FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday of Easter
April 27, 2025
PRELUDE Christ the Lord is Risen Today Lani Smith
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
-PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING – Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults’ – begins April 21 through June 8. Please use special envelopes or indicate on your check memo ‘Pentecost’.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
-WORSHIP AT PEACEFUL PINES next Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 PM. All are welcome!
*OPENING HYMN #829 (red) “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
My faith looks up to thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day be wholly thine!
May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as thou hast died for me, O may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread and griefs around me spread,
be thou my Guide;
bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray from thee aside.
When ends life's transient dream, when death’s cold, sullen stream
shall o'er me roll,
blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!
CALL TO WORSHIP
The good news resounds.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
We celebrate the God who is our refuge.
In God’s presence there is gladness and rest.
God is always before us;
We shall not be shaken.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Christ Jesus comes among us with extended hands and a wide embrace, offering mercy and forgiveness and promising new life. Trusting in the one who has been raised from the dead, let us make our confession.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
O God, your love is boundless and your grace exceeds our imaginations. You keep finding ways to be among us, even when the doors of our hearts are locked. Graciously, you seek us out. We cannot hide, but we can confess that sin has us in its grip. It has led us from your ways and corrupted our best intentions, tempting us to believe that you don’t notice, that you aren’t even present. Correct our vision. Cleanse our hearts. Create in us a place where we can welcome you and receive the fullness of what you have given us in Jesus Christ.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the power of sin has been defeated. God’s love is stronger still. This is good news!
Response: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, Living Word, as you revealed yourself to Mary that Easter morning, so reveal yourself to us. By the power of your Spirit, give each of us faith, that hearing your Word we, too, may proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 16:1-11 (responsively)
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble ones
in whom is all my delight.
4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord, who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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 ‘Making Room for Questions” Mark Werner, CRE
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – APOSTLES’ CREED (modern version)
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 #366 (red) “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, thou art all compassion; pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe, thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast;
Let us all in thee inherit; let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty, to deliver; let us all thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy host above,
Pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee;
Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan B, Judy Se, Pam (Delores K’s daughter)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard and Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Martin & Sally M, Jeannie & Tom M
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
As we present our offerings today, we are reminded of God's great love for us. God's love knows no bounds and is beyond measure. As you consider your giving- in time, talents, and resources- you reflect God's love to others, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. To God, we say, thank you for your love that never fails us. Amen.
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #838 (red) “Standing on the Promises”
Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior;
standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
POSTLUDE Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Hayes/Gaspard
ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday of Easter
April 27, 2025
PRELUDE Christ the Lord is Risen Today Lani Smith
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
-PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING – Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults’ – begins April 21 through June 8. Please use special envelopes or indicate on your check memo ‘Pentecost’.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
-WORSHIP AT PEACEFUL PINES next Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 PM. All are welcome!
*OPENING HYMN #829 (red) “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
My faith looks up to thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day be wholly thine!
May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as thou hast died for me, O may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread and griefs around me spread,
be thou my Guide;
bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray from thee aside.
When ends life's transient dream, when death’s cold, sullen stream
shall o'er me roll,
blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!
CALL TO WORSHIP
The good news resounds.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
We celebrate the God who is our refuge.
In God’s presence there is gladness and rest.
God is always before us;
We shall not be shaken.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Christ Jesus comes among us with extended hands and a wide embrace, offering mercy and forgiveness and promising new life. Trusting in the one who has been raised from the dead, let us make our confession.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
O God, your love is boundless and your grace exceeds our imaginations. You keep finding ways to be among us, even when the doors of our hearts are locked. Graciously, you seek us out. We cannot hide, but we can confess that sin has us in its grip. It has led us from your ways and corrupted our best intentions, tempting us to believe that you don’t notice, that you aren’t even present. Correct our vision. Cleanse our hearts. Create in us a place where we can welcome you and receive the fullness of what you have given us in Jesus Christ.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the power of sin has been defeated. God’s love is stronger still. This is good news!
Response: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, Living Word, as you revealed yourself to Mary that Easter morning, so reveal yourself to us. By the power of your Spirit, give each of us faith, that hearing your Word we, too, may proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 16:1-11 (responsively)
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble ones
in whom is all my delight.
4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord, who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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 ‘Making Room for Questions” Mark Werner, CRE
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – APOSTLES’ CREED (modern version)
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 #366 (red) “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, thou art all compassion; pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe, thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast;
Let us all in thee inherit; let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty, to deliver; let us all thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy host above,
Pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee;
Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan B, Judy Se, Pam (Delores K’s daughter)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard and Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Martin & Sally M, Jeannie & Tom M
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
As we present our offerings today, we are reminded of God's great love for us. God's love knows no bounds and is beyond measure. As you consider your giving- in time, talents, and resources- you reflect God's love to others, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. To God, we say, thank you for your love that never fails us. Amen.
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #838 (red) “Standing on the Promises”
Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior;
standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
POSTLUDE Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Hayes/Gaspard
