Sunday, April 11, 2021
Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty and she ran and told Simon Peter and another disciple. They all confirmed that Jesus' body was gone. As Mary wept for her beloved Savior in the garden near the tomb, Jesus appeared before her and said, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." (John 20:17)
This Second Sunday of Easter we find the disciples have re-grouped and Mary has told them she witnessed the risen Lord. He has risen!
In the Gospel of John today, we hear that their emotions have run the full course - fear to joy, chaos to peace, and doubting to faithful. Let us worship.
God of manifold blessing, come to us this day.
Come and bless us.
Come and lead us into the light.
For we come to you to find peace.
We come to rediscover joy.
We come to believe where we have not seen.
We come to touch the glory of everlasting life,
through the power of your Son.
We come to truly live. Amen.
Hymn: Voices United #179, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks
Lighting of the Christ Candle
As I light this candle, please light your candles at home.
Lord Jesus, be with us as we worship today.
Light up our lives with joy and exuberance,
and may the glow and tender flames of this candle
bring us your peace and love.
Let us welcome the light of Christ this day and always. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-35 - The believers shared everything in common
Hymn: More Voices #154, Deep in Our Hearts
Scripture Reading: John 20: 19-31 (The Inclusive Bible)
and
Sermon: Shaped Community, by Karen Chandler
Instrumental Reflection
A time to reflect on the scripture and the message during a moment of instrumental reflection.
Offering Invitation
All that we have is yours, O God.
Make us generous in our giving and humble in our hearts.
We thank you for bringing us together to share thees our gifts.
Our offering is both a practical and symbolic act of our commitment to serve Christ and build His church. Although we can’t actually pass the plate’ online, you are encouraged to continue your gift to the church, as the work of the St Paul’s and the staff continues:
Drop your envelope (cheque or cash) at the church;
Mail your cheque to the church;
Go on PAR (call the church for details);
Use the Donate button at the top of the page (it will take you to SPUC’s Canada Helps page where you can donate online and get an instant tax receipt).
Offertory Hymn: Voices United #701, What Does the Lord Require of You
Offering Dedication
Living God,
May the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ,
continue to surprise us in new ways;
Of giving our time to others;
Of supporting ministry being done in your name; and
Of bringing the good news to all through peaceful work.
We humbly ask you to bless these gifts that they may be a
witness of your love.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Mighty God,
Your Son, Jesus Christ appeared before the disciples to help them bear
witness to the miracle of his resurrection and equip them for the long
road and journey ahead of them.
Today, in our prayers we ask that love, peace, and hope be extended to:
World leaders fighting for democracy and systems of justice for all;
Countries and their residents experiencing turmoil and strife;
Leaders in our own country of Canada as they manage vaccination
sites and endeavour to vaccinate a large population with the
COVID vaccine;
Essential workers as they continue to their best under severe
constraints as COVID case counts rise dramatically;
Teachers, families, and children who are now on their April break;
All who are sick, lonely, grieving, or who have lost a family or friend;
Our friends and family, including our church family - keep them safely
under your protective wings.
Guide our footsteps dear Lord, and bless us that we may be a blessing to
all in need.
May they also see the face of Christ in us as witnesses each and every day
to the resurrection as we do your work in our communities.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
And of all the prayers silent and spoken, we pray the one prayer that unites us in Your presence, O Lord (you can sing with the video or recite the words below):
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: Voices United #374, Come and Find the Quiet Centre
Sending Forth
Hymn: Go Now in Peace
Food for the Journey
Closing Notes
Don’t forget to extinguish your candle(s).
Please join us today for Zoom Coffee Time starting at 11:30 am.
Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
Dial in: +1 647 558 0588
Note that portions of this service are drawn and adapted from various resources:
o The Call to Worship and the Sending Forth is from The Abingdon Worship
Annual 2018, Contemporary and Traditional Resources for Worship
Leaders (p. 88 and 90), Edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu. Copyright
2017 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.
Thank you to:
Kirsten Caspersen for reading the Scripture Reading from Acts today.
Max Laumeister for his web script that makes our YouTube videos work.
PNGWNG.com and Canva.com websites for the images and backgrounds.
And, thank you to all of the artists whose music and videos were used in the service:
o Ebenezer United Church
o Bells Corners United Church music
o Relaxing Music (on YouTube.com)
o Pacific Spirit United Church
o Haewook Kim
o Tina Vanderpol Melodium75
