Central Reformed Church Second Sunday of April 19, 2020

REFLECTION

“In all things it is better to hope than to despair.”

—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), German writer and statesman

ORDER OF WORSHIP SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 19, 2020 9:30 am (We invite you to quiet your homes as you prepare for worship.) ______

GATHERING IN LOVE

Prelude “Prelude in C Major” (J. S. Bach) “To a Water Lily” (Edward MacDowell) “This Joyful ” (David Cherwien) “This Joyful Eastertide” (VRUECHTEN, John Leavitt) “The Strife Is O’er” (VICTORY, Lani Smith) “Christ Is Alive!” (Michael Burkhardt, Seth Bingham)

Welcome

Votum, Call to Worship

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. People: Amen. Leader: Blessed be the God of our Savior, Christ! People: God has given us a new birth in the living hope of the resurrection. Leader: God has given us an inheritance that is imperishable and unfading. People: In this we rejoice, even when we suffer trials. Leader: For although we have not seen Jesus, we love him; and although we have not seen him, we believe in him. People: For the outcome of our faith is the salvation of our souls.

The Salutation

Leader: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faith- ful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. People: Amen!

Hymn “The Day of Resurrection!” (You are invited to sing along.)

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad; The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God. From death to life eternal, from this world to the sky, Our Christ hath brought us over with hymns of victory.

Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth the song begin, Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein; Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend, For Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end.

Invitation to Confession

God has been made known to us in deeds of power, signs, and wonders, and will not abandon us if we confess the truth about our lives.

Prayer of Confession (unison, based on Acts 2:28 and Psalm 16:4, 11)

God, you have made known to us the ways of life. Yet too often, we put other things above you and turn away from the ways of life and toward the ways of death. Forgive us and guide us back into your presence, That we know the fullness of joy. Amen.

(moment of silence)

Assurance of Pardon

My friends, God is our refuge and will not abandon us. In Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God. That is a promise of peace and joy. Let’s share that peace with one another.

Peace Leader: The peace of the risen Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

Meditative Music “O Christ, Our Hope, Our Heart’s Desire” (MANOAH)

LISTENING IN EXPECTATION

First Lesson 1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 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 re- vealed. 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, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Moment

Second 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.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disci- ples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Fa- ther 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.”

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Faith Like Thomas” Rev. Steven D. Pierce

Prayer for a Blessing on the Word Anthem “‘Alleluia’ from the Motet ‘Exsultate, Jubilate’” (W. A. Mozart)

RESPONDING IN FAITH

Psalm of the Day (Psalm 16:1-11)

Leader: Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. People: I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” Leader: As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. People: Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips. Leader: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. People: The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. Leader: I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. People: I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Leader: Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. People: For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. All: You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Announcements

Prayers of the People During the prayers each week, we remember our neighboring faith communities and their leaders. Today we are praying for the staff and congregation of Mayflower Congregational Church.

Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. During the prayer: Leader: God of resurrection, People: Hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer (unison)

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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. DEPARTING IN JOY

Hymn “Christ Is Alive!” (You are invited to sing along.)

Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky. Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

Christ is alive! No longer bound To distant years in Palestine But saving, healing, here and now, And touching every place and time.

Christ is alive, and comes to bring Good news to this and every age, Till earth and sky and ocean ring With joy, with justice, love, and praise.

Benediction and Blessing

Leader: Whoever you are, wherever you go in God’s wide world, Whatever happens to you of good or ill, always remember that . . . People: Jesus is Lord!

Leader: And always remember that the tomb is empty; Christ has risen. As you journey in faith, may your life be full, your love be abundant, and your hope be eternal. Live this day and always for Christ Jesus because the Risen Christ lives in you. People: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Postlude “Finale on ‘The Day of Resurrection’” (Kevin Hildebrand)

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WORSHIP LEADERS

Preacher: Rev. Steven D. Pierce Liturgist: Lou Canfield Director of Music Ministries: Taemin Han

Principal Organist: Norma de Waal Malefyt Vocalist: Rachel Petty Video Tech: Alex Grigoriev Sound Tech: Nick Loubert

WORSHIP NOTES

New to Central? Thank you for joining us online today. Central Reformed Church is located on the corner of College and Fulton in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of downtown Grand Rapids. Our mission is to connect all people to God and to one another through scripture, sacrament, song, and service. We have been in ministry for almost 180 years and are a part of the Reformed Church in America, a Chris- tian denomination that began in New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1628. We look forward to be- ing able to worship with you in person once the COVID-19 crisis is over. Until then, please stay safe.

Guest Vocalist: This morning, we are pleased to welcome Rachel Petty as our guest vocalist. Rachel is active in the West Michigan music community, and she is currently looking forward to starting her mas- ter's degree in vocal performance at Indiana University this fall. Welcome, Rachel!

Second Hour: This morning, teacher in residence Jeff Chu talks with us about the Book of Lamenta- tions, focusing on the power of these ancient poems of lament and their relevance to today. Join our con- versation on Zoom starting at 11:00 am. You can join by clicking on this link— https://zoom.us/ j/91054653108?pwd=SU1qL3FHY3duTFdCa0xvYjF5Zkd6Zz09 —or by going to www.zoom.us/join and entering the meeting ID (910 5465 3108) and password (637164).

Who We Are Praying for Today: The Wolters family; Mike Bennett; George Boerigter; Janet Van- Dyke; Tom Tabor; for those facing cancer; for all who have contracted COVID-19, are awaiting test re- sults, or are anxious about their health or the health of loved ones; for all of our brothers and sisters across the globe who mourn the loss of loved ones and grapple with a strange, new life lived in isolation from one another; for all those ministering to and caring for the sick and grieving.

Next Sunday, April 26: Join us for our live stream worship service at 9:30 am. Meditative music will begin at 9:15 am. Pastor Steve’s sermon, “As Willie Nelson Would Say,” will be based on Luke 24:13-35. Please invite others to join you online.

Media Connections: Please visit Central’s YouTube channel, where morning devotions are available, along with other resources. You can access it with the following link: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UC3FOD-Tc5g5v8kZV35rqGGQ. Today’s service will be available via live stream through our website at centralreformedchurch.org. Audio of past sermons is also available. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram: @centralreformed.

Giving: Thank you for your continued financial generosity to Central. As always, you are welcome to mail your check to the church office. (Staff check the mailbox a couple of times a week.) Online dona- tions are also gratefully received, and we now have a new platform—Tithely—that will make the process even easier, enabling you to give a one-time or recurring gift either via credit card or via your bank ac- count. To give to Central via Tithely, please visit www.centralreformedchurch.org/give and click on the purple “Give Now” button, which will take you to Central’s Tithely site.

Central Reformed Church 10 College Avenue NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 616.456.1773 centralreformedchurch.org

Connecting all people to God and to one another through scripture, sacrament, song, and service.