Second Sunday Of Easter
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle A
Hymns
I Danced In The Morning (UM261, PH 302)
Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! (CBH 272)
Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee (NCH507)
We Live By Faith And Not By Sight (NCH256, PH398)
O Sons And Daughters, Let Us Sing (NCH244, PH116, 117)
Breathe On Me, Breath Of God (CBH356, UM420, PH316)
These Things Did Thomas Count (NCH284)
When In The Night I Meditate (PH165)
Anthems
From the Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, G. F. Handel
Perfect Love, Jane Marshall, TTBB, Hinshaw
Jesus, Son Of God Most High, Cox and Lindh, CGA, Unison/2--part
Share The Easter Joy, Patterson, Unison/2--part with handbells
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 16)
Leader: Yahweh is our chosen portion and our cup; you hold us in your hand.
People: We bless Yahweh who gives us counsel; in the night also our hearts instruct us.
Leader: We keep Yahweh always before us; because God is at our right hands, we shall not be moved.
People: Therefore our hearts are glad, and our souls rejoice; our bodies also rest secure.
All: You show us the paths of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy. In your hand are pleasures forevermore. Blessed be our God.
Call to Confession
Protect us, O God, for in you we take refuge. We say to Yahweh, "You are my God, I have no good apart from you." In all humility let us come before God confessing our sins together.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful and loving God, you know us so well. How disappointed we must make you. It has been only seven days since we celebrated the resurrection of your beloved Son. Have we already forgotten? We try so hard to believe, but we are like Thomas. We need a sign - or some proof that we can touch or see or hear. Help us, O God, to just simply believe. Help us to quiet the noise of the outside world which says, "I need proof," and simply rest in you. Keep the fire in our hearts for faithfulness to burn on. Help us to say with joy, "My Lord and my God." Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Blessed be the God and Parent of our Lord Jesus Christ! By great mercy God has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! By your belief you receive the outcome of your faith - the salvation of your souls. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Scripture Readings
1 Peter 1:3--9: This passage could be read by someone dressed as Peter. Have him come forward from the congregation, beginning by introducing himself using the first two verses of the chapter. In most countries other than the United States, Christian congregations begin their services by saying something like: "Grace to you and peace in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior." Here is a suggestion for the beginning: "I am Peter, Apostle of Jesus Christ, speaking to God's scattered people who lodge for a while in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia - chosen of old in the purpose of God, hallowed to God's service by the Holy Spirit, and consecrated with the sprinkled blood of Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you in fullest measure." Then he would read the passage directly from the Bible, or have it on a scroll from which he could read it, or have it memorized.
John 20:19--31: Older children or youth could easily act out this passage. Use both boys and girls as disciples - Cast: Narrator, Ten Disciples, Thomas, and Jesus.
(Ten Disciples come from different places in the sanctuary. The first two pretend to unlock a door next to the pulpit, and come in stealthily, looking around them. Close door behind them. Rest of Disciples come in groups of two to three, knock on pulpit until someone lets them in. All should look nervous and worried. The Disciples will greet each other with a hug or handshake, looking as if they are glad to see each other)
Narrator: When it was evening on the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them.
Jesus: (Stands up from behind the pulpit and moves into the middle of Disciples while they are greeting each other) Peace be with you. (Holds out hands and point to side)
Disciples: It is you, Master! (Drop to knees and look overjoyed)
Jesus: Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. (Blows breath on each of them as they kneel) 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. (Jesus then goes back behind the pulpit. Disciples get up and start talking to each other quietly)
(Thomas comes to pulpit and knocks)
Narrator: But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve was not with them when Jesus came. (A Disciple opens the door and lets him in. He is hugged with joy)
Disciples: We have seen the Lord!
Thomas: (Shakes head negatively with vigor) Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails in his hands, and my hand in his side, I will not believe. (All Disciples turn their back on the congregation and remain still)
Narrator: A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was among them. (Disciples turn around in twos and threes and act like they are in conversation with each other) Although the doors were shut, Jesus came (Jesus comes up from behind the pulpit and moves to the middle of the Disciples) and stood among them.
Jesus: Peace be with you. (Turns to Thomas) Put your finger here and see my hands. (Points to palm of hand. Then points to side) Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.
Thomas: My Lord and my God! (Gets on knees)
Jesus: Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. (Turns and looks at all Disciples. All walk off and return to their seats)
Narrator: 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. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
Benediction
Leader: Jesus asks us: "Have you believed because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
People: Help us to believe by faith alone.
Leader: Go into the world and seek Jesus in the faces of the people you meet. Believe and be joyful.
People: Help us to be more like Jesus in all that we do and say.
All: Our Lord and our God! Alleluia! Amen.
I Danced In The Morning (UM261, PH 302)
Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! (CBH 272)
Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee (NCH507)
We Live By Faith And Not By Sight (NCH256, PH398)
O Sons And Daughters, Let Us Sing (NCH244, PH116, 117)
Breathe On Me, Breath Of God (CBH356, UM420, PH316)
These Things Did Thomas Count (NCH284)
When In The Night I Meditate (PH165)
Anthems
From the Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, G. F. Handel
Perfect Love, Jane Marshall, TTBB, Hinshaw
Jesus, Son Of God Most High, Cox and Lindh, CGA, Unison/2--part
Share The Easter Joy, Patterson, Unison/2--part with handbells
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 16)
Leader: Yahweh is our chosen portion and our cup; you hold us in your hand.
People: We bless Yahweh who gives us counsel; in the night also our hearts instruct us.
Leader: We keep Yahweh always before us; because God is at our right hands, we shall not be moved.
People: Therefore our hearts are glad, and our souls rejoice; our bodies also rest secure.
All: You show us the paths of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy. In your hand are pleasures forevermore. Blessed be our God.
Call to Confession
Protect us, O God, for in you we take refuge. We say to Yahweh, "You are my God, I have no good apart from you." In all humility let us come before God confessing our sins together.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful and loving God, you know us so well. How disappointed we must make you. It has been only seven days since we celebrated the resurrection of your beloved Son. Have we already forgotten? We try so hard to believe, but we are like Thomas. We need a sign - or some proof that we can touch or see or hear. Help us, O God, to just simply believe. Help us to quiet the noise of the outside world which says, "I need proof," and simply rest in you. Keep the fire in our hearts for faithfulness to burn on. Help us to say with joy, "My Lord and my God." Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Blessed be the God and Parent of our Lord Jesus Christ! By great mercy God has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! By your belief you receive the outcome of your faith - the salvation of your souls. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Scripture Readings
1 Peter 1:3--9: This passage could be read by someone dressed as Peter. Have him come forward from the congregation, beginning by introducing himself using the first two verses of the chapter. In most countries other than the United States, Christian congregations begin their services by saying something like: "Grace to you and peace in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior." Here is a suggestion for the beginning: "I am Peter, Apostle of Jesus Christ, speaking to God's scattered people who lodge for a while in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia - chosen of old in the purpose of God, hallowed to God's service by the Holy Spirit, and consecrated with the sprinkled blood of Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you in fullest measure." Then he would read the passage directly from the Bible, or have it on a scroll from which he could read it, or have it memorized.
John 20:19--31: Older children or youth could easily act out this passage. Use both boys and girls as disciples - Cast: Narrator, Ten Disciples, Thomas, and Jesus.
(Ten Disciples come from different places in the sanctuary. The first two pretend to unlock a door next to the pulpit, and come in stealthily, looking around them. Close door behind them. Rest of Disciples come in groups of two to three, knock on pulpit until someone lets them in. All should look nervous and worried. The Disciples will greet each other with a hug or handshake, looking as if they are glad to see each other)
Narrator: When it was evening on the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them.
Jesus: (Stands up from behind the pulpit and moves into the middle of Disciples while they are greeting each other) Peace be with you. (Holds out hands and point to side)
Disciples: It is you, Master! (Drop to knees and look overjoyed)
Jesus: Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. (Blows breath on each of them as they kneel) 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. (Jesus then goes back behind the pulpit. Disciples get up and start talking to each other quietly)
(Thomas comes to pulpit and knocks)
Narrator: But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve was not with them when Jesus came. (A Disciple opens the door and lets him in. He is hugged with joy)
Disciples: We have seen the Lord!
Thomas: (Shakes head negatively with vigor) Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails in his hands, and my hand in his side, I will not believe. (All Disciples turn their back on the congregation and remain still)
Narrator: A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was among them. (Disciples turn around in twos and threes and act like they are in conversation with each other) Although the doors were shut, Jesus came (Jesus comes up from behind the pulpit and moves to the middle of the Disciples) and stood among them.
Jesus: Peace be with you. (Turns to Thomas) Put your finger here and see my hands. (Points to palm of hand. Then points to side) Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.
Thomas: My Lord and my God! (Gets on knees)
Jesus: Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. (Turns and looks at all Disciples. All walk off and return to their seats)
Narrator: 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. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
Benediction
Leader: Jesus asks us: "Have you believed because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
People: Help us to believe by faith alone.
Leader: Go into the world and seek Jesus in the faces of the people you meet. Believe and be joyful.
People: Help us to be more like Jesus in all that we do and say.
All: Our Lord and our God! Alleluia! Amen.
