Order of Worship

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

  "O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing"

 UMH #317

Welcome

A Time to Make Connections

Meditation Time

Introit

    “Come Into His Presence”

arr. Douglass E. Schoen

Adult Choir

Call to Worship

Liturgist:  On this second Sunday of Easter, we gather behind no locked doors – for Christ comes and stands among us.

People:  We come with our fears, our doubts, struggles and our uncertainties.

Liturgist: The risen Christ speaks peace into our lives.

People: Peace that does not ignore our wounds, but meets us in them.

Liturgist: Come and see the hands that still bear love’s marks. Come and hear the voice that calls us by name.

People: We come to worship the risen Christ, who meets us where we are and calls us into new life.

All: Let us worship God!

Opening Prayer

Risen Christ, you come to us in the midst of our lives – not when everything is perfect, but when doors are closed and hearts are uncertain. You speak peace into our fear, and you reveal your presence even through wounded places. Open our hearts this day, that we may receive your peace. Open our eyes, that we may  recognize you among us. Breathe your Spirit upon us once again, and send us into the world as witnesses of your transforming love. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Opening Hymn

    “Up from the Grave He Arose”

UMH #322

Message in Music

   “Now the Green Blade Riseth”    

   Adult Choir

arr. John Carter

(in-person service only) 

  “Surely the Presence of the Lord”

Nancy Burns

by Lanny Wolfe

(online service only)

Young Disciples' Time

Courtney Till

Joys and Concerns

Lord's Prayer

Prayer Response

"He Is Lord"

UMH #177

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Readings: John 20:19-31

 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin[a]), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.”

26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 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.”

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue[b] to believe that Jesus is the Messiah,[c] the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (NRSV)

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.  

Message

   “Retaining Wounds, Revealing Revelation”

  Pastor Jinyong Choi

We Respond

Offertory

     “Crown Him with Many Crowns” 

UMH #327

Doxology

 UMH #94

*Offertory Prayer

Gracious and generous God, you have given us life, hope, and new beginnings through the resurrection of Christ. Even in the midst of our uncertainties, you continue to bless us and sustain us. Receive these gifts we offer – not as perfect offerings, but as signs of grateful hearts. Use them, and use us, to share your peace, to bring healing where there is brokenness, and to bear witness to your love in the world. In the name of the risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

        “Lift High the Cross” 

UMH#159

The Blessing and Sending Forth 

Pastor: Go now in the peace of the risen Christ, who meets you in your fear and calls you into new life.

People: We go with hearts open to Christ’s presence.

Pastor: Go as people who are not without wounds, but whose wounds are being transformed by grace.

People: We go trusting that God is at work within us.

Pastor: Go to live, to love, and to witness – that others may see and believe.

People: We go to follow the risen Christ.

Pastor: And may the peace of Christ go with you, the Spirit empower you, and the love of God sustain you, now and always.

All: Amen.

Postlude

    O filii et Filiae  [O Sons and Daughters]       

Clément Loret