For the week of April 14 – 3rd Sunday of Easter
Pastor Becky is on vacation. We do not have sermon texts for you, but I pray you will worship as you read the Scriptures and sing the hymns. Beth Snyder
Morning Prayer: God of Hope, We see Your love poured out for us in all the world. Make us more like You. Teach us to live together as one community human and beyond-human, creature and created to Your glory, so Your love is known among all the living. Amen. (Discipleship Ministries)
Opening Hymn #577 God of Grace and God of Glory
- God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy power;
Crown Thine ancient church’s story; bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, (of this hour)
For the facing of this hour.
- Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us; free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, (of these days)
For the living of these days.
- Cure Thy children’s warring madness, bend our pride to Thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,
(kingdom’s goal) lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.
- Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore;
Let the search for Thy salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving Thee who we adore, (we adore)
Serving Thee whom we adore.
Psalm 4
How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.
When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of Your face shine on us, O Lord!”
You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for You alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.
Children’s Time
Genesis 1:27-28
So God created humankind in His image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
Genesis 6:19-20
And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive.
Prayers of Intercession: Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers for those dear to our hearts. We now pray as You have taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us, not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering spotlight: On Sunday United Methodist Churches across the country took an offering to financially support Native American churches. 25% of this offering funds scholarships. 25% funds outreach to Native Americans. 50% remains right here in the Susquehanna Conference.
Offering prayer: Loving Creator, we come together to present our tithes and offerings. We are reminded of the profound love with which You have called us Your children. Help us recognize that our generosity and stewardship of the resources You've entrusted to us are a sign of our commitment to this holy transformation. May these offerings we bring today be a reflection of our love for You and our desire to be faithful stewards of Your blessings. Bless our giving and guide us in using these gifts wisely. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Discipleship Ministries)
Hymn of Preparation: #402 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
- Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, (in my heart) in my heart, (in my heart)
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart (in my heart).
- Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.
In my heart, (in my heart) in my heart, (in my heart)
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart (in my heart).
- Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
In my heart, (in my heart) in my heart, (in my heart)
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart (in my heart).
- Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.
In my heart, (in my heart) in my heart, (in my heart)
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart (in my heart).
Message Scripture: Luke 24:36b-48
Jesus Himself stood among them (His disciples) and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet; see that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Closing Hymn: The Longer I Serve Him (The Sweeter He Grows)
- Since I started for the kingdom, Since my life He controls,
Since I gave my heart to Jesus, The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.
Refrain: The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows,
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I server Him the sweeter He grows.
- Ev’ry need He is supplying, Plenteous grace He bestows;
Ev’ry day my way gets brighter, The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows. Refrain:
Go into your week with the blessings of The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.
