Hybrid Worship

16 April 2023

Christ is Risen, Risen Indeed!

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. 

Adult Spiritual Formation is offered this morning at 9:00 am. This week and on April 23, expect joyful ponderings of the Easter stories. We'll take a one week hiatus for Reunion Sunday, followed in May by the All-UCC Book Club, reading How to Be an Anti-Racist. For questions, suggestions, and all ponderings about spiritual formation, please reach out to Karen. All are welcome!

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Centering Affirmation: There is time to do what is necessary.

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship

One: Thomas said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” We are in a liminal space, confused between brokenness and opportunity.

Many: Dear God, fill us with the power of Resurrection to embrace newness.

One: We are hiding like the disciples behind closed doors with fear and doubts, waiting for your appearance.

Many: Come into our midst now, penetrate into our closed hearts bringing your peace.

One: Refresh us, O God, and empower us.

Many: As we worship today, blow into us your gentle spirit.

Singing Our Faith ~ "Every Morning is Easter Morning"

Every morning is Easter morning from now on,

Every day’s resurrection day, the past is over and gone,

Good-bye guilt, good-bye fear, welcome to the sun,

I am one of the Easter people, my new life’s begun.

Chorus

Easter morning can happen every day

When, in all you do, new life breaks through,

Yes, Easter’s here to stay.

Every morning is Easter morning from now on,

Every day’s resurrection day, the past is over and gone,

Life is open to us all, haven’t you heard?

Get it straight from the Easter people,

get out and spread the Word.

Chorus

Prayer of Community Intercession

One: Why is it, God, that we doubt your power when we confront death? Why do we doubt our abilities when uncertainty strikes us? Why is it that I ask many questions to which I find no answers? 

God of resurrection,

Many: Receive our prayers and help us to befriend our fears and doubts.

One: We pray for those who live in fear due to grief and trauma. We remember those who feel alone and are walking through the darkest valley. Help us to believe the resurrected Christ is with us, helping us to process all our fears and doubts.

God of Resurrection,

Many: Receive our prayers and help us, to befriend our fears and doubts.

One: We pray for those who are surrounded by war or threats of violence, those unable to pay their bills or access healthcare. Open our eyes to see the presence of the resurrected Christ in the midst of overwhelming need. God of Resurrection,

Many: Resurrect in us the hope of life as Jesus did for his disciples so that we continue to proclaim your peace and new life. Amen.

Celebrations

At this time, we share moments from our lives: birthdays, 

anniversaries, works of peace and justice. We celebrate even sorrows and grief as part of a comprehensive view of life. 

• Golden Anniversary Celebration - "Some Will Be Sad, Some Will Be Glad" by Jim Robbins

Celebration Song

Chorus: Allelu! Allelu! Everybody sing Allelu!

For the Lord has risen, it is true.

Everybody sing Allelu!

On the third day he did rise, Allelu, Allelu!

Now he lives no more to die, Alleluia! Chorus

Now we too can live anew, Allelu, Allelu!

Live in him need all we do, Alleluia! Chorus

Invitation to Give

One: Divine Sustainer, receive this offering that we gladly give. May it be used to revive and restore those in need. Many: Divine Encourager, may our giving open our spirits to gratitude. Amen. 

Offering and Offertory

Word About Life - John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. 

Work About Life for Today  

Shared by Rev. Ken Heintzelman

Words for Mission

One: Let us step out into the world, knowing that we are not alone when doubts and fears surround us.

Many: The Risen Christ is with us, encouraging us. May we be empowered to transform our wounds into sources of liberation.

One: May the power of resurrection, the divine peace, and the grace of the Spirit of Life be with us now and forevermore.

Many: We depart centered in the Spirit.

One: These are the times!

All: We are the people.

One: All of Creation is blessed.

All: May we love all and serve all.

One: May God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.

All: Amen.

Sending Forth Song ~ "I Saw a Tree By the Riverside"

I saw a tree by the riverside one day as I walked along,

Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky,

Growing tall and strong.

“How do you grow so tall and strong?”

I said to the riverside tree.

This is the song that my tree friend sang to me.

Chorus: I’ve got roots growing down to the water,

I’ve got leaves growing up to the sunshine,

And the fruit that I bear is a sign of the life in me.

I am shade from the hot summer sun down,

I am nest for the birds of the heaven.

I’m becoming what the Lord of trees has meant me to be,

A strong young tree. (last time repeat this line)

I saw a tree in the wintertime when snow lay on the ground,

Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky,

And winter winds blew all around.

“How do you stay so tall and strong?”

I said to the wintertime tree.

This is the song that my tree friend sang to me.

Chorus

After worship, stick around for Sermon Reboot! This informal time together is an opportunity go deeper into our understandings of death and resurrection. Doubting Thomas Sunday is a great time for Sermon Reboot. All are welcome!