Order of Service – 24 April 2022

Jesus appears to Thomas

(words for hymns and bible readings follow the order of service)

Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
HYMN CH4  416  Christ is alive
All-age time
Short Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
HYMN JP 274  What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus
Prayer
Video – Because He lives
1st Bible Reading  John 20: 24-29
Thomas – reflection/meditation
HYMN CH4 432 –  How often we like Thomas
2nd Bible Reading  John 21: 15-17
Peter – reflection/meditation
HYMN MP 1008   The Lord’s my Shepherd
Prayers for the World
HYMN MP 295   I serve a risen Saviour  [He lives, He lives]
Benediction

 

Call to Worship

This is the Good News
the grave is empty
Christ is risen
This is the Good News
the light shines in the darkness
and the darkness can never put it out
This is the Good News
once we were no people
now we are God’s people

CH4  416  Christ is alive

1 Christ is alive! let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

2 Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching, every place and time.

3 In every insult, rift and war,
where colour, scorn, or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.

4 Women and men, in ae and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.

5 Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring,
with joy, with justice, love and praise.

JP 274  What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus

1 What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus,
what a wonderful friend is He,
for He left all the glory of heaven,
came to earth to live on Calvary;
Chorus Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King of kings!
sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King.

2 He arose from the grave, hallelujah!
and He lives never more to die,
at the Father’s right hand interceding,
He will hear and heed our faintest cry;

3 He is coming some day to receive us,
we’ll be caught up to heaven above,
what a joy it will be to behold Him,
sing for ever of His grace and love.

1st Bible Reading  John 20: 24-29

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’
But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’  Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’
Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

CH4 432 –  How often we like Thomas      

1 How often we, like Thomas,
need proof before we trust.
Lord Jesus, friend of doubters,
come, speak your truth to us.
We long to feel your presence,
and gain new faith from you,
to find, without your seeing,
the blessing Thomas knew.
2 You always stand among us,
no doors can lock you out.
Your presence reassures us
though we still live with doubt.
As present-day disciples,
whose lives by sin are flawed,
we want to come believing,
and cry: ‘My Lord, My God!’ 

2nd Reading  John 21: 15-17

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’

MP 1008   The Lord’s my Shepherd

1 The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.
Chorus: And I will trust in You alone,
and I will trust in You alone,
for Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.
2 He guides my ways in righteousness
and He anoints my head with oil,
and my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.
3 And though I walk the darkest path
I will not fear the evil one,
for You are with me, and Your rod and staff,
are the comfort I need to know.

MP 295   I serve a risen Saviour  [He lives, He lives]

1 I serve a risen Saviour,
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living,
whatever men may say,
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
and just the time I need Him,
He’s always near.
Chorus He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives
salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

2 In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
and though my heart grows weary
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
through all the stormy blast,
the day of His appearing
will come at last.

3 Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
lift up your voice and sing
eternal hallelujahs
to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
the help to all who find,
none other is so loving,
so good and kind,