Sunday, April 18, 2021 – Third Sunday of Easter
Prelude: “All Things Bright and Beautiful” – Smith
Welcome No matter who you are or where you are on your journey, you are welcome here!
We are gathered and ready and aware of God’s presence
Gathering Song: “God We Gather As Your People” – led by Brenda Tarulli
First Reading: Acts 3:12-19 Mel Jones
After healing a man unable to walk, Peter preaches to the people, describing how God’s promises to Israel have been fulfilled in Jesus. Through the proclamation of Christ’s death and resurrection, God is offering them forgiveness and restoration in Jesus’ name.
12[Peter] addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power we had made him walk?13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”
“Lord Let My Heart Be Good Soil” – Led by Brenda Tarulli
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
In this account of an appearance after his resurrection, Jesus opens the minds of the disciples to understand him as Messiah. Jesus convinces them that he has been raised and sends them on a mission to proclaim the message of repentance and forgiveness.
36bJesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.”
Help us God, as we seek to interpret what this means for our lives.
Message
Message Song “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks to the Risen Lord” – Led by Enid Rank
“Becoming What We Pray” – Led by Ann Borovies
Prayers Lenore Spohn
Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love. We begin with our silent, personal prayers.
A brief silence.
Living God, in the midst of Easter joy we are still filled with questions and wondering. Open our hearts and minds as we encounter the scriptures, so that the church embodies repentance and forgiveness in the name of Jesus to all peoples and nations.
The spirit of new life fills our journeys.
Creating God, like a master artist, you have fashioned the universe out of your love and delight. Guide us as we work to heal your creation where it is in need of restoration. We will search for ways to provide all the inhabitants of earth a peaceful and sustainable home.
The spirit of new life fills our world.
God of all, the nations hunger and thirst for your righteousness. We call on you for guidance and strength. Answer our hopes with the peace of Christ, and give your lovingkindness to national, state, and local leaders of people.
The spirit of new life fills our nation.
Healing God, you hear the cries of those in need and answer them in their distress. Be close to the hearts of the lonely. Grant to those who are sick and suffering your compassion, and nurse them back to health and wholeness. Today we pray especially for Mary Ann and Ester, Geoff Baer, Timmy Henn, Jr., Andrea & Jerry, Hugh, Jane Atherholt, Linda, Leo, Mel, Kristen, Tim M., Dawn, Norine, Joe, Debbie, Ruth Meier, Kyle, Joe, Be Linney, Al Horvath, John, Pat & Al, Maryse, Paige, Teri, Claudia, Danielle & Gregor, Sam L., Glenn Mayer and Allison.
Hospitalized this week: Ruth Meier, Baby Girl Charlie Ivenz, and Dawn Ward.
Condolences to the family and friends of Adam Dembrosky who passed away on April 2, 2021.
Condolences to the family and friends of Manuel Perez who passed away on April 6, 2021.
Congratulation to Luka Collins on his baptism today.
Loving Parent, you have given us such love that we should be called the children of God. Reveal yourself to us so that, together, we in this community of faith will become more and more like you in our mutual love and bold witness.
The spirit of new life fills our church.
God of all times and ages, those who have died in you now see you as you are. We thank you for their lives among us. Assure us of the peace you have promised, that we may join them in everlasting life.
In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The 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 and ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn “Come To the Water” – led by Ferd Piccurio
Benediction “The Blessing” – led by Ann Borovies
Dismissal: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.