We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill, we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us how, by serving one another, we connect to the heart of God.
Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted is our mission also.
We believe and trust Jesus’ saving act of taking all our sin, regret and sorrow
upon his own shoulders.
He bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried in a tomb, but on the third day God raised him from the dead,
as promised.
Not long after his resurrection, also as promised, God sent the Holy Spirit into our midst
speaking truth in every language to all who have ears to hear.
We believe The Spirit is our ever-present advocate, counselor,
and friend teaching us to love God and one another as the Christ loved us.
Praise God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most wondrous and surprising God, we have been holding our breath waiting, waiting for something to happen and here it is! What a stroke of genius is THE RESURRECTION! You did it, you really did it! Why are we surprised? You’re God, after all; you made a promise and followed through on your promise. We are gladder than glad, rejoicing with you in the triumph of your son Jesus Christ. We now understand that he weathered the storm of his ordeal in order so we could witness your final intention for all. Jesus’ resurrection is your most wondrous, mysterious and wholly unchangeable gift of love. We confess we were afraid, trembling in the secret darkness with his forlorn disciples. But today, you have revealed what lies beyond all grief and mourning. The tomb is empty, and life, with all of its ups and downs, has been touched by the promise of eternity. We can breathe again, no longer afraid. Our faith is renewed, our spirits are ignited and we shall shout it from the mountain tops. “Praise God! Today all things are made new! Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen indeed.” Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Paul writes, “Listen I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised imperishable and we will be changed.” This promising vision is one many of us readily embrace and accept, but when it comes to the need to embrace necessary change in the earthly realms, we must confess our discomfiture and some suspicion. When was it that so many Christians stopped looking at life as an adventure— as an invitation to explore new ideas, or new ways to worship God, and experience personal and communal spirituality? During the past 10 years we have been a congregation experiencing growth through change. Let’s not put the brakes on now. Support our Messy Church adventure with your gifts, your prayers, your participation, your service and your witness.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God we are so very grateful for this day of resurrection. There is no clearer message of goodwill; no more graphic demonstration of your love; no greater assurance of your hope for humanity. The gifts we offer on the Easter Sunday cannot compare to the gift you have given us, but we hope they will, in some small measure, bring the message of your love and goodwill to those who have never known it. In the name of the risen Christ we pray. Amen.
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