FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday of Easter
April 7, 2024
PRELUDE What Wondrous Love is This? Hayes/Gaspard
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- PIECES AND PRAYERS Tuesdays at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room.
-FINANCE MEETING Tuesday April 9 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
-SESSION MEETING Thursday April 11 at 7PM in North Conference Room.
-CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP will meet next Sunday, April 14, following worship.
-BLADE ARTICLES are due Monday, April 15, for the May/June issue.
– ‘PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING’ (Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults)-. donations are being accepted April 1 through May 19. Please use the envelopes by the offering plates or write ‘Pentecost; on check memo. Thank you for your generosity!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! But we have not seen the risen Christ,
You have seen Him in the lives of those transformed by grace.
We have not seen Jesus face-to-face,
But you have seen Him in the faces of those around you.
We have not touched His wounds from the cross,
Trust and believe…Christ has risen!
*OPENING HYMN #122 (blue) Thine is the Glory
Thine be the glory, Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes where Thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting. [Refrain]
No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life!
Life is nought without Thee; aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors, through Thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above. [Refrain]
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we come before you today aware that on the cross you bore the guilt and suffering of our sin and rebellion. Your victory over death has given us new life. Your Spirit has empowered us to go into the world proclaiming your grace. But too often we have failed your calling to live in the world as you lived among us. Forgive our tepid witness. Forgive us when we are fearful and remind us that You are among us. By your Spirit send us yet again into your world, living as those who have been raised from the dead. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 138 (responsive)
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever--
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So 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.”
26 A 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.” 27 Then 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
SERMON Different Paths, Same Faith
SPECIAL MUSIC “How Can I Do Anything But Love Him”- Mary, Nancy, Donna (Sally DeFord)
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen
SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
*COMMUNION HYMN #514 (Blue) Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Let us talents and tongues employ,
Reaching out with a shout of joy.
Bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Refrain:
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again;
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one,
At the table He sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless,
Love in word and in deed express. [Refrain]
Jesus calls us in, sends us out
Bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
Gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God Immanuel everywhere! [Refrain]
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
… Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
…who taught us to pray:
LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(Please come forward)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #389 (Blue) O Jesus, I Have Promised
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
be Thou forever near me, my Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me, around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
that where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Thine is the Glory, Handel/Root
ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday of Easter
April 7, 2024
PRELUDE What Wondrous Love is This? Hayes/Gaspard
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- PIECES AND PRAYERS Tuesdays at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room.
-FINANCE MEETING Tuesday April 9 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
-SESSION MEETING Thursday April 11 at 7PM in North Conference Room.
-CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP will meet next Sunday, April 14, following worship.
-BLADE ARTICLES are due Monday, April 15, for the May/June issue.
– ‘PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING’ (Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults)-. donations are being accepted April 1 through May 19. Please use the envelopes by the offering plates or write ‘Pentecost; on check memo. Thank you for your generosity!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! But we have not seen the risen Christ,
You have seen Him in the lives of those transformed by grace.
We have not seen Jesus face-to-face,
But you have seen Him in the faces of those around you.
We have not touched His wounds from the cross,
Trust and believe…Christ has risen!
*OPENING HYMN #122 (blue) Thine is the Glory
Thine be the glory, Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes where Thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting. [Refrain]
No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life!
Life is nought without Thee; aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors, through Thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above. [Refrain]
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we come before you today aware that on the cross you bore the guilt and suffering of our sin and rebellion. Your victory over death has given us new life. Your Spirit has empowered us to go into the world proclaiming your grace. But too often we have failed your calling to live in the world as you lived among us. Forgive our tepid witness. Forgive us when we are fearful and remind us that You are among us. By your Spirit send us yet again into your world, living as those who have been raised from the dead. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 138 (responsive)
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever--
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So 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.”
26 A 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.” 27 Then 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
SERMON Different Paths, Same Faith
SPECIAL MUSIC “How Can I Do Anything But Love Him”- Mary, Nancy, Donna (Sally DeFord)
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen
SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
*COMMUNION HYMN #514 (Blue) Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Let us talents and tongues employ,
Reaching out with a shout of joy.
Bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Refrain:
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again;
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one,
At the table He sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless,
Love in word and in deed express. [Refrain]
Jesus calls us in, sends us out
Bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
Gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God Immanuel everywhere! [Refrain]
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
… Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
…who taught us to pray:
LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(Please come forward)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #389 (Blue) O Jesus, I Have Promised
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
be Thou forever near me, my Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me, around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
that where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Thine is the Glory, Handel/Root