Worship for the Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2021

THE GATHERING

Download 9:00 Mt. Tabor Bulletin here: MT Bulletin 4-18-2021 E3 (Booklet)

Download 10:45 Trout Lake Bulletin here: Bulletin-TL 04-18-2021 E3 (Booklet)

Gathering Music: “Sanctuary” ~ Pastor Scott (Trout Lake 10:45)

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering with Bowl and Flame (Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Prelude/Gathering Song: “Sanctuary” ~ April Parker (Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Prelude: “O How He Loves You and Me” arr. Kurt Kaiser (Trout Lake 10:45)

Call to Worship            

The bread of life opens our eyes.

The word of life opens our ears.

The risen one shows us God’s own brokenness,

And by those wounds we are healed.

Let us pray together:

Prayer of the Day    

Almighty God, your power makes the lame walk and the dead rise to new life. We give you thanks for the love poured into our world through Christ Jesus, who opened our minds to understand what you have made, whose appearance among his followers brings peace, and who creates faith through touch and taste. Show us Jesus, even now, through the mystery of your threefold presence, one God, abiding now and forever. Amen.

Hymn of Praise #526 “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” ~ (April P. Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Invitation to Healing

The One who calls us to Himself, hears us even in our brokenness.  In trust our Creator knows us through and through, let us open our hearts to the healing of God and the wholeness of broken bread.

Prayer of Wholeness

Good and gracious God, we are creatures of the earth, often times blind to the revelations you offer us in daily living.  We misunderstand your life, death, and resurrection among us, sometimes willfully, other times unknowingly.  Help us to recognize the gift of your self – indeed all your gifts of Earth for all beings of Earth. We open our eyes and beg your mercy on our hurting world. Help us to seek and find you in your Word, that we may live with the faith of Jesus.  Be our solace in this life and always. We ask this as your own children, holy, incomplete but whole. 

                                                    Please continue in silent prayer

Kyrie: Folk Song “How Can Anyone?” ~ Pastor Scott (Trout Lake 10:45)

Assurance of Pardon and Passing of the Peace

Friends, believe this Good News: God is One and God is Three – Love constantly flowing in, out, and through; the gift of Jesus Christ for me and for you. For this we say: Thanks be to God!

Since God has loved us through Christ, let us love one another. Please share a sign of peace with those with whom you are worshiping.

Hymn of Response #591: “Halle, Halle, Halle” Chorus 2x ~ Pastor Scott (TL 10:45)

Celebrating Joys and where we have seen God at work

Song of Response: “The ‘Thank you, God’ Song” ~ Pastor Scott

THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination:

God of all who doubt and all who believe, by the gift of your Spirit reveal your radical, surprising love; come to us through your holy word, and let us hear what you are saying, guiding us to put it into practice. Amen.

First Reading: Acts 3:12-19

“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”

Epistle Reading: 1 John 3:1-7 (Trout Lake 10:45)

“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”

Participatory Reflection on the Gospel Reading from Luke (Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:36b-48

“The Gospel of the Lord” “Praise to you O Christ”

Message: “TL 4-18-2021 Knocking at the Doors” ~ Pastor Scott Crane (Trout Lake 10:45)

Please spend several moments in silent reflection 

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Hymn: #515 “I Come with Joy” ~ (Scott Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Affirmation of Faith: ~ Adapted from the Confession of 1967

Life in Christ is life eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign that God will consummate the work of creation and reconciliation beyond death and bring to fulfillment the new life begun in Christ.

Intercessory Prayers of the People

Call and response: “Lord, in your mercy,” “Hear our prayers.”

The Lord’s Prayer “…debts…debtors…”

Invitation to Present Our Offerings with Thanksgiving

Members, friends, and guests: Thank you for your commitment and your generosity during this past year! Your continued tithing practice and stewardship of our life together is precious. You can send checks made out to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 210, Trout Lake, WA  98650.

Offering of Thanksgiving with Song:

“Change My Heart, O God” ~ April, Mt. Tabor 9:00; Scott Trout Lake 10:45

Prayer of Dedication:

Lord God, we offer to you only a portion of what you have given us. All that we have is from your creative hand. All that we can give away we do through the love of Jesus. All our renewal comes from the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. Deal graciously with the gifts we offer so that others may have joy; in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

SENDING

Closing Hymn #246 “Christ Is Alive!” (Trout Lake 10:45)

Charge:

The word of God assures us: What we will be has not yet been revealed. Live, therefore, with hope, share your joy, withhold your anger, shed your disappointments, and turn to all people with gentleness, for they too are loved by God even as you.

Benediction:

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and give you peace; and give you peace, and give you what is needed for each new day.

Congregational Song “Go Now in Peace” (Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Congregational Song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” (Trout Lake 10:45)

Questions for Reflection this Week

When Jesus appeared to the disciples, “he opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). What is it to “understand” God’s word? How does understanding feed your faith? In the coming week, take note of one new understanding that comes to you from something you hear or read or realize through another person.

Household Prayer: Morning

God of surprising revelations, I thank you for rest and renewal. I thank you that when you come to your people, you speak peace and invite faith in you.  Make this new day a time when I will give more thanks for life than I did yesterday.  Give me ears to hear your will for me, hands that are open to others, and eyes to see the beauty in your world; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

For all that has happened this day, O God, I give you thanks.  Even for the obstacles I faced, I thank you.  Especially when I wobbled in doubt, I thank you because I did not fall.  You came to hold me strong and help me take the next step.  Now give me rest, secure in your never-failing arms.  Let my dreams revolve around what is pleasing and good, bringing me to a new day with zeal for your gifts; in Jesus’ name. Amen.