Liturgy: Resurrection Sunday Lessons and Carols, John 20-21 (April 20, 2025)

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Additional Hymns:

Hymn GTG #232, “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”

Hymn GTG #246, “Christ Is Alive!” 

Hymn GTG #238, “Thine Is the Glory” 

This insert will be offered each week to help us think about conflicts in scripture and in our lives.

Call to Worship (based on John 20:17, 29)

Leader: Rejoice and be glad, for the tomb is empty!

People: Alleluia!

Leader: Go, tell your brothers and sisters:

People: Christ is alive!

Leader: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

People: Let us worship our resurrected Lord!

Call to Confession (based on John 20:31)

Leader: John’s gospel tells us that we receive life in Christ’s name through our belief that he is who he says he is, and that he will do what he says he will do. With faith in his promise of forgiveness, then, let us humbly confess our sins, and receive life.

Prayer of Confession (based on John 20:4, 25; 21:7, 21)

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: God of New Life, we confess that even facing an empty tomb, we fail to embrace the unifying love that triumphs over death. Our joyful celebration becomes a competition that persists in dividing us. We look around to see who was first at the tomb; who has pursued Jesus most zealously; who loves you the most. On this day, more than all others, you have declared us to be one in Christ Jesus, from those who have doubted and even abandoned you to those who never left your side and everyone in between. Forgive us and open our eyes the love that unites us, instead of the things that divide us. In your mercy, hear our prayers…

(Silent prayers of personal confession)

Declaration of Forgiveness (based on John 20:19)

Leader: In the midst of our fear, Christ comes to us and offers us peace. Hear the good news so that your hearts may know this peace: in the name of the Resurrected One, we are all forgiven!

People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

LESSONS AND CAROLS FROM JOHN

Readings are done by three people: one representing Jesus, one representing Jesus' supporters, and one representing Jesus' opponents. They each wear a white, green, or red stole, respectively, to help clarify their roles. 

The Empty Tomb: John 20:1-18

Hymn GTG #241, “Woman, Weeping in the Garden” [vv. 1, 3, 5]

Thomas Doubts: John 20:19-31

Hymn GTG #817, “We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight” [vv. 1-3]

The Disciples Go Fishing: John 21:1-14

Hymn GTG #720, “Jesus Calls Us” [vv. 1 & 4]

Jesus Questions Peter Three Times: John 21:15-25

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!

Hymn GTG #233, “The Day of Resurrection” [vv. 1 & 3]