The Celebration of Christian Worship
Celebrating 175 Years of Faith & Hope
March 30, 2008 Second Sunday of Easter 10:00 a.m.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith in you and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Prelude
Announcements
OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Votum
Sentences – Psalm 16 See Insert
Salutation
*Hymn #227 – “Thine is the Glory”
Summary of the Law
Prayer of Confession
Forgiving God, as we worship you today, we are aware of our own shortcomings, our failings, our sins. We remember how we have failed to love you fully, or to show your love to others. We recall times when we have spoken out of hurt or anger, instead of out of patience and love. We see how we have treated others unfairly, and we long to make things right. Have mercy on us, O God. Release us from our sin and guilt by the power and love of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Words of Assurance
*Gloria Patri
Passing the Peace
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lessons: 1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Children’s Minute
The children are invited to come forward for the children's message. After the message, children of Kindergarten age through Grade 5 will go with their teachers to Memorial Hall; younger children can be taken to the Schoolhouse Nursery by their parents. At 11:06 the teachers of school-aged children will close their lesson and walk the children to Cook Hall to meet parents. If it is necessary for parents to pick up their children at Memorial Hall, please wait in the front room until the lesson is finished. The younger children should be picked up in the nursery.
*Hymn #153 (Green) – “Come to Us, Beloved Stranger”
Sermon – “Not Seeing is Believing”
Prayer for Blessing on the Word
OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD
*The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering
Offertory
*The Doxology: (Hymn #556): Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
How grateful we are, O God, for all the gifts of this life. You have blessed us with an abundance of good things, not only fulfilling our needs, but going far beyond. May our giving today reflect your generosity, and may it be used to further your work, both in our family of faith and throughout our community. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.
Family Prayers & Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
*Hymn #160 (Green) – “He Is Lord”
*Benediction & Threefold Amen
*Postlude
*all those who are able may stand