Sunday, April 16th 2023

April 16, 2023 Worship Bulletin

THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE The Time of Greeting The Morning Prelude “The Blessed Christ Is Risen” by J. S. Bach GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP The Call to Worship— L: Roll away every stone. P: Wipe away every tear. L: Stand tall, all you who are bent low. P: Hurry to spread the Good News! L: Christ is risen! P: Christ is risen, indeed! + The Hymn #304 “Easter People, Raise Your Voices” + The Opening Prayer— Thank you God for the Good News of Resurrection. Thank you for the knowledge that the light shines brightest in the darkness. Thank you Lord, that despite the difficult days we find ourselves living in, we know that nothing can separate us from your steadfast love; for even death it- self is conquered and in you we find eternal life! May we, like Thomas, discover your presence with us anew this morning as we worship you in spirit and in truth! Amen. Alleluia!

WE CONFESS OUR SINS The Call to Confession The Prayer of General Confession— Lord, through the resurrection of Christ you freed us from the pow- ers of darkness and evil. In Christ, you opened the way for us to enter your holy kingdom. Forgive us when our doubts overshadow our trust in you. Forgive us when we have failed to walk where you would send us, to love as you have loved us, or to be your voice of peace and comfort in the world of turmoil today. In the name of the risen Christ we pray. Amen. Moments For Personal Confession Words of Assurance and Pardon The First Lesson WE SHARE THE WORD 1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mer- cy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Je- sus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, unde- filed, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so 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. 8 Although 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, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Response: L: The Word of God for the people of God. All: Thanks be to God! + The Act of Praise #748 (Response #1) Psalm 16 + The Affirmation of Faith #881 The Apostle’s Creed + The Gloria Patri #70 The Ministry of Music (10:00) \"Rejoice\" arr. Theron Kirk Chancel Choir

The Morning Prayer…………………………………………..…….The Lord’s Prayer (using trespasses) (Please feel free to say the Lord’s Prayer in your native tongue.) +The Gospel Lesson John 20:19-31 When 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.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So 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.” 26 A 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.” 27 Then 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 be- lieve.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to be- lieve that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. Response M: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God. (Response #901 Alleluia) +The Hymn #308 “Thine Be the Glory” (10:00 am —Those who want to praise God for an answered prayer may come forward and place a stone in the jar during this hymn.)

The Sharing Time with Our Children #2233 The Time of Sharing With Our Young People The Word Proclaimed “ ”From Behind Locked Doors” Rev. Mike The Offering WE RESPOND TO THE WORD The Offertory Solo “Because He Lives” by William J. Gaither baritone, Andrew Sucheski +The Doxology #94 The Hosanna Choir The Covenant of Christian Baptism and Reception of Membership #32 Sung Responses #54 + The Hymn #2206 “Without Seeing You” + The Benediction + The Response #347 “Spirit Song” (Vs 1 only) + The Postlude “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” arr. John Carter + Please stand in stature or in heart as you are able!

WELCOME TO THIS MORNING’S WORSHIP! We hope the music, scriptures, prayers and fellowship of this service strengthen your faith and encourage your discipleship. If you are our guest today, please know you are WELCOME! We’re glad you are here and hope you might come again. If you are looking for a church home, or wanting to grow in your faith, we would be glad to tell you more about our church’s ministry and would hope you might consider being part of our community of faith. Please sign the pew pad located at the end of your pew. Tear out the sheet and place it in the offer- ing plate when passed during the service. Please visit our Welcome Table in the rear of the sanctuary for more infor- mation about our church. Our Nursery is available for your young children should you want to leave them in a safe place during worship. Also, a changing table is available in the rest room next to the nursery. It is located through the left rear door and then down the hallway. Ask an usher to direct you… Restrooms are located in the main hallway. Use the left door as you face the back of the sanctuary and follow the hallway towards the main entrance. Re- strooms will be on your left. We are a “Safe Sanctuary” church. Parents, please accompany all young chil- dren to the rest rooms during the worship service. Our Mission – “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ For the Transformation of the World!”

Assisting in Today’s Worship In The Chapel and Sanctuary Senior Pastor.....................................................................................Rev. Mike Bealla Associate Pastor…………………………………………..…………...Rev. Andy Weidner Lay Leader .............................................................................................. Diana Howe Director of Music / Organist ..............................................................George Simmons Hospitality Host/Hostess………………………………….Mary Gordon and Lynn Gordon In the Chapel Chapel Reader……………………………………………………………..Jennifer Prothero Chapel Greeter/Ushers……………………………………………………Jennifer Prothero In the Sanctuary Reader…………………………………………………………………….........Sara Cooper Sanctuary Greeter……………………………………………………………...Mike Shibak Acolytes……………………………………………………………………...Elm Park Youth Media Team……………..Wesley Bealla, Bill & Betsy Miller, Dylan Smith, Ben, Ethan, Luke and Lily Warring Head Ushers……………………………………………..John Luczak and Leigh Redmon

Elm Park United Methodist Church Elm Park is a 712 Linden Street United Methodist Congregation Scranton, PA 18510. and is proud to be Our Telephone number is a church of the (570) 342-8263 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District We can be reached by email at of the [email protected] Susquehanna Conference Our website address is of www.elmparkumchurch.org Our Conference website address is The United Methodist Church. Our Resident Bishops are www.susumc.org Bishop Cynthia Moore-KoiKoi Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball Our District Superintendent is Rev. Judy Walker Our Senior Pastor is Reverend Mike Bealla Our Associate Pastor is Reverend Andy Weidner Our Lay Leader is Diana Howe Doctoral Intern Rev. Takasongo Jean