GATHERING TO PRAISE GOD Sunday, April 16, 2023#

Prelude

Choral Introit

Welcome

Praise Songs

The People Gather
L: Stand among us once again, risen Christ, and bless us with your greeting: “Peace be with you.”
P: Stand among us once again, Exalted Brother, and breathe upon us your promised Spirit.
L: Stand among us once again, You who have escaped Death,
P: and give us new birth into your living hope. Amen.

Hymn

The People Pray
Glory be to you, God, our strength and our redeemer. The vacant cross and the empty tomb vindicate your claim that the love which suffers is the love which saves. So fill us with joy and your Church with celebration that the world may know that your Holy Son Jesus is not a dead hero we commemorate, but the living Lord we worship, to whom, with your and the Holy Spirit, be our praise forever and ever. Amen.

Special Music

Children’s Moment

The Word of God for the People of God

Scripture John 20:19-28
19 It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
24 Thomas, the one called Didymus,[a] one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
26 After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”
28 Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Message End of Lockdown

Pastoral Prayer

The People Bring Their Gifts
There are baskets in the back or use your online app

The People Offer Praise Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95

The People Go into The World

Hymn

Benediction

Postlude