Welcome to ICYMI Worship!  ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.

At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians:
We GATHER with songs and prayer,
We HEAR God’s word,
We SHARE a meal of bread and wine,
We are SENT into the world to love and serve.

Let us know how this format works for you.


Today is the Second Sunday of Easter.


 

Our Gathering song is “That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright”

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. By the grace of Christ among us, enable us to show the power of the resurrection in all that we say and do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

This week’s readings are from Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133, and 1 John 1:1–2:2

 

Acts 4:32-35

While the apostles testified to others about the resurrection of Jesus, the early Christian community shared what they owned or sold their possessions to help their fellow believers who were in need.

 32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

 

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity.(Ps.133:1)

1How very good and pleasant it is
    when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
    life forevermore.

 

1 John 1:1–2:2

The opening of this letter serves as a reality check. The reality of God is light, but our confessed reality has been sin. God cleanses us from our sinful reality through Christ’s death so that we live in fellowship with Christ and walk in God’s light.

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

This week’s Gospel text is from John 20:19-31

The story of Easter continues as the risen Lord appears to his disciples. His words to Thomas offer a blessing to all who entrust themselves in faith to the risen Lord.

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked 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.”

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, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name

 

 

Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot: “Doubts and Faith”

While the disciples were hiding behind locked doors still processing the report from some female followers of Jesus that he had been raised from the dead, the Lord himself appears in their midst with a powerful word – “Peace be with you.” In the midst of our confusion, doubts, and fears, Christ still brings a promise of his peace, which is like no other.

 

 

 

 The Hymn of the Day is “The Risen Christ”

 

Prayers of the People – 4/8/18

Holy God, you speak peace in the presence of fear. Give us courage to testify to your grace with our lives. Embolden prophets, preachers, and teachers to speak your truth. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy God, you create peace in the midst of chaos. Where storms rage and winds howl, bring calm. Protect people and animals from the dangers of weather. Restore damaged lands and homes. Provide shelter for those without a safe place to stay and sleep. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy God, you are our peace in a violent world. Heal neighborhoods ravaged by crime. Reconcile political factions at war. Build relationships where suspicion keeps us apart, and bring us to the day of unity. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy God, your peace surpasses our human understanding and circumstances. Bind up the shattered. Give rest to the weary and hope to the disillusioned. Restore the sick, especially our members and their loved ones who have asked for our public prayers: Ann Baseler, Anna Bero, Brian Constable, Ellie Dennison, Pastor Richard Kraiger, Heidi Fine, Phyllis Hahn, Claire Huehnerhoff, Eileen Johnson, Priscilla Kanestrom, Leona Lenschow, Marlys Paulson, John Paulson, Vernette Rae, and Marilyn Van Brero. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy God, you breathe your Spirit of peace into us. Enlivened by the Spirit, equip us to bring new life to all we meet in our work and in our play. Stir this congregation to be bold in fulfilling our mission, and guide us to be creative and courageous in finding new ways to build relationships with our many new neighbors. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We entrust all our prayers to you, gracious God. Receive them by the power of the Holy Spirit, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

The Communion song at our Traditional service is “Now the Green Blade Rises”

On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.

 

And because there’s always something going on, the Announcements!

PRAYERS FOR REV. KRAIGER – Due to health reasons, today’s scheduled guest preacher,  Rev. Richard Kraiger, retired Lutheran pastor and father of Cross of Christ member Cyndee Kraiger, is unable to be with us.  Please keep Rev. Kraiger in your prayers.

YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION TODAY – In preparation for Cross of Christ hosting the men of Congregations for the Homeless in May, a representative of CFH will share with us about their impactful work and tell us how we can help serve the men while they are our guests – in the Library following the 10 am worship service. You can also sign up today in the Narthex to help with the hosting of CFH. The evening meals are taken care of, but donation items are still needed for breakfast and lunch. We can also use help with making sandwiches or stopping by for an evening visit. If you have another way you want to be involved, please stop by and talk to the CFH Team. Thank you for your support and making it possible to continue with this mission.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL – meets after worship in the Youth Room with Kristie Walker.  Sunday School is designed for kids ages 3 to 10.

WOMEN’S SPRING LUNCHEON SATURDAY – You can still sign up today at the Information Desk to attend the Women’s Spring Luncheon, this Saturday, at 11:30 am. Pastor Judy Brennan will be our keynote speaker. The theme this year is “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” Donations will go to the Lutheran World Relief Shipping Fund, which supports our ministries that supply quilts, Personal Health Kits, and School Kits. The shipping cost from Cross of Christ is about $900 per year. Our shipping fund is currently depleted, so donations are desperately needed. Besides giving at the Spring Luncheon, donations will be accepted until the end of April. Please make checks to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church and specify Lutheran World Relief-Shipping.

PASTOR DAVE ON VACATION NEXT WEEKEND – Pastor Judy Brennan will be our preacher at worship, as well as your contact for pastoral emergencies Friday through Tuesday. Pastor Dave returns to the office Wednesday morning.

ORGAN CONCERT NEXT SUNDAY FOLLOWING WORSHIP – As work on upgrades to our organ are about to begin, our outstanding organist, Nick Abbott, will present a mini “before” concert immediately following worship next week, along with some information about the project, generously funded entirely by a donation by Cross of Christ member Doug Lieberg. When the work is completed later this summer/early fall, Nick will treat us to an “after” concert so we can appreciate the improvements to the console and the addition of several new ranks of pipes. Please join Nick next Sunday for this approximately 30-minute presentation and concert.

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING APRIL 22 – The Call Committee will present Pastor Judy Brennan as the recommended candidate for our part-time (15 hours per week) Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries position at a Special Congregational Meeting Sunday, April 22, following the worship service. The congregation will vote on this recommendation as well as the proposed compensation. Please make plans to attend this important meeting.

PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Marilyn Van Brero, Leona Lenschow, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Jane Pittenger, and Norman Stromer.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CORRINE RIEMER – Saturday, May 12, at 2 pm. Sympathy cards can be sent in care of son Kevin Forquer, 20008 87th St. SE, Snohomish, WA, 98290.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY RESTARTING – Jean Mills is helping to restart the Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry at Cross of Christ. If you’re interested, please contact Jean at 425-861-9885 or email her at jeanmills13@hotmail.com. Shawls are made following one of several patterns, blessed, and given to members who might be comforted by them during a time of illness, grief, or loneliness. We even have yarn and needles to loan to help you get started!

ALMOST TIME TO TEE IT UP FOR ANOTHER GOLFING SEASON – We’ll soon be hitting the links at Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course. Knock the rust off your clubs and your swing and sign up to play with us at the Information Desk in the Narthex. Fore!

EMERGENCY WINTER SHELTER UPDATE – The Family Shelter has moved to Overlake Presbyterian, 1836 156th Ave NE.  They are scheduled there until May 31.  The numbers average 20 to 25 during the week and about 15 on the weekends, with half being children. The Women’s Shelter is located at Holy Cross Lutheran, 4315 129th Pl SE.  Their last night there is next Sunday, April 15. The numbers have been averaging 30. Thank you all for your support of the shelters this season!

 

 

Our sending song in our Traditional service is “Thine is the Glory”

 

 

 


By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to

Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.

Thanks be to God!

 

 

 

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