Lord of All – Yep, Them Too!

Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ our Lord. My siblings in Christ: On this most holy morning in which Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, we gather as the Church to watch and pray. This is the Passover of Christ, in which we share in Christ's victory over death.

God of life, through Jesus Christ you have bestowed upon the world the light of life. Sanctify this new fire, and grant that our hearts and minds may also be kindled with holy desire to shine forth with the brightness of Christ's rising, that we may attain to the feast of everlasting light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The leader lights the paschal candle from the fire, saying: The light of Christ rises in glory, overcoming the darkness of sin and death. The paschal candle is lifted so that all may see it, and all say: Christ is our light!

“Lift High the Cross” — Hannah Yi, organist

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia! This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Holy God, We give you thanks for your grace revealed through water. Before time, at the beginning of creation, your Holy Spirit moved across the face of the deep, from dark waters and from chaos you brought forth light and land and every living thing, declaring them good. When the world fell into wickedness and rebellion, you saved Noah in the terrible, scouring flood; by light refracted in the water of clouds, you made the rainbow a sign of your covenant never to abandon the earth and its inhabitants to the destructive curse of evil. You led the Hebrews through the waters of the Red Sea, freeing them from slavery in Egypt, and led them through the waters of the Jordan River, bringing them to your promised land of milk and honey. To the waters of that same Jordan River, your Son Jesus came to be baptized by John, as the Holy Spirit anointed him to proclaim salvation for the world. Send your Holy Spirit to bless the water of this font. Let it be for us the water of new creation, the cleansing flood, the covenant rainbow, the Red Sea of victory, the anointing of salvation. Let it be our Jordan River, through which we become one with Jesus Christ in his baptism, receiving the promise you have opened to people of every time and nation; for we pray through Christ who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need, saying,

Holy God, your love for us and all the world is greater than we can imagine.

With joy, we pray for all Christian assemblies united this morning at the empty tomb. Help us see you, O God, in those we do not expect to encounter and remove all fear from our hearts.

Holy God, your love for us and all the world is greater than we can imagine.

With humility, we pray for this planet, our home. Heal what we have scarred and broken; renew the face of Earth from north to south, from east to west so that your creation may speak to us of your goodness.

Holy God, your love for us and all the world is greater than we can imagine.

With hope and love, we pray for the nations of the world, especially those places overwhelmed by war and conflict. By the light of the resurrection, destroy the shroud that is cast over all who live under dictatorship, in the clutches of propagandists, and in ignorance. Bless peacemakers who work to bring justice to their country, city, village, and household.

Holy God, your love for us and all the world is greater than we can imagine.

With compassion, wipe away the tears of all who weep. Give us the spiritual tools we need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort those who are in any trouble. Send your angels to watch over the vulnerable and sick.

Holy God, your love for us and all the world is greater than we can imagine.

With fondness, we remember those who saw our risen Lord and witnessed to his resurrection so that we might act in faith. May their words and actions inspire us to share our stories of encountering your loving presence in our lives. .

Holy God, your love for us and all the world is greater than we can imagine. Amen.

Open our eyes and soften our hearts, O God, through the work of your Holy Spirit, that in the hearing of your Word we may receive new life. Amen.

³⁴Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. ³⁷That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; ⁴⁰but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, ⁴¹not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Peter, in the Book of Acts, speaks of God showing no partiality — Of God loving all of God’s creation. Where is God’s love evident in your life today? Where have you denied yourself God’s love because you felt unworthy or unlovable? Where have you been unkind to someone else for whom God has created them to be? What might you do different to be more Christ like and show less partiality in your own life?

With compassion for our needs, the Risen One stands beside us, calling our names. Let us, with that same mercy, bring forth tithes and offerings to relieve the suffering of this world and to proclaim far and wide the good news of resurrection life.

Holy God, you shower us with gifts so abundant, we cannot measure them all. You give us life itself and the power to befriend our companions in this world. Bless these gifts for the sake of those in need, in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Now may the power of God’s endless love surround you and guide you. Go from here renewed and strong, knowing that Love wins. Look for the blessings that await you this week. Weep with those who weep. Rejoice with those who celebrate. Tell the story of Love.