Order of Service / Second Sunday of Easter / April 7, 2024

 

*Gathering Hymn Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks (#179 VU | vs. 1&2)

Welcome& Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: In our Easter joy, we find a God of new starts and fresh growth.

  All: In our Easter grace, we find a God of renewal and transformation.

One: In our Easter faith, we find a God to carry us from shadows and despair.

All: In our Easter peace, we find a God to nurture us in hope and love.

One: In our Easter lives, let us glorify God’s name, now and forevermore.

*Gill Le Fevre. Gathering L/E 2024, page 42.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Dear Creator God, we are filled with trust in your guidance.  Nothing is possible without you.  Our life journeys continue with you at our sides. Fears are scarce and worries few when we trust your presence. Guide us to a place of comfort when we feel forsaken and alone. Inspire us with hope when we start believing that the world is becoming a bad place. Let our confidence in your love overcome our fears. Your grace surrounds all people. Your love benefits everyone.  Your mercy is infinite. Your compassion is unquestioning.  Help us to reflect this understanding to each other when doubt fills us. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

*Mark Dutkoski. Gathering L/E 2024, page 36.

*Opening Hymn Thine Is the Glory (#173 VU)

For Congregation in Ingleside [The Celebration of Baptism

Statement of Purpose

As we come to this font of living water, let us recall the meaning of baptism. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

Presentation of Candidate

On behalf of the congregation of Ingleside-Newington United Church, I present the following persons for initiation into the body of Christ through baptism: Palmer Lou Perkins, Lee James Perkins, William Graham Campbell.

Commitment of Parents

Congregational Commitment

Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations, and to offer God’s gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support, and care to the ones about to be baptized, as they live and grow in Christ?

  We do, by the grace of God.

Affirmation of Faith: New Creed (Voices United p. 918)

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Gracious and Holy God, we bless you for the gift of life, and, within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise your Spirit hovered at creation. By water, comes the growth of the earth. Through water, you led the children of Israel to freedom. In the waters of the Jordan your Child Jesus was baptized. Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all of new life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

The Pouring of Water

As the water is poured, we recall Jesus’ words: “whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” May God’s Spirit be upon us and these waters of daily use, which we now use to baptize and to welcome.

<Water is poured into the Baptismal fond>

The Act of Baptism

Marking with the Sign of the Cross

Laying On of Hands

Symbolic Action: Gift & Baptism Certificate

Declaration and Congregational Welcome

Into the household of faith, we welcome Palmer, Lee, William with joy and thanksgiving.

  We are members of the Body of Christ. We are inheritors of God’s promise. In the name of Christ, we welcome you.

Blessing (MV #214 – May God’s Sheltering Wings)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.]

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Come to us, God, like fresh water, softening the soil of a parched and weary land. We confess that hurts and disappointments harden our hearts, frustrations and failures dry us out, Come to us, God, with life-giving power. Free us from resentment, reluctance, and reserve. Remind us that in your forgiveness we are free. Forgiven, may we be forgiving. In Jesus’ name we pray. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Celebrate God’s Presence.  page 195.

Words of Assurance

One: Our words of confession are released into the air, and in the act of speaking them aloud, we have been set free. In the stillness, God whispers “Take heart; you are forgiven, cleansed of all unrighteousness.”

All: Praise God, in whose fullness we receive grace upon grace.

*Seasons of Spirit L/E 2021, page 121.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Draw the Circle Wide (MV 145), Refrain)

Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still.

Let this be our song: no one stands alone.

Standing side by side, draw the circle.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Acts 4:32-35 The believers shared everything in common.

Psalm 133 (VU p. 856) How pleasant it is when God’s people are together.

John 20:19-31 Jesus appears to the disciples, but Thomas is not there.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn In Suffering Love (VU 614)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541VU| Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise God, all creatures high and low;

give thanks to God in love made known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Loving God, you give generously without weighing who is deserving. We give thanks that we do not know exactly who our offerings will benefit. There is no opportunity to judge and weigh, but instead an opportunity to be a part of your abundant grace. Delighting in this opportunity, we present to you our offerings. Amen.

*Karen Boivin. Gathering L/E 2024, page 49.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing (#169 VU)

*Commissioning

One: We go into God’s world to share what we have.

All: We go into God’s world to share who we are.

One: We go into God’s world, with God’s love, Christ’s peace, and the Holy Spirit’s song.

  All: Alleluia. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

* Richard Bott. Gathering L/E 2022, page 50.

*Commissioning Song God Now in Peace (#211 MV)

Go now in peace, guided by the light of Christ.

So you may be, nourished by the Word of Life. (x2)

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