Easter 7

Song

Psalm

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before God, singing for joy.

Know that the Lord is God,
our Maker, to whom we belong.
We are God’s people, sheep of the flock.

Enter the gates with thanksgiving,
God’s courts with songs of praise.
Give thanks to God and bless his name.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,
whose merciful love is eternal;
whose faithfulness lasts forever.

Reading

After his suffering Jesus presented himself alive to his disciples by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (...) When they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

or

Before leaving this world and going to the Father, Jesus prayed, “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Song

Silence

Intercessions

Lord Jesus, after having given your life on the cross, you entered the glory of the Father. Allow all people to share in your risen life.

In you, Jesus, God made a new covenant with us. You are with us always, until the end of time.

Jesus, you appeared to your disciples after your passion. Strengthen our faith by your presence in our midst.

Jesus, you promised the Holy Spirit to the apostles. May the Spirit of consolation renew our faithfulness to you.

Jesus, you sent your apostles to proclaim Good News to the ends of the earth. May the Holy Spirit make us witnesses to your love.

Our Father

Prayer

Lord Christ, even though we had faith enough to move mountains, without love what would we be? You love us. Without your Spirit alive in our hearts, what would we be? You love us. Taking everything upon yourself, you open for us a road to faith, to trust in God, who wants neither suffering nor human distress. Spirit of Christ, Spirit of compassion, Spirit of praise, your love for each one of us will never disappear.

Songs