Second Sunday of Easter
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE
GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR GATHERING AND CENTERING
Allow the music being offered to help you find your center, to acknowledge God’s presence, and to allow yourself time and space to open your mind and heart to the Spirit of God moving among us this day.
OPENING MUSIC
Ren Geisick, Director
The Worship Team
“That’s Why We Praise Him”
~ Tommy Walker
WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“My Redeemer Lives”
~ Nicole C. Mullen
PSALM
*WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“My Redeemer Lives”
~ Nicole C. Mullen (Reprise)
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Daniel F. Diss
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel
TIME FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.
*HYMN
“Where Children Belong”
~ James Ritchie, TFWS #2233
LISTENING FOR THE WORD
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
1John 1:1-2:2 (CEB)
We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life. The life was revealed, and we have seen, and we testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. What we have seen and heard, we also announce it to you so that you can have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy can be complete.
This is the message that we have heard from him and announce to you: “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.” If we claim, “We have fellowship with him,” and live in the darkness, we are lying and do not act truthfully. But if we live in the light in the same way as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we claim, “We don’t have any sin,” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. If we claim, “We have never sinned,” we make him a liar and his word is not in us.
My little children, I’m writing these things to you so that you don’t sin. But if you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is God’s way of dealing with our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world.
Reader: This is the Word of God for you people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“You’re Worthy Of My Praise”
~ Davis Ruis
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
John 20:19-31 (CEB)
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”
Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
Reader: This is the Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Pastor Daniel
Complete Joy: Joyful, Faithful Living in a Broken World
*WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“How Great is Our God” ~
~ Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash and Jesse Reeves
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
God is generous to us. God’s goodness and desire for goodness for us is never in question; it is the witness of Scripture. As we pause to receive and to give this gift of music to the praise and glory of God, let our hearts grow full as we consider again how good God has been to us.
OFFERTORY MUSIC
The Worship Team
“Breathe”
~ Marie Barnett
*WE ARE AN OFFERING
We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord, use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. We are an offering.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray.
ALL: Receive these gifts we give to you and your
work, O God. Bless their use to the building of
your reign in this place and around the world
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.
At the end of the time of sharing, we’ll be called to prayer with the song:
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
~ TFWS #2193
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The ushers will collect the “Connections” cards and get them to the pastor. The pastor will offer the joy or concern on the card as well as any shared with him during the previous week. After each petition, the pastor will conclude, “Lord, in your mercy…” The congregation is invited to respond, “Hear our prayer.” The entire time will conclude with a short pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer which can be found at 895 in “The United Methodist Hymnal.”
SENDING FOR SERVICE
WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“Let the Praises Ring”
~ Lincoln Brewster
BENEDICTION
Pastor Daniel
We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:
Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.
POSTLUDE / INSTRUMENTAL CLOSING
“Let the Praises Ring” (reprise)
~ Lincoln Brewster
*Please stand as you are able.