A reminder that our current church announcements are available here,
You are invited to join us for sharing prayer concerns and conversation on Zoom each Sunday morning at 11. Simply click this link.
You are encouraged to enter into worship in an intentional way this morning. That might mean creating a special worship space in your home, lighting a candle, or simply closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Some of you might also appreciate having a knitting, coloring, or other project available as you listen to the audio parts of this service.
Prelude from Joni Fornelli: Anna Visa
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Welcome from Pastor Joanna
Welcome! And thank you for joining us for worship. You probably know that last Sunday was Easter. I hope you were able to find new and meaningful ways to celebrate the resurrection.
The good news is that this Sunday is also Easter! On the liturgical calendar it’s called the Second Sunday of Easter. The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is a season for the church–not just one day. And maybe this year, more than others, we need to celebrate all seven Sundays of the Easter season. One of my friends commented recently that Easter this year feels like “a slow burn.” However Easter is feeling for you, I pray you experience the warmth and light of the resurrection as you join in worship.
Call to Worship (from 1 Peter 1)
We rejoice because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
We rejoice because God has given us a birth into a living hope.
We rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy
as we praise and worship God today.
Hymn: Come ye joyful raise the strain
Come, ye faithful, aise the strain of triumphant gladness;
God has brought his Israel into joy from sadness.
Loosed from Pharoah’s bitter yoke Jacob’s son’s and daughters;
led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters
‘Tis the spring of souls today; Christ has bust his prison,
and from three days’ sleep in death as a sun has risen;
all the winter of our sins, long and dark is flying
From his light, to whom we give Laud and praise undying
Now the queen of seasons bright with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts comes its joy to render;
Comes to gladen faithful hearts who with true affection
welcom in unwearied strains Jesus’ resurrection
Music: GAUDEAMUS PARITER; Johann Horn, ca. 1495-1547; guitar acc. copyright 1990 OCP
Congregational Prayer:
Feel free to share your prayer joys and concerns in the comments below, on our Zoom call at 11, or with Pastor Joanna by phone or email.
Holy God, Resurrected and Resurrecting One,
Hear our prayers today as we are separated in body but united in spirit and united by your Spirit.
We give you thanks for the joy of music, the beauty of spring, the kindness of friends. We give you thanks for these things in our lives . . .
We pray your healing presence be with those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit: for those infected with Covid-19; for those with other physical ailments; for those struggling with depression, anxiety, and other troubles of the spirit right now. We offer these names to you in prayer . . .
We pray your strength, protection, and encouragement be with those working with the public during this time: medical workers; food service workers; those serving at food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters; postal and delivery people. We pray for these people helping our community through their work . . .
We pray your comfort for those who are grieving: for those who are mourning the death of a loved one; for those who have lost jobs; for those who have had to cancel anticipated plans; for students who have lost their concerts, plays, sports seasons, graduation ceremonies; for grandparents who have temporarily lost the ability to be physically present with their grandchildren. We offer these names to you in prayer . . .
Thank you, God, for hearing our prayers. We offer now the prayer that Jesus taught his followers to pray:
Prayer Hymn: Jesus Help us Live in Peace (sung by Joni Fornelli)
Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31
Message from Joanna Harader
Music from Joe Casad and Susan Rieger: “By the Mark” by Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings
Thoughts from our Justice Matters Team: Dave Mathis, Roger Gibson, and Susan Rieger
–Update on efforts to end homelessness from Anna Long (Justice Matters staff)
–Update on efforts to promote alternatives to incarceration from Dave Mathis: Click here— and text “democracy” to 33777
Offering
You are invited to mail your financial contributions to the church (615 Lincoln St., Lawrence, KS, 66044) or to the home of our treasurer, Roberta Renz (address in the church directory).
The Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale in Newton was scheduled for this weekend. Even though we were not able to gather, we can still support the important work of MCC. You can donate through the church or directly on the MCC website.
Offertory Prayer:
God of Resurrection, may the gifts we give–our work for justice, our contributions to worship, the money we share– be used to bring renewed life in our world: hope to the despairing; joy to the depressed; peace to the dismayed; love to all of your children, everywhere.
We give these offerings to you in the name of your Son, the Resurrected One, Jesus. Amen.
Benediction from Twila Schmidt: The Lord bless you and keep you
Peace Mennonite Church 