CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and wonderful God, we greet this new morning with a sense of wonder, awe and triumph. These early morning hours were much beloved by Jesus. It was in these quite peaceful moments when he opened his heart to you and reflected on your mission together. We have come to this garden to remember and give thanks for your most profound statement, proclaimed without words — an empty tomb!! Like the stunned women who came to the tomb to minister to the one who had died, we gasp in surprise and then remember that with you all things are possible. We lift our eyes and arms to heaven in a gesture of praise and thanksgiving for your promise so stunningly fulfilled. Lord God, today you have swallowed up death and offered, in its place, life everlasting. In the resurrection you have not only opened wide the gaits of paradise, but our eyes, as well, to see the brightness of a new day. Our Abba Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
We thank you, wondrous and loving God, for this glorious resurrection day. The gifts we bring are more than a gesture of thanksgiving; they are an expression of our trust and confidence in you. By these gifts we believe you will empower your church to carry out wondrous deeds in the name of the Christ. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment