Last year, we hoped that Easter was going to be a bursting forth from a short time in the tombs of our homes. Now, a year later, we are not yet where we thought we would be. Yet, resurrection remains true and our eternal Christian hope. Here are some liturgical offerings for this week by members of our RGBP community, ready for you to use or adapt for your context. If you can give attribution in written form (orders of service, video descriptions) that’s great. Verbal attribution isn’t necessary.
Maundy Thursday, in a time of pandemic… by Nikki MacDonald
This Maundy Thursday,
there’ll be no shared meal around a table
for there’d be more
than two households who’d gather;
no washing of feet,
nor a beloved disciple coorying in;
no touching, no hugging—
and where a kiss is a betrayal
on a variety of levels.
In a time of pandemic,
when simple touch
can lead to death,
how then to show God’s love,
to do as Jesus has done for us?
Loving one another is:
a facemask worn;
the skoosh of sanitiser,
falling cool upon hands
when making entries and exits;
making space—
at least two metres.
There are other ways to practice love—
to touch hearts without touching:
be deliverers of medicines,
of food,
of news,
or, stay home—
for that, too, is an act of loving service.
Support the local food bank.
Phone a friend,
ask them how they really are—
and give the gift of listening
when, timidly, they tiptoe past ‘fine’
and move into harder honesty.
This Maundy Thursday,
we follow the command to love
by touching other’s lives…
without touching.
c.Nik Mac 2021
Invocation for Good Friday by Julia Seymour
God of the deniers, the doubters, and the depraved,
God of the grieving, the condemned, and the dying,
God of our loneliness, our lament, and our longing,
God who is love,
We pray, humbly, on this holy day that our hearts and minds will be opened to understand your grace in a new and glorious way. Grant us not to see the cross as a punishment for our individual, petty crimes, but as an indictment of the brokenness of our world, our failure to love one another, our rejection of your presence in the imprisoned, the hungry, and the traveling. By your gracious Spirit, breathe in us and through us a new creation, an end to chaos, a better right now- with no waiting for tomorrow. Even on this day, let us glimpse the already empty tomb and all its glory.
Amen.
Invocation for Easter Sunday by Julia Seymour
Eternal Joy of all, in this place, we are witnesses to the table you have spread for all creation. This celebration nourishes the deepest needs of our souls, relieves our fears, and pours the healing oil of gladness in all our wounds. On this day, we raise our alleluias, giving thanks for the truth neither human sin nor the power of death is stronger than your love. Our souls exult in your merciful salvation, today and forever. Amen.
Blessing and Dismissal for Easter Sunday/Season by Julia Seymour
May the God of eternal life and everlasting mercy
Stir in you the joy of Mary in the garden,
The hope of the women who carried the good news
And the conviction of those who knew + Christ in the breaking of the bread.
Go in courage. Share the good news.
We go with God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette writes original hymns to well-known tunes for a variety of occasions. You can find her Holy Week and Easter hymns here. Please follow her website instructions for how to credit her.
The hymns below are for your inspiration. Please use information for each individual YouTube post for sharing, not this website as we are not the originators of this content.
RevGalBlogPals encourages you to share our blog posts via email or social media. We do not grant permission to cut-and-paste prayers and articles without a link back to the specific post. For permission to use material in paper publications, please email revgalblogpals at gmail dot com. For Worship Words, you may use or adapt what you find here, but please credit the author in printed orders of service/web publications and in public video descriptions if possible.
If you have written words for worship in this strange new world that you are willing to share, please send us an email: revgalblogpals at gmail dot com.
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