Sunday Prayers for Easter: Luke 24:1–12
Easter Proclamation
One: In a garden, in the gloom, we have a truth for all the ages.
All: He is not here, but has risen.
One: He has risen over death. Risen for each one of us today.
All: Risen in our hearts. Risen in our lives.
One: We proclaim our joy for all the ages.
All: Hallelujah! Christ has risen!
Call to Worship
One: As the women did on that Easter morning we come together.
All: We come together, giving thanks for their presence, worshipping in their path.
One: They brought their grief and their fear, their gratitude and their love.
All: We come together acknowledging our fear and our gratitude; affirming God’s love.
One: They left transformed by the truth of the risen Christ, that the light of God has triumphed
All: So that we can come together in hope and faith and joy, transformed by the truth of our risen Christ.
Our Easter Truth: Luke 24 proclaims John 1
One: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
All: He was with God in the beginning.
One: The beginning. On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came together.
All: He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
One: They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.
All: They became a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through them all might believe
One: Suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.
All: The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
One: The men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
All: In him was life, and that life was the light of all humankind.
One: “He is not here, but has risen.”
All: He has risen. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Opening Prayer
Comforting God,
On this Easter morning, we remember the discipleship of the women in the garden. We give thanks for their service to you and the astounding news they shared. As you reassured them — chasing away their fear, dispelling their doubts and grief — share with us the wonder of your Easter hope. As you guided them, with the teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ, share with us the strength of this Easter faith. As you encouraged them — to affirm your living truth, to proclaim your risen triumph — inspire us to live full of your Easter love, and to proclaim your Easter promise. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Amen.
Prayer of Illumination
Glorious and exalted God,
In our Easter joy, we find your promise of new starts and fresh growth. In our Easter faith, we find your promise to carry us from darkness and despair. In our Easter grace, we find your promise of renewal and transformation. We receive now your Easter word of love triumphant, so that we may affirm it, share it and live it in our lives. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Triumphant God,
Renew in us a shining faith. One that glows ever steadfast and warm, blessing us with acceptance and peace. One that glimmers even in the darkness, bringing us comfort, and reminding us that we are never alone. One that beams with direction and purpose, leading us and those we encounter to know and to share your eternal love. All this we pray in the name of the risen Christ, light of the world. Amen.
Benediction
One: Take this Easter joy into your hearts.
All: He is risen!
One: Rise up now in hope,
All: That darkness is subdued, conquered, vanquished.
One: Rise up now in joy,
All: That new life awaits us.
One: Rise up now in love and share God’s love in every day.
