Order of Service / Easter 2 / April 12, 2026

 # Gathering Hymn Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks (#179 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: We come today as we are.

  All: God welcomes all into the realm of love and acceptance.

One: We come with questions, doubts, and fears.

  All: Jesus, resurrected, meets us where we are and offers us peace and the assurance of his continued presence in our lives.

One: Let us worship God, together sharing in the spirit of love and peace, gifted to us through Jesus, the resurrected Christ.

*Stephanie Richmond. Gathering LE 2026. Page 40.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Sing Your Joy (#253 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Merciful God, sometimes we believe that we live in a room with no window, no door, no light, and no love. Sometimes we act like the world has no sky, no way out, no light, and no hope. Turn our broken, tender, and vulnerable hearts to the window of your eternal compassion, the door leading into your kingdom of justice and hope guided by the light of your love. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Heather Grobb. Gathering LE 2026. Page 44.

Words of Assurance

One: Hear this good news: God breaks down the tentative nature of our generosity, and the partial nature of our commitment, and the fragile nature of our hope, through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

All: For this and for all God’s mercies to us, thanks be to God!

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve God Peace Like a River, VU #577)

I‘ve got love like an ocean, I‘ve got love like an ocean,

I‘ve got love like an ocean, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Acts 2:22-32 Peter preaches on Pentecost.

Psalm 16 (VU p. 738) In you, God, I take refuge.

John 20:19-31 Jesus appears to the disciples and to Thomas.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

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

*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)
Generous God, we have brought these offerings for the work of your church, here and in other places. We bring also our desire to be your people in word and deed. We ask your blessing on all of our offerings: time, talent, and treasures. May our offering be a blessing to others and to us. Amen.

* Beth W Johnston, Gathering L/E 2026. Page 46.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Be Still, My Soul (#652 VU)

*Commissioning

One: The limits of death are gone.

All: Joy fills our hearts.

One: The disciples are renewed.

  All: We will follow the way of Jesus faithfully.

One: The powerful are defeated.

All: All who feel downtrodden are offered hope.

One: The faith community is inspired.

All: Together we will change our small corner of the world for good.

One: As God’s Easter people, we will be renewed.

All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

*David Sparks. Gathering L/E 2026. Page 47.

*Commissioning Song I Am Sending You Light (#99 TLUS)

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2

No matter where you go, no matter where you’ve been;

You’ll never walk alone. I feel you deep within.

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2

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