Second Sunday of

April 11, 2021

The St. Paul’s family welcomes you as we worship God together. We strive to be full, active, conscious participants in our liturgical life together.

Entrance and Praise

Voluntary “Carol” Percy Whitlock

Welcome

Hymn 303 “The Day of Resurrection” Lancashire b b œ œ ™ & b b b œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ 1. e day of res - ur - rec - tion! Earth, tell it out a - broad; the pass - o - ver of glad - ness, the 2. Our hearts be pure from e - vil, that we may see a - right the Lord in rays e - ter - nal of 3. Now let the heavens be joy - ful! Let earth the song be - gin! Let the round world keep tri - umph, and ™ b ™ œ b bb œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & b œ nœ œ œ J œ nœ œ pass - o - ver of God. From death to life e - ter - nal, from earth un - to the res - ur - rec - tion light; and lis - tening to his ac - cents, may hear, so calm and all that is there - in! Let all things seen and un - seen their notes in glad - ness

bb b ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ ™ & b b œ œ œ œ ˙ sky, our Christ hath brought us o - ver, with of vic - tœo - ry. plain, his own "All hail!" and, hear - ing, may raise the vic - tor strain. blend, for Christ the Lord hath ris - en, our joy that hath no end.

Greeting Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you also. Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever.

Collect Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Ministry of the Word

Prayer for Illumination Open our hearts and minds, O God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that, as the Word is read and proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us this day. Amen.

First Lesson Acts 4:32-35 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 133 Richard Farrant Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity! It is like fine oil upon the head that runs down upon the beard, Upon the beard of Aaron, and runs down upon the collar of his robe. It is like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the hills of Zion. For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: life for evermore. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Second Lesson 1 John 1:1-2:2 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

You are invited to sing the . Hymn 162 “Alleluia, Alleluia” Alleluia No. 1 # # ™ # # œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Aœl - lœe - lu - ia, al - le - lu - ia! Give thanks to the ris - en Lord.

#### ™ ˙ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ Aœl - lœe - lu - ia, al - le - lu - ia! Give praise to his name. 1. Je - sus is Lord of 2. Spread the good news o'er 3. We have been cru - ci - 4. Come, let us praise the Repeat Refrain™ #### ™ ™ & ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ all the earth. He is the King of cre - a - - tion. Aœl - lœe - all the earth: Je - sus has died and has ris - en. fied with Christ. Now we shall live for - ev - - er. liv - ing God, joy - ful - ly sing to our Sav - ior.

Gospel 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.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.” 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.” 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 believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 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.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

You are invited to join in saying Psalm 19:14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Amen.

Sermon “What Did the Resurrection Do?” Rev. Paul Richards-Kuan Responses and Offerings All stand.

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

All sit.

Prayer

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, the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.

Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. All exchange signs and words of God’s peace with any who are around you, saying “peace be with you,” and offering a wave, open palms, or palms over your heart.

Registration of Attendance and Announcements You may register your attendance and make your offering by going to the St. Paul’s website at www.stpaulshouston.org/live-stream or to the St. Paul’s app. If you are interested in becoming a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, or just want to find out more about what it means to be a United Methodist Christian, please speak with a member of our clergy. Information on how to stay connected with the St. Paul’s community can be found on the St. Paul’s website and Facebook page. The Offering of tithes and gifts is a vital element of worship—our acknowledgment of the abundance of God’s blessings in our lives. Please take this time to log on to stpaulshouston.org/give to make your regular offering or to set up a recurring stewardship gift.

Offering “Alleluia” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Arr. Donald Moore St. Paul’s Choral Scholars

Doxology (sung by all) Lasst uns Erfeuen # # w w & ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ Praise God, from whom all bles-sings flow; praise God all crea-tures here be - low. U ## œ œ ˙ œ & œ ˙ ˙ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ w Al - le - lu - ia! Al - le - lu - ia! Praise God the source of all our gis! # # ˙ œ œ œ w & œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ ˙ ˙ Praise Je - sus Christ, whose power up - lis! Praise the Spi - rit, Ho - ly Spi - rit! # U # œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ ™ & ˙ ˙ œ œ w w Al - le - lu - ia! Al - le - lu - ia! Al - le - lu - ia! Hymn 308 “Thine Be the Glory” # # ™ j œ ˙ & ˙ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ w œ œ œ œ œ ˙ 1. ine be the glo - ry, ris - en, con-quering Son; end - less is the vic - tory 2. Lo! Je - sus meets thee ris - en from the tomb; lov - ing - ly he greets thee, 3. No more we doubt thee, glo - rious Prince of life! Life is naught with - out thee; # # ™ j & œ œ œ œ w œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ thou o'er death hast won. An - gels in bright rai - ment rolled the stone a - wway, scat - ters fear and gloom. Let the church with glad - ness hymns of tri - umph sing, aid us in our strife. Make us more than con - querors, through thy death- less love; Refrain # ™ j # ˙ œ œ œ œ w ˙ ™ j ˙ & œ œ œ œ œ œ #˙ #œ œ œ ˙ kept the fol - ded grave - clothes where thy bo - dy lay. ine be the glo - ry, for our Lord now liv - eth; death hath lost its sting. bring us safe through Jor - dan to thy home a - bove. # # œ ˙ ™ j & œ œ œ œ œ œ w œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ w ris - en, con- quering Son; end - less is the vic - tory thou o'er death hast won.

Reception of new Members We give thanks for all that God has already given and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant to participate faithfully in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Siblings in Christ, if you affirm this welcome and renew your own covenant, respond with “we will.” We will.

Benediction

Voluntary “Festal Voluntary” Flor Peeters

Lay Reader: Nancy Glosup Permissions The Day of Resurrection. Words: John of Damascus; trans. by John Mason Neale (1862). Public Domain. Music: Lancashire, Henry T. Smart (1835). Public Domain. Alleluia, Alleluia. Words and Music: Donald Fishel. © 1973 The Word of God. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense A-729097. Praise God, from Whom all Blessings Flow. Words: Thomas Ken (1674); adapt. by Gilbert H. Vieira (1978). © 1989, United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense A-729097. Music: , Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906). Public Domain. Thine Be the Glory. Words: Edmond L. Budry (1904); trans. by R. Birch Hoyle (1923). Public Domain. Music: Judas Maccabeus, “Harmonia Sacra” (ca 1753); arr. from G.F. Handel (1747). Public Domain. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-729097. EASTER OFFERING As we celebrate the joy of Easter, it is good to pause to reflect on the hope that St. Paul’s United Methodist Church offers to so many: our members and guests; our neighbors and extended community; and the marginalized who are served by our many active ministries. All this is possible thanks to generous gifts from our congregation. We are grateful to the many who have responded so generously to our appeal for an Easter offering. If you have not already done so, please consider making an Easter offering gift over and above your regular stewardship com- mitment. In doing so, you will join the many generous members and friends whose faithful support enables St. Paul’s to be the body of Christ in today’s world. Gifts may be made on the St. Paul’s app, online at www.stpaulshouston.org/give, or by check to 5501 Main Street, Houston, TX 77004. Children’s Activities. Stay in touch via the St. Paul’s Kids Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KidsOfSPUMC) and the e-letter for St. Paul’s Kids and families. To ensure receiving the e-letter, contact Rev. Kate Flint at [email protected]. Also contact her for the GROW and Joyful Noise Zoom connections. Children’s Choirs: To register your child for choir, please visit www.stpaulshouston.org/ childrenschoirs. For more information please contact Susie Vanlandingham at [email protected]. The day-by-day children’s schedule is as follows: Sundays: • Children’s Sunday School: All classes, age 3 through 5th grade, meet on Zoom 9:45-10:45 am for GROW and Joyful Noise assemblies followed by age-level groups. Check this week’s Children’s Ministry e-letter for the Zoom links. Contact Rev. Kate Flint for details at [email protected]. Children’s Choirs: • Wesley Singers (Grades 1-2). Sundays at 2 pm • Choristers (Grades 3-8). Sundays at 2:45 pm • Treble Choir. Wednesdays at 5:30 pm • One-on-One Voice for Life lessons. Contact [email protected] Youth Activities. The Youth are gathering on Sundays and throughout the week via Zoom. To learn more, email Tiffin, tiffin@stpaulshouston. org or Oksana, [email protected]. The day-by-day schedule follows: Sundays: • Sunday School. 10 am via Zoom • Confirmation. 4 pm on the Labyrinth and online via Zoom • UMY, 6 pm on the Labyrinth Tuesdays: Girls Bible Study. 6:30 pm on the Labyrinth Wednesdays: H.O.T. (Hang Out Time). 7 pm via Zoom

Today at St. Paul’s Stop by the Community Garden Table by Fannin Street on Sundays before and after the outdoor service for herbs grown in our garden. Donations accepted, and all proceeds benefit our Fe y Esperanza Community Garden members. For more information, to order herbs, and to volunteer, email [email protected]. Ordinary Life. 9:30 am. To watch, visit www.ordinarylife.org/live-stream-broadcast. St. Paul’s Epworth League (Young Adults) Sunday School class. Sunday mornings via Zoom. To connect with this Sunday School class, email Jim Bankston at [email protected]. Most other Sunday School Classes are meeting on Sundays at 9:45 or 10 am via phone or video conferencing. Check with your class leaders. This Week at St. Paul’s 4th Annual CSBH (Center for School Behavioral Health)Virtual Art Showcase now accepting submissions. Artwork can be submitted by email to Helen Spaw, [email protected], by April 12. All original art from youth, ages 5 to 20 yrs. old, in several different categories will be showcased virtually on HMA of Greater Houston’s website and Facebook page. For more information, contact Helen. Tai Chi. Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 am via Zoom. To connect, email [email protected]. St. Paul’s Moms, Monday, April 12, from 8 to 9:15 pm via Zoom. (Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays) Compline: A Weekly Service of Evening Prayer. Mondays at 8:30 pm. The service of Compline includes responses, psalms, scripture, a hymn, and an opportunity to pray. Our time of evening prayer will be live via Zoom and will not be available on YouTube or the St. Paul’s stream after the service. To access the zoom link, visit www.stpaulshouston.org/worship. Tuesday Lectionary Bible Study led by Rev. Paul Richards-Kuan. Tuesdays at noon, meeting virtually via Zoom. To connect, email [email protected]. St. Paul’s Single Moms Circle. Tuesday, April 13, 8:30 - 9:30 pm. For more information or to obtain the Zoom meeting link, email [email protected]. (2nd and 4th Tuesdays) Men’s Lectionary Bible Study with Rev. Dr. Jeff McDonald. Wednesdays at 7:30 am via Zoom. To connect, email bharmes@ gmail.com. St. Paul’s Veterans Healing Circle, Wednesdays at noon in the Fannin Street courtyard outside the Youth Center. For lunch, your reservation is required by the Monday prior. For more information or to RSVP: [email protected]. Heart Health Support Group, Wednesday, April 14, at 6 pm via Zoom. To connect, email wbrewer878aol.com. This meeting will discuss “Practical Application of Mindfullness and Meditation to Promote Stress Management.” (2nd Wednesdays) Thursday Women’s Lectionary with Rev. Barbara Robberson. Thursdays at 8:30 am via Zoom. To connect, email [email protected]. Grief and Loss Healing Circle, Thursdays April 15, 29 & May 13. 11 am - Noon. For more information or to obtain the Zoom meeting link, email Helen at [email protected]. Her|meneutics. 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Gather with a community of women who are committed to maturing spiritually and cultivating a network of support and belonging. This season the group is working through Willie Jennings’ commentary on Acts, sharing at each gathering a spiritual practice centered around implicit bias. For more information, sign up for the newsletter by contacting [email protected] or email Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan at krichards- [email protected]. The Chimes (Thursdays) and the Friday Pastor’s Message. To receive these weekly messages, email [email protected]. Upcoming Church Council, Sunday, April 18, at 12:30 pm via Zoom. To connect, please email Rachel Wiggs at [email protected]. Earth Day Ceremony, Thursday, April 22, at 10:30 am. This ceremony will begin in the Community Garden and will then process to the fron lawn. During the ceremony, you are invited to participate in the art installation piece guided and created by artist Ibraim Santos. RSVP to [email protected] if you’d like to attend. Everyone is also invited to have an at-home celebration by turning off their lights in appreciation of our earth’s resources. Pictures of at-home celebrations can be sent to [email protected]. Earth Day Art Installation by Ibraim Santos, April 22-30 on the front lawn of our church. Blood Drive at St. Paul’s, Friday, April 23, from 9 am to 1:30 pm in the Activities Center. For more information and to sign up, visit www.stpaulshouston.org/events/blood-drive.

Ways to Love Your Neighbor The Disaster Recovery Team meets the first Saturday of every month, from 8 am to 3 pm. To learn more or to sign up, visit www.stpaulshouston.org/events/disaster-recovery. The day before the event, those who sign up will receive an email with the work location, and participants will meet there. The work will be outdoors and will likely include house siding and other home repairs. Bring your own PPE, including masks and gloves, as well as a sack lunch and water. For more information or to be added to a notification list for these projects, email Kat Denton at [email protected]. Donate to the Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC). Always needed are fresh fruit (especially bananas and oranges), fruit cups, cereal, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, Vienna sausages, fruit cups, and string cheese; also sheets and towels. Drop off donations at 5401 Fannin, M-F, between 9 am and 1 pm. Also, shop the EAC Amazon wish list: https://a.co/3b79tEQ. If you have a question about Amazon delivery, call Marian Bryant at 832-859-1065. SEARCH Homeless Services. Sign up to help SEARCH with various, constantly shifting serving opportunities. To sign up, email Rev. Paul Richards-Kuan via [email protected].

If You Would Like to Attend Weekly In-Person, Outdoor Sunday Worship...... at 11:30 am (weather permitting), please RSVP for the service by visiting www.stpaulsworship.eventbrite.com. We will observe social distancing and all congregants will be required to wear a mask. Registration for the next upcoming Sunday is open beginning 1 week prior to the service. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 5501 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77004 713-528-0527 www.stpaulshouston.org Rev. Dr. Jeff McDonald, Senior Minister