Order of Service / Easter 2 / April 27, 2025

 *Gathering Hymn Welcome, Happy Morning (#161 VU | vs. 1&2)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: This is the day our God has made!

  All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

One: No matter if it is sunny or raining,

  All: windy or calm.

One: It is a gift to celebrate.

  All: This is the day our God has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!

*Richard Bott, Gathering L/E 2025. Page 44.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Christ Is Alive (#158 VU | vs. 1,3,5)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God of resurrection, we confess that we have often feared human judgment more than we have trusted your call. Like the authorities who resisted the apostles, we have resisted truth when it challenged our comfort. We have remained silent when we should have spoken, and chosen safety over faithfulness. Forgive us, and remind us that your grace offers us a new beginning. By your Spirit, renew our courage to witness to the risen Christ with love, justice, and boldness. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God offers repentance and forgiveness to all.

  All: We are not defined by our failures, but by the love of Christ who calls us to new life.

One: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and renewed.

  All: Let us walk forward in faith, trusting that resurrection begins now.

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 wide.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Acts 5:27-32 Peter speaks before the Sanhedrin.

Psalm 150 (VU p. 874) Praise God with the sound of trumpet!

John 20:19-31 Thomas doubts until he sees Jesus for himself.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Lord, You Give the Great Commission (#512 VU|vs.1,2,5)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541 VU)

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)

Here, O God, we offer our very selves and the fruit of our labours. Bless both us and our gifts for your purpose in the world, transforming others as we are also transformed. In giving, may we also learn how to receive, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Gord Dunbar, Gathering L/E 2025. Page 48.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Abide with Me (#436 VU|vs. 1,2,3)

*Commissioning

One: We entered worship, aware of the light of God that shines through the life of Jesus the Christ.

All: And now we depart, carrying that light of truth into the world, to share and to inspire.

One: We are a people eager to make a difference in the world wherever we go.

All: Through the way we live, we proclaim our thanks to God, who gives us new life.

*Bill Steadman, Gathering L/E 2025. Page 50.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings (#214 MV)

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.

 

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