Ooh, there are some juicy texts in this week’s lectionary. Those beautiful words from the start of John’s vision in Revelation, the poignant visit of Jesus to Thomas, and the recurring theme of the Old Testament, “The Lord is good, his steadfast love endure for ever.”
Enjoy these liturgy resources whether your church is liturgical or non-liturgical. (Spoiler: they all are, just some don’t use books.) Perhaps use some parts in a prayer group or Bible study.
They’re great for personal devotions too. Try the blessing when you put your children to sleep, or tell yourself the sending-out prayer as you step through the door of a morning.
Second Sunday in Easter
Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31
Confession and Absolution
When we lock the doors of our hearts for fear of what others think,
Lord, forgive us.
Forgive us and help us.
When we fail to forgive but keep your peace to ourselves,
Lord, forgive us.
Forgive us and help us.
When we refuse to believe your good news, and live as though Easter never happened,
Lord, forgive us.
Forgive us and help us.
Lord Jesus, risen Saviour,
you forgive our wrong doing, thinking and speaking,
you heal us from our wounds and restore us in your image,
may we live in the peace you breathe upon us now.
As God’s forgiven people,
let us give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his steadfast love endures forever.
Blessing and Dismissal
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come.
Grace to you and peace from him who loves us and freed us by his blood.
Grace to you and peace from him who is coming with the clouds.
Grace to you.
Grace to you, and Peace.
or
Blessed are those who saw the risen Lord.
Blessed are we who have not seen, and yet have believed.
Go now, in the strength of the one who conquered death,
so that we might have life in his name,
and live that life in all its fullness.
In the name of Christ.
Amen.
The Reflectionary 