April 27, 2025
Easter 2C
John 20:19-31| Locked Doors

Opening Meditation
"White supremacy is the structure of oppression in which the United States lives and moves and has its being and which we export around the world. White supremacy is not about interpersonal prejudices or individual acts of hate.  White supremacy is about power - who has it, to what ends, and what meaning is made out of that power...White supremacy is also a theological construction...[it] makes meaning out of people's bodies - whose are worthy and pure and good and able (white), and whose are criminal, a threat, deserving of punishment, disposable (Black, Indigenous, immigrant, disabled, queer, poor)...Our goal must be collective liberation from an oppressive structure, and building up a whole new world" 
Anne Dunlap, “White Supremacy and the Structure of Oppression,” in Building Up a New World: Congregational Organizing for Transformative Impact, 15, 29.

Call to Worship
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, 
and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear…
Jesus came and stood among them. 
Leader:	What if we told you we come to this sanctuary
because there is no safety behind locked doors. 
Assembly:	Jesus speaks peace among us. 
We do not carry this all alone.  
Leader:	What if we told you we gather together
to remember that fear can’t keep love from showing up. 
Assembly:	Jesus breathes the spirit among us.
We do not carry this all alone. 
Leader:	What if we told you worship is a place 
where we touch the wounds this world makes in us. 
Assembly:	Jesus reaches out his hands to us. 
We do not carry this all alone. 
Leader:	What if we told you we join our hearts in prayer and praise
to practice moving disbelief toward recognition. 
Assembly:	Jesus tells truths among us. 
We do not carry this all alone. 
Leader:		What if it was all true? 
Assembly:	My Lord and my God! 
Alleluia.  Alleluia.  Alleluia. 

Invocation
In the midst of our overwhelm and fear, Tender God, we do not expect to meet you.  Yet you are here, among us, holding out your hands to us, breathing Spirit over us, showing us again and again that nothing can separate us from you.  Surround us with your peace in this moment, Jesus; let our fears rest in you.  Amen.   

Invocation Alternative/Spiritual Practice: Centering Prayer
Leader:	 Take a moment to choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to open to God’s resurrecting presence and action within. You could use words like: peace, believe, solidarity, receive, unlock

Take a few deep breaths and let your bodymindspirit settle into prayer.  In the silence, call to mind the sacred word you chose.  If other thoughts interrupt, return gently to your sacred word. Notice what the Holy may be offering you in this moment.

[Hold silence for 2-3 minutes]

With gratitude for the presence of God’s resurrecting spirit in and among us, and acting through us, we offer our prayers.  Amen. 

Music Suggestion
Carry This All by Alexandra Blakely. 
The melody (and some harmonies if wanted) could easily be taught line by line to a congregation and sung without accompaniment. 

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Leader:		Where we have locked the doors to new awareness with defensiveness…
[Time for silent reflection]
Leader:		Jesus, breathe peace. 
Assembly:	Unlock our understanding. 

Leader:		Where we have closed off to others in fear…
[Time for silent reflection]
Leader:		Jesus, breathe peace. 
Assembly:	Open our hearts. 

Leader:		Where we have demanded proof of wounds in order to care… 
[Time for silent reflection]
Leader:		Jesus, breathe peace. 
Assembly: 	Teach us compassion. 

Leader:		Where we have insisted others owe us vulnerability to gain our solidarity… 
[Time for silent reflection]
Leader:		Jesus, breathe peace. 
Assembly:	Show us how to be trustworthy. 

Words of Grace
Leader:		Receive the good news, beloved ones of the Holy One: 
		no locked door, no overwhelming fear, no guarded disbelief
		can keep out God’s forgiveness and resurrecting love. 
		We are set free to keep building up a new world.  
Assembly:	My Lord and my God! 
Alleluia.  Alleluia.  Alleluia. 

Embodied Practice
Materials Needed: thin-tipped washable makers

Introduction
We are all wounded by white supremacy.  Though Jesus lived before the concept of race as we know it existed, his crucifixion by state violence aimed at demonstrating the power of the occupying Romans is a piece of the oppressive structure that is white supremacy.  The wounds that Jesus shows to identify himself to his disciples are connected to the wounds of every person who's suffered and died at the hands of racism. 

This story and the wounded and resurrected presence of Jesus offers us an invitation.  How might Jesus be calling us in this moment to get in touch with the wounds created by white supremacy, in ourselves and others? Though the depth, shape, and degree might be different, we are all wounded by white supremacy.   In a few moments, you’ll be invited to take one of the washable markers you find near you and write on the palm of your hand a word or a phrase that represents a way you have been wounded by white supremacy and then touch that wound with tenderness.  The invitation Jesus offers us is not about morbid curiosity or wallowing in guilt or self-pity.  Getting in touch with our wounds helps us to identify what our stake is in dismantling white supremacy and helps move us toward healing.  So we will end our time of reflection by passing God’s peace to one another, as Jesus did with his disciples.    

Practice
Musicians could begin playing or humming soft music underneath the speaking. 

Leader: 	Let us ground ourselves by taking some deep breaths. 
[Pause to allow time for 3 deep breaths]

Draw your attention to a way white supremacy has harmed or wounded you.
[Pause to allow some reflection time]

When you are ready, use one of the markers to write a word or phrase on your hand 
that gives expression to a harm or wound of white supremacy in you. 
[Pause to allow time for people to write]

Use another part of your body to touch the word you’ve written – 
your heart, your cheek, your other hand, etc. 
Notice what emerges in you as you meet that wound with tender touch. 
[Pause to allow some reflection time]

		We hold fast to the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples behind locked doors,
		allowing his wounds to testify to the possibility of new life,  
		and greeting their fears and uncertainties with peace. 
		As disciples who continue this journey, 
we greet one another with a sign of peace, 
and as we hold out our wounded and tender hands to one another,
let us remember, we do not carry this all alone.  
The peace of Christ be with you. 
Assembly:	And also with you. 
Invitation to Generosity
These days place before us many reasons to be afraid.  Violence and injustice seem to be growing unchecked.  Like the disciples, who similarly faced so many reasons to be afraid, we might be drawn to lock our doors and look for safety by closing ourselves off from others.  But today’s scripture reminds us that real safety comes with the flourishing of all people. Even in the midst of our fears, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and sent out.  So let us unlock our hearts and unclench our fists, offering what we have in this moment as a symbol of our commitment to go out and be the presence of Love in our world.  

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
In the presence of fear, may these gifts bring hope. 
Where doors are locked, may these offerings open new possibilities. 
Where there are wounds, may these gifts honor their truth. 
In the presence of despair, may these offerings testify to a new world rising up. 
To this collective liberation, we dedicate ourselves and our offerings.  Amen. 

Benediction
Hear the resurrection blessing Jesus offered his disciples when they were dwelling in fear: 
“I am here.  We are here together.  Peace be with you.” 

In the midst of your fear, 
when the way ahead seems impossible or unclear, 
no matter where your journey takes you in the coming days,
even behind locked doors, 
know this resurrection blessing is for you: 
God is here.  We are here together. Peace be with you. Amen.  

“Building Up a New World – Locked Doors” Service Prayers for Easter 2C was written by Dr. Sharon R. Fennema, who serves as Join the Movement toward Racial Justice Curator with UCC National Ministries.