April 28, 2019
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

INTRODUCTION
In spite of all we have heard and all that we have seen, it is often hard to believe. Because it is hard to believe, we will invest ourselves in the Easter mystery for fifty days (a week of weeks). Because it is hard to believe, John the evangelist will provide sign after sign celebrating Jesus' victory over death. Because it is hard to believe, the Lord Jesus will return to us again and again in the mystery of the holy communion, inviting us to touch and taste his presence, and offering us his peace.

thanksgiving for baptism
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
the fountain of living water,
the rock who gave us birth,
our light and our salvation.
Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.
We give you thanks, O God, O Living One,
for you have created all, and you water the earth abundantly.
Oceans and aquifers praise you. Rivers and streams bless you.
Here local bodies of water may be named.
All life is sustained by you, our Source.

We praise you for Christ, the firstborn from the dead,
who frees us from sin and raises us up to new life.
Here at this font we touch the river of the water of life,
bright as crystal, flowing through the city of God.
Here, death is washed away forever.
Here, we are grafted into the tree of life,
with leaves for the healing of the world.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on this assembly,
into this community, and throughout all creation.
Cleanse us from our fears and drown our divisions.
Grant that all may drink of your mercy and peace,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit's breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Blessed are those who | have not seen* and yet have come | to believe. Alleluia. (John 20:29)

READINGS AND PSALM
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118:14-29
You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)
Psalm 150 (Alternate)
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. (Ps. 150:6)
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

FIRST READING: Acts 5:27-32
Peter has been arrested for proclaiming the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection. His response to the charges of the high priest summarizes the early church's proclamation of forgiveness of sin through repentance.

27When they had brought [the apostles], they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." 29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

PSALM: Psalm 118:14-29
You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

14The LORD is my strength | and my song,
	and has become | my salvation.
15Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents | of the righteous:
	"The right hand of the | LORD acts valiantly!
16The right hand of the LORD | is exalted!
	The right hand of the | LORD acts valiantly!"
17I shall not | die, but live,
	and declare the works | of the LORD.   R
18The LORD indeed pun- | ished me sorely,
	but did not hand me o- | ver to death.
19Open for me the | gates of righteousness;
	I will enter them and give thanks | to the LORD.
20"This is the gate | of the LORD;
	here the righ- | teous may enter."
21I give thanks to you, for you have | answered me
	and you have become | my salvation.   R
22The stone that the build- | ers rejected
	has become the chief | cornerstone.
23By the LORD has | this been done;
	it is marvelous | in our eyes.
24This is the day that the | LORD has made;
	let us rejoice and be | glad in it.
25Hosanna! | O LORD, save us!
	We pray to you, LORD, pros- | per our days!   R
26Blessed is the one who comes in the name | of the LORD;
	we bless you from the house | of the LORD.
27The LORD is God and has giv- | en us light.
	Form a procession with branches up to the corners | of the altar.
28You are my God, and | I will thank you;
	you are my God, and I | will exalt you.
29Give thanks to the LORD, for the | LORD is good;
	God's mercy en- | dures forever.   R

PSALM (ALTERNATE): Psalm 150
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. (Ps. 150:6)

1Hallelujah! Praise God in the | holy temple;
	praise God in the | mighty firmament.
2Praise God for | mighty acts;
	praise God for ex- | ceeding greatness.   R
3Praise God with | trumpet sound;
	praise God with | lyre and harp.
4Praise God with tambou- | rine and dance;
	praise God with | strings and pipe.
5Praise God with re- | sounding cymbals;
	praise God with loud- | clanging cymbals.
6Let everything | that has breath
	praise the LORD. | Hallelujah!   R

SECOND READING: Revelation 1:4-8
The book of Revelation recounts a mystical vision of the risen Christ, experienced by a Christian prophet named John. Here he describes Christ as a timeless redeemer, the beginning, present, and end of all time.

4John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
	Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
	To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
	7Look! He is coming with the clouds;
		every eye will see him,
	even those who pierced him;
		and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
	8I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

GOSPEL: John 20:19-31
The unprecedented events of the day of resurrection continue as the risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples. A week later, after Thomas worships Jesus, Jesus pronounces that the blessings of the resurrection are also for those who "have not seen and yet believe."

19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
	24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
	26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
	30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
Trusting God's promise of new life, we pray for the renewal of the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
Strengthen the witness of your church in all corners of the world. Make us visible signs of your grace so others see your goodness and come to believe. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Breathe life and peace into your creation. Protect homes, fields, and communities from damaging winds. Bless environmentalists, engineers, and legislators who work to curb pollution and to ensure clean air for us and for future generations. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Give to all government leaders a renewed spirit of humility and servanthood, following the example of Christ, our leader, savior, and ruler. Uphold cease-fires, treaties, and all agreements and agencies that further the cause of peace on earth (especially). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
By the resurrection of the wounded Christ, draw near to those wounded in body or spirit. Liberate all who are bound by grief, abuse, addiction, or pain. Restore faith to the despairing and hope to the suffering (especially). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Protect and provide for all whom you send out in mission across the world. Empower global mission organizations and partners who provide for the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We give you thanks for all the saints who believed in you and who now enjoy eternal life in your name (especially). Sustain us with your everlasting presence, for you are Alpha and Omega, our beginning and our end. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God. Come near to us with your saving help, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
Risen One,
as you broke bread with the disciples on the shore,
meet us now in this meal.
Nourish us to follow you,
using our gifts to feed the hungry and tend the weary,
and all for your love's sake.
Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Jesus Christ, risen from the dead,
gives everyone a place at the welcome table.
Alleluia! Come to the feast.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Living God,
you have greeted us in our brokenness
and nourished us with the body of Christ, broken for us.
Risen to new life with you,
send us now to bear your healing love
into the wounded world,
in the name of our risen Savior and Lord.
Amen.

SENDING OF COMMUNION
Eternal God,
whose glory is revealed in the crucified and risen Lord,
bless those who go forth to share your word and sacrament
with our sisters and brothers
who are sick/homebound/imprisoned.
In your love and care, nourish and strengthen
those to whom we bring this communion
in the body and blood of your Son,
that we may all feast upon your abundant love 
made known in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

BLESSING
The blessing of the living God,
Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit,
surround and sustain you,
keep you from harm,
and fill you with courage.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
You are the body of Christ raised up for the world.
Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.