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 Patty Bell
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Let all in this place be filled with joy for you are loved by God! No one here will be left out—God’s love is for everyone! Come now and worship. Let nothing hinder you. God sees you and loves you just as you are. Let us worship him now together.
*PRAISE HYMN: “Crown Him With Many Crowns” UMH 327
PSALM 4
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “He Touched Me” UMH 367
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord of our lives, we know you are always present to us. Help us be present to you as we prepare to hear your word as revealed in the Scriptures. Keep us alert that we might hear, and hearing, respond. Amen.
GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 24:36b-48 PB, pg. 86
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Acts 3:12-19 PB, pg. 114
EPISTLE LESSON: 1 John 3:1-7 PB, pg. 223
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
HYMN RESPONSE: “Lord, Be Glorified” Renew 172
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
CONFESSION AND PARDON
God of grace and mercy, we kneel before you today. We recognize that we are unworthy to be called your children; we are unworthy to be called your friends. Yet you call us son, daughter and friend. You love us with a love unlike any we have ever known—-love that is completely unconditional. We cannot wrap our human minds around what it would look like to love someone unconditionally. We often try, but we fail. But you love us, even in our failings. You love us, even in our unworthiness. We also confess the ways that we have rejected your love. Give us hearts that are open to receiving it—that we may experience the full measure of the love of a Father, a Mother, a friend like no other. And may we love you always in return. Amen.
Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
In the name in Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
RECEIVING THE OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING 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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for saving us. We have come to realize through the Lenten and Easter seasons the depravity of our hearts and the greatness of our redemption. Jesus, put a fire in the lives of each person here. Give us the desire to live lives that serve you and you alone. Give us strength in our weakness, and faith in the midst of our doubt. Make us a people who see each circumstance of our lives as a part of the story you are writing. Change this community from the inside out and may you receive great glory for all that is done as a result. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “Surely The Presence”
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can feel His mighty power and His grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face; surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*BLESSING
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*Stand as you are able.The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed.
Bulletin/ sermon used by permission from Homiletics.