Opening Prayer Help us to wait in hope for You; for you are our help and our shield. In You our hearts rejoice, for we trust in Your holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You. -Psalm 33:20–22 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. -Micah 7:7-8 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Christ Jesus, enable us to forge a steadfast heart to remain faithful to you. Risen Lord, you send upon us the light of your forgiveness. That is the perfect gift. And for each person, to dare to forgive awakens God’s joy in us. -Taize Community (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first -John 20:1-4 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. –The Book of Common Prayer (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer O Death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy pride? Christ is risen, and thou art abolished! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen and the life reigns. For Christ, who rose from the dead, has become the leader and reviver of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages! Amen. -John Chrysostom (347-407) |