April 14 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Our newest members

Heyji offers the postlude

It's Celebration Sunday!

Third Sunday of Easter

(link to today's worship)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us in that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are!” —1 John 3:1a

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Hyeji Miranda / “Be Thou My Vision,” arranged by K.L. Phillips

*Call to Worship (inspired by John 3:14-21 and Ephesians 2:1-10)...Amy Abshire

God so loved the world as to give the Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Let those who know they are redeemed celebrate it! Those who have been reclaimed from deep trouble! Though we were as good as dead, God made us alive with the grace of Christ through whom we are rescued and healed. O give thanks to God for such unswerving love, for such wonderful deeds for the children of earth.      —Bruce Prewer, www.bruceprewer.com

*Hymn...“Christ is Alive” (UMH #318)

Witnesses (based on Luke 24:36-48, John 20:19-31)...Amy Abshire

How do we find the faith to believe the story of Easter, Jesus? How do we grasp its truth? We can only accept it; refusing to reduce it to scientific debate or historical literalism, kneeling with humility and awe beside the blood-stained cross and the empty grave; For then, we are Your witnesses.

How do we understand the mystery of Your death and life, Jesus? How do we explain it? We can only live it; allowing it to permeate every grain of this sand that forms us, every thought, every priority, every act and every interaction; For then we are Your witnesses, and You deserve nothing less from us. Amen.

—© John van de Laar, on Sacredise

Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:36b-48...Amy Abshire

Choral Anthem...“Now Thank We All” by Johann Sebastian Bach, arranged by Thomas Hoekstra

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Reception of new members... John & Margaret McIntosh

Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles

Epistle Lesson: 1 John 3:1-7...Pastor Charles

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “How to avoid deception”

*Hymn...“Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain” (UMH #315)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Hyeji Miranda / “Jesus Loves Me,” arranged by Minjung Kim