Wednesday midday May 24
Aldersgate Day
Preparation
Opening response
Favor us, Lord, and deliver us.
Lord, come quickly and help us.
If I went up to heaven, you would be there.
If I went down to the grave, you would be there too!
Psalm 139:8
Praise
Yesterday I was crucified with Christ;
today I am glorified with him.
Yesterday I was dead with Christ;
today I am sharing in his resurrection.
Yesterday I was buried with him;
today I am waking with him from the sleep of death.
Gregory of Nazianzus (389)
The Word of God
Psalm 106:1-12
Refrain:
The Lord remembered his covenant.
Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord because he is good,
because his faithful love endures forever.
Who could possibly repeat all of the Lord’s mighty acts
or publicly recount all his praise?
The people who uphold justice,
who always do what is right, are truly happy!
Remember me, Lord, with the favor you show your people.
Visit me with your saving help
so I can experience the good things your chosen ones experience,
so I can rejoice in the joy of your nation,
so I can praise along with your possession.
We have sinned—right along with our ancestors.
We’ve done what is wrong.
We’ve acted wickedly.
Our ancestors in Egypt didn’t understand your wondrous works.
They didn’t remember how much faithful love you have.
So they rebelled by the sea—at the Reed Sea.
But God saved them for the sake of his good name,
to make known his mighty power.
God scolded the Reed Sea, and it dried right up;
he led them through the deeps like they were a dry desert.
God saved them from hostile powers;
he redeemed them from the power of the enemy.
But the waters covered over their foes—
not one of them survived!
So our ancestors trusted God’s words;
they sang God’s praise.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain:
The Lord remembered his covenant.
Psalm prayer
Holy God,
when our memories blot out your kindness
and we ignore your patient love,
remember us, remake us,
and give to us poor sinners
the rich inheritance of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Scripture reading
Colossians 3:1-4
Therefore, if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God’s right side. Think about the things above and not things on earth. You died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Silence may be kept.
Response
Happy are people who make peace,
because they will be called God’s children.
Matthew 5:9
Prayers
Intercession and thanksgiving
Prayers may include these concerns:
The people of God, that they may proclaim the risen Lord
God’s creation, that the peoples of the earth may meet their
responsibility to care
Those in despair and darkness, that they may find the hope and light
of Christ
Those in fear of death, that they may find faith through the
resurrection
Prisoners and captives
Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.
Prayer
Christ yesterday and today,
the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega,
all time belongs to you,
and all ages;
to you be glory and power
through every age and forever.
Amen.
From the Easter Vigil
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Savior taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.
Conclusion
May the risen Christ give us his peace.
Alleluia. Amen.