Peanut Gallery: Today is Easter Sunday for millions of Christians around the world. Happy Easter – Christ is risen!
Message from John Kass –
Message from Coptic Pope Tawadros in Egypt –
Holy Fire in Jerusalem –
Orthodox Scouts Celebrate Easter in Jerusalem –
Reading: Revelation 21.10-14, 22-27 NLT
So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty— but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – deliver me from evil and write my name in your Book of Life. For your name’s sake, I ask it. Amen.
Spiritual: “Twelve gates to the city / I bid you goodnight” – Robert Plant & Band of Joy
Reading: Luke 22:31-34 NLT
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Sift me… my heart, my mind, my spirit. Keep what pleases you… and remove all else. And strengthen me… to keep me faithful to the end. For your name’s sake. Amen.
Hymn: “O Jesus, I have Promised” – John E. Bode (1869)
Reading: Luke 22.24-30 NLT
Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’
But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
“You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel….”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – The disciples seem silly arguing about who is the greatest among them. And yet – not so silly at all – when I begin to compare my life and work with that of others. Fill me with godly contentment. Give me a servant’s heart, that I might be with you in Kingdom come. And by your grace, reserve a place for me at your table. To God be the glory. Amen.
Hymn: “Servant Song” – Donna Marie McGargill, OSM
What do you want of me, Lord? Where do you want me to serve you? Where can I sing your praises. I am your song. Jesus, Jesus, you are the Lord. Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.
I hear you call my name, Lord, and I am moved within me. Your Spirit stirs my deepest self. Sing your songs in me. Jesus, Jesus, you are my Lord. Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.
Above, below, and around me. Before, behind and all through me, your Spirit burns deep within me. Fire my life with your love. Jesus, Jesus, be warmth of my heart. Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.
You are the light in my darkness. You are my strength when I’m weary. You give me sight when I’m blinded. Come see for me. Jesus, Jesus, you are my light. Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.
Reading: Luke 22:7-23 NLT
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”
“Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.
He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.
When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
“But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.
Prayers of Confession and Pardon: The Book of Common Worship, 1946
Dear Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you and we confess that we have too often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there was no God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask your forgiveness and we also ask for your strength. Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may witness to You in our world. Remind us to be who You would have us to be regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Hold us to You and build our relationship with You and with those You have given us on earth.
Almighty God, who does freely pardon all who repent and turn to Him, now fulfill in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace; forgiving all our sins, and cleansing us from an evil conscience; through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Communion Hymn: “Take and Eat” – James J. Quinn; (refrain): Michael Joncas
Refrain: Take and eat; take and eat: this is my body given up for you. Take and drink; take and drink: this is my blood given up for you.
I am the Word that spoke and light was made; I am the seed that died to be re-born; I am the bread that comes from heaven above; I am the vine that fills your cup with joy.
I am the way that leads the exile home; I am the truth that sets the captive free; I am the life that raises up the dead; I am your peace, true peace my gift to you.
I am the Lamb that takes away your sin; I am the gate that guards you night and day; You are my flock; you know the shepherd’s voice; You are my own; your ransom is my blood.
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