Description
John 20:19-31
We might assume that faith came easily to the disciples. But it took the appearance of Jesus entering a locked room, touching His wounded side, and pierced hands for Thomas to believe in the resurrection. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” As Jesus extends a faith invitation to us all, we are reminded that through faith we believe in the unseen God who raised Christ from the dead. By faith, Christ enters into the locked areas of our own hearts to do the work that only He can do. It is by faith we receive His Holy Spirit who empowers us to continue His work on this earth just as He did the disciples thousands of years ago. It is by faith we join in the unity of believers everywhere and proclaim the peace of Christ to this world.
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
You Keep Hope Alive
Anthony Skinner | Jess Cates | Jon Reddick, © 2019 One Skylight Music (Admin. by Amplified Administration LLC) Bethel Music Publishing SESAC (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Thirsty Boots Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) B Reddi Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
I Will Follow
Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, & Reuben Morgan, ©2010 SHOUT! Publishing | sixsteps Music | worshiptogether.com songs | Vamos Publishing | Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
Faithful Now
Eddie Hoagland | Hank Bentley | Jonathan Smith | Mia Fieldes, © Capitol CMG Amplifier (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Every Square Inch (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) All Essential Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Hickory Bill Doc (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Jingram Music Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Upside Down Under (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC
[Traditional Options]
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
CHH 215; EH 199,200; ELW 363; HLC 164; LBW 132; LSB 487; LW 141; NCH 230; PH 114,115; RS 575; UMH
Awake, My Heart, With Gladness
ELW 378; LBW 129; LSB 467; LW 128
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
BH 91 126; CH 300; EH 154, 155; ELW 344; HWC 173; HFG 249; HLC 131; LBW 108; LSB 442; LW 102; NCH 216; PH 88; RH 155; UMH 280; WC 204; WR 265
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
As the Psalmist wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” It is our faith in God that brings us together in one accord.
Worshipers
By faith, we believe in the God that we cannot see with our physical eyes. So, we are here today walking by faith and not by sight.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, we are Your people, unified under the name of Jesus Christ who saves us. We cannot see You, but by faith we believe in You, Your holy Word, and Your saving grace. We look forward to an eternity with You in Heaven someday. Bind us together with Your love, and strengthen our faith when we are weak. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray,
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us confess to the God of all. He invites us to boldly approach His throne of grace as Christ has already bore our sins on the cross.
Worshipers
Lord, we obediently and openly confess before You. We need You. We doubt You and Your power. We forget all that You’ve accomplished on the cross and revert back to our own stubborn ways. We are cynical instead of trusting, critical instead of gracious, and point out others’ sins before confessing of our own. How desperately we need You! We fall short in all we do, but You do not. You are life-giving, kind, and good always. Forgive us of our sins, we ask in Your name.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love and grace. He has poured out His forgiveness, and we receive it by faith.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 4:32-35
After the ascension of Jesus, the believers were unified in one heart and mind. The Holy Spirit worked in and through them with much power to bring many to the Lord and provide for their every need.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
