Morning Prayer, 2nd Sunday in Eastertide
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)
Our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Let us worship God.
Lord have mercy;
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy.
THE OPENING SENTENCES
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. (Psalm 77:11-15)
Almighty God, who has brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the glorious Prince of salvation, with everlasting victory over hell and the grave: Grant unto us power, we beseech you, to rise with him to newness of life, that we may overcome the world with the victory of faith, and have part at last in the resurrection of the just; through the merits of this same risen Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. AMEN.
“Welcome, happy morning!”
age to age shall say:
hell today is vanquished;
heav’n is won today.
Lo! the Dead is living,
God forevermore!
Him, their true Creator,
all his works adore.
“Welcome, happy morning!”
age to age shall say.
Maker and Redeemer,
life and health of all,
thou, from heav’n beholding
human nature’s fall,
of the Father’s Godhead
true and only Son,
mankind to deliver,
manhood didst put on.
“Welcome, happy morning!”
age to age shall say.
Thou, of life the author,
death didst undergo,
tread the path of darkness,
saving strength to show;
come then, True and Faithful,
now fulfil thy word,
‘tis thine own third morning;
rise, O buried Lord.
“Welcome, happy morning!”
age to age shall say.
Loose the souls long prisoned,
bound with Satan’s chain;
thine that now is fallen
raise to life again;
show thy face in brightness,
bid the nations see;
bring again our daylight;
day returns with thee.
“Welcome, happy morning!”
age to age shall say.
THE GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
THE CALL TO CONFESSION
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of God, saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion”
THE PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being; whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us, we beseech you, from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with lowliness and meekness we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in Your grace, and finding in you our refuge and our strength. Through Jesus Christ Your Son…
A time of Silent Confession
O Lord Jesus, Prince of Life and First-born from the dead, whom though we have not seen, we love: Breathe upon us that we may receive the Holy Ghost, to abide with us continually both as the seal of our adoption, and as a down payment of our promised possession. Give us power to walk in the Spirit that we may not fulfil the desires of the flesh, but rather put sin to death in our flesh which is upon the earth, and purify ourselves even as you are pure, so that at your second coming to judge the world in righteousness, we also may appear with you, having our mortal bodies changed into the likeness of your own glorious body, according to the working whereby you are able to subdue all things unto yourself, the God over all, blessed forever. AMEN.
Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.
Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord to thee,
can rid me of this dark unrest, and set my spirit free.
I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
and with unfalt'ring lip and heart, I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in his tomb
each thought of unbelief and fear, each ling'ring shade of gloom.
I praise the God of grace; I trust his truth and might;
he calls me his, I call him mine, my God, my joy, my light.
'Tis he who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because he loveth me, I live because he lives.
THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
To everyone who sincerely turns to God and believes in his promises in Jesus Christ, we have this promise:
Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. AMEN.
THE MORNING PSALM
Psalm 16
A Miktam of David.
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
THE PSALM PRAYER
Lord, our good Father in heaven: You are rich in all things, and abundant in works. But we are so poor and have nothing with which to increase your happiness or blessedness. Indeed, we are but beggars before your majesty. Yet, O Lord, our hope is in you alone, and so we pray that you will protect us from the evils that surround us on every side. Forgive the sins that burden us. Grant that, as you have become our inheritance, we may always take our delight in you alone, and always find it pleasant and beautiful to worship you alone. Teach us, advise us, and stand always before our eyes, lest we turn away from the straight path and lose the joy with which you have blessed us in this life, and the blessedness of our resurrected life still to come. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
A reading from Isaiah, chapter 43:8-13
Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
who are deaf, yet have ears!
All the nations gather together,
and the peoples assemble.
Who among them can declare this,
and show us the former things?
Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,
and let them hear and say, It is true.
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.
I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
I declared and saved and proclaimed,
when there was no strange god among you;
and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
Also henceforth I am he;
here is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”
A SONG OF THE FAITHFUL
To the King of Kings and Lord of lords
be honor and eternal dominion. AMEN.
Great indeed is the mystery of godliness:
Jesus the Christ was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
THE EPISTLE LESSON
A reading from 1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
THE PRAYER FOR GRACE
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, look on us and have mercy on us, you who are both victim and priest, reward and redeemer; keep safe from all evils those whom you have redeemed, O Savior of the world. AMEN.
THE GOSPEL LESSON
A reading from John 20:19-31
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
THE PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Give maturity to beginners, O Father. Give intelligence to the little ones. Give aid to those who are running their course. Give sorrow to the negligent and fervor of spirit to the lukewarm. Give to the mature a good consummation. All for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
THE HOMILY
THE MORNING PRAYERS
Almighty and most gracious God our Father, we praise and thank you for all your love and mercy; for the mystery of the cosmos, with all its beauty and goodness, and for our relationships, those whom we love and those who love us. Most of all we praise and thank you, Lord God the Almighty, because you have counted us worthy to be born again and have poured out your Holy Spirit over us in order to unite us to Christ within the body of the Church, never to be separated from you or the fellowship of the faithful by alien works. Father, give us hearts that are always mindful of the wonders of your kindness and goodness, so that loving and serving you as we ought, we may live to the praise and honor of your name.
The Prayers for Grace
Father, hear our intercessions now as we pray together in the name of Christ.
We pray for your church, Father. As our Lord Jesus saw the multitudes and was moved to compassion, inspire the Body of Christ to that sort of love and compassion for others. Teach us to love not in word only, but in doing good. As you care both for the souls and bodies of people, move us, and all your servants with like care and mercy, that the hungry may be fed, the naked clothed. Give us eyes to see and hearts open to love the homeless, the friendless, the lonely or bereaved, for the good of our neighbor and to the glory of your name.
Father, as you look and see our many infirmities and struggles, our troubles and secret griefs, we pray that you will heal and comfort those who are sick, who mourn, who suffer from fruitless toils, shattered hopes, irksome temptations, or any other sort of adversity. Grant that we all, whatever our outward circumstances, may trust you in every trial. In your mercy, deliver us safely through our troubles and sorrows, as you think best for us, for Jesus’ sake.
Lord, rejoicing in the Communion of the Saints, we pray for our brothers and sisters here on earth, in other lands, in other denominations and branches of the faith. Especially, Father, we pray for our brothers and sisters under persecution. Almighty God, you are a very present help in time of trouble: Do not let the heart of your people fail when any sort of fear strikes, but rather sustain and comfort them until these present troubles are past. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Holy and mighty Lord, who turned back the angel of the plague from the dwellings of your people: We beseech you to hear our cry for those who are suffering and dying under this present pestilence. In your mercy give understanding and sound judgment to those called to make decisions of public policy; bless the means which are used to stay the spread of sickness; strengthen those who labor to heal and comfort the afflicted; support those who are in pain and distress; speedily restore those who have been brought low; and unto all who are beyond healing in this life, grant your heavenly consolation and your saving grace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Finally, we commit ourselves into your hands, Good Father, for your care and protection, for your provision of our needs, and for our whole salvation—ourselves, our loved ones, and all who love and pray for us. Lord, bless us and keep us; make your face to shine upon us and be gracious to us; lift up the light of your countenance upon us and give us peace, now and in the age to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray together, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. AMEN.
THE CONFESSION OF OUR FAITH
I believe in God the Father
Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost;
Born of the Virgin Mary;
Suffered under Pontius Pilate;
Was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell;
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven;
And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
The holy catholic Church;
The communion of saints;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting.
AMEN.
The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over
with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own “All hail!” and hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heav’ns be joyful,
and earth her song begin;
the round world keep her triumph,
and all that is therein;
let all things seen and unseen
their notes of gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.
THE DISMISSAL
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
For his steadfast love endures forever!
Almighty God, who from the tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ has caused the light of Eternal Life to shine upon the world: Be pleased, at this season of solemn joy, to shed abroad your love in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and to inflame them with heavenly desires; that we may continually seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at your right hand, and so, abiding in purity of heart and mind, may at length attain to your everlasting kingdom, there to dwell in the glorious light of your presence, world without end; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Alleluia!AMEN!