FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Second Sunday of Easter
APRIL 12, 2026
PRELUDE Pastorale on “Messiah” - Brenda Portman
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CE/FELLOWSHIP & WORSHIP COMMITTEES meet today, April 12 after worship
-PEACEFUL PINES DEVOTIONS today, April 12 at 1:00 PM
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-SESSION will meet Wednesday, April 15 at 10:00 AM, Center Meeting Room
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM, Center Meeting Room
-SISTERHOOD will meet Thursday, April 16, at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House
-MEN’S BROTHERHOOD will meet Thursday, April 16, at the church lounge
-FPC MAIN HALLWAY FLOOR WILL BE WAXED on Friday, April 17—hallway will be off-limits all-day Friday and Saturday
-CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE FOR MARLYS MOORE will be held at the FPC sanctuary on Monday, April 20 at 10:00 AM.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Though we face trials and uncertainty, our hope is alive!
God’s power protects us through faith, and we are heirs of an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.
Praise be to God, who keeps us and strengthens us in every season.
Come, let us worship the One who raised Jesus from the dead,
whose mercy and love are new every morning.
Let us rejoice and be glad, for the Lord is with us!
*OPENING HYMN “In Christ Alone” (screen/handout)
In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death this is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we confess that we often place our hope in things that fade and fear the trials of life more than we trust in your power. Forgive us for doubting your promises and for letting worry overshadow faith. Strengthen us through your Spirit, that our hearts may cling to the living hope given to us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that our lives may reflect your mercy, love, and steadfast care. 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 TIME
SPECIAL MUSIC “Living Hope” Donna Flint
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 2:14a, 22-24
14aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them,
22“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say:
Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know --
23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law.
24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.
1 Peter 1:3-9
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,7so that the genuineness of your faith — being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
John 20:19-23
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.”
SERMON A Living Hope in Troubled Times
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #341 (blue) “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine”
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. [Refrain]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Concerns: Dee W, Duane M, Jessica (Dorothy W’s granddaughter), Jeanne L, Jan J, Darcy (Ella’s friend’s daughter), Carrie VB, Skip W
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Terry & Ann S, Janet T, Nancy T, Arlyce T
Those Who Mourn: prayers for the family and friends of Judy McCann’s nephew Dean who passed away April 6 and Joyce Reeter who passed away March 25
THE 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.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
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 #485 (blue) “To God be the Glory”
To God be the glory, great things He has done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
and give Him the glory: great things He hath done!
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
but purer, and higher, and greater will be
our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Thine is the Glory - arr. Ross James Root
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Second Sunday of Easter
APRIL 12, 2026
PRELUDE Pastorale on “Messiah” - Brenda Portman
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CE/FELLOWSHIP & WORSHIP COMMITTEES meet today, April 12 after worship
-PEACEFUL PINES DEVOTIONS today, April 12 at 1:00 PM
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-SESSION will meet Wednesday, April 15 at 10:00 AM, Center Meeting Room
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM, Center Meeting Room
-SISTERHOOD will meet Thursday, April 16, at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House
-MEN’S BROTHERHOOD will meet Thursday, April 16, at the church lounge
-FPC MAIN HALLWAY FLOOR WILL BE WAXED on Friday, April 17—hallway will be off-limits all-day Friday and Saturday
-CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE FOR MARLYS MOORE will be held at the FPC sanctuary on Monday, April 20 at 10:00 AM.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Though we face trials and uncertainty, our hope is alive!
God’s power protects us through faith, and we are heirs of an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.
Praise be to God, who keeps us and strengthens us in every season.
Come, let us worship the One who raised Jesus from the dead,
whose mercy and love are new every morning.
Let us rejoice and be glad, for the Lord is with us!
*OPENING HYMN “In Christ Alone” (screen/handout)
In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death this is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we confess that we often place our hope in things that fade and fear the trials of life more than we trust in your power. Forgive us for doubting your promises and for letting worry overshadow faith. Strengthen us through your Spirit, that our hearts may cling to the living hope given to us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that our lives may reflect your mercy, love, and steadfast care. 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 TIME
SPECIAL MUSIC “Living Hope” Donna Flint
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 2:14a, 22-24
14aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them,
22“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say:
Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know --
23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law.
24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.
1 Peter 1:3-9
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,7so that the genuineness of your faith — being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
John 20:19-23
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.”
SERMON A Living Hope in Troubled Times
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #341 (blue) “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine”
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. [Refrain]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Concerns: Dee W, Duane M, Jessica (Dorothy W’s granddaughter), Jeanne L, Jan J, Darcy (Ella’s friend’s daughter), Carrie VB, Skip W
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Terry & Ann S, Janet T, Nancy T, Arlyce T
Those Who Mourn: prayers for the family and friends of Judy McCann’s nephew Dean who passed away April 6 and Joyce Reeter who passed away March 25
THE 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.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
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 #485 (blue) “To God be the Glory”
To God be the glory, great things He has done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
and give Him the glory: great things He hath done!
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
but purer, and higher, and greater will be
our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Thine is the Glory - arr. Ross James Root
