CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
30 N. CLINTON ST.
IOWA CITY, IA 52245
319-337-4301
WORSHIP FOR APRIL 19, 2020
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
“Great grief, great God; where there is one, there is the other.”
Mark Doty
PRELUDE “Prelude” from Seven Pieces for Organ William Lloyd Webber
EASTER GREETING AND WELCOME
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Let the spirt of Easter continue:
“Late on the first day of the week, when the disciples were together behind shut doors, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’”
Let us, each in our separate rooms
But together as the followers of Jesus,
Invite the peace of Christ to settle over us.
Let us worship God.
HYMN “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending”
God, whose giving knows no ending,
from your rich and endless store
nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom,
costly cross, grave's shattered door
gifted by you, we turn to you,
offering up ourselves in praise;
thankful song shall rise forever,
gracious donor of our days.
Skills and time are ours for serving
that your will on earth be done
all at peace in health and freedom,
peoples joined, the Church made one.
Now direct our daily labor,
lest we spend our time in vain.
Use our talents, guide our service
that our work your love proclaim.
OPENING PRAYER
We do ask for your peace today, O Christ, and also for your patience and acceptance. Help us to be gentle with each other and ourselves.
Let the sounds of grief that come disguised as anger, irritation, or resentment be recognized and named. We find it hard to hear others give voice to their anguish and we find it hard to give credit to our own sense of fear or loss in the face of others’ pain. Help us to acknowledge each other as we give voice to an uncertainty we all can claim. Help us to comfort each other in whatever ways we can. Give us your strength and accompany us as we go with hope and courage into the future. Amen.
TIME FOR CHILDREN
SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 25:6-9
PSALM 16
Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;
I have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land,
upon those who are noble among the people.
O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;
it is you who uphold my lot.
My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
my heart teaches me, night after night.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because you are at my right hand I shall not fall.
My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;
my body also shall rest in hope.
For you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor let your holy one see the pit.
[Unison]
You will show me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
SCRIPTURE LESSON John 20:19-31
SERMON "Grieving Thomas"
A TIME OF GRATITUDE
SOLO “Du bist, O Herr, mein Shirm und Schild” (Lord, you are my refuge and my shield)
From Psalm 119 Antonín Dvořák
You are my refuge and my shield: I await your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers:
so that I keep the commandments of my God.
Give me strength, so that I shall be saved,
and that I observe your law always.
My flesh trembles for fear of you;
For I am afraid of Thy judgments, exceedingly.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN “The Day of Resurrection”
The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from this world to the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own “All hail!” and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen,
our joy that hath no end.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Postlude” from Seven Pieces for Organ William Lloyd Webber
“God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending,” Words by Robert L. Edwards. Text: © 1961, Ren. 1989 The Hymn Society (Admin. Hope Publishing Company) Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-715458. All rights reserved.
Organist: Bill Crouch
Soloist: Kristin Ramseyer
Thanks to everyone who gave so generously to our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering. This offering has long been an important part of the life of our congregation. Your gifts will empower, provide water, supply food, and give relief from disasters. If you were not able to give last week, you can still do so. Please write “OGHS” on your check.
EARTH WEEK EVENTS ONLINE
This week Congregational UCC and people of faith around the nation will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. Below are some online events:
Multi-Faith Earth Day Service
This afternoon, Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 1:00pm Central Time, Washington National Cathedral and Interfaith Power & Light co-host an online service focused on our shared call to climate action. Join in prayer and song in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Our traditions are beautiful in their diversity. Each offers a unique gift to our collective effort to protect our Earth with all her living communities. Leaders from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Latter-Day Saints, Muslim, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist and other spiritual communities share their traditions' gifts through sacred text, commentary, and song, and call us to collective action. NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY! Watch here or on the National Cathedral Facebook page.
Another generous offering comes from James Balog and the Earth Vision Institute: the opportunity to view The Human Element online at no cost. In an arresting new documentary from the producers of Racing Extinction and Chasing Ice, environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change. With rare compassion and heart, The Human Element relays captivating stories from coast-to-coast, inspiring us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world. Due to the gathering restrictions required to limit the spread of COVID-19, James Balog and the Earth Vision Institute have offered a free link to view the film online to IPL congregations and their congregants so that they can continue to build awareness about climate change in this challenging time. The link is good for the duration of Faith Climate Action Week, April 17-26, 2020. View the film this week and then join with other Congregational UCC members in a special Zoom adult education discussion next Sunday evening, April 26. View the preview and sign up to get the link to view here.
And you can learn about other ways to take part virtually in Faith Climate Action week here.