Most Gracious and Loving God,

On this Easter Sunday, we bask in Your glory in the revelation that You are the risen Lord, our God!

We praise You for coming into the world as the Word-made flesh and walking among us. Thank you for showing us the way toward living in a manner that is holy and pleasing to You. Enable us to recognize Your presence and accept Your divine gift of salvation in Your name. Bless us with joy as we recognize your voice. We pray that those who hear and receive You and believe in Your name are given the name, child of God. Help us to see in our new birth as Your children that death has not ended Your ministry and mission of mercy and grace but that Your triumph of resurrection and ascension is just the beginning of the newness of life in Your name. Lord, allow us as Your children to abide in Your love forever. Bless us as a parent who loves a child. Give us an accepting, discerning, and generous heart to go into the world and proclaim the good news in Your name by sharing your love with all the world.

Lord, thank you for blessing our souls on this glorious day.

In Jesus Christ’s name, we pray, amen.


Rev. Geoff Beakley

Loving and Gracious God, we offer praise and thanksgiving to You.

Just hours ago, we remembered the dark day of Jesus’ crucifixion. Our hearts were heavy as we reflected on the pain and suffering of our Lord. The agony of the cross He bore is unimaginable. And to think that He suffered, not for himself, but for all humanity. To call yesterday Good Friday seems to be a misnomer. The brutality of the day for Jesus was terrible but because His sacrifice for us provided a way of forgiveness and salvation for us, it is “good.”

We are saddened as we think of the Son of God suffering such pain and indignity. At the same time, we rejoice because we know that death does not have the last word. Good Friday reminds us of a dark day, but we look forward to tomorrow when we celebrate the fact that death does not have the last word. The reality of suffering, sadness, and sorrow gives way to the victory of the Empty Tomb.

The Old Testament writer reminds us that “the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly, God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness.” When Jesus faced death, he told his followers that after three days, he would arise, and we know that His words were true. Death was not the victor. The grave could not hold him. Today, we offer praise and thanksgiving for that reality.

The words of the hymnwriter ring true as we stand on the eve of Easter Sunday. “I serve a Risen Savior. He’s in the world today. I know that He is risen whatever folks may say. I feel His hand of mercy. I hear His voice of cheer. And just the time I need Him, He’s always near! He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along lives narrow way!”*

Regardless of what we face today, dear Lord, remind us that we are not alone. The Risen Christ is with us and will sustain us through anything that life may offer.

In the powerful and loving name of Jesus we pray. Amen!

*I Serve a Risen Savior by A.H. Ackley


Rev. Jamie Jenkins

Lord God,

We pause today as we remember what you have done for us. You have heard our every cry. You have listened to our groans that come short of words. You have inclined your ears to the petitions of our hearts. In this moment, we give you thanks.

Thank you, Lord.

Thank you for loving us even when we have not loved you. Your love washes feet.

Thank you for loving us even when we have not loved ourselves. Your love reminds us that we are precious in your sight.

Thank you for finding us whenever we are lost. You are our Good Shepherd.

Thank you for the life and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because Jesus took on human flesh, we know that you value our bodies. So we put our hands in the hand of the One from Galilee. We lay down all pride today, and we trust in the humility of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to follow Jesus. Help us to love like Jesus. Help us to be more like Jesus, this day and forevermore.

Amen.


Rev. Josh Miles

Gracious and Loving God,

We read in the Scriptures that even those who knew you personally, sat beside you at meals, and heard you teach regularly couldn’t help themselves but betray you. Even the ones whom you named as your disciples denied you. As we read these passages, at first blush, we are perplexed and horrified that persons who professed to love you, whom you considered your disciples, could act so shamefully, so selfishly, and so dishonestly. We rush to judge their behavior. We consider them to be the ultimate sinners.

Gracious and Loving God,

As we confess to you our horror and condemnation of the disciples of Jesus on his last night with them – we pause, we reflect, we ponder. We realize our behavior is, in fact, more like the disciples who disappointed Jesus than we’d like to admit. We say that we are following in Jesus’s footsteps, only to deny his teachings, stomping on people instead of caring for them, blazing ego-driven, self-serving paths that tout and glorify us, not you. Are we betrayers? Are we deniers? Are we, in fact, deeply flawed sinners as well?

Gracious and Loving God,

You know the answers to our questions, and if we are honest, we do, too. So, each day, we ask for your mercy and your forgiveness. We want and can do better. Deliver us, Oh God. We are running toward you: We are seeking you: We are needing you. Desperately, we long for your saving help and gracious love. We give thanks that while sin so easily entangles us, you push us to run with perseverance the race of lives that purposefully honor your will. May we always fix our eyes upon you who scorned shame and endured the cross, bringing mercy, hope and salvation for us all.

In Your Holy Name We Pray, Amen.


Rev. Mace Hall

Holy and Loving God,

Your love has been proclaimed by the prophets and proven through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Your love has no end, and we can trust that you will provide for us when we face times of uncertainty and trouble. Jesus came to show us the power of your love; it is stronger than death. It is the light to all peoples, to all nations, and the source of salvation to all who believe. Lord, we believe; help our unbelief! Fill us with your assurance. Help us to live in faith by serving others as Jesus served the least and the last. Let us bear the light of Christ in the world, even when others may think us foolish, as we offer forgiveness, work for justice, and show love even toward our enemies. 

In the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.


Rev. Leslie Watkins

Gracious God,

We give you thanks that you are a God who keeps your promises. There is nothing that you will not do for us, and there is no price you will not pay to restore our relationship with you. We confess, however, that sometimes we forget what you have done for us and lose sight of your faithful love. Forgive us our sins and remind us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the Cross and your forgiveness and mercy that gives us life, hope, and peace. Restore to us the joy of our salvation so that we can live as those who know just how much we have been given.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.


Rev. Daniel Ogle

Almighty and Merciful God,

“Let us give thanks unto You, O Lord, for You are good and Your steadfast love endures forever!” You have looked upon Your people and answered our prayers —You are our salvation. You have become human to walk among us, to see and hear us, to touch and heal us. On this day, as we remember when Christ entered Jerusalem sitting astride a humble donkey, we join the resounding, joyful acclamation, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

And yet, how suddenly things can change. Echoing cheers will soon fade into silence. The hour grows late.

O Lord, our Lenten journey is now nearing its end. We are grateful for this time of thoughtful reflection and honest self-examination. As we prepare to enter Holy Week, open our hearts and focus our minds to hear this old, familiar story anew. Sharpen our eyes and ears to listen carefully to Jesus’ parting words to his disciples over a final meal together. Let us ponder their meaning for our lives and our world. By Your Spirit, fortify us to accompany Jesus every step of the way — from Gethsemane to the court of Herod to Golgotha.

Forgive us, O Lord, when our vision of Messiah is not the One we meet. So often, we want clear, decisive responses to our needs — we’re tempted by images of power and notions of judgment perfectly consonant with our own ends and desires. But the One before whom we throw palm branches this day is none other than the One of perfect love. In Christ, we meet the One of hospitality and welcome, the One of nurture and sustenance, the One of transformation and growth, the One of vulnerable and complete self-giving—and the One in whom we find life eternal. O Lord, we meet You.

Guide our steps, we pray, for it is in the precious name of Jesus that we ask it, Amen.


Rev. Darren Hensley