Worship Service for April 7, 2024

April 7, 2024 – Second Sunday of Easter

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, April 7, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, April 7.

Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.

Introit

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Call to Worship

One: We gather with joy, for Easter continues.
All: Locked doors have been opened and fear has turned to peace.

One: We celebrate the presence of the Risen Christ among us.
All: Doubts can be erased and uncertainty turned to faith.

One: Let us rejoice and be glad!
All: We offer our prayers and praise with humble, hopeful hearts.

Opening Hymn

“Now let the vault of heaven resound” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 255). Words by American pastor and editor Paul Zeller Strodach (1876–1947). Music (tune: “Lasst uns erfreuen”) from “Auserlesene Katholische Geistliche Kirchengesänge” (Cologne, Germany; 1623). Harmony (1906) by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958). Words, tune and harmony in the public domain.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

God of new life,
we come to you, rejoicing in the mystery of the Risen Christ, present among us always, even when we least expect him. We marvel at your constant love, your victory over death, and your resurrecting hope which embraces us in every circumstance. Trusting in these gifts, we seek to live as Easter people in every time and place. Fill us with the gift of your Holy Spirit in this time of worship, and grant us your peace through Christ, our Risen Saviour.

Merciful God,
we confess our trust in you can weaken, and we become anxious about many things. We talk about love, but we fear those who differ from us. We cling to our personal agendas, and neglect your call to serve others, especially when that service costs us something. Forgive us. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, rekindle our passion for you, so we can witness to your love in all we do.

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.

Declaration of Pardon

Hear the words of the risen Christ: Peace be with you. Receive the peace and forgiveness of Christ, and share that peace with one another this day and every day. Amen.
All: Thanks be to God!

The Peace

One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Guildwood Choir Presents

Solo by Carolyn Glasgow: “Flocks in pastures green abiding”, arrangement of “Sheep may safely graze”, a soprano aria from the “Hunting Cantata” (BWV 208). Original German words (1713) by German lawyer and poet Salomon Franck (1659–1725). This English translation (1946) by Phyllis James. Music (also 1713) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). This arrangement (1946) by English organist and composer Edgar Stanley Roper (1878–1953). Original words, translation, music and arrangement public domain.

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

Jesus loves me, this I know” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions and music in the public domain.

Scripture Reading

John 20:19–31  <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

John 20:19–31

19 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.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus and Thomas

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.”

26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 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.”

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 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.

Sermon

Intro… .

The Gospel of John that we read today helps us deepen our understanding of what it means to live, to die, and to live again in the love of Jesus Christ. Verse 19, “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.’”

This verse comes right after the disciples heard from Mary Magdalene that she had seen the risen Christ, and after Peter and the beloved disciple, John, went to the tomb and saw it was empty… This verse describes how the disciples responded when they saw and heard that the tomb was empty, and Jesus was no longer there: They locked the doors.

I would like to highlight the word ‘doors.’ In Greek, doors are θυρῶν/Thyron, which is the plural form of θύρα/Thura. The Greek word ‘Thura’ can be translated as ‘door,’ but also as ‘entrance’ or ‘gate.’ Jesus used this particular Greek word ‘Thura’ earlier in chapter 10, where He said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. Then in verse 7, “I am the (Thura), the gate or the door for the sheep.”

We know that when the gospel of John used the word ‘Thura,’ meaning door or gate, he was not referring to a physical door. It is very likely that the text we read today is not concerned with whether the physical doors were locked or not. The doors that were locked by the disciples would more likely indicate emotional, psychological, spiritual, and relational doors or barriers. …

When these doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. I just love how the gospel of John describes Jesus, who Jesus is and what Jesus chooses to do. Jesus could have come in before the doors were locked. He could have easily come in when they were about to lock the doors by saying, “Wait!” Jesus could have also waited when they locked the doors, saying, “I will wait. I will wait until you are ready to open the doors to me.” Jesus could have come in after they re-opened the doors again. Yet in the Gospel of John, when the disciples locked the doors, after the doors were locked, the Risen Christ came to stand among them. There is nothing that indicates how Jesus got in. The Gospel of John does not tell us whether Jesus opened the doors that the disciples had once closed and locked.

I believe there are at least four spiritual lessons we can take from the text we read today.

First, Whatever the doors we chose to close and lock. Whether we locked these doors to keep God away from our hearts or to keep ourselves away from God and others … they won’t work with Christ Jesus.

Second, the Risen Christ came to them not when they unlocked or opened the doors, but when they closed and locked the doors… . It teaches us… .

Third, When the time is right, the Holy Spirit will help us to unlock and open these doors we once locked.

Fourth, When Jesus found the doors that His disciples locked, He chose to come and stand among them. He chose to offer peace, and He chose to show them His hands and side. He does not question, blame, or attack His disciples for locking their doors. He chose to offer peace and chose to show them his hands and side.

Please join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, either in person or virtually, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“Jesus is risen from the grave” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 254). Words and music (both 1989; tune: “Jesus is risen from the grave”) by Scottish hymn-writer and Church of Scotland minister John L. Bell (1949–) and his Scottish hymn-writing partner Graham Maule (1958–2019), both affiliated with the Iona Community. Words and music copyright © 1989, Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc. agent; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Offering

As Jesus gave himself for us, let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.

Musical Reflection

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100th” with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

Generous God, thank you for the hope we can claim in your resurrecting power. Bless the gifts we bring so they may spread that hope in the world you love. In the name of your greatest gift, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

Thank you, loving God, for your renewing presence in our lives, and for the many ways you make yourself known to us: in words spoken in peace, in actions that embody love, in creation that awakens wonder within us, and in worship that inspires faith and understanding. With memories of the grace you have shown us, and with confidence in you will yet show us more, we pray that all people will come to know the life-giving joy we find in Christ.

We pray for those who are feeling fearful, worried, or overwhelmed, in these days of economic pressure and uncertainty.

We pray for those who face violence and unrest each day, in countries around the world and in our own community.

We pray for our national, provincial, and municipal leaders as they seek solutions to the challenges in our common life. Give them wisdom and compassion.

We pray for our congregation, for churches in our community, and for Christians around the world, especially those facing persecution and danger.

We pray for our neighbours, especially those struggling with rising costs and scarce housing, and those who know rejection and discrimination.

We pray for those who are ill, in pain or in grief. We remember before you, silently or aloud, those on our hearts today:

Bring them comfort and strength, Lord Jesus, Reveal to them your risen presence.

God our Maker, hear our prayers, and use us in ways we may not yet even imagine to respond to those around us with the love we see in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“The day of resurrection” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 249). Original Greek words by St. John of Damascus (675/676–749); English free translation (1862) by English priest and hymnwriter John Mason Neale (1818–1866). Music (tune: “Ellacombe”) first published in the Gesangbuch der Herzoglichen Hofkapelle, Würtemberg, in 1784. Words, translation and music in the public domain.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

“The Lord bless you and keep you”. Words from the Aaronic Blessing. Music by English composer John Rutter (1945–). Words public domain. Music copyright © 1981, 2015 Oxford University Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Postlude

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