Easter Sunday 2023
CALL TO WORSHIP
Ephesians 2
THE HOPE OF EASTER:
Video Transcript
Written by Bobbi Salkeld. Video created by Mark Loewen.
With Easter rises …
Joy
Unapologetic joy
It’s like the first sunny day after a long stretch of grey.
It’s like that electric feeling in your limbs when you finally find what you’ve been looking for.
It’s the relief of the soft morning light after you’ve struggled through the night.
There is so much surprise, laughter, and delight in life.
Look around you.
Easter brings a joyful celebration.
With Easter comes …
Transformation
A real change of heart
The possibility that we could play a small part to end the violence that rips through the world.
New creation is possible – it can emerge out of any cruciform destruction.
There is a cosmic movement of transformation – nothing stays the same: everything changes and expands.
That’s a fresh start.
That’s good news on Easter Sunday.
Easter brings …
Belonging
There is no dividing line between who is deserving and who is undeserving.
Christ rises to say it doesn’t matter what you did, or how right you are, or what you think you know –
You deserve love, forgiveness, and friendship with God.
You are at home in all that God has made.
Celebrate this belonging and extend it to everyone.
Why not today?
On Easter Sunday.
EUCHARIST INVITATION
Written by Bobbi Salkeld
We live in a world of “already” and “not yet.”
Already you are complete in Christ, and still you are being made whole.
Already you are healed in Christ, and still you are reaching for shalom.
Already you are feasting with Christ, and still you are finding the next sustaining meal.
As we gather around the Eucharist table on Easter Sunday, let’s meditate on what Easter brings to us. You have everything you need, and still there is more oy, transformation, and belonging to come.
We remember the story of the resurrected Jesus who met very surprised friends on the shore, called them in from fishing, and welcomed them to a fire of burning coals with fish to feast on for days.
Christ welcomes you to the Eucharist elements set before you today with all of your needs, your unfinished stories, your longing for more. On Easter, you are invited to share in the abundance of the feast.
PRAYER
Written by Bobbi Salkeld
Loving God, all life springs from communion.
The grapes harvested, the grains grown, the friends gathered, the lost ones found.
This table of gratitude is a place where the Risen Christ meets us.
Broken, we are being made whole.
Poured out, we are filled with joy once again.
Spirit of resurrection, bless the places we gather and feast.
Amen.
EASTER SUNDAY QUOTE REEL:
