April 27, 2025

APRIL 27, 2025 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER GUEST PREACHER - REV. MICHAEL AIRGOOD ORGANIST JAMES ROSS * Please Stand If Able Prelude – Prelude on Laude Anima – Elizabeth Krouse Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship Leader: The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. People: Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Leader: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord, we bless you. People: The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. Leader: With boughs in hand, join in the festival procession up to the horns of the altar. People: You are my God and I will praise you! Leader: You are my God, and I will exalt you. All: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. * Opening Hymn – “Christ is Risen” – UMH #307 *Prayer of Confession Our Lord Jesus, We find ourselves in the locked doors of ourselves, just as the disciples were behind closed doors. We too are afraid, perhaps for a different reason than theirs. But we too need the breath of the Holy Spirit to take away our fears so that we can come out from behind these locked doors. Lord, we are like Thomas with our questions and our doubts. We sometimes need to see in order to believe, we need you in order to have faith. We too need the peace you bring because our world is fraught with violence, and unrest. Just as Thomas confessed you are his Lord and his God, we boldly claim you for our lives. We thank you for the blessing you have given us, the ones who believe without seeing. May the doors of our churches be open to all and that doubters be welcomed here. In the name of the risen Lord Jesus, Amen. Children’s Chat Scripture – John 20:24-31 Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Sermon - “What Grave?” Tithes and Offering Offertory – Prelude on Beach Spring – William Allen Pasch *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – “Walk On, O People of God” – UMH #305 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn – “Crown Him With Many Crowns” - UMH #327 Action Steps and Benediction Postlude – Hail the Festival Day – Daniel Burton Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or [email protected]