Collects and Prayers - April 18, 2010 - Third Sunday of Easter

Greeting
Leader: Like Saul on the road to Damascus, our eyes are opened to new life.
People: Turn our gaze to the living God.
Leader: Like Simon Peter, the fisherman, our arms are opened to God's bounty.
People: Turn our hands into instruments of the risen Christ.
Leader: Like the child plunged into the waters of baptism, we await new birth.
People: Turn us anew into children of God.

Collect
God of things made utterly new, as we gather here in the name of the risen Christ, uplift us with his continuing Easter joy. Extend our worship beyond habit, higher than loving duty, and deeper into that universe of the spirit where delight and praise and new life flow more freely than the air we breathe. To the glory of your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.