CALL TO WORSHIP
Our call to worship is from Psalm 16:1-2, 7-11. Either read it aloud or listen to it read by Lynne Mack.
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to the grave,
or let your faithful one see the pit.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
OPENING HYMN
Our opening hymn today is “Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!”
Please sing along. The words are posted in the video.
Prayer of Confession
Place your hands palm up on your lap. Offer this prayer aloud followed with silence.
We rejoice because you, O Lord, are risen!
In our hearts and on our tongues that we confess that you are Lord.
We confess those things that prevent us from trusting you in this moment of silence…
We are forgiven in Jesus Christ. Sing along with this assurance of forgiveness.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
THE WORD
You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Lea Thoman read the scripture passage or read along with the audio file. You may also read the passages aloud yourself.
John 20:19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Judeans, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
SOLO
Lara Moon sings “Crown Him, the Risen King!”
Affirmation of Faith
Our affirmation of faith today comes from Colossians 1:15-20. Feel free to recite the affirmation along with this recording.
The Son is the image of the invisible God,
the one who is first over all creation,
Because all things were created by him:
both in the heavens and on the earth,
the things that are visible and the things that are invisible.
Whether they are thrones or powers,
or rulers or authorities,
all things were created through him and for him.
He existed before all things,
and all things are held together in him.
He is the head of the body, the church,
who is the beginning,
the one who is firstborn from among the dead
so that he might occupy the first place in everything.
Because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him,
and he reconciled all things to himself through him—
whether things on earth or in the heavens.
He brought peace through the blood of his cross. Amen.
Welcome & Prayers of the People
In our prayers today, Michael will say, “Through your victory, we pray to you.” You are invited to respond, “Hear us, Lord of glory.”
SENDING
Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family.
Benediction
And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. And hear the voice of God say, “Peace be with you. As God has sent me, I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.” Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Call or e-mail someone and offer them the peace of Jesus Christ.
Postlude
offering
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