Second Sunday of Easter
Today’s Meditation Verse: “Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” —Genesis 21:6
Welcome... Rebecca Glancy
Prelude... Louise Cook / “I Love to Tell the Story” by William Fischer
*Call to Worship
Sing a new song! A joyful melody of springtime glory and rebirth. Sing praise to our Still-Laughing Easter God, Who has rolled away the bindings of yesterday. Immerse your anxiety and despair in the fountain of new birth. Sing a new song!
*Hymn... “Lord of the Dance” (UMH #261)
Opening Prayer (by The Rev. Thom M. Shuman)
You smiled, and the sun burst through the shadows of chaos; You chuckled, and the platypus splashed in creation’s fountain; You laughed and all that is good and beautiful was given shape by You, Imaginative God. Snickering at the feeble attempts of the evil one, You showed us how to resist temptation; giggling at sin’s desperate desire to hold on to us, You released us by Your love; howling with laughter at death’s foolish belief that the tomb could hold You, You burst forth into the kingdom as the stars pealed with joy, laughing Jesus. As You fill us with new life, may we delight in sharing it with others; as You tell us the good news which can never be taken from us, may we rejoice in offering it to the broken, the sad, the lonely; as You tickle us with grace, may we give it away with laughter on our lips and joy in our hearts, Spirit of Easter. God in Community, Holy in One, our hearts overflow with wonder. Amen.
A Communion of Saints Affirmation of Humor (Compiled by the Rev. Chris Anderson)
We believe with the Bible that “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh.
We believe with John Chrysostom that “laughter has been implanted in our souls.”
We believe with Thomas Aquinas that there is a time for “playful deeds and jokes.”
We believe with Martin Luther that “you have as much laughter as you have faith.”
We believe with John Calvin that “we are nowhere forbidden to laugh.”
We believe with Francis De Sales that “humor is a foundation for reconciliation.”
We believe with John Wesley that “a sour religion is the devil’s religion.”
We believe with Søren Kierkegaard that “humor is intrinsic to Christianity.”
We believe with Fyodor Dostoevsky that “if a person laughs well they are a good person.”
We believe with Gilbert Chesterton that “a good joke is the closest thing we have to divine revelation.”
We believe with Dietrich Bonhoeffer that “ultimate seriousness is not without a dose of humor.”
We believe with Fulton Sheen that “the only time laughter is wicked is when it is turned against He who gave it.”
We believe with Flannery O’Connor that “Christianity is a strangely cheery religion.”
We believe with Elton Trueblood, “Never trust a theologian without a sense of humor.”
We believe with Charles Schultz that “humor is proof that everything is going to be alright with God nevertheless.”
We believe with the Psalmist that “our mouths are filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs.”
Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations... Rebecca Glancy
The Lord’s Prayer... Rebecca Glancy
Bell Anthem... “Cheerful Bell Melody,” arranged by Karissa Dennis
Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:35-54
Message... Rebecca Glancy / “Was the resurrection a bad joke?”
*Hymn... “Shine, Jesus, Shine” (TFWS #2173)
*Words for the Journey... Rebecca Glancy
May the God of surprises bring smiles and joy to the everyday and ordinary. May the God of love be seen in all we do and speak. Go forth rejoicing, for the good work has just begun! Amen.
Postlude... Louise Cook / “On Eagle’s Wings,” arranged by Douglas Wagner
Adapted from “A Service for Holy Humor Sunday” (April 19, 2020) Lake Sunapee UMC (Sunapee, New Hampshire)
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