Adoring praises now we bring
And with the heav'nly blessed sing;
"Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!"
Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear!
Repeat their song of glory here:
"Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!"
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Hear our prayer

We find your name upon our lips, O God, for you have placed it in our hearts. However much we twist and turn and run to flee from your great love, we sense in the inmost citadel of our being that we have no future save the future that we know in you.

For minds that can think,
for hearts that can feel,
for hands and feet that can do:

We thank you, God.

For large purposes that call us; for associations and causes that unite us; for grace that restores and forgives:

We thank you, God.

In a day when the problems that confront us seem more than we can handle, open our eyes to the resources at our command as your children. You, who are able to demolish the old and bring the new to birth, work in this our city, our state, and our country and make us agents of our neighbor's good and the glory of your name.

O God, hear our prayer.

Help us to act on the truth we know lest we lose it and fall back; spare us the hypocrisy of assuming that our convictions are objectively pure while our brother and sister's point of view is slanted with self-interest;

When our grasp of you is weak,
Keep firm your hold on us;

When what you are is most hidden from our eyes,
Held us to cling to what you command,

May it be our joy and upper most intention
To rest in you,
To work for you,
To become like you.

Hear our prayer.

Springtime

Springtime changes are bursting forth around us.
The earth awakens from winter with a display of wondrous color.
The cycle of recreation continues.
As it has for ages past and will for ages to come.
Lent has passed and the celebration of Easter Sunday is over.
But the message of new life, new awakenings, and new possibilities remains with us.

Alleluia!