GATHERING
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
PRELUDE Guest Rev. Gene Risch
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: We are people of the word, and today the word is…
People: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Leader: We are people of the world, and today the world is…
People: In need of peace and a Savior.
Leader: We are people of work, and today that work is…
People: Laid aside so that we might find rest for our souls.
Leader: We are people of worship, and today that worship is…
People: Offered in a spirit of humility and gratitude.
All: Accept, O God, the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts. Amen.
*PRAISE HYMN: “The Church’s One Foundation” UMH 546
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
As Easter people, we believe God is Lord of both life and death.
We believe that in an astounding act of grace, Jesus suffered and died on the cross to save us from our sins.
We believe, three days later, Jesus was raised from the dead, promising us salvation, not because we deserve it, but out of love, through grace.
We believe we are called to respond to that gift of grace, not our of duty, but in gratitude, to seek peace, care for the ill, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, empower the oppressed and welcome the outcast; to carry on Christ’s work until he comes again.
Because, as Easter people, we are confident Christ will come again. Amen.
PSALM 23 UMH 754
TIME WITH THE YOUTH : THE LORD’S PRAYER UMH 10
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
HYMN: “He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought” UMH 128
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
GOSPEL LESSON: John 10:11-18 PB, pg. 98
EPISTLE LESSON: 1 John 3: 16-24 PB, pg. 223
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Acts 4:5-12 PB, pg. 115
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
RECEIVING THE OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING UMH 71
“Glory be to the Father”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
SENDING FORTH
*CLOSING HYMN: “My Hope Is Built” UMH 368
*CIRCLE SONG UMH 349
Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
*BLESSING
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*Stand as able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed.
Bulletin/ sermon used by permission from Homiletics.