Call to Worship
Like riders and horses
cast into the sea,
despair and death are swallowed
in God’s steadfast compassion.
We sing praises to God
who has defeated death forever.
In the uncertain rooms of life
where fear locks every door
and grief sits in the corner
like a guest who never leaves,
the Risen Christ comes,
to stand with us in these places
to offer life when we falter.
In faithfulness through all generations,
in deeds full of honor and humility,
in that love which knows no end,
the Holy Spirit breathes peace
into all whose fear threatens them.
Prayer of the Day
God, who parted the seas
of chaos and oppression,
be with those drowning in grief,
those fleeing floods of violence,
all seeking safe harbor from
the uncertainty of fears.
Christ, you know the wounds,
physical, emotional, spiritual,
as well as you know your own.
Be with all who suffer, especially
those who have no one
to stand with them, to be with them,
to speak peace to them,
except you.
Breathe life into us, Spirit of Easter,
stir faith where there is uncertainty
in our communities,
in our places of worship,
in our world,
and in our own hearts.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we pray for all who struggle,
for all behind locked fears,
for all who long to see,
even as we pray as we are taught,
(The Lord’s Prayer)
Call to Reconciliation
Sometimes it seems that we have locked ourselves behind the doors of our foolish choices and lost the key. But God picks the locks, comes into our lives, and breathes peace and grace upon us. Knowing such grace, we may bring our lives to God, trusting in that merciful forgiveness offered to us. Join me as we pray together saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
It has only been a week, God of holiness, and yet we live as if Easter never to place. Like Pharoah clinging to those chariots, we grasp our fears determined never to let go. If we cannot see it, it cannot be true, and if we cannot manage it, we just close our hearts to reality. And so, we are unable to notice your mercy, your justice, your grace all around us, and settle for mere shadows instead of your light.
Sometimes it seems that we have locked ourselves behind the doors of our foolish choices and lost the key. But God picks the locks, comes into our lives, and breathes peace and grace upon us. Knowing such grace, we may bring our lives to God, trusting in that merciful forgiveness offered to us. Join me as we pray together saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
It has only been a week, God of holiness, and yet we live as if Easter never to place. Like Pharoah clinging to those chariots, we grasp our fears determined never to let go. If we cannot see it, it cannot be true, and if we cannot manage it, we just close our hearts to reality. And so, we are unable to notice your mercy, your justice, your grace all around us, and settle for mere shadows instead of your light.
Have mercy on us, God who raised Jesus to new life. Appear in all those closed places where we hide, stand with us in our fears, whisper grace into our hearts, peace into our souls, and call us by name so we know we are your beloved children, called from death into the new life shown in Jesus Christ, the Risen One. Amen.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Grace
By God’s great mercy, we have been born anew into that living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Though we have not seen him, we love him as he loves us.
Though we do not see him now, we believe – celebrating with joy which cannot be contained. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and made new. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering
May the gifts we offer this day, set free those huddling in fear from the pain, the hatred, the struggles of the world so they might discover that new life and hope you offer to all, Loving God. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
May the God of resurrection be with you.
May the God of new life be with you.
People of God, offer your fearful hearts.
We entrust them to the One
who removes our fear
with the breath of peace.
Let us join our voices in singing
glad songs of praise to God.
With Miriam and all the women,
we lift our songs of thanksgiving.
Chaos confronted you,
God of unparalleled imagination,
and you triumphed over it
shattering it with creation.
Tossing oppression and its fears
into the depths of the sea,
you lead your people through
the waters of death
into the promises of new life.
Even when we forget your name,
you do not forget your covenant,
even when we go chasing after
the false leaders and prophets
of every time and place,
you do not turn your back on us.
And so with Miriam and her tambourine,
with song writers and prophets,
with those who have glimpsed your glory
and all who are blind to your grace
we offer our praises to you:
Holy, holy, holy are you, Awesome God.
With all creation and the company of the righteous,
we offer our praises to you.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who breathes peace.
Hosanna in the highest!
You alone are holy, O God,
and your blessed Child, Jesus,
is our living hope.
He came to us
when fear locked every door.
He stood among the frightened,
and did not turn away from them.
He showed his wounds,
that love which, though scarred,
is never damaged completely.
He gave his last breath on the cross,
but came out of the grave
breathing new life on us.
As we remember his life and death,
as we continue to trust the resurrection,
we speak of that faith which is a mystery:
Though we have not seen Christ,
we love him,
though we cannot touch his hands,
he holds our hearts,
though we do not know the future,
we have that hope which will not perish.
Now, as your people gather
around the Table of love,
pour out your Spirit upon
them and the gifts of this meal.
Breathe peace into us
as on that first Easter night
that we might become your
forgiven people as well as
people sent to forgive others.
In the broken bread,
may we become one people
with all who doubt and
with all who rejoice,
with those who hunger
for justice and mercy.
As we share the cup,
may we become brave enough
to open locked doors
to speak peace into fear
to bear witness to new hope.
And when the day comes
when all tears are dried
and death is no more,
we will join our voices
in praising you with our siblings
from every time and place,
God in Community, Holy in One.
Amen.
© 2026 Thom M. Shuman
Venmo: @Thom-Shuman
Silence is kept
Assurance of Grace
By God’s great mercy, we have been born anew into that living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Though we have not seen him, we love him as he loves us.
Though we do not see him now, we believe – celebrating with joy which cannot be contained. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and made new. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering
May the gifts we offer this day, set free those huddling in fear from the pain, the hatred, the struggles of the world so they might discover that new life and hope you offer to all, Loving God. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
May the God of resurrection be with you.
May the God of new life be with you.
People of God, offer your fearful hearts.
We entrust them to the One
who removes our fear
with the breath of peace.
Let us join our voices in singing
glad songs of praise to God.
With Miriam and all the women,
we lift our songs of thanksgiving.
Chaos confronted you,
God of unparalleled imagination,
and you triumphed over it
shattering it with creation.
Tossing oppression and its fears
into the depths of the sea,
you lead your people through
the waters of death
into the promises of new life.
Even when we forget your name,
you do not forget your covenant,
even when we go chasing after
the false leaders and prophets
of every time and place,
you do not turn your back on us.
And so with Miriam and her tambourine,
with song writers and prophets,
with those who have glimpsed your glory
and all who are blind to your grace
we offer our praises to you:
Holy, holy, holy are you, Awesome God.
With all creation and the company of the righteous,
we offer our praises to you.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who breathes peace.
Hosanna in the highest!
You alone are holy, O God,
and your blessed Child, Jesus,
is our living hope.
He came to us
when fear locked every door.
He stood among the frightened,
and did not turn away from them.
He showed his wounds,
that love which, though scarred,
is never damaged completely.
He gave his last breath on the cross,
but came out of the grave
breathing new life on us.
As we remember his life and death,
as we continue to trust the resurrection,
we speak of that faith which is a mystery:
Though we have not seen Christ,
we love him,
though we cannot touch his hands,
he holds our hearts,
though we do not know the future,
we have that hope which will not perish.
Now, as your people gather
around the Table of love,
pour out your Spirit upon
them and the gifts of this meal.
Breathe peace into us
as on that first Easter night
that we might become your
forgiven people as well as
people sent to forgive others.
In the broken bread,
may we become one people
with all who doubt and
with all who rejoice,
with those who hunger
for justice and mercy.
As we share the cup,
may we become brave enough
to open locked doors
to speak peace into fear
to bear witness to new hope.
And when the day comes
when all tears are dried
and death is no more,
we will join our voices
in praising you with our siblings
from every time and place,
God in Community, Holy in One.
Amen.
© 2026 Thom M. Shuman
Venmo: @Thom-Shuman
