Leading Us in Worship Today

Guest Minister Rev. Dr. Mark Jordon

Liturgist/Minister of Word and Sacrament Rev. Jaci Smith Patman

Organist/Director of Music Dr. Heather Ankerbrand

Prelude We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

Samuel McFarland/James Biery

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer & Gathering #252 Day of Arising, vs. 4

Christ, our companion, hope for the journey, bread of compassion, open our eyes. Grant us your vision, set all hearts burning that all creation with you may arise.

Call to Worship

Great is the mystery of the faith:

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Opening Hymn #236 The Strife is O'er

(Please remain standing through the sung response)

Call to Confession

The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Let us confess our sin before God and one another, trusting in God’s gracious promise of forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

Prayer of Confession

Eternal God, your Word teaches us that whether we live or whether we die, we are yours. Forgive us for forgetting your gracious promise of life. We live in fear, thinking death has the final say. We follow our own ways rather than your life-giving path in Jesus Christ. Help us put our trust in you, our God who has the power of life over death. We believe, Lord; help our unbelief. In the name of Jesus Christ, risen from the dead never to die again, we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace

The scriptures teach: “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

We confess that Jesus is Lord and we believe and celebrate the good news that God raised him from the dead.

Trust in this promise: In Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.

Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.

Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.

Sung Response #447 We Are Forgiven

We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. (Repeat)

Sermon for Faith Builders

Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ms. Marisa. They will return during the final hymn.

Cents-Ability

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Call to Offering

Offertory Dolcezza Percy Whitlock

Sung Response #251 Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia, refrain

Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy. Death's fearful sting He has come to destroy.

Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #231 Christ Has Risen While Earth Slumbers

Scripture Reading Acts 2:14, 22-32

Anthem #256 These Things Did Thomas Count as Real

(All sing vs. 4)

Sermon The Power to Cope John 20:19-31

Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed (Traditional)

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.

Closing Hymn #244 This Joyful Eastertide

Benediction

Postlude I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

attr. John Hatton/Wilbur Held