April 8 – Second Sunday of Easter

All are welcome at the table today. If you are worshipping with us from home, please gather the elements for communion before we begin so we can celebrate together.

WELCOME

SILENT REFLECTION — The Risen Lord — #646

PRELUDE — Easter Medley:
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
He Is Lord
He Lives!

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rod Hertenstein
One: A new day has dawned:
All: Christ is risen!
One: In our hearts and all over the world:
All: Christ is alive!
One: As we care for God’s creation:
All: Christ is alive!
One: In the face of an unexpected neighbor:
All: Christ is alive!
One: As we share God’s abundance:
All: Christ is alive!

*HYMN — Crown Him with Many Crowns — #3

Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail HIm as thy matchless King Thro all eternity.

Crown Him the Son of God Before the worlds began,
And ye, who tread where He hath trod, Crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known That wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, That all in Him may rest.

Crown him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save;
His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of love; Behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified;
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail Thro’out eternity.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Rod Hertenstein
God of Easter Joy; you can do anything! You are Supreme; and yet you do not threaten people. With care, you gently lead us to be at ease around you, Holy God. You reveal that anyone can safely come to you — bringing our joys; our sorrows; our fears; our questions; our doubts.
God of astonishing love; we thank you for patiently teaching us your Way. You draw us away from harmful ways of this world. You empty us of all that would hurt or condemn. You mend broken pieces of fragmented lives. You help people to accept who you are and to receive the wholeness which you offer. We praise you for your self-giving love, Jesus. Amen.

*RESPONSE — He Is Our Peace — #454

He is our peace
Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

GOD’S WORD — Acts 4:32-35 — Rod Hertenstein

SPECIAL MUSIC — Ask Me What Great Thing I Know

GOD’S WORD — John 20:19-31 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN — Come, Share the Lord — #260

We gather here in Jesus’ name,
His love is burning in our hearts like living flame,
For thru the loving Son the Father makes us one.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord.

No one is a stranger here, everyone belongs.
Finding our forgiveness here,
we in turn forgive all wrongs.

He joins us here, He breaks the bread;
The Lord who pours the cup risen from the dead.
The one we love the most is now our gracious host.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord

We are now a family of which the Lord is head.
Though unseen, He meets us here,
In the breaking of the bread.

We’ll gather soon where angels sing,
We’ll see the glory of our lord and coming King.
Now we anticipate the feast for which we wait.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Our church celebrates Open Communion. All who desire are welcome to receive the bread and the cup.
The cups in the outer circle of the communion tray contain grape juice. The other cups contain wine.

*HYMN — I Will Sing of My Redeemer — #237

I will sing of my Redeemer And his wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered, From the curse to set me free.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With His blood he purchased me;
On the cross he sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story, How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With His blood he purchased me;
On the cross he sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth Over sin and death and hell.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With His blood he purchased me;
On the cross he sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will sing of my Redeemer And his heavenly love for me;
He from death to life has brought me, Son of God, with Him to be.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With His blood he purchased me;
On the cross he sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free.

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Christ Arose!

April 16 – Second Sunday of Easter

God’s Church is celebrating the Blessed Season of Easter.
With joy, we worship Christ Jesus this morning!

Here’s today’s service. You can view past worship services on our YouTube channel.

SILENT REFLECTION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP – Christ’s Peace – #452

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ – Pachelbel

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Our God brings us together this morning.
All: We are thankful!
One: The joy of the Risen Christ fills all creation with life!
All: We are here to worship God.
One: We gather in the name of Jesus Christ.
All: We are filled with joy, because Christ is alive!

*HYMN – Because He Lives – #275

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
Refrain:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy He gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Refrain:

And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
Refrain:

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of Easter Joy; you can do anything. You are so flat-out Supreme that it can frightens us, God. Eventually, though, you lead us to be at ease around you. In time, we no longer feel intimidated. You reveal that anyone can safely come to you – with our joys; our sorrows; our aggravations; our fears; our doubts.
God of astonishing love; we are grateful to you for teaching us your Way. Draw us away from all unfaithful ways of this world. Empty us of all that would injure or harm. Mend our brokenness. Bring humankind together, we pray. Lead all people to accept the peace and wholeness which you offer. In your mercy, give us faith to place complete trust in you, Jesus. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – He Is Our Peace – #454

He is our peace
Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – JoAnn Moody

*HYMN – Peace Like a River – #360

I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 16

SPECIAL MUSIC – Excerpts from ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ – arr. Waller

GOD’S WORD – John 20:19-31

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Our God Reigns – #290

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
Who brings good news,good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
Our God reigns; our God reigns!

Chorus:
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!

He had no stately form; He had no majesty,
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised, and we took no account of Him,
Yet now He reigns with the Most High. [Chorus]

Out of the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so see here His hands, His feet, His side.
Yes, we know He is alive. [Chorus]

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott – Walcha