Second Sunday of Easter
April 24, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: For everything lasts its time, but the love of God – which was at work and was expressed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – lasts forever. | Karl Barth
GATHERING
Prelude: Christ the Lord is Risen | Biery
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!
Alleluia!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
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 hearts, minds, and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In your mercy,
forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be.
So that we might delight in your will,
and walk in your way,
to the glory of your holy name.
Through Christ our Lord.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
the power of sin has been defeated.
God’s love is stronger still.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Micah 6:8
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem: O Praise the Gracious Power | arr. Larson
O praise the gracious power that tumbles walls of fear
and gathers in one house of faith all strangers far and near.
O praise persistent truth that opens fisted minds
and eases from their clutch the prejudice that binds.
We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise inclusive love encircling every race,
oblivious to gender, wealth, to social rank or place.
O praise the word of faith that claims us as God's own,
a living temple built on Christ, our rock and cornerstone!
We praise you Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise the tide of grace that laps at every shore
with praise and power, the truth, the love, the word, the tide.
Yet more than these, O praise their source, praise Christ the crucified!
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north,
all Christlike souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one.
Prayer for Illumination
Risen Jesus,
Send your Holy Spirit to calm our hearts,
quiet our minds,
and soften our spirits,
so that we may hear your still small voice.
Amen.
First Reading: John 20:19-30
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Rejoice, the Lord is King
Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: Beginning at the End | Pastor Alex
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering This Is The Day | Balmages
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Let us rejoice, sing Alleluia!
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Rejoicing in God’s promise of new creation, let us pray to the Maker of heaven and earth, saying: God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . . Empower us, by your Holy Spirit, to seek the grace and peace of Christ in the church and in the world. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Heal this scarred and wounded earth so that the whole creation may praise you with one breath and one voice. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Make us better neighbors to one another. Unlock the doors we close in fear and teach us to transcend dividing walls God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Save those who are sick or in trouble. Hold them in your powerful hand and deliver them from danger. (names read) God of new life, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, keep us working and praying for the coming of your holy realm of peace, when we will share abundant life with you; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
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 debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Benediction
Postlude: The Head that Once was Crowned with Thorns | Callahan
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, April 24 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, May 1 - eggs
Sunday, May 8 - Gallon(s) whole milk
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED