Leader: Most wonderful God, we approach you with our little lives, our tiny minds and our large ignorance,
People: But also with our purest longings and hopes.
L: We want to worship you with all that we have and are,
P: But unless you encourage and assist us,
L: We will fail in this our holiest intention.
P: Therefore please let your Spirit move in our hearts and minds,
L: Lifting us above things of secondary importance,
P: And concentrating our whole being on your love and beauty.
L: God has called all God’s people to lives of hope and service.
P: We want to serve God, but sometimes life gets to be too difficult for us.
L: When we try it on our own, it seems impossible.
P: But with God, all things are possible.
L: Place your trust in God’s power and love.
P: God understands our needs, our sorrows, and our joys.
L: Come, let us worship God who is with us always.
P: Praise God for God’s eternal presence.
Leader: Faith is a fleeting thing.
People: We believe in you, God, help us with our unbelief!
Leader: But do not fear, faith is not having all the answers.
People: O God, there is so much about you that we do not know.
Leader: Do not fear, faith does not require perfection.
People: Thank you God, there is so much work left to be done.
Leader: Faith is this: trusting God when all other lights go out.
People: O God, we are here today to put all our hope and trust in you.
Leader: Sisters and brothers, rejoice. We live sustained by God's presence and love.
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: As we mourn the wounds of God's children,
People: God weeps with us.
Leader: As we struggle for justice,
People: God struggles with us.
Leader: As we strive for peace,
People: God strives with us.
Leader: As we work to build the beloved community,
People: God works with us.
Leader: As we offer our gifts to all,
People: God blesses us.
Leader: Sisters and brothers, rejoice.
People: Sustained by God's presence and love we worship God.
Leader: Who will feed the starving mouths of your neighbors around the world?
People: Here I am, Lord. Send me.
Leader: Who will comfort the daughter who lost her father and the mother who lost her son?
People: Here I am, Lord. Use me.
Leader: Who will guide the lonely and the empty into a rich life of wholeness?
People: Here I am, Lord. Guide me.
Leader: For even now, God is calling you by name, calling you to come, follow Jesus.
People: Here we are, Lord. We will follow you.
Leader: Happy Easter Season! Today is the first day of the week.
People: The joy of Easter still sings in our hearts.
Leader: Breathe the breath of new life in your spirits!
People: We open our hearts to all the wondrous work God has for us to do.
Leader: Welcome to worship this glorious day!
People: Let our lives be testimony to God’s redeeming love!
L: How is life with you today?
P: Sometimes it is full of goodness and peace; but at other times it is full of worry and strife.
L: Give these worries and fears to Jesus.
P: We need to let go of our anxiety and turn to God.
L: Come, let us praise God, who has spoken words of healing love through Jesus.
P: Let us open our hearts and let go of our fears, for there is no one else who can heal our spirits.
Leader: What would God have us do?
People: What gifts do we have that can serve God?
Leader: Lord, guide our lives and our service.
People: Lord, call us to ministries of hope and promise.
Leader: Help us, O Lord, to look beyond words.
People: Help us, O Lord, to see ways of service
Leader: Open our hearts and our spirits this day to receive your guidance.
People: Help us to be those people who will bring good news to those in darkness and doubt.
Leader: Come, let us worship God with thanksgiving for gifts of ministry.
People: Let us praise God with joyful hearts for opportunities to serve.
Leader: It happened! Jesus was absolutely right!
People: Christ is risen! It was as he said it would be!
Leader: Darkness is gone! Brightness reigns!
People: God’s love has poured over us, bringing us joy and hope!
Leader: We are free from fear and doubt!
People: We are free to celebrate and dance, and shout the Good News: “Christ is Risen!”
