Description
John 20:19-31
Locked doors didn’t stop Jesus from appearing to His disciples. He showed them His wounds, breathed on them the Holy Spirit, and urged them to forgive one another as they had been forgiven. Jesus knew Thomas doubted, so He had Thomas feel his nail-scarred hands and wounded side. How wonderful it will be to see Jesus face to face one day! Although we cannot see Him, we can believe by faith in what our eyes do not see and be blessed.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
Wilbur Chapman, Mark Hall, & Michael Bleecker, © 2009 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
Rejoice!
Graham Kendrick, ©1983 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)
Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Gabriel Wilson, Jenn Johnson, Joel Taylor, & Kari Jobe, © 2013
KAJE Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Bethel Music Publishing
[Traditional Options]
Christ the Eternal Lord
LSB 829; WAR 339
O Savior, Precious Savior
ELW 820; HLC 98; LBW 514; LSB 527; LW 282
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
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome to this house of worship, where we seek the Lord and anticipate the glorious day where we will see Jesus face to face. We are so glad you have joined us. Greet your neighbor with the words, “The Lord’s blessings on you today.”
Worshipers
The Lord’s blessings on you today.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father in Heaven and Lord of all the earth, we cast every care on You for You care for us. We give you the heavy burdens that we are carrying, trusting You to take them and handle them. We cannot see You, but we believe by faith that You are the Great God, the Wonderful Counselor, and the Prince of Peace. We ask that You fill us with Your Spirit today. Breathe on us Your Holy Spirit and sustain us until You return. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit we pray, Amen.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, we read in the book of Colossians that we are to bear with one another and forgive as we’ve been forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. So often, we seek Your forgiveness for the sins we have committed without forgiving those who have sinned against us.
Worshipers
We withhold from them the forgiveness You freely offered. We ask for Your forgiveness, Father. Give us the strength and love and grace to forgive those whom we are angry and those who have hurt us or the ones we love. Even the darkest evil, give us the strength to forgive.
Pastor / Worship Leader
And Lord, we ask now that You would bring to our minds those wounds from long ago where forgiveness has been withheld. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, give us the strength to forgive them and to set them free from the bondage that has ruled over them and over us. We confess that we need Your power in forgiveness as we do not have the courage nor strength to do so on our own.
Worshipers
Give us grace to extend grace. Give us mercy to extend mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 5:29-42
Peter and the other apostles knew that their allegiance was to God and God alone. This devotion caused them beatings, but they did not stop preaching the Gospel message.
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.” 33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. 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.”33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
