With Us, In Us, Through Us: Holy Encounters

“Herzliebster Jesu” (Johann Crüger, setting by Robbert Hebble)

John 20:11–18: Who is it you are looking for?

“I was at the tomb but his body was gone. I was overwhelmed, and crying, and a person I thought was the gardener said to me, ‘Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’”

“In the Darkness of the Morning” (Latvian melody)

“See, What a Morning” (Lift Up Your Hearts, 181)

Luke 24:13–31: Our eyes at once were opened.

“We invited the stranger to join us and to share a table blessing. Our eyes all at once were opened, though he vanished from our sight. We had seen our friend and Savior in the bread he blessed and broke. Then we knew that the Christ had risen for he graced the Emmaus road.”

“El peregrino de Emaús / The Emmaus Road” (Misa Panamericana, Los Perales)

John 20:19–25: Peace be with you!

“We had the doors locked because we were afraid. Even so, Jesus came and stood among us. He showed us his hands and side. He said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And he breathed on us and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

“Salaam/Peace” (Lift Up Your Hearts, 298)

John 20:26–27: I don’t believe you

Leader: Where is this Jesus, the one you call Messiah?
All: Christ is risen! Christ is here among us!
I do not see him. I don’t believe you.
Christ is risen! Christ is here among us!
Let me see his body, his hands and his feet.
We are Christ’s body; we are Christ’s feet.
You see the suffering in the world? Where is Jesus now?
We are going into the world to be the body of Christ.
Let us go together, let us partner with others,
for we are the body of Christ: let us share the good news!

“O Sons and Daughters” (Lift Up Your Hearts, 190)

John 21:1–14: You’ve called out my name.

“You know full well what I have, Lord: neither treasure nor weapons for conquest—just these, my fishnets and will for working. You need my hands, my exhaustion, working love for the rest of the weary, a love that’s willing to go on loving. O Lord, you have looked into my eyes; kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name. On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you I will seek other seas.” 

“Tú has venido a la orilla / You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” (Lift Up Your Hearts, 116)

John 21:15–17: Take care of my sheep.

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
“Feed my lambs.”
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
“Take care of my sheep.”
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
“Feed my sheep.”

“The Summons (Will You Come and Follow Me)” (arr. Jan Kraybill)

John 21:20–25: Jesus did many other things as well. 

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

“Nations, Clap Your Hands” (Lift Up Your Hearts, 216)

“Haleluya! Pelo tsa rona / Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” (Lift Up Your Hearts, 957)

“Come, Christians, Join to Sing” (arr. Neil Harmon)

_{We are grateful for the planning and leading of this vesper service by Jan Kraybill and members of the Princeton Theological Seminary Choir.}