Worship Service April 27, 2025

If you are unable to join us in person, our livestream connection via Zoom in the worship service post begins around 10:45am. You will have time to greet worship participants online and in the church … think of it as a closed circuit connection. If you cannot attend live or you would like to experience it again, our service is recorded and is typically available around 3pm on Sundays via the YouTube link in the worship service post.

Livestream via Zoom connection information (opens in a new tab):

https://zoom.us/j/94909367127?pwd=Kml3L9xIfQFJxzW0IGcIiWTg6Nf1vJ.1

Or On PC, or other devices open the app zoom.us:

Meeting ID is  949 0936 7127, Passcode is 394347

For in person participants: If you have a fever or are not feeling well, please participate via the virtual options

Order of Service

Welcome, Greeting, Service Introduction                         Rev. Cindy Lunsford//All

*Call to Worship                                                                  Rev. Cindy Lunsford//All

We gather as people on a journey.

We believe & we have doubts, we do good & we sin.
We are imperfect humans, and still beloved by God.

Love and grace. Hope and faith.
These are the essence of the one we call God.
We seek forgiveness & grace from
     the One and from those we’ve harmed.

Assured of that grace, we are ready to grow again.
We yearn for a new way, a new perspective, and a clear path.

Though we are full of trust and full of doubt, we are here.

Speak to us, God!  Continue creating us!
Inspire our hearts. Enlighten our minds. Guide our actions. Amen.            

~ written by Tim Graves and posted on LiturgyBits.

 Opening Prayer                                                          Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All                                                           

Lord Jesus Christ, on the second Sunday of Easter,
    the light of your love shines on!
Your light has come into the world,
    And neither darkness, nor evil, nor even death itself could overcome it.
And we (like Mary, like the disciples, like “doubting” Thomas)
     who have been there with you

     through Holy Week and the first Easter Morning
         have been made witnesses to the resurrection story:
wondering,

          bewildered,

          hoping,

          rejoicing….

          and sometimes doubting.

It is not always easy to believe with our minds

     and trust with our hearts.

Loving Christ,
Open the eyes of our faith

     that we may behold the work of your redemption.
Open our minds and hearts to receive you, Lord:
     your resurrection glory, your light everlasting.
May this time of worship, reflection, and celebration
     be a worthy response to your love and your sacrifice for us. Amen.

~ posted on Literature & Liturgy

Hymn                                     ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus                        UMH 462

Affirmation of Faith               Apostles’ Creed (UMH 881)                Sheri King /All

Gloria Patri                                                                                                    UMH 071

Life of the Church                                                 Gina Elrod/Rev. Cindy Lunsford (see bulletin)

Mission Moment –

Psalm Reading                          Psalm 150 (UMH 862)                              Gina Elrod

Hymn              The Church in the Wildwood        Insert (put in pew hymnal after use)

OFFERING OF OURSELVES

Pastoral Prayer                                                                     Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All    

Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings                           Steve Hawkins instrumental

              Dedication & Offertory                                              Rev. Warren Lunsford

             Doxology                                                                       UMH 095 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen

Centering Song           End of the Beginning by David Phelps                    Steve Hawkins

PROCLAMATION

Prayer of Illumination                                                                                Gary Seiler

Draw us close, Holy Spirit,
    as the Scriptures are read and the Word is proclaimed.

Let the word of faith be on our lips and in our hearts,

    and let all other words slip away, and not cause as doubt.
May there be one voice we hear today —
    the voice of truth and grace. Amen.

Scripture                                    John 20:19-31                          Rev. Warren Lunsford

Message                         Honest and Dishonest Doubt                Rev. Warren Lunsford

GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST

Closing Hymn                   Breathe on Me, Breath of God                             UMH 420

Commissioning & Benediction                                                  Rev. Warren Lunsford

Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God