April 27, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday, April 27, 2025. The sermon is by Dr. Marshall Zieman based on John 20: 24-31. Our music is provided by the Alleluia & Chamber Singers; Dave Gardner, oboe; Mark Kanitz, organ
- To watch the service, click the Service tab below. The livestream will begin around 11:05 a.m. A recording of the livestream will be available afterward, and you can watch it anytime.
- To read the Bulletin, click the Bulletin tab below. You may flip back and forth between the Service and Bulletin tabs at anytime without interruption. Below the video screen, you can use the button to access a PDF of the Bulletin, if you prefer.
Sunday April 27, 2025 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.
Gathering in God’s Name
Welcome
Prelude — We Know That Christ Is Raised — Charles Ore
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.
Silent Meditation
“If you want to be important – wonderful. If you want to be recognized – wonderful. If you want to be great – wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness. It means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.”
– Martin Luther King sermon, The Drum Major Instinct, given February 4, 1968.
Call to Worship
Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ will come again!
By his power we, too, are already resurrected to a new life. Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee of our glorious resurrection. Let us worship God!
Praise and Adoration
*Hymn #260 — Alleluia! Sing to Jesus — HYFRYDOL
(*Please stand, if you are able)
Confession and Pardon
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, who sat at the table with outcasts and sinners, we confess that too often our words and actions are not consistent with our beliefs. Often we ignore the needy, show indifference to the lonely, and reject those who seem different from us. Forgive us, we pray. Empower us to reach out in love and acceptance through your name. Amen.
Silent Prayers of Confession
Kyrie Eleison (#551) — “Lord, Have Mercy” — LAND OF REST
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Assurance of Pardon
*Congregational Response (#485) — We Know That Christ Is Raised — ENGELBERG
Passing of the Peace
Time for Young Disciples — Brynn Stalnaker and Brooklyn Evers
During the Passing of the Peace, children are invited to come forward.
*Hymn #254 — That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright — PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
Announcements
Fellowship of Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
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 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.
Anthem — Trust in the Lord — Daniel Gawthrop
Confirmation and Commissioning
Confirmand Mentor
Luke De Pooter John Stalnaker
Brooklyn Evers Ann Pearson
Max Justice Sue Thomas
Kevin Kerr Jeff Boyum
Finn Mooney Meg Whaley
Kiana Sekle Haley Mendick
Brynn Stalnaker Anna Sumner
Reception of More New Members (11:10) — Brad and Julie Miner
The Vows of Membership for Presbyterian Church of the Cross- MZ
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Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
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Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior?
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Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?
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Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
Prayer
Presentation of Certificates — Elder Earlene Uhrig, — Co-Moderator, Membership Committee
Proclamation of God’s Word
Scripture Lesson — John 20: 24-31 — page 883 of the pew Bible
Sermon — “My Lord and My God” — Dr. Zieman
Our Response to God’s Word
*Affirmation of Faith — 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 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.
*Sanctus (#572) — “Holy, Holy, Holy” — SANCTUS (Pavlechko)
Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory — Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song (11:10) — arr. Zebulon Highben
*Doxology (#609) — “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” — LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
*Prayer of Dedication
We give back a portion of what you have given to us, O Lord, to be used with those in need in our community, our nation, and around the world. May we be of one heart and soul as we follow your command to help our neighbors and live out your generosity in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
*Hymn #246 — Christ Is Alive! –TRURO
*Charge and Benediction
*Benediction Response — Go Now In Peace — Don Besig
Postlude — Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones — David Schack