NOTES: In this week after Easter, we discover that even though Jesus has risen, the new reality is a challenge for those who would be his disciples. As grief falls away, unfulfilled expectations are beginning to fall away, but doubts remain. In Thomas, we find ourselves, hesitating at the boundary line where faith journeys beyond reason. Are we ready to "step and the path will appear?"
Scripture: 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 Jews, 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.
8:30 AM Order of Service
The Gathering
Welcome
Prelude
We Gather in The Light of Christ
Lighting the Christ Candles
Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.
Leader: In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!
Hymn of Praise:CH#225 "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" ALL
Call to Worship
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leader: We have not seen the risen Christ,
People: but we see him in the lives of those transformed by grace.
Leader: We have not seen Jesus face-to-face,
People: but we have seen him in the faces of everyone whose love encourages us.
People: but we have seen him in the faces of everyone whose love encourages us.
Leader: We have not touched the wounds from the cross,
People: but we have been called to bring healing to the scarred of the world.
People: but we have been called to bring healing to the scarred of the world.
Leader: Blessed were those who saw and believed.
People: And happy are we, who by believing have seen!
— written by Thom M. Shuman
Invocation Unison
Lord, grant us joyful hearts and a holy sense of humor.
Please give us the
gift of faith,
to be renewed and
shared with others each day.
Teach us to live this
moment only,
looking neither to
the past with regret,
nor to the future
with apprehension.
Let love be our guide,
and our lives, be a prayer.
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture:
Sermon/Meditation
We Pray Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concern
Prayer Hymn: CH# 227 In the Garden" ALL
Praying Together
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn:
Communion Hymn:
The Elder’s Prayer of
Communion
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Supper
All are welcome to share at the
Table. Come forward using the center
aisle. As you partake of the bread and
the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the
table. The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Hymn of Discipleship: CH# 687 "In Christ There Is No East or West" sts. 1,2,3
Blessing
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
10:40AM Service
Welcome
Prelude
Prelude
We Gather in the Light of Christ
Call to Worship
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leader: We have not seen the risen Christ,
People: but we see him in the lives of those transformed by grace.
Hymn of Praise:CH#225 "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" ALL
Invocation Unison
Passing of the Peace
Call to Offering
Offertory
Doxology CH #46
Prayer of Dedication
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leader: We have not seen the risen Christ,
People: but we see him in the lives of those transformed by grace.
Leader: We have not seen Jesus face-to-face,
People: but we have seen him in the faces of everyone whose love encourages us.
People: but we have seen him in the faces of everyone whose love encourages us.
Leader: We have not touched the wounds from the cross,
People: but we have been called to bring healing to the scarred of the world.
People: but we have been called to bring healing to the scarred of the world.
Leader: Blessed were those who saw and believed.
People: And happy are we, who by believing have seen!
— written by Thom M. Shuman
Hymn of Praise:CH#225 "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" ALL
The Acolytes light the Christ candles.
Invocation Unison
Lord, grant us joyful hearts and a holy sense of humor.
Please give us the
gift of faith,
to be renewed and
shared with others each day.
Teach us to live this
moment only,
looking neither to
the past with regret,
nor to the future
with apprehension.
Let love be our guide,
and our lives, be a prayer.Passing of the Peace
We return to our seats as the piano music begins.
Hymn of Faith: CH# 638 "In the Bulb There is a Flower" sts. 1, 2
We Offer Our Hearts to God
Call to Offering
The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
Offertory
Doxology CH #46
Prayer of Dedication
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Anthem
Children’s Sermon
Sermon/Meditation
We Prayer Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concerns
Prayer Hymn: CH# 227 In the Garden" ALL
Praying Together
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to Communion
Christians of all denominations
and backgrounds are welcome to share in communion. Please hold each
element as we partake in unison.
Communion Hymn:CH # 231 "Sing of One Who Walks Beside Us" ALL
Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Hymn of Discipleship: CH# 687 "In Christ There Is No East or West" sts. 1,2,3
Hymn of Discipleship: CH# 687 "In Christ There Is No East or West" sts. 1,2,3
Acolytes come forward.
Blessing
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Parting Song: CH# 638 "In the Bulb There is a Flower" st. 3
Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment