Description

John 20:19-31

There is a difference between a person who has a mind that is completely closed to believing and a person who has a willingness to believe. Thomas was certainly willing to believe yet he desired more than just hearsay. He needed some substance and so would many of us. For Thomas it was not enough to hear from others; he wanted to see and to touch – to have some kind of experiential evidence which is understandable. Again, he was very open to believing and because of the nature of this astonishing news, Thomas wanted more than just accepting the verbal news at face value. It is very normal for people to yearn for some kind of proof before believing but it would be the closed mind and heart that is not willing to believe first.

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

 

Time of Praise and Worship

Christ Is Risen

Matt Maher & Mia Fieldes, © Thankyou Music | spiritandsong.com | Unknown (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

This I Believe (The Creed)

Ben Fielding & Matt Crocker, ©2014 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Risen

David Binion, Israel Houghton, Joshua Dufrene, © Covenant Worship (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Covenant Worship Group (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Sound Of The New Breed (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI))

 

[Traditional Options]

The Strife Is O’er

BH 91 172; CHH 221; EH 208; ELW 366; HLC 161; LBW 135; LSB 464; LW 143; NCH 242; PH 119; RS 587; WC 233; UMH 306; WAR 290

Awake, My Heart, With Gladness

ELW 378; LBW 129; LSB 467; LW 128

The Day of Resurrection

BH 91 164; EH 210; ELW 361; HWC 226; HLC 168; LBW 141; LSB 478; LW 133; NCH 245; PH 118; WC 247; UMH 303; WAR 298; WHM 261

  

 

Pastor              The news is wonderful and life-changing! Christ is alive!  Easter reminds us that God’s light shines in the darkness! May we experience newness of life and believe                                  with our hearts that Jesus is Lord!

All                    Amen

  

Opening Prayer 

Pastor              God of Truth and Life, It is a joy to worship together as one body in Christ–embracing the Word of God and our common faith in your Son, Jesus. People find                                           themselves searching for truth and yearning to find purpose and meaning for their lives. Help those on the search to see Jesus in us and that through our lives filled                               with blessed words and Godly actions, their faith will be strengthened. Through Jesus Christ, you have given us the perfect example to live by, a savior who loves                                     unconditionally and gives us a compass to live by. Inspire in us the will to spread this Good News to others so that they may experience Christ and be willing to                                         believe and make Him the Lord and Savior of their lives.    

ALL                  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

  

Time of Greeting

 

 Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor              Loving and Merciful God, you speak to us through your Word, yet we often do not adhere to the Word because it gets smothered by the words coming at us through                                from the world. We are in bondage to sin and cannot break away from its grips by our own means. Out of love, you sent Jesus to journey to the cross so that we                                        would see the incredible sacrifice he made for our benefit. Jesus rose from the dead and made himself known once again in the flesh. We are so thankful for the gift                                of  faith – faith in the resurrection and faith in your promise to forgive our sins and give us new life in Christ.  Our willingness to believe leads us to moments like                                    this in which we can freely confess our sins to you.

(A time of personal reflection and confession)

All                    Gracious God, we confess that we lose sight of your will and plan for our lives and allow the pressures of living in the world influence our                                      minds and hearts. We do not see clearly what your desire is for our lives because our belief system is shattered by selfishness and tainted by                                society. We are sorry we have not lived in obedience to you and ask for your forgiveness. 

Pastor           When we make confession of our sins and seek forgiveness, the Lord keeps His promises and gives us a clean start. We are washed clean and freed through his holy                                 and precious blood. Be assured that your sins are forgiven.

  

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Acts 5:27-32 

Peter and the disciples find themselves facing the opposing Jewish council and remain obedient to God.

 

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”