We join with all of creation to shout

Pastor: We join with all of creation to shout the praise of Almighty God, and to sing for joy at His loving faithfulness. Yet we must confess to God and one another that we have failed to live as Easter people in the hope of the resurrection.  

Silence for personal confession

Pastor: Father of all mercy and grace,

People: We confess that though Your Son has risen as Savior, we fail to serve as witnesses of that hope in our everyday lives. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Jesus, grant us Your pardon and forgiveness. Renew our hearts, enlighten our minds, and lead us to walk in Your ways. Amen.

Pastor: Know with certainty the good news: Jesus came to fulfill the words of the prophet Isaiah. 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,  because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ suffered and died, and on the third day rose from the dead, so that we might have forgiveness of sins. He sets us free from guilt and shame, and gives us a sure and certain hope for a victorious life on earth and in eternity.

People: Amen. Thanks be to God!

Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!