Worship Resources for Sunday April 19th
We encourage you to read and reflect on these scriptures, songs, notes, and prayers as we look forward to our time of worship together this coming Sunday.
Please print this guide or have it handy in digital format for use during the service.
And don’t forget to join us Sunday immediately following the service in our virtual foyer for a group video chat! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/202653556
SERMON SCRIPTURE
In the days leading up to our Sunday gathering, please read through the sermon scripture as the Holy Spirit prepares your heart for the sermon inspired by this passage.
“Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed.”
MUSIC
May we allow these words and melodies to give expression to our worship this week.
The Sun Will Rise
Written by The Brilliance
Performed by: Madison Cunningham, John Arndt, Tyler Chester, David Gungor, Matt Maher, Charles Jones, Liz Vice, Jayne Sugg, Terence Clark, James McAlister, Brennan Smiley, Kate Gungor, Dr Dave Campbell
YouTube: https://youtu.be/chE9ZKlTzLg
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
Bringing life to the earth
As it springs from the ground
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
Won’t you dry all your tears lay your burden down?
Won’t you dry all your tears lay your burden down?
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
Bringing life to the earth
As it springs from the ground
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
Won’t you dry all your tears, lay your burden down?
Won’t you dry all your tears lay your burden down?
Won’t you dry all your tears lay your burden down?
CALL TO WORSHIP
Bold lines to be read aloud corporately.
Come, bless the Lord, in whom we find our refuge and safety.
You are our God; all the good things come from You alone.
Come, bless the Lord, who gives us a rich inheritance, and surrounds us with abundance.
You are our God; our lives are in your hands.
Come, bless the Lord, who guides us on the path to eternal life,
whose presence strengthens and sustains us.
You are our God; we will not be shaken.
(Inspired by Psalm 16)
CONFESSIONAL PRAYER
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and of death. (Romans 8:1-2)
All: Thanks be to God
SERMON NOTES
The Uprising Of Fellowship
John 20:19-31 (NRSV)
PEACE IN THE MIDST OF FEAR
In the scene described in John 20, the disciples have locked themselves in a room fearful of the authorities.
While they were hiding in fear, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” Later, he said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” Messages of peace and forgiveness are not exactly the message you would expect from an innocent man whose life had ended at the hands of the state.
But Jesus has a propensity for the unexpected.
These words energized the disciples and gave them new confidence that Jesus is the world’s Messiah. He had risen from the dead and even shown them his scars! Except Thomas. Thomas wasn’t there.
THOMAS
Thomas has a bad reputation. “Doubting” Thomas we call him. He was a bit stern; even gloomy. Some might call him a pessimist. Fellow pessimists would call him a realist.
After encountering the risen Christ, the other disciples were excited and filled with joy, Thomas was unconvinced.
Maybe we shouldn’t give Thomas such a hard time. After all, this isn’t a run of mill claim; we are talking about a man overcoming death! He says, “I’d have to see that for myself.”
One week later the disciples are gathered once again. This time Thomas is with them and he sees the risen Christ, scars included, and believes.
SCARS (The resurrected Jesus bears scars.)
Scars are wounds filled with living flesh. In this way, the scars we bear tell stories of deep hurt/pain and redemption.
I’m struck that the redeemed body of Jesus bears the scars of the cross. This points us to the reality that life cannot be contained! Even with pain, wounds, doubts, rejections, disappointments, let downs, and failures, the redemptive work of God turns those wounds into scars. He takes wounded parts and fills them with life! God is a God of life and redemption!
Since the risen Christ showed his scars, maybe that means we don’t have to hide ours.
Jesus does not criticize Thomas for his doubt, uncertainty, or questioning.
Jesus does not shame Thomas for needing to see it for himself, but gently shows him his scars and allows Thomas to touch them.
Thomas saw and recognized God in man who was scarred, but whose holy aliveness was more powerful and palpable than the cruelty he had endured. And his life was transformed.
Despite his doubting, Thomas was always counted among the disciples. He was part of them! He wasn’t always certain. He didn’t always believe. He often had questions, but he stayed with them and he was welcomed.
THE UPRISING OF FELLOWSHIP
The uprising of Jesus is an uprising of fellowship! Sometimes we misunderstand fellowship as a sense of community among like-minded people. A sense of belonging among people who all paid their dues, believe the same thing, and have the same partisan persuasions. That isn’t fellowship. It might be camaraderie, but it isn’t fellowship.
“Fellowship is a kind of belonging that isn’t based on status, achievement, or gender, but instead is based on a deep belief that everyone matters, everyone is welcome, and everyone is loved, no conditions, no exceptions.” -Brian McLaren, We Make The Road By Walking, pg. 175
This Christ-centered uprising is for all people. Those who aren’t certain all the time. Those who tend to fear. Those who know exactly what they believe, and those who aren’t sure what or how to believe. Those who are brave and those who aren’t. It is for men AND women. It is for the rich AND the poor. It is for those who show their scars and those who tend to hide them. And it must be this way, because only together we can figure things out. Only together can we can learn to hope, believe, and love.
COMMUNION
Prepare the elements of “bread” and “wine” for use as we gather around The Lord’s Table. These can be any items convenient around the home that symbolize these for you.
CONFESSION OF FAITH
Leader: In unity with the Church throughout the ages, we confess our faith:
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
and deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”