Virtual Worship – Sunday, April 19, 2020

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

Service for the Lord’s Day

April 19, 2020

2nd Sunday of Easter

Prelude “His Name Is Wonderful” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B41vyVDZgrM

Welcome and Announcements

Good morning everyone. We continue to do a new thing in this time of social distancing. We are still a community of faith, even though we are separated for the safety of ourselves, our families, our congregation, and our communities. We will be meeting like this through the end of April. 

In this bulletin you will find links to the hymns which also show the lyrics (or below). If you get an ad (and you likely will) you can skip it by clicking the SKIP AD usually found in the lower right corner of the video. There are also links to the Gospel reading and the sermon.

For inclusion in next week’s service, please email or phone the church or Pastor Jean (who can also receive texts) with any prayer requests.

We offer praise and prayer to God

^Call to Worship 

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Blessed are those who have not seen

and yet have come to believe.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

^Opening Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn     “Thine Is The Glory” # 218     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbBOOmkMLmI

Call to Confession

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Confession of Sin

Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry, and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak, and abuse the earth you made.  Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. 

Time of Silent Confession

(Lord, have mercy on us) #300

Assurance of Pardon

^Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) #35

^Passing the Peace

We listen to God’s Word

Prayer for Illumination

God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us. Amid all the changing words of our generation, speak your eternal Word that does not change. Then may we respond to your gracious promises with faithful and obedient lives; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

First Reading                 Acts 2:14a, 22-32 

(Peter witnesses to the resurrection of the Lord)

14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, 

22“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25For David says concerning him,

      ‘I saw the Lord always before me,

      for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;

26      therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

      moreover my flesh will live in hope.

27      For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

      or let your Holy One experience corruption.

28      You have made known to me the ways of life;

      you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,

      ‘He was not abandoned to Hades,

      nor did his flesh experience corruption.’

32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 16 (A song of trust in God) Responsive

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life. 

In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Second Reading           1 Peter1:3-9  \

(A living hope by the Resurrection)

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading           John 20:19-31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB_C8TnQNaY

(Jesus appears to His disciples) 

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

24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So 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.”

26A 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.” 27Then 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.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

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

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon He Is Risen – Believe or Doubt and Fear?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzcutbh95Uo

^Affirmation of Faith  Apostle’s Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come again to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

^Hymn “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing  # 220    https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/MP3/MP3-OSonsAndDaughters-Filiae-PipeLC-128-CAM.mp3 

O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing!  [Selected verses found on https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Song_Display-New.php?SID=1181 accessed April 16, 2020.]

Author: Jean Tisserand

O sons and daughters, let us sing!

The King of Heaven, the glorious King,

Over death today rose triumphing.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

That night th’apostles met in fear;

Amidst them came their Lord most dear,

And said, “My peace be on all here.”

Alleluia! Alleluia!

When Thomas first the tidings heard,

How they had seen the risen Lord,

He doubted the disciples’ word.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

“My piercèd side, O Thomas, see;

My hands, My feet, I show to thee;

Not faithless but believing be.”

Alleluia! Alleluia!

No longer Thomas then denied;

He saw the feet, the hands, the side;

“Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

How blessed are they who have not seen,

And yet whose faith has constant been;

For they eternal life shall win.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

On this most holy day of days

Our hearts and voices, Lord, we raise

To Thee, in jubilee and praise.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayers of the People

Almighty God, you have promised to hear when we pray in the name of your Son. Therefore in confidence and trust we pray for the church.

O God, enliven the church for its mission that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world. Breathe fresh life into your people. Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action. We pray for the world.

Creator of all, lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace, that we may respect one another in freedom and truth. Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it. Teach us to care creatively for its resources. We pray for the community.

God of truth, inspire with your wisdom those whose decisions affect the lives of others, that all may act with integrity and courage. Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours. May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us. We especially pray for those making decisions in this time of crisis – our president Donald, our vice president Mike, members of the covid-19 task force and those working to find a cure or vaccine or treatment, our senators and representatives, our governor J.B., our state government, our county and town governments. We also pray for health care providers in any place, for their safety and for the healing touch which you provide. We also pray for all those that have been designated as essential that they may be safe as they serve their communities. Do not let any become weary of doing good.

We pray for those in need.

God of hope, comfort and restore all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. May they know the power of your healing love. Make us willing agents of your compassion. Strengthen us as we share in making people whole. 

We remember those who have died and those who mourn.

We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone. Loving God, into your hands we commend them. Give comfort to those who mourn. Fill the emptiness of their loss with your never-ending peace. We praise you for Pete and Raymond and all your saints who have entered your eternal glory. May their example inspire and encourage us. We pray for ourselves and our ministries.

We pray for the miracle of growth in this congregation; we pray for the miracle of revitalization of main street and we pray for the miracle of your blessing on this community and its schools.

Lord, you have called us to serve you. Grant that we may minister in your name, with your love in our hearts, your truth in our minds, your strength in our wills; until, at the end of our journey, we know the joy of our homecoming and the welcome of your embrace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering Invitation

It might seem a bit strange to see an invitation to offering in this time of social distancing and virtual worship. Some of you may be financially affected as well. I would like to remind you that offering of ourselves is always a three-part process – our time, our talent and our treasure. So I invite you to offer yourself in whatever way(s) are most appropriate to our heavenly Father.O

Offertory

^Doxology (Praise God from Whom all blessings flow)     #46

^Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to The LORD our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eternal God, we praise you that your glory has dawned on us, and brought us into this Day of Resurrection.  We rejoice that the grave could not hold your Son, and that he has conquered death, risen to rule over all powers of this earth. We praise you that he summons us into new life, to follow him with joy and gladness. By your Spirit, lift us from doubt and despair, and set our feet in Christ’s holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life, and all we have may show forth his love. Praise, glory, and thanksgiving to you, our God, forever and ever. Amen.

^Lord’s Prayer

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZ2aes2WfE  

^Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.

Benediction (A word of blessing)

May the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you complete in everything good so that you may do God’s will, working among us that which is pleasing in God’s sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever!

Alleluia! Amen.

Please remember in your prayers

Crystal Hack, Marian Allen, Marge Donley, Helen Hopkins, Barb Day, Verbie Hoffman, Susan (Sinn) Funke, Glenn Holmes, Meryl (Pastor Jean’s cousin) and Dick Place, Diane Schlosser, Joyce Culbertson, Mardelle Neumann (Apostolic Christian Skylines), Donna Diekhoff, Dick Temple, Dick Watts, Myrna and Don Brose, Margaret Altine, Fran (Alzheimer’s), Val (new cancer diagnosis), Alex Rich and his family, Blake Renner (son of Diane Allen Renner),  Joy Heaton and Lyndee Lewis’ niece

The families and friends of Pete Timm and Raymond Woodrow

All affected by the Covid-19 virus, those caring for them in any way, and those working to find a cure.

Calendar:

Sun., 4/19: Virtual Worship

Sun., 4/26: Virtual Worship

First Presbyterian Church

P.O. Box 602, 201 W. Fourth Street, Delavan, IL 61734

(309) 244-7105

E-mail: firstpresdelavan@gmail.com

www.firstpresdelavan.org

Rev. Jean Sparks, Pastor

Linda Clauser, Organist