21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources for The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B

Gathering Meditation
Jesus, God Incarnate, the Anointed and uniquely born Son of God, believed in the great power of prayer! Throughout the gospels, we find Jesus journeying to far-away places at early hours of the day to pray. In John 17, Jesus prays for himself for God to do with his life as God wills. Then, he prays for his disciples for God's provision, direction, and protection to guide them. Later in this same passage, Jesus prays for us; yes, even before any of us were born we were inscribed upon the heart of the Holy One. What great love and what an honor it is to be ushered into the room where Jesus is praying. John 17 creates that space for us. Listen to Jesus' words. And let God speak to our hearts that they may be fertile ground for the power and testimony of God's Holy Word.

Call to Worship
(Based on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26)
Who will give testimony and be living witnesses of Christ's Resurrection?

We will live and tell of the works of the Lord. Christ died. Christ is risen; and Christ is alive today. Glory to God!

So, come, beloved; let us worship the Risen Lord. Let us praise our God who teaches us how to overcome suffering, tribulation, and persecution. God is with us and is raising us up in this very moment.

Hallelujah, Wonderful Savior. You are here!

Opening Prayer
Gracious and Merciful God who has gathered us in Your Presence, we thank you for pouring out Your Holy Spirit on us. You have called us by name to commune with you, to experience your unconditional love, and to give thanks for the multitude of your blessings. Overflow our cups with your anointing. Encourage and mend our hearts and minds with the power of your Holy and Living Word. This worship service belongs to you as we belong to you. Therefore, we glorify your Holy Name and assemble with great expectation of joy, healing, and peace in your presence. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for speaking to and through us even now; through Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.

Dismissal with Blessing
Lord, make us one united in you one in heart, mind, spirit, and love. Make us instruments of your glory and vessels of your praise. Cause our complete being to rejoice and find rest in your perfect will. We are ever inscribed upon your heart and before you. Therefore, continue to pray for us this day, to watch over us, and to make us pure in every way. Purify our families, our relationships, our decisions, our minds, our thoughts, our deeds until we reflect your glory. Let your righteous hand be seen in us and in the world.

We go forth empowered by your Spirit, willing to do your will, and ever ready to love your people. Thanks be to God. Amen.

About the Author: Stacey Cole Wilson serves as the Associate Pastor of Linthicum Heights UMC in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is a member of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.