ENTRANCE

The service begins with the ringing of a bell or the clamor of a gong.
The pastor stands in the back of the worship space, in front of the choir or musical ensemble, and announces:

ABBREVIATIONS
AH = The Africana Hymnal

BOW = United Methodist Book of Worship

CCLI = Christian Copyright Licensing International, SongSelect

TFWS = The Faith We Sing (2000)

UMH = United Methodist Hymnal

W&S = Worship & Song (2011)

SOZ = Songs of Zion

Pastor: Alleluia. Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The deacon or pastor then goes on to announce the number of people who have been fed, sheltered, or otherwise assisted (and how they have been assisted) through the church’s outreach ministries to date this year, and encourages giving to support these ministries. Ushers collect an offering for these ministries during the opening processional hymn.

Camina, Pueblo de Dios (Walk On, O People of God) UMH 305
We Are Called TFWS 2172

OR

Mighty to Save W&S 3038

Prayer for Illumination

(after “We Are Called”)
Risen Savior, you have called us,
and we walk on with you.
Open our eyes and our hearts
to hear the witness of your people,
and follow where you lead. Amen.

(after “Mighty to Save”)
Jesus, you conquered the grave,
and we are singing for your glory.
Author of Salvation, speak now through these scriptures,
that we may be the compassion and love for others
that you are for us. Amen.

WORD AND RESPONSE

Reading Acts 4:32-35 (NRSV)

Sermon Testimony to the Resurrection

Confessing in Song
The deacon, pastor, or others may prepare the Lord’s table, and the regular offering may be collected during the singing.

Christ Is Risen UMH 307

We Believe CCLI #6367165

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table UMH 8
Confession, Pardon, and Peace UMH 8

The Great Thanksgiving BOW 66-67

Pastor:
Alleluia. The risen Christ is with us.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Death is conquered! Sin’s power is broken.
Praise to you, Conquering God!

We have seen your glory.
And we are yours!

We are yours, all yours, blessed Triune God,
all our lives, all our thanks, all our praise,
we give it all to you, with all our bodies, and minds, and voices.

Yours, all yours!

Yours the blessing, yours the praise,
from the unimaginable silence before creation,
beyond the farthest reaches of time and space our instruments may ever find,
from infinity to infinity, everlasting to everlasting,
you are God, boundless in love and power.

We stand in awe, trembling in the light of your glory!

What are we that you should notice us?
What are we that you should love us?
What are we what you should call us into covenant with you,
a covenant we continually broke,
and you continuously sustained.

Mercy! How full of mercy!

How can we but praise you,
joining our voices with the song of angels and saints,
seraphim and martyrs,
strangers and family in every generation:

Refrain from "God of Wonders" W&S 3034 or CCLI#3118757

then sing to the same tune

Jesus Christ who comes in our God's name, you are worthy, worthy!
Lamb of God who died and rose again, you are worthy, worthy!
Hosanna now we sing! Hosanna now we sing!

You are holy, O God!
Holy!

You are worthy, O Christ!
Worthy!

Worthy in your birth! Worthy in your living!
Worthy in your loving! Worthy in your serving!

Worthy when you preached good news
that God's kingdom has drawn near
and gather disciples, then and now, to learn and show the world
what life in God's reign means:
healing for the sick.
new life for the dead,
cleansing for the lepers,
freedom for the possessed,
new birth, new hope, new creation breaking in for all.

Worthy! Worthy! Worthy above all!

Worthy too, the night we betrayed you,
when you took the bread, blessed it and broke it,
and gave it to your disciples.
Worthy when you told them,
"This is my body broken for you. Remember me."
We remember.

Worthy when you took the cup,
praised God and shared it,
and worthy when you said,
"This is my blood of the new covenant for you.
Remember me."
We remember.

And in this season of seasons,
we proclaim above all,
worthy were you when the angels rolled away the stone,
and you came forth from the tomb,
trampling down death by death
and to all in the graves
restoring life.

We remember, and we praise you with our lives.

We remember, and we praise you with our lives
and these gifts of bread and wine,
proclaiming with one voice the mystery of faith:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Even so, come upon us, Holy Spirit.
Come upon us, Holy Spirit.

Come upon these gifts.
Come upon these gifts.

Make them be for us Christ's body, Christ's blood.
Make us one body in Christ enlivened by his blood.

One in heart, one in mind, one in you, Holy Spirit,
as you move us to pray for the church and the world:

A deacon or worship leader:
That we with Peter and John and all your apostles may proclaim the gospel boldly:
Hear us, O God.

That we may offer your healing for all who are sick, or torn, or weary:
Hear us, O God.

That many dead and left for dead may be raised, and death’s power vanquished:
Hear us, God.

That all who are unclean may receive your cleansing grace:
Hear us, O God.

That all who are possessed, oppressed, distressed, depressed and downcast may be set free at last.
Hear us, O God.

Pastor:
Even so, come and fill this feast, Holy Spirit,
this day, and every day until that day
when we eat it new at the marriage supper of the Lamb
and our Easter rejoicing shall know no end.

All blessing, honor, glory and power
be yours, Holy Triune God,
now and forever.
Amen!

The pastor breaks the bread in the sight of the people, then serves the servers, one of whom also serves the pastor. The people are then served.

Music During Communion

Make Us One TFWS 2224
Bind Us Together TFWS 2226

Thanksgiving after Communion

Deacon or Pastor and People:
Triune God,
you have fed us with the body and blood of Christ,
uniting us with you,
filling us with the power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Send us, rejoicing, to declare with all your people,
in hearts, and hands, and voices,
the resurrection of Jesus,
and what life now looks like in his name. Amen.

SENDING FORTH

He Lives UMH 310

O Praise the Name (Anástasis) CCLI #7037787

Deacon or Pastor:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go in the name of Jesus to testify in word and deed
of his resurrection!

People:
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!