Image: “Christ Shows Himself to Thomas”, Mosaic, Washington National Cathedral LeCompte, Rowan and Irene, Washington, DC, US
©Order of Worship for Sunday April 07, 2024
Second Sunday of Easter
Holy Communion
For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)
The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am
Prelude:…“All are Welcome at the Table”…………….Greg D.
Words and Music: Mary McDonald, Hope Publishing Company
Coming of the Light:………………………………………….
Greetings:……………………………………Pastor Steven
Opening Prayer: ………………….……….…Elizabeth B.
O God, our bread, our milk, and our honey:
In the resurrection of your Son you have brought us
to your table.
Feed us with your plenty, and enlarge our table for all
the hungry;
through Christ our Lord. Amen. Alleluia.
Opening Hymns:“Trust and Obey” #467 UMH
Words: John H. Sammis, 1887 Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1887
1. When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
3. But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
4. Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” #462 UMH
Words: Louisa M. Stead, 1882, Music: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1882
1. “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take he at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust hi cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
3. Yes, “tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace.
Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
4. I’m so glad I learned to trust thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
Passing of the Peace:…………………………..Pastor Steven
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:………“Glory Be to the Father” #71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Announcements:………………………………………..Lorri B.
Giving of our tithes and offerings …………………
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Offertory:………..“We Remember You”………..Godwin O.
Offertory Response:…..“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #95
The United Methodist Hymnal
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674
Music attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Prayer After Receiving:………………………….Pastor Steven
Prayers of the People:………………….……….Pastor Steven
Gospel Lesson:……………John 20:19-31……………Elizabeth B.
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.
Hymn of Preparation:..“Surely the Presence of the Lord” #328, UM Hymnal
Words and Music: Lanny Wolfe, 1977 © 1977 Lanny Wolfe Music
“Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings,
I see glory on each face;
surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.”
Sermon:…….“The Reward of Doubt”……..Pastor Steven
Holy Communion:………………………………..Pastor Steven
CONFESSION & PARDON
Pastor Steven: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All pray in silence.
Pastor Steven: Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: Glory to God. Amen.
THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
All, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of God’s peace by crossing hands, wave to one another due to social distancing guidelines.
Pastor Steven: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor Steven: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor Steven: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor Steven: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Pastor Steven: In union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor Steven: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymn:“Here Is Bread, Here Is Wine” #2266 TFWS
Words: Thomas Ken, 1674 Music: Attr. to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
1.Here is bread, here is wine:
Christ is with us: He is with us. Break the bread;
taste the wine: Christ is with us here.
2.Here is grace, here is peace:
Christ is with us: He is with us. Know his grace;
find his peace: Feast on Jesus here.
Refrain
In this bread there is healing; in this cup there’s
Life forever. In the moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.
3.Here we are, joined in one:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
We’ll proclaim till he comes Jesus crucified.
Refrain
In this bread there is healing; in this cup there’s
life forever. In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.
Closing Hymn:..“He Lives” #310 UMH
Words: Alfred H. Ackley, 1933
Music: Alfred H. Ashley, 1933
1. I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever foes may say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, he’s always near.
Refrain
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
2. In all the world around me I see his loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that he is leading through all the stormy blast;
The day of his appearing will come at last.
Refrain
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
3. Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find;
none other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
Dismissal with Blessing:………………………………Pastor Steven
Postlude:…………………………………………………………Greg D.
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Sunday April 7th Worship Service