WELCOME, LOGISTICS AND EXPLANATION OF THE EVENING
Welcome to Dinner Church and Prayers around the Cross at Treehouse!
We are thrilled you are here. If it is new to you, not to worry! We will guide you through everything.
Things to know about your time with Treehouse…
You are welcome here and we are blessed by your presence!
Come and go as you need.
Restrooms are all-Gender and located in the hall to the right.
Communion: bread is gluten-free, wine (red) & white grape juice (clear) are available.
INTRODUCTION
This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.
WELCOME TO THE TABLE
L: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
L: As we gather at this dinner table, we welcome one another to the community we share.
L: We celebrate that each person is of sacred worth.
All: We honor the divine image in every human life.
L: We embrace all people, affirming the gifts of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and faith.
All: We affirm and welcome all people.
L: We are committed to working for racial equality and equality for all.
All: We commit ourselves to justice and equality.
L: No matter where you are on your journey, and regardless of who you are or who you love,
All: You are welcome here.
Opening Song – Christ the Lord is Risen Today – verses 1, 2, 4
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
L: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
L: Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb!
All: Amen.
L: Let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister continues.
Merciful God,
you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
You lead us beside still waters.
We thank you for the waters of creation:
morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves.
We thank you for the waters that nourish us (local waters may be named).
Blessed are you.
All: You guide us to springs of the water of life.
L: Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness
who accompanies us on our journeys.
We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection.
We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
Blessed are you.
All: You guide us to springs of the water of life.
L: Holy Spirit, you anoint our head with oil and our cup overflows.
Break down barriers that divide us.
Fill us with the breath of peace.
Blessed are you.
All: You guide us to springs of the water of life.
L: Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism,
and for making us a new creation.
We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise,
now and forever.
All: Amen.
L: Let us pray … God of mercy,
All: We know you are not among the dead—you are alive with us. Let that risen life grow deep in our hearts. Keep shaping us as your people, and draw us closer to the life that never ends with you. We ask this in your name, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Sharing of the Bread
L: In this meal is found the greatest promise we have of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Here God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks,
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
“Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
And so tonight, we do the same. We take bread, broken for us, and share it with one another with those sacred words, “The body of Christ given for you.”
All are welcome to Come to the table of new life.
Receive the risen Lord.
Bread is passed to your neighbor, saying: “The body of Christ given for you.”
Communion Song – Let Us Break Bread Together
Let us break bread together on our knees;
let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees,
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Post-Bread Blessing
Be strengthened this night by the presence of Christ made known to you in the bread and in one another.
Amen.
L: Let us Pray,
God of our salvation, We thank You for this holy meal that restores us, reconciles us to You, and strengthens us for the journey.
Through the body and blood of Christ, make us one in Him and send us into the world as witnesses to Your redeeming love. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
All: Amen.
We’ll spend the first part of our meal in conversation hearing about our week. You are invited to share stories from your highs and lows from the week as well as where you saw Jesus at work in our world.
6:45 PM – The Word
The Lord be with you
and also with you
Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Reflection & Discussion
1. What in this passage stands out to you or makes you wonder?
2. The women come to the tomb in grief and uncertainty. Where do you see God meeting people right where they are in this story?
3. Both the angel and Jesus say, “Do not be afraid.” Why is that word of promise so central?
4. The first witnesses to the resurrection are women, whose testimony wasn’t highly valued in that culture. What does that say to you about how God works?
5. What might it look like to share the resurrection—not just in words, but in how you live?
Song: Hallelujah Jesus Lives! verses 1 & 3
Prayers
As we reflect on what we long for and need, you’re invited to share—aloud or in your heart—a word or name after each question, so that together we may hold one another before God in prayer as a community.
Let us Pray…
L: Reconciling & MercifulGod, You are our hope in times of turmoil, our justice when oppression prevails, our peace amid conflict and unrest. Bring comfort to those who suffer, courage to those who work for justice,
wisdom to leaders and decision-makers, and compassion to us all.
+ Where in our community, country or world do you wish to see a sign of hope justice, and Peace
Lord in your Mercy,
All: Receive our Prayers
L: Loving & Compassionate God, you are the source of life and the giver of wholeness and you know our needs before we speak them. We come before you in need of your healing grace. Lay your gentle hand upon those who suffer. Ease their burdens, calm their anxieties, and surround them with your loving presence.
+ Who do you know that needs a touch of care, hope and healing from God?
Lord in your Mercy,
All: Receive our Prayers
L: Gracious & Generous God, For the gift of life and breath, for the beauty of creation that surrounds us, for the love of family and friends, and for the quiet mercies that meet us each day, we give you thanks. Receive our gratitude not only in words, but in lives that reflect your love. Make us mindful of your blessings, generous in spirit, and eager to share the gifts we have received.
+What do we have to give thanks for and celebrate this evening?
Lord in your Mercy,
All: Receive our Prayers
Lord’s Prayer
L: Now Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit we pray now the prayer Jesus taught us.
All: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Sharing the Cup
As we gather at this table, joining in the meal our Lord Jesus shared with His disciples, let us give thanks and praise to God, who brings us salvation and restores us through this holy feast.
L: Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Here again Christ meets us with mercy, nourishes us with grace, and gathers us into one Body through His love.
And so together, we take the cup of wine, sharing those sacred words with one another, “The blood of Christ shed for you.”
Wine/Juice is passed to your neighbor, saying: “The blood of Christ shed for you.”
Communion Song
Let us drink wine together on our knees;
let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees,
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Text: African American spiritual
Post-Wine Prayer/Blessing
L: Now that you have tasted the goodness of God in bread and wine, let us be the body of Christ, blessed and broken for the whole world. Amen.
L: Let us Pray… Holy One,
All: through this meal you have made your home among us and are making all things new. Send us now to speak peace to anxious hearts, to love our enemies, and to bring your healing to the nations. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Blessing & Sending
L: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
L: Receive this Blessing
All: May the risen Christ fill your heart with peace, your life with hope,
and your days with the promise that death does not have the final word.
Go in joy, held in God’s love, now and always. Amen.
Song – Go, My Children, with My Blessing
L: Go In Peace, Praise and Serve the Lord Alleluia!
All: Thanks be to God and Weeee Will! Alleluia!