AWAKENING TO MINISTRY
(Festival of God's Creation)

ENTRANCE

The service begins with lights dimmed. Spotlight or screen image of a locked door or a series of closed doors. Words may be spoken or, if possible, projected onto the image of the closed doors.

Sunday evening:
The doors where the disciples were shut tight
because of fear...

Solo: “How Can It Be” CCLI # 7023294 OR

Solo/Ensemble: “Trouble in My Way” Africana Hymnal 4118
“Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee” Africana Hymnal 4092 (ZSS 120)

Prayer of Illumination
Author of faith, to you we lift
our weary, longing eyes.
Our fear would close us down
to your love and your call on our lives.
Even now, send your Spirit among us.
Break into our shut-up hearts,
unparalyze our fear-filled minds,
and unclasp our clenched hands,
that we may hear your words of life
and truly live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

WORD AND RESPONSE

Reading John 20:19-23

Sermon Awakening... to Ministry

Call to Ministry

Deacon or Pastor:
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
While they were still cowering in fear,
Christ announced peace to his disciples
and sent them as the God had sent them
in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christ announces peace to us
and sends us,
in our fear and despite our sins,
as agents of forgiveness, healing, and peace.
This is the foundation of ministry in Jesus.

And so, the peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.

The people exchange the peace of Christ with others around them.

Solo/Ensemble: “Peace” CCLI# 5720246
(video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB07_fpUzRA) OR

“Your Grace and Mercy” Africana Hymnal, 4116 (ZSS 128)
“Peace, Salaam, Shalom” Worship & Song, 3181

Prayers of the People

Deacon, Prayer Leader, or Pastor:
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
All: Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

Let us pray with and for the church and the world, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”

With all who are afraid this day because of health, or lack of resources, or threats to their lives or the lives of those they love, we stretch our hands to you:

Lord, have mercy.

With all who need you to enter their situation at this moment and speak “Peace,” we stretch our hands to you:

Lord, have mercy.

With all who have been wounded by others in this world, justly or unjustly, we stretch our hands to you:

Lord, have mercy.

With all who rejoice in your resurrection, and with all who mourn those who have died, we stretch our hands to you:

Lord, have mercy.

For all who bring peace or work for peace and justice in the world, we stretch our hands to you:

Lord, have mercy.

With all whom you have sent into the world, in every land and nation, we stretch our hands to you:

Lord, have mercy.

Breathe afresh on us, that we may receive of the Holy Spirit as we stretch our hands to you, praying:

The Lord’s Prayer (in your first language).

THANKSGIVING [AND COMMUNION]

The Offering
Music During the Offering
“We Give You Thanks” CCLI# 7019310 OR
Solo and Congregation: “My Tribute” Africana Hymnal, 4080

The Great Thanksgiving BOW 66-67
Music During Communion
Thanksgiving after Communion UMH 11

SENDING FORTH

“Send Me Out” CCLI #5621778 OR
“Let Our Earth Be Peaceful” Worship & Song, 3159

Deacon or Pastor:
Go in peace, filled with the Holy Spirit and the mercy of the Risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!