Liturgy: Second Sunday of Easter, Acts 1:1-14 (April 7, 2024)

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Hymns:

Hymn GTG #234, “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain”
Hymn GTG #388, “Come All You People”
Hymn GTG #511, “Come, Behold! The Feast of Heaven"

Call to Worship (based on Acts 1:8, 13-14)

Leader: At first, only a few people knew the Good News.
People: The women at the tomb, then Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew, James, Simon, and Judas, James’ son.
Leader: We are gathered here today because of their witness to the ends of the earth.
People: To Africa and Asia, to Europe, to the Americas, and beyond.
Leader: From north to south; from east to west.
People: Let us join this joyful cloud of witnesses and praise the Lord together!


Call to Confession (based on Acts 1:14)

Leader: Christ’s followers came from different backgrounds, but they were all united in their devotion to prayer. Let us, likewise, demonstrate our devotion by confessing our sin to God in prayer.


Popcorn Prayer of Confession (based on Acts 1:6-8)

You are invited to speak a word or short phrase that describes a personal or collective sin of which you repent and seek forgiveness.

When the gathered community is finished sharing, we pray together:

People: Lord, we confess our impatience and our selfishness. You have conquered sin and death, yet rather than celebrating your mercy, we want to know when you will restore us to power. We want to know when WE will be in control. Remind us of our dependance on your sovereignty. Remind us of our limited understanding. Remind us that your definition of power is different than ours. And remind us that your salvation is for ALL people, to the ends of the earth. In your mercy, hear our prayers… 

(Silent prayers of personal confession)

Declaration of Forgiveness (based on Acts 1:8)

Leader: The apostles were sent out into Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, all to bear witness to a simple truth, one that is just as true today and that I share with you now: In Christ Jesus, we are all forgiven!
People: Thanks be to God!