Sunday Service (4/14/2024)

First Presbyterian Church LaGrange, IN Sunday, April 14, 2024 3rd Sunday of Easter Prelude Gathering in Faith Community Sentence of Scripture Welcome and Announcements Music for Meditation Mr. Kevin Ramer, Organist Gathering Prayer (Unison) Almighty God, through your only Son you overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. Grant that we who celebrate our Lord’s resurrection, may, through the renewing power of your Spirit, arise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. “Blessed Assurance” #295 Mr. Ramer Approaching the Word Prayer of Confession (Unison) Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak and abuse the earth you made. Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Moment of Silence Assurance of Pardon (Unison) God is faithful. God’s love for us is without limits. In Christ we are forgiven and set free to be all that God created us to be. We rejoice in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen † Gloria Patri #620 Mr. Ramer Hearing the Word Prayer for Illumination (Unison) God our helper, by your Holy Spirit, open our minds, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may be led into your truth and taught your will, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Old Testament Reading: Psalm 96 OT p. 560 Music for Reflection Mr. Ramer Gospel Reading: John 20:20-31 NT p. 109 Sermon: “Walking in Doubt; Living in Faith” Rev. Dr. Maria Rutland Responding to the Word Moments of Silence “Because He Lives” #275 Mr. Ramer Acknowledgements of Gifts and Tithes † Doxology #623 Mr. Ramer Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Sending into the World “Peace Like a River” #360 Mr. Ramer Charge and Blessing † Congregational Response Inside Front Hymnal Cover Postlude Mr. Ramer Announcements We collect our regular offering as we enter the sanctuary for worship (or leave the sanctuary at the end of worship). The donation box is on a small table as you enter. To access our Live Stream - go to our website fpclag.org, scroll down our home page, click on Live Stream (and select the date, as applicable). The Rev. Dr. Maria Rutland from Middlebury is our guest preacher today. Our Stated April Session meeting is scheduled for next Sunday, April 21, 2024, following worship in the Church Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend Session meetings. If you have a prayer request or praise, please contact Mim at 463-5093 and she will send it out on the prayer chain. Please take time during the week to pray for the following groups: 4/14 -4/20 Butcher Bob’s The next ladies’ luncheon is May 1, 2024 at 1:00 PM at El Taco Loco, 105 S Maple Street in Sturgis. There are maps on the table in the Narthax. All are welcome. If you, or someone you know, would like a pastoral visit, please call Rev. Weaver at 260-710-2434, or leave a message on the Church phone at 463-3239. First Presbyterian Church 200 W Michigan St LaGrange, Indiana 260.463.3239 FPCLaG.org April 14, 2024