17. Year B - Second Sunday of Easter

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VERSION: 29 April 2002

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B

In 2003: 27 Apr

In 2006: 23 Apr

In 2009: 19 Apr

In 2012: 15 Apr

In 2015: 12 Apr

- - -

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Easter season' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

SENTENCE

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

On the first day of the week, Jesus came and stood among them (Alleluia).

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord (Alleluia).

(John 20:19,20 NRSV)

OR

We declare to you what was from the beginning (Alleluia),

what we have heard,

what we have seen with our eyes,

what we have looked at and touched with our hands

concerning the word of life. (Alleluia) (1 John 1:1 NRSV)

OR, use one of the standard Easter Sentences in the document 'Easter season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION

The following introduction may be used before the confession of sins:

Friends in Christ:

St John tells us that if anyone sins,

we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous one,

who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,

and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Therefore, let us confess our sins to God our Father

and ask him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

For variations to the 'Lord, have mercy', see the document 'Easter season' (under 'Liturgy', 'Lord, have mercy' and under 'Hymns and songs' 'Lord, have mercy'), in the 'General and seasonal' folder, or use the following for this Sunday (based on the German).

Let us call on the Lord, to whom we belong through our baptism.

Lord Jesus Christ, you come and stand among us:

Lord, have mercy.

You bring us your peace:

Christ, have mercy.

You send us out as your peacemakers:

Lord, have mercy.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Traditional

Almighty God,

grant that we who have celebrated the festival

of our Lord's resurrection

may, by the help of your grace,

bear its fruits in our lives;

through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, modernised traditional

Almighty God,

we have celebrated the festival

of our Lord's resurrection.

Lead us, by your goodness,

to bear its fruits in our lives.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, alternative

(Let us pray that we may live the new life of Christ. [silence])

Almighty and merciful God,

your Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life

for all who put their trust in him.

Raise us up from the death that comes with sin,

and give us the new life of faith in Christ,

so that we may always live to please you.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new

(Let us pray for faith in our risen Lord. [silence])

Merciful God,

your Son Jesus Christ

is the resurrection and the life,

who gives hope and joy

to those who doubt.

Give to us who do not see you

faith and life and blessing,

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST READING

Acts 4:32-35 The believers share their possessions

PSALM

Psalm 133

Antiphon:

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred (/we) live together in unity! (Ps 133:1 NRSV)

SECOND READING

1 John 1:1 - 2:2 We have life and light through Jesus

ALLELUIA VERSE

Alleluia.

(Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again;

death no longer has any power over him.

Alleluia.)

Have you believed because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen

and yet have come to believe. (John 20:29 NRSV)

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 20:19-31 Thomas sees the risen Christ and believes

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ (, raised to live forever).

Lord Jesus, thank you for letting Thomas doubt,

and for showing yourself after your resurrection.

Strengthen our faith in you as the living Son of God.

Amen.

OFFERING ANNOUNCEMENT

According to the first reading for today, the first Christians gave generously, so that there was not a needy person among them. Let us imitate them with our offerings.

OFFERING PRAYER

Living God,

let the resurrection of your Son transform our lives.

Make us bold in serving you

and bringing your good news to other people.

Help us to share of ourselves and our possessions

with one another and especially with people in need.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. So let us come to the Father in the name of Jesus, to pray for all we need.

The regular response, OR:

God and Lord,

fill us with your Spirit of life.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

God of life, show us the risen Lord through your life-giving Spirit, so that we may be filled with faith to do the work you have given us to do. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR

The regular response, OR:

For coming to each one of us,

we praise you, Lord.

Prayer

Risen Lord Jesus, we marvel that you choose to live in the innermost depths of your people through the gift of faith every day and night. We marvel that you come to live in us in your forgiving love through the bread and wine of holy communion. You remain among us, even though we do not recognise you physically.

When we leave this church building today, may your values be in control of our lives, so that we value people more than buildings, so that we see there is more to life than buying a piece of real estate and paying it off. Lead us to use our possessions to reach out to other people in loving care to help them meet their deepest needs.

Thank you for your Spirit who talks to us through the witness of the apostles. We thank you for the fellowship we experience with you and with one another. We commend to your love and the love of our Father:

Bless the work of those who provide the food we need every day:

As we go on our way today, we thank you, Jesus, for coming to us, walking with us, talking with us, and going on ahead of us.

Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But most of all we praise you

for the glorious resurrection of your Son,

the true Passover Lamb,

who has taken away the sin of the world.

By his death he has destroyed death,

and by his rising again he has restored life.

And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter

and all the other witnesses of the resurrection,

with earth and sea and all their creatures,

and with angels and archangels,

cherubim and seraphim,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION

Jesus says: 'Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.'

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

For an Easter post-communion prayer, see the document 'Easter season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Almighty and merciful God,

your Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life

for all who put their trust in him.

As we have received his body and blood,

raise us up from the death that comes with sin,

and give us the new life of faith in Christ,

so that we may always live to please you.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SEASONAL BLESSING

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) the God of peace,

who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus,

provide you with every good thing you need

in order to do his will; . . .

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Walk confidently in the light of Christ.

Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

OR

Go in peace. The Lord is risen indeed.

Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      G3, G4 . . . =        Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .

      GS =        Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading: Acts 4 : 32-35

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: 1 John 1:1 - 2:2

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

LHS

AT

TIS

PSALM 133

For musical settings of Psalm 133, see Music Packages 3 and 5.

The following paraphrase of Psalm 133 by David Sch¸tz is sung to the tune 'A New Commandment'. Use the music in ATN 65; the tune at LHS 853 is slightly different. It is also at TIS 699. (Note: the word 'oil' is pronounced with one syllable here.) If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

How good and pleasant it is when we live

just like brothers and sisters, together as one,

just like brothers and sisters, together as one.

It's like precious oil poured out on the head of Aaron,

and down his beard onto his vestments.

It's like dew of Hermon descending on Mount Zion,

where God gives life to those he blesses.

IONA COMMUNITY SONGS FOR EASTER

For Iona songs, see suggestions in the document 'Easter season', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Especially note that 'Jesus is risen from the grave' (page 116, John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs vol. 3 Love from Below) is suitable for today.

Note that the Iona Community is willing to allow a church or worship assembly to reproduce the words only of a song from these publications on a service sheet or overhead transparency that is to be used once only on a non-commercial basis, provided that the title of the song and the name of the copyright holder is clearly shown.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

ACTS 4:32-35: In those very early days of the church in Jerusalem the tremendous surge of vitality empowered by the coming of the Holy Spirit was coupled with the result of so many believers having witnessed the presence of the bodily risen Jesus (1 Cor 15:6). Their conviction engendered a deep sense of love for others which transcended their love and attachment to things material.

1 JOHN 1:1 - 2:2: St John associates the essential truths of God's kingdom with his personally experienced concourse with the Lord. 'We have seen with our eyes . . . touched with our hands . . . concerning the Word of Life.' The Christian proclamation is meant to result in fellowship with God and each other. Integral to living in that 'light' is the cleansing of one's sins by the blood of Christ, v.7, recognising and confessing that sin, v.9, and receiving the cleansing of God to continue in righteousness. Note that this is meant for the 'whole world' (2:2).

JOHN 20: 19-31: The first section of this reading deals with a post-resurrection commissioning of the disciples together with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples are herewith empowered (as with Matthew 16) to impart or withhold the forgiveness of sins which the Lord has now made an accomplished fact by his death and resurrection. Hence Thomas's unreadiness to believe the fact of the resurrection is strongly reproved but graciously remedied by the risen Lord. The spiritual blessings which God gives so readily are not received except through humble faith. Indeed, 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'.

VISUAL

DECORATION

Continue to use Easter decorations at least until this Sunday (the octave of Easter). Even better, consider leaving the Easter decorations in place for all seven Sundays of Easter.

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the second reading could be accompanied by a symbol of light, eg sun or candle; and the gospel could be accompanied by a picture like the illustration in the TEV Bible for John 20:27.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'

See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

DRAMATISING THE READINGS

The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the gospel from John could be read by four readers: narrator (the pastor), Jesus, a disciple, and Thomas.

Alternatively, the gospel could be acted out as follows (according to the NRSV text). The pastor may be the narrator.

N = Narrator

J = Jesus

C = Congregation (disciples)

T = Thomas

The congregation stands for the gospel.

('Jesus' enters, wearing a white alb, and stands in the sanctuary facing the congregation.)

('Jesus' holds up his hands to the congregation)

('Jesus’ exits)

('Thomas' enters and stands in the middle of the congregation)

('Jesus' enters and stands in the sanctuary as before)

('Thomas' approaches 'Jesus' and kneels before him)

('Jesus' and 'Thomas' maintain tableau until the end of the gospel. Narrator looks straight at the congregation as the reading is completed.)

CHILDREN

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN

Show a baptism candle to the children and explain that this is lit from the paschal candle to show that the risen Christ has come into the life of the person who is baptised. Ask them if they have a baptism candle at home, and suggest that they light it at Easter and on the anniversary of their baptism.

AND/OR

Explain the symbols on the paschal candle to the children:

the date (this year)

the cross (Jesus died on the cross)

the nails (Jesus was crucified with nails; he received five wounds)

the alpha and omega (Jesus is risen and alive, he is the beginning and the end)

the flame (the light of Christ lives in us)

'COME AND SEE JESUS'

The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

The story for the Second Sunday of Easter in year B is: Jesus and the miraculous catch of fish (to be found in both the original edition and the RCL edition Series B for 2 Easter).