Invitation — 1 Corinthians 15:57
"Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 72:1-4
Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
Bible Reading — John 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Quiet
Dwelling
Remind yourself you are in God's presence and read again ... notice how God might be speaking to you through his Word — dwell on a word or phrase that jumps out at you ... let your heart respond to God in prayer ... take refreshment in God's presence.
Free Prayer
- for resurrection hope and joy
- for sharing the good news of the living Jesus
The Lord's Prayer
Prayer — HC 84
Jesus, friend of sinners, your resurrected life is not a private experience or a soothing metaphor but a stubborn public reality. May your well-attested resurrection impel me to openly announce the outrageously good news — that sins are forgiven through what you have done when the gospel promise is received in true faith. Amen.
Blessing — John 20:29
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."