Frightened Disciples to World-Changers
MOUNT PLEASANT CHURCH
“A United Methodist Community”
Sunday, April 19, 2020
The 2nd Sunday of Easter
Theme
Thomas deserves a new reputation to reflect the new life Jesus gave him.
PRELUDE – Bryan O’Lone
WELCOME –
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE
* CALL TO WORSHIP
One: On the first day of the week, Jesus came and stood among them.
All: The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
One: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All: We have been given new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
One: In thanksgiving and praise let us worship God.
All: Alleluia! Alleluia!
*OPENING HYMN Easter People, Raise Your Voices UMH #304
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE
Almighty God, we have celebrated Easter. We have sung our hallelujahs with energy and enthusiasm and have listened again to the familiar and amazing story of our Lord's resurrection. Help us to maintain the awareness of the great gift of new life that is ours to claim on Easter, and every day. Let the hope and joy of this season give us assurance and confidence to live as those who claim the presence of your Spirit. May our words and actions give powerful witness to our claim that Jesus Christ lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Epistle Reading – Introduction to the Reading.
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV) Peter offers assurance that in Christ's resurrection Jesus' presence and power encourage Christians to hold firm to their faith.
Hear now the lesson:
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV2011) 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
The Gospel Reading – Introduction to the reading.
John 20:19-31 (NIV) In an echo back to the creation story, Jesus uses breath and wind as powerful metaphors of new life in and through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Hear now the lesson:
John 20:19-31 (NIV2011) 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
MESSAGE “Frightened Disciples to World-Changers” Pastor John Mitchell
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
The altar is open to anyone desiring to pray or make a fresh
Commitment to Christ.
LOVING GOD THROUGH GIVING
OFFERTORY – Bryan O’Lone
DOXOLOGY UMH #95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PASTORAL PRAYER/LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen!
*Closing Hymn To God the Glory UMH #99
*BLESSING & SENDING
POSTLUDE – Bryan O’Lone
Thought for the Day
By the grace of God, those who come to faith through the testimony of others are truly blessed.