forgive us when we lose faith in your compassion for all creation. Help us to see the great sacrifice of the Risen Christ as an example of your undying love for us all. Strengthen us to do better and to become better together in our relationship with you and all of creation. Hear our prayer, O God. Amen.

Invitation to Generosity
One: From the abundance of God’s generosity, all are invited to offer a portion of our gifts.
All: We offer these offerings to Christ’s church.
One: Remembering the great love that Christ has for all people,
All: We give these gifts to further spread the love of Christ in the world.
One: Blessing those who gave, and those unable to give.
All: We receive joy in this moment of giving.
One: May these offerings help fulfill our hope to be Christ’s love and light in the world.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Faithful God, we thank you for every gift. We delight in returning a portion of what we have been given back to Christ’s church. Your generous love and care for all creation knows no bounds. Like Christ who offered himself, let these offerings symbolize the fulfillment of your love by bringing a healing balm of hope, peace, and justice to everyone, everywhere. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Benediction
Let us pray this prayer that can be sung in a round afterward, “Go, now in peace. May the love of God surround you, everywhere you may go.” Amen and Asè (pronounced “ah-shay” – Swahili for Amen).

Hymn Suggestions
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
What a Mighty God We Serve
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

Fulfilled: Service Prayers for the Seventh Sunday of Easter was written by The Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey, Pastor of Union Congregational United Church of Christ.