Loosening the Bonds

A Living Hope

Third Sunday of Easter, Year A

Today is a day for testimony. We need to remind ourselves and one another that we have indeed been set free. Maybe we can talk about what we’ve been set free from. Maybe we talk about obstacles overcome. But the simple fact of freedom is what we focus on today.

This series allows us to explore a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is designed to help us know it well enough to recognize it when we encounter it in our own communities. This series pairs the epistle texts with the psalm for each week to give a flavor of both the understanding and the experience of hope. So, join us for this journey into the new world of a living hope that is ours in the Resurrection as we give thanks to God.

Following is a list of curated hymns for this series. As this is a six-week series, you might consider using a new or well-known hymn as your theme hymn and sing it each week in various ways to encourage the congregation to engage with it in different acts of worship.

Abbreviations:

  • W&S: Worship and Song
  • UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
  • TFWS: The Faith We Sing

THEME HYMN IDEAS

  • CALL TO WORSHIP: Here I Am to Worship W&S 3177
  • OPENING HYMN: How Firm a Foundation UMH 529
  • Hope of the World UMH 178
  • CALL TO PRAYER: Grace Alone TFWS 2162
  • CLOSING HYMN: Song of Hope TFWS 2186

Third Sunday of Easter, Year A

  • Blessed Assurance UMH 369
  • Amazing Grace UMH 378
  • I Love You. Lord TFWS 2068
  • I Will Call Upon the Lord TFWS 2002

In This Series...


Second Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Third Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes

Colors


  • Gold
  • White

In This Series...


Second Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Third Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes