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4.19.20 - Second Sunday of Easter


Welcome to First Presbyterian Sterling Online!

*Prelude with Vincent - Boccherini Cello Concerto, mvt. 2

 *Prelude Pondering
“Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”
                           Rainier Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet, 1903

*Call to Worship with Vincent and Christina

Leader: We come as we are: doubting and faithful; brave and fearful, exhausted and exultant.
People: And the Risen Christ welcomes us.
Leader: We bring what we have: belief, questions, songs, prayers.
People: And the Risen Christ embraces us.
Leader: We offer our hearts to the Risen Lord, believing when we have not seen.
People: And in the Risen Christ, we have life!
ALL: Let us worship God!

*Opening Song - Christ is Alive verses 1, 5


*Call to Confession & Prayer of Confession with Christina and Vincent
Friends, God knows us as we are and loves us anyway. There are so many things we have done and left undone! We are all in need of forgiveness. And we can trust in God’s grace. So let’s pray together our prayer of confession:

Holy God, we listen to the news, and we understand why those first disciples were so afraid. We wonder what on earth is happening to us! We feel fearful for our health, and our lives, and the health and lives of others. We are afraid to ask our questions, afraid to doubt, and afraid of trusting you. Forgive us, God! Help us to see that in Christ, you shattered the darkness; in Christ, the light of your love is stronger than our fear and doubts. Forgive all those times when we act as if your promises are impossible. Give us the courage to question, and the wisdom to breathe in the peace you offer. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Silence is kept

*Assurance of Pardon
Leader: Within every seed of doubt, there is a tree of hope. In those times when we cannot see the presence of the Holy among us, God takes our doubt and transforms it, showing us the many ways Christ walks among us. Look around you: grace abounds at the heart of all life. You are God’s children, loved without condition. Trust and abide in that peace. Amen.

People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.

*Response - Glory to God


*Sharing the Peace of Christ

Liturgist: Because of Jesus, we have peace with God. Because of Jesus, we can share that peace with one another, saying: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
*Response - Peace Song

God’s Word is Proclaimed

*Children’s Time with Nan


*Scripture Reading with the Flint-Boze family - John 20:19-31


*Sermon with Christina

Responding to God’s Word

*Offering - Breathe 
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*Prayer of Dedication

Risen Lord, we thank you for the many blessings which you have poured into our lives. Now we ask your blessing on these gifts that they may be used to your glory. Amen.

*Sharing of Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer


God’s People are Sent

*Closing Song - Rock of Ages



Benediction: (Rutter, Gaelic Blessing)
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.

And let all God's people say:
Alleluia! Amen!


Thank you for joining us online! Please send in your peace pictures - email or text them to Rex or Nicole! Online giving at bit.ly/FPCsterling. Thank you for your donations!

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