Sunday April 27, 2025 - Bulletin
April 27, 2025
Second Sunday of Easter
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 118)
One: The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
All: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
One: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
All: This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
One: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
All: O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Hymn # 155 “Rejoice, the Lord is King”
CALL TO CONFESSION
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth,
whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, you sent us your Son so that we might be reconciled with you. Forgive us when we do not live our lives as though we fully appreciate that gift. Forgive us also when we do not conduct our lives as those who know that Jesus will return to this earth. There are those of us for whom “seeing is believing,” yet Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so that we might deepen our belief each day while we await the return of your Son. Teach us to follow his example and to live a life of sacrifice and service. Inspire us to come to you humbly each day to offer up joyous praise and thankfulness. Amen.
One: Now that we have confessed as a body, let us take the truths that have troubled our hearts to God silently. Let us not be worried about the awkwardness of silence, as we take some time to focus on speaking with our God.
SILENT REFLECTION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
GLORIA PATRI # 579
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ,
let us forgive one another.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of peace with one another.
FIRST LESSON Acts 5:27-32
MUSICAL OFFERING
SECOND LESSON Revelation 1:4-8
GOSPEL LESSON John 20:19-31
SERMON “More Like Hachikō?” Rev Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to
judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Hymn # 121 “That Easter Day with Joy was Bright”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Let us return to God the offerings of our life
and the gifts of the earth.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON)
Merciful God, you are so patient with us when we demand proof and signs and take your glorious creation for granted. May the gifts given today be used to spread the joyous promise of reconciliation with you through the amazing sacrificial gift of your Son. Amen.
HYMN # 2070 (3X) “He is Exalted”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE