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
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: In the beginning…
People: In the beginning God created.
Leader: In the beginning was the Word.
People: Darkness was in the beginning. Then God said: “Let there be light!”
Leader: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
People: The Word was God. In the Word was life and that life was the light of the world.
Leader: We have seen the light of the Word of life and he is the light of the world.
People: If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
Leader: Whoever claims to live in the light must walk as Jesus walked.
People: We are people of the light! Let us walk in that light by obeying the Word.
*PRAISE MUSIC “Christ is Risen” UMH 307
INVOCATION
Holy God, it is a privilege to be gathered in this place for no other purpose than to worship you. We honor you as Creator, and thus remember that we are part of your story and your history. We praise you as Sustainer, and thus renew our gratitude for all you provide and the abundance of blessings you give, as well as recall our responsibility to share generously and joyfully with others. We bless you as Redeemer, and thus rejoice that we live as forgiven people. Thank you that you continue to speak, to make yourself know to us and to reveal your purposes for this world. Thank you for inviting us to be part of what you are doing, and as we encounter you this morning, impress upon our hearts the response you desire from us. Amen.
PSALM 133 PB, pg. 550
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “I Want to Walk as a Child of Light” UMH 206
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
OFFERTORY PRAYER: Father, you have blessed us beyond measure, and you have called us to worship. May our gifts flow from hearts of worship to the One who provides all we need. May we never forget that all we have is yours. Take it and use it according to your will. Amen.
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING UMH 71
“Glory Be to the Father”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven…
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF 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.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: 1 John 1:1-2:2 PB, pg. 221
GOSPEL LESSON: John 20:19-31 PB, pg. 110
THE MESSAGE: “It Happened After Easter” Guest Michael Keffer
HYMN RESPONSE “Trust and Obey” UMH 467
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “He Lives” UMH 310
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives! He lives within my heart.
*BLESSING
*Stand as you are able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed..
Worship sources used by permission of Homiletics