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 would 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 2:14a, 22-32
Peter spoke to the disciples who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He reminded them of the prophet Isaiah’s words that death would not hold Jesus, nor would His body see decay.
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
