Lectionary resources Easter 2 Year A

Lectionary - Easter 2 - Year A

Acts 2:14a,22-32 This Jesus, God raised up, and of that all us are witnesses
Psalm 16 You do not give me up to Sheol
1 Peter 1:3-9 A living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
John 20:19-31 Jesus appears to his disciples, and Thomas believes

For the baptismal liturgy included in this service:
Romans 6:1-5 .. united with him in a resurrection like his

Possible hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia.)
Fairest Lord Jesus TIS 203, AHB 131
My heart and voice I raise TIS 225, AHB 160
Crown him with many crowns TIS 228, AHB 163
The day of resurrection TIS 361, AHB 277
[Alleluia] O sons and daughters, let us sing AHB 281
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord TIS 390, SA 2
Thine be the glory TIS 380, AHB 303
Now is eternal life TIS 385, AHB 305
By your kingly power, O risen Lord TIS 386, AHB 306
Breathe on me breath of God TIS 407, AHB 320
How glorious Sion's courts appear AHB 358
Peace be with the Father, peace with Christ his son TIS 466, AHB 402
Lord Jesus, once a child TIS 490, AHB 415
Why should cross and trial grieve me AHB 461
Just as I am, without one plea TIS 584, AHB 497

Sermon summary - Easter 2 - Year A [click here for complete sermon, or for alternative sermon here The faithful doubter]

Baptism and resurrection

Baptism is a new beginning like resurrection to begin a new life after death. When people are baptised they begin a new life as members of the community of faith, the body of Christ. They are joined with Christ who was raised from the dead, and the new life they begin is a life which shares in his victory over sin and death: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. -- Romans 6:5

BAPTISM [Section 7 of The Basis of Union of the Uniting Church in Australia]
The Uniting Church acknowledges that Christ incorporates people into his body by Baptism. In this way Christ enables them to participate in his own baptism, which was accomplished once on behalf of all in his death and burial, and which was made available to all when, risen and ascended, he poured out the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Baptism into Christ's body initiates people into Christ's life and mission in the world, so that they are united in one fellowship of love, service, suffering and joy, in one family of the Father of all in heaven and earth, and in the power of the one Spirit. The Uniting Church will baptize those who confess the Christian faith, and children who are presented for baptism and for whose instruction and nourishment in the faith the Church takes responsibility.

The Easter Candle and Baptism
The Easter or Paschal candle is a symbol with a liturgy that can be traced back at least to the seventh century. It signifies the resurrection and is lit for services throughout the Easter season until Pentecost, and again whenever there is a baptism when the candidate's candle is traditionally lit from it to remind us of the connection between baptism and the resurrection faith, baptism being a sign of dying to an old life and rising to a new life with Christ. In early centuries baptisms were commonly held at Easter.

Order of Service - Easter 2 - Year A - | DB Home | RCL Resources Index |

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through he resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

HYMN SA 2 Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

PRAYER OF ADORATION
CONFESSION
Most merciful God we confess that we have sinned against you and our neighbour. We have taken great benefits with little thanks and we have been more ready to insist upon our rights than to see the needs of others. Have mercy and forgive us, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS ... Christ's word of grace to us: Your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Sacrament of Baptism

INTRODUCTION
SCRIPTURE READING Romans 6:1-5 United with him in a resurrection like his.
PRESENTATION
THE MEANING OF BAPTISM The minister explains the purpose and asks the parents:
..... what do you ask of God's church for .....?
We ask that they be baptised into the faith and family of Jesus Christ.
In the light of the covenant promise and of your request, I ask you now: Do you believe that the gospel enables us to turn from the darkness of evil and to walk in the light of Christ? We do.

Let us confess the faith into which we are baptised
The people stand.
Do you believe in God, who made you and loves you?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, your Saviour and Lord?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, and the continuing work of our salvation?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The people remain standing.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The elder pours water into the font.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The minister offers a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of water
and its significance in salvation history and asks God's blessing on
the water and the child to be baptised.

THE BAPTISM The people remain standing for the act of baptism.
The people respond: Amen.

The Aaronic Blessing is sung
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6: 24-26
The people sit.

RESPONSES The minister asks the parent(s) to make promises to bring up the child in the Christian faith, and then addresses the people:
I charge you, the people of this congregation, to maintain the life of worship and service, that this child and all the children among you may grow in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the knowledge and love of God.
With God's help, we will live out our baptism as a loving community in Christ: nurturing one another in faith, upholding one another in prayer, and encouraging one another in service.

PRAYERS
PRESENTATION of newly baptised member to the congregation
HYMN 415 Lord Jesus, once a child

Service of the Word

FIRST READING Acts 2:14a,22-32 Jesus, God raised up, all of us are witnesses
PSALM 16 You do not give me up to Sheol
1 Peter 1:3-9 A living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Choir: SA 1 The Easter Anthems
GOSPEL John 20:19-31 Jesus appears to his disciples, and Thomas believes
HYMN 306 By your kingly power, O risen Lord

SERMON

HYMN 402 Peace be with the Father, peace with Christ his son
OFFERING AND DEDICATION

SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
THE LORD'S PRAYER [Front of the Hymn Book]

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN 305 Now is eternal life

WORD OF MISSION Jesus said to him `Because you have seen me you have found faith. Happy are they who find faith without seeing me.
BLESSING
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

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