April 16

Lakeview Presbyterian Church
April 9, 2023
Second Sunday of Easter

Prelude          “In the Secret”                                                  Park      

Welcome:

Call to Worship         (Based on John 20:19-31)
Christ is risen! He greets us with a word of peace.
We welcome the risen Christ! We worship and adore him!
Christ is risen! Locked doors and doubting hearts cannot keep him away.
We welcome the risen Christ! We worship and adore him!
Christ is risen! He comes to bless us with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We welcome the risen Christ! We worship and adore him!

*Hymn     “Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!”                         GG #248

Call to Confession     (unison)
Christ is risen. Yet we often act as if he is still in the tomb. Let us confess all that turns us toward death, so we can know the grace of new life through Christ.

Prayer of Confession   
Savior God, forgive our doubts and disbelief. You show up in our lives, yet we fail to notice you and demand more proof. We expect more when you have already given us enough. Forgive our lack of faith. Forgive our lack of gratitude. Redeem us. Restore us. Resurrect us for life in Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon 
“Jesus came and stood among [the disciples] and said, ‘Peace be with you’” (John 20:19). Know that you are forgiven and receive Christ’s peace. Alleluia. Amen.

Prayer for illumination
Savior God, you’ve gifted us with the Holy Spirit as our advocate and guide. Open us to the Spirit’s breath. Carry us on the wings of your wisdom. Set us on the solid foundation of your Word read and proclaimed. May we hear the truth you intend for us today. Amen.

Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures                           Psalm 16:1-11
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.  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. The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. I bless the LORD, who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol or let your faithful one see the Pit. You show me the path of life.  In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Reading from the Gospel   John 20: 19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, 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 that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Hymn     please remain seated  “Christ Is Alive”                           GG #246

Sermon                   “…As we Forgive our Debtors”                 Peter Murray

Affirmation of Faith   (Apostle’s 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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 Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.  Amen.

Invitation to Offering Christ is risen! Hallelujah! Let us gratefully give of our offerings in praise of Christ’s ministry through us and for us.

 Donations can be placed in the offering plate near the baptismal font in the center of the sanctuary.
Or mailed to:
    Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705
or given online at:    lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org

Prayer of Dedication
Risen and redeeming God, you have given us more than we could ever give you in return. You are gracious and generous in your love. Accept these offerings as signs of our gratitude and bless our work on Christ’s behalf. May we love as Christ loved. May we serve as Christ served. Call us forth into your world, guided by Christ’s spirit. Amen.

Special Music      “Your Great Name”                                          Grant

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer (This is the Ecumenical Version; feel free to use the words of your choice)
    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
    your will be done on earth as in heaven
    Give us today our daily bread.   
    Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
    Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.   
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen

*Hymn         “When the Roll Is Called up Yonder”                   AAHH #191

Announcements

Charge and Benediction
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (John 20:29).
We leave this sanctuary a blessed people. Let us go now and be a blessing to others.
May the grace, hope, peace and love of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer be with us all, now and forever. Amen.

Postlude “You Were There”                                             Avalon