Worship Outline and Sermon

Worship Outline: April 27, 2025 - Second Sunday of Easter (Worship with the Band)

Introduction to the day

In spite of all we have heard and all we have seen, it is often hard to believe. Because it is hard to believe, we will invest ourselves in the Easter mystery for fifty days (a week of weeks). Because it is hard to believe, John the evangelist will provide sign after sign celebrating Jesus’ victory over death. Because it is hard to believe, the risen Jesus will return to us again and again in the mystery of holy communion, inviting us to touch and taste his presence, and offering us his peace.

(*=stand, as able)

Time for Quiet Reflection and Prayer

Prelude – Carillon (Kaija Ranta)

Welcome and Announcements

*Opening Song Now the Green Blade Rises (# 379)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC0dtKgmlMI

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,

Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;

Love lives again, that with the dead has been;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain,

Thinking that he would never wake again,

Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

Forth he came at Easter like the risen grain,

He that for three days in the grave had lain;

Raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

Your touch can call us back to life again,

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

*Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

*Canticle of Praise We Have Seen the Lord (# 869)

(‘Leader’: Choir Sopranos; Bold Print: All)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FumJLc5Xx0w

We have seen the Lord.

God is mighty,

We have seen the Lord.

God is powerful.

We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.

We have seen the Lord.

God is lowly,

We have seen the Lord.

God is merciful,

We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.

We have seen the Lord.

God is gracious,

We have seen the Lord.

God is wonderful.

We have seen the Lord, God with us, Jesus Christ.

(Text: Tanzanian traditional; tr. Jeff Sartain. Music: Tanzanian traditional; arr. Mark Sedio. Tr. and acc. © 2003, Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved.)

*Prayer of the Day

O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32

Peter has been arrested for proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. His response to the charges of the high priest summarizes the early church’s proclamation of forgiveness of sin through repentance.

27 When they had brought [the apostles], they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn Lord, I Lift Your Name on High (# 857, sung twice)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COQ6cni_TG8

Lord, I lift your name on high;

Lord, I love to sing your praises.

I’m so glad you’re in my life,

I’m so glad you came to save us.

You came from heaven to earth to show the way,

From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay,

From the cross to the grave,

From the grave to the sky;

Lord, I lift your name on high.

Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8

The book of Revelation recounts a mystical vision of the risen Christ experienced by a Christian prophet named John. Here he describes Christ as a timeless redeemer, the beginning, present, and end of all time.

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him,
and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.
So it is to be. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Acclamation Halle, Halle, Hallelujah (# 172, sung twice)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp1euqClqTI

Halle, halle, hallelujah.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

*Gospel: John 20:19-31

The Holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

The unprecedented events of the day of resurrection continue as the risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples. A week later, after Thomas worships Jesus, Jesus pronounces that the blessings of the resurrection are also for those who “have not seen and yet believe.”

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon – Pastor Matthew

*Hymn of the Day Father Welcomes

(Stanzas 1 and 2: Choir and Band

Stanza 3: All)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GAMeDcMBCI

Refrain:

Father welcomes all his children,

To his family through his son;

Father giving his salvation,

Life forever has been won.

Little children, come to me,

For my kingdom is of these;

Life and love I have to give,

Mercy for your sin.

Refrain:

In the water, in the word,

In his promise be assured:

Those who are baptised and believe

Shall be born again.

Refrain:

Let us daily die to sin,

Let us daily rise with him;

Walk in the love of Christ our Lord,

Live in the peace of God.

Refrain:

Father welcomes all his children,

To his family through his son;

Father giving his salvation,

Life forever has been won.

Offering(please be seated)

As the gifts are collected and brought forward, we receive the gift of music:

Offertory Thy Word (Choir and Band)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6LC8cu03Ig

Offering Prayer

Risen One, you have gathered us around you, along with these gifts we bring.

Breathe your life into us, and enliven us, that we may live as your risen body in the world. Amen.

*Prayers of Intercession

God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

Yours, Lord is the Glory (#849, st. 1, sung)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xitNSH6C7Y

Yours, Lord, is the glory,

And honour as well;

Yours, Lord, now and always,

Amen, amen.

A brief silence.

Inspire the church with the breath of your Holy Spirit, that we sing the good news of the resurrection. As we honour the witness of Pope Francis, be with the Roman Catholic Church in this time of mourning and discernment. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Preserve the earth as a safe home for all creatures. Restore habitats contaminated by pollution or overuse, strengthen efforts to shape more sustainable communities, and make us mindful of the impacts of our daily lives on the well-being of creation. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Kindle justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage. Raise up creative and courageous leaders committed to shaping just solutions to complex challenges in our local and global communities. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Embrace all who carry wounds, that they might know your compassion. Draw near to those with chronic pain or anxiety, and all for whom death is near. Comfort individuals and communities suffering in any way. Those we remember include ... Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Listen to the silent prayers of our hearts ... Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

We remember the faithful departed from all times and places … Confident that you are the Alpha and Omega, we pray for your wisdom and guidance until our earthly pilgrimage is complete. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.

(sung)

Yours, Lord, is the glory,

And honour as well;

Yours, Lord, now and always.

Amen, amen.

*Lord’s Prayer

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

*Blessing

The triune God, who was, who is, and who is to come, Sovereign, ☩ Savior, and Spirit, light your way with resurrection dawn, now and always.

Amen.

*Sending Song We Are Marching in the Light (# 866)

(Band sings st. 1; all sing st.1-3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tSolZwova8

We are marching in the light of God,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching in the light of God,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching, marching, we are marching, oo,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching, marching, we are marching, oo,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are dancing …

We are praying …

We are singing …

(Text: South African traditional; tr. ‘Freedom is Coming’. Music: South African traditional; arr. ‘Freedom is Coming’. Tr. and arr. © 1984, Utryck, admin. Walton Corp. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved.)

*Dismissal

Go in peace. In Christ you are made new.

Thanks be to God.

Postlude

Sermon: April 27, 2025: Second Sunday of Easter

Text: John 21:19

During their special message on Easter Sunday I asked the children how the disciples felt when they heard the news about the empty tomb. One boy had an answer that I said at the time was perfect, not only for that day, but for this Sunday as well. The disciples, apparently, were ‘discombobulated’.

Now, to be discombobulated is to be confused and disoriented. This can lead to one feeling a bit upset, disconcerted. The disciples locked in the upper room are feeling exactly that. Matters don’t become any better, when the risen Christ emerges through locked doors, displaying his wounds suffered on the cross. None of Good Friday made sense. None of Easter morning made sense. This doesn’t make sense either.

On Easter Day, the church proclaimed the resurrection of our Lord. In the midst of colourful flowers, banners and decorations, we sang our praises. Our ‘Alleluias’ overflowed. Everything seemed so certain. We shouted, ‘Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!’. Yet now a week has passed. The world hasn’t changed all that much. Our lives are pretty much like they were before. It can all leave us a bit discombobulated.

One person has described an example of feeling this in this way: “A winding drive through the rural areas, twisting and turning to the point of discombobulation, until, emerging around a final left turn, a clearing presents itself.” (Micah Redfield) This, I believe, is where the risen Christ takes the disciples in the upper room, and us this morning. This world doesn’t make sense and can leave us fearful. Easter can seem far behind us. Like Thomas, we can demand the same proof the other disciples received. In these times, a week after Easter, Jesus comes among us again with good news.

Doing so, the first gift Jesus offers us is his peace. We hear earlier in John that this is not the peace as the world can give, that is partial and fragile. It is not something used as a bargaining chip for agreeing to concessions to stop a war, or lowering tariffs, or choosing the right party in an election. This peace which the risen Christ offers you and me today is a peace that flows from God’s love, revealed in mercy and grace. It is a promise by which Creator assures us and all people that we are created in the divine image, that we have dignity, and that we have value. To be offered this peace through the risen Christ is to be offered an image of how God desires the world to be, and to be shown that we have a place in it that never can be taken away. This remains true not only in this life, but in death, and for all eternity. In Easter, we have received the good news of God’s peace for all. Now, a week later, we continue to be invited to hold on to this promise, and to receive from it comfort, renewal, and hope.

Related to this is the second gift that we receive. In the midst of these times, God shares with us the Holy Spirit. At the end of the Easter season, on the festival of Pentecost, we will highlight this gift most fully. Yet, at this point after Easter already God’s action here is a promise that we are not alone. In the midst of the times when we are fearful, in the midst of times when we do not know how or where to turn, God remains with us. Walking down the road from Easter, Creator seeks to guide us, to bring us to the clearing, the community of faith, from which we can go forward in trust.

This brings us to the third gift that the risen Christ proclaims. A week after Easter, even all these centuries later, we can feel that it’s safer to stay in a locked room. We encounter times in our lives that keep us locked up in fear, be they from within or from outside us. The gift of God’s Spirit frees us from that which holds us in those places. It enables us to celebrate in our lives the good news revealed in the risen Christ.

The gift Jesus offers to enable this he describes as receiving the ability to forgive. I don’t sense that Jesus is telling the disciples and us to today simply to go out and bombard the world with words of forgiveness. It’s not about shouting, ‘It’s okay. Don’t worry about it!’. It’s first of all about sharing God’s forgiveness revealed in the cross. Having received the promise of forgiveness, Our Saviour now calls us to become part of the work of restoring God’s creation to wholeness and life. to seek reconciliation, to minister for justice, and to widen the circle of community. Living on the basis of forgiveness, God’s forgiveness, we begin to see and share the possibilities that life in the Creator provides. We offer the gift of peace in words and action. We share the good news of God’s continuing presence with us. Christ has risen. The world, as one hymn puts is, ‘is about to change’. Bathed in God’s forgiving love, go out to serve.

Last Monday when I went to Dollarama, most displays of Easter merchandise already were gone. If one hadn’t known that it had been Easter, few signs remained to remind us. Unlike Thomas and the others, we don’t have the Christ of Easter among us, able to touch his hands and his side. The good news is that a week after Easter, and in the days ahead, Creator continues to guide us through the winding turns and detours of life. Even in the midst of being discombobulated, there is hope. The risen Christ promises to renew us when we feel lost or full of fear or doubt, reminding us we are forgiven and loved. God’s Spirit is with us, inviting us to go forward in faith, sharing God’s vision. A community of faith continues to grow and evolve. Easter has happened. Easter continues. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Amen.

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