I have just heard that a liturgical prayer I wrote will be published in the Worship Resources Edition of Worship & Song: for United Methodists. This new resource will be available in several editions, the Music Edition coming out first. The Worship Resources edition will come next year and contain services, acts of worship, and other resources.I wrote the text for use on Easter Sunday for the lighting of the Easter Candle during the opening hymn. I suggest singing four verses of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," then using the liturgy, then singing the last two verses. I adapted it from ancient texts for lighting the candle at the beginning of the Easter Vigil. Here it is:
THE RISEN SAVIOR SHINES UPON YOU
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right
that with open hearts, clear minds, and exuberant voices
we should praise you, unseen God, creator of all that is,
and your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who has ransomed us by his death,
and has risen triumphant from the grave.
Therefore, in the joy of this blessed morning,
when sin is washed away
and mourning is turned to joy,
accept our sacrifice of praise.
Grant that this Easter candle make our darkness light,
for Christ the morning star has risen, never again to set,
and is alive and reigns for ever and ever. AMEN
THE RISEN SAVIOR SHINES UPON YOU
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right
that with open hearts, clear minds, and exuberant voices
we should praise you, unseen God, creator of all that is,
and your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who has ransomed us by his death,
and has risen triumphant from the grave.
Therefore, in the joy of this blessed morning,
when sin is washed away
and mourning is turned to joy,
accept our sacrifice of praise.
Grant that this Easter candle make our darkness light,
for Christ the morning star has risen, never again to set,
and is alive and reigns for ever and ever. AMEN
To be used with the lighting of the Easter (Paschal) candle on Easter morning. May be inserted after verse four of the hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today."
Copyright 2011 Stephen P. West, all rights reserved
Copyright 2011 Stephen P. West, all rights reserved
