Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, Pure and holy, tried and true, With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living Sanctuary for you.

God calls us to celebrate the good news of Easter Christ is among us God calls us to celebrate the good news of Easter Christ is among us. Alleluia! Like the disciples, we are amazed and a little uncertain about what has happened Christ is among us. Alleluia! God welcomes our questions and doubts as we seek to be faithful

Morning Has Broken VU 409

Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.

Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s recreation of the new day!

O God, we come to you in thanksgiving for the mystery that is O God, we come to you in thanksgiving for the mystery that is Christ’s resurrection! We thank you that his resurrection brings us new life, and fresh hope, that death and destruction do not have the final word. Grant us the assurance of your presence, your love, and renewing power. Amen.

The whole group of believers were united, heart and soul; none claimed for their own use anything that they had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of Jesus Christ with great power, and they were given great respect.

None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and brought the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any member who might be in need.

In the evening on that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the people. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,

'Peace be with you,' and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw The Risen One, who said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As God sent me, so I am sending you.'

After saying this Jesus breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'

Behold, behold, I make all things new, beginning with you and starting from today. My promise is true, for I am Christ the way!

The early church pooled their gifts together, so that they might The early church pooled their gifts together, so that they might better serve their community. We seek to do the same, O God. Take these gifts we offer. Use them so that the hungry are fed, those without a home might have a shelter, and so that the good news of your love might spread through all the world. Amen.

We shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection VU 586

We shall go out with hope of resurrection; we shall go out, from strength to strength go on; we shall go out and tell our stories boldly;

Tales of a love that will not let us go Tales of a love that will not let us go. We’ll sing our songs of wrongs that can be righted; we’ll dream our dreams of hurts that can be healed;

We’ll weave a cloth of all the world united within the vision of new life in Christ.

We’ll give a voice to those who have not spoken; we’ll find the words for those whose lips are sealed; we’ll make the tunes for those who sing no longer,

Expressive love alive in every heart Expressive love alive in every heart. We’ll share our joy with those who still are weeping, raise hymns of strength for hearts that break in grief,

We’ll leap and dance the resurrection story, including all in circles of our love.

Our true home is in the present moment Our true home is in the present moment. To live in the present moment is a miracle. To appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now. Peace is all around us - in the world and in nature

And within us - in our bodies and our spirits And within us - in our bodies and our spirits.    Once we learn to touch this peace, we will be healed and transformed. It is not just a matter of faith; It is a matter of practice.  May it be so.