The Lord’s Day

This article is from Issue 11 of “On The Move,” a publication of new learning possibilities for churches, at one time published by The Joint Board of Christian Education of Australia and New Zealand.
Although some ideas and liturgies may appear somewhat “dated” in style, concept, imagery or language, they may nevertheless offer a spring-board for new ideas among people who find themselves leading worship, perhaps in a new context, and with some trepidation.
Reproduced by permission. May be reprinted for use in local congregations only.

A service for THE LORD’S DAY
and especially for use on Easter Day

by Bruce Stewart 

IN GODS PRESENCE
Joyfully we approach the table of the Lord, together asking God to renew us in love and service.
The Lord be with you!
And with you!
(Scripture sentences, followed by a hymn of praise)If we say we have no sin… (1 John 1:8-9,TEV)
Almighty God, you love us but we have not loved you;
you call us but we have not listened.
We walk away from people in need
and we are wrapped up in our own concerns.
We have been silent
in the presence of evil, prejudice, hatred and greed.
God our Father,
help us to face up to ourselves,
so that as you move towards us in mercy,
we may repent, turn to you,
and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Hear the Good News! (1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24, TEV – OR Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:17, TEV)
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
As Gods own people be merciful in action, kind and humble.
Always be as ready to forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.
Above everything else be loving,
and never forget to be thankful for what God has done for you.
Give thanks to God for he is good –
for God’s love lasts forever.
(a doxology, or responsive psalm, or hymn follows)

LISTENING FOR THE WORD OF GOD
Prepare our hearts, O Lord, to hear your Word.
Silence in us any voice but your own so that we may hear and obey you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The reading is from…
Listen for the Word of God.
(Readings, followed by a hymn or song or psalm, and then the sermon)

Let us stand and say what we believe together:
This is the Good News which we have received in which we stand and by which we are saved:
that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day,
and that he appeared to Peter, then to the twelve, and to many faithful witnesses.
We believe that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
He is our Lord and our God.

(A hymn, and then the notices)

The Lord is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Father, your Son Jesus taught us to pray, saying:
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, hear the prayers we offer in your name:
We pray for…
We pray for…
We pray for…
Dear Father, we trust your promises and we know you hear our prayers
so we offer ourselves as your servants
to bring about your good purposes for this earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

COMMUNION
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God.
People will come from east and west and north and south
and sit at the table of the kingdom of God.

This is the Lord’s Table
and he invites those who trust him,
to share the feast which he has prepared.
Let us bring our gifts to God.

(The offering)

Since God loved us we too should love one another.
Let us love one another since love comes from God.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Give thanks to God for he is good.
His love lasts forever.
We thank you, O God our Father, for…
With people of faith from all times and places
we lift up our hearts in joyful praise,
for you alone are holy:
Holy Holy Holy
Lord God of All
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory to you, Lord most high!
We thank you, O God, for Jesus…
Remembering the Lord Jesus, as he asked us,
we break bread and share wine together
to announce his death for the sins of the world
and to tell of his resurrection for all men and nations.

We thank you, O God, for this bread and wine,
fruit of the earth and fruit of the vine.
Pour out your Holy Spirit in the breaking of bread
that we may be drawn together and joined to Christ the Lord,
receive new life, and be his loving people till we feast with him in glory.
O God, you call us from death to life,
and we give ourselves to you, body and soul,
to be your servants in this world, and with your church through the ages.
We thank you for your saving love in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

The Lord Jesus Christ on the night of his arrest, took bread,
and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said:
This is my body which is for you.
Do this to remember me”

(the bread is broken and shared)

In the same way, he took the cup after supper, and said:
“This cup is the new covenant sealed by my blood.
Whenever you drink it, do this to remember me.”

(the wine is shared)

Jesus said “I am the vine, you are the branches; cut off from me, you can do nothing.”

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
God, we thank you for this supper shared with your Son, Jesus,
who makes us new and strong and gives us abundant life.
We praise you for all the good gifts you give us in him
and promise to serve you as we should, following Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Go in peace! Serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

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