2nd Sunday of EasterArtwork by Bernardo Ramonfaur EASTER CALL TO WORSHIP three times P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin. Silence for personal reflection P: O God, C: You have shown yourself to us by Word and Spirit, with signs and wonders, in flesh and blood, yet we still struggle to live and believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Have mercy on us; forgive us. Enter into our lives and cast out our fear so that we may come to trust in you and have life in Jesus’ name. Amen. P: We have an advocate with God— Jesus Christ, the righteous one— who offered his life in love to save the world from sin. This is the good news of the gospel: in Jesus Christ you are forgiven. C: Thanks be to God. HYMN “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Almighty God, with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. By the grace of Christ among us, enable us to show the power of the resurrection in all that we say and do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. GOSPEL: John 20:19-31 19When 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.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So 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.” 26A 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.” 27Then 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.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But 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. SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “We Walk by Faith” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: Your church cries out, O God, and you listen. As you drew near to the disciples, draw near to us this day. Give us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that our faith may be renewed. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your creation cries out, O God, and you listen. Nurture trees, crops, wildflowers, and all growing things. Guide farmers, gardeners, and others who tend the soil and nurture plants into life. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your world cries out, O God, and you listen. Guide police, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders to work for the well-being of communities and the dignity of every person, that no one may need to live in fear. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your children cry out, O God, and you listen. Hear your people crying out for justice, for an end to racism and other oppression, and for a world where all are fed and safe. We pray for all who cry out in suffering or pain (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo.). God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Accept our gratitude, O God, for the lives of those who now rest in you. Grant us your peace amid our fears. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: Holy God, we give you thanks and praise for light and life and love, and—above all— the presence of the living Lord among us. By your Spirit, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in us so that our lives would bear witness to the resurrection of Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Cantonese BENEDICTION P: With the power of the Holy Spirit, let your life be a sign of Christ’s + life so that others may come to believe that the Lord is risen indeed. C: Amen. HYMN “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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