Gathering

Silent Prayer of Preparation

Almighty God:  grant that we who celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection may, through the renewing power of your Spirit, arise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; in the name of our risen Savior.  Amen. 

Chimes and Organ Prelude      “God So Loved The World”     Yvonne Barnes, Organist

* Gathering Song     Blue Hymnal #438          “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”           dennis

Blest be the tie that binds  Our hearts in Chris-tian love:

The fel-low-ship of kin-dred minds  Is like to that a-bove. 

* Greeting One Another, Welcome and Concerns of the Church

   Choral Introit

Call to Worship     [Revelation 5:12]

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain?To receive power and wealth, wisdom and might!

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain ? To receive honor and glory and blessing!

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! ? May his name be praised!

* Hymn  Blue Hymnal #122                 “Thine Is The Glory”                judas maccabeus

* Our Vision     (Unison)

We are followers of Jesus Christ ? Sharing God's Word ? Showing God's Love

Serving God's creation ? Striving to glorify God ? Always!

Call to Confession and Confession of Sin

New life stirs and springs up all around us, O God.  Yet we are earthbound still – held down by doubts, kept back by fears, ashamed at what we have failed to do, and appalled at what we have done.  Forgive us, Lord, and renew in us your Son’s resurrection power.  By his Spirit, transform our weakness into strength, our reluctance into willingness, and our dullness into his own shining light; in whose glorious name we pray.  Amen. 

Declaration of God's Pardon

* Easter Response       Blue Hymnal #576         [Sung three times]             “Gloria, Gloria!”

Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

 

The Word

Prayer for Illumination

First Reading                             Acts 2:14a, 22-24, 29-32                       Pew Bible, p. 885

The Word of the Lord. ? Thanks be to God!

Gospel Reading                                   John 20:19-31                              Pew Bible, p. 883

The Gospel of the Lord. ? Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Choral Anthem             “On This Special Day!” arr. by Don Besig             Chancel Choir

Children’s Moment                                                                               Patty Neidert, DCE

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world:  red and yellow, black and white,

they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Sermon                                       “Jesus Welcomes a Skeptic”                               Dr. Nash

* Hymn  Blue Hymnal #399     “We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight”     dunlap’s creek

Choir sings verse 1, to help us learn the song.  Congregation joins on vv. 2 through 4.

* Affirmation of Faith    Blue Hymnal, p. 14       “Apostles’ Creed”              traditional

Prayers of the People     After each petition: “Lord, in your mercy ? Hear our prayer.”

Lord’s Prayer   Blue Hymnal, p. 16                                                              traditional

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory                                                                                Yvonne Barnes, Organist

*Congregational Response  “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”    doxology

*Prayer of Dedication

 

Sending

* Hymn   Blue Hymnal #118   “The Day of Resurrection”                               lancashire

* Pastoral Blessing

Choral Response                                                                                           Chancel Choir

Organ Postlude               “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”              Yvonne Barnes, Organist

 

Today’s Liturgical Color

Today’s liturgical color is white – the color reserved for seasons of highest celebration in the church.  It reminds us of the white robes that Revelation tells us are worn by the glorious saints in heaven. 

 

Liturgist

Patricia Stone

 

HAVE YOU HEARD God's CALL?

?  God always speaks when God's Word is read and preached.  How has God spoken to you this morning?  To what is God calling you? 

? If God is calling you to be part of a church home, we warmly welcome new members!  Please do one of the following, and your journey into membership will begin:  (1) check the appropriate box on the register of friendship; (2) tell the pastor at the door; or (3) call the church office – you can leave a message 24/7. 

? Christ needs you as an active, committed disciple.