April 7 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

The table is set

Class in session with the bishop in attendance

Bishop Oliveto greets the congregation

We love our potlucks

A full house!

Second Sunday of Easter / Holy Humor Sunday

(link to today's worship service)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Jesus said, ‘So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.’” — John 20:29 (The Message)

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Hyeji Miranda / “My Jesus, I Love Thee,” arranged by K.L. Phillips

*Call to Worship...Amy Abshire

We believe in God, who made us in God’s image. We live, we love, we laugh because we are like God. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. Jesus had the last laugh on the devil when He rose from the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, coequal and coeternal with the Creator and the Son. Our counselor, our guide, our motivator – our joy! Forgive us, Lord, when we take ourselves too seriously, when we don’t claim the happiness that is rightfully ours as Your children, when we forget that You will have the last laugh in this world. Restore to us the joy of our salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen —from the website of the Charlton United Methodist Church (Harrisburg, PA)

*Hymn...“Lord of the Dance” (UMH #261)

Prayer for Holy Humor Sunday (in response to 1 John 1:1–2:2)...Amy Abshire

For those times when we move in the shadow, unaware or unwilling to be aware of how our actions affect others, we come together, in the light, to find our joy in God. For those times when we deceive ourselves, not revealing to ourselves or others the true nature of our vulnerabilities and fears, we come together in the truth, to find forgiveness in fellowship. For those times when life has been revealed, and we have ignored or denied it, we come together to touch grace in the presence of the Spirit of Christ. Amen. —Author unknown

First Gospel Lesson: John 14:1-7...Amy Abshire

Choral Anthem...“Sing Together! Psallite!” by Johann Sebastian Bach, arranged by Patrick M. Liebergen

Community prayer concerns and celebrations

Pastoral Prayer...Pastor Charles

Second Gospel Lesson: John 20:24-29...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon...Bishop Karen P. Oliveto / “Seeing Is Believing”

Communion / The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn...“Take My Life and Let It Be” (UMH #399)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Hyeji Miranda / “To God Be The Glory” by William H. Doane