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Living Faith United Methodist Church

Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Bob (Song Bok) Jon Phone: 508.685.6291 email: revbobjon@gmail.com

Church Office – Bev Shaw 53 Grove Street -- Putnam, Connecticut 06260

Phone: 860.928.9705 email: livingfaith53.umc@gmail.com

Website: www.livingfaithumc.net

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A Celebration of Christian Worship April 11, 2021 ~ 2nd Sunday of Easter

Svetlana Morse, Music Director

Prelude: Because He Lives Svetlana Morse Announcements, Birthdays and Anniversaries Call to Worship

L: Smile, people of God! Let the wrinkles of joy baptize your face. Let us celebrate God’s presence and each other. It is great to be alive! P: It is great to be alive! L: Laugh, people of God! Lose yourself in the sheer delight of God’s grace and love and of our togetherness in God’s house. P: It is great to be alive in Christ. L: Symbolically embrace, people of God! Open your arms and feel close to each other. It is in our openness where life takes on meaning. It is great to be alive! P: We give thanks and celebrate. It is great to be alive, to live and be alive in Christ. L: Then let us sing of our aliveness and joy as we sing a hymn of praise.

Hymn: #384 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

1/ Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down; fix in us they humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

2/ Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

3/ Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive; suddenly return and never, nevermore thy temples leave. Thee we would be always be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

4/ Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be. Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee; changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Opening Prayer Loving God, you have called us to be your witnesses in the world. Grant us your guidance and sustenance. As we listen to the Word that beckons us to enact our beliefs, help us to become people of purpose and responsiveness. As we confront conflicts on levels both individual and international, help us to become people of peace and kindness. As we sense the need for bold profession of healing good news, help us to become people of power and gentleness. As we commit ourselves to a course of spiritual growth, help us to become people of prayer hopefulness. By your grace, may we witness well to a firm faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31 Bev Shaw Special Music: Thine Is the Glory Svetlana Morse Sermon: Kissed by God’s Spirit Pastor Judith Gehrig Hymn of Response: #420 Breathe On Me, Breath of God

1/ Breathe on me Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

2/ Breathe on me Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

3/ Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

4/ Breathe on me, Breath of God, so shall never die, but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.

Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Prayer of Confession

We come into your presence, O God, knowing that we have sinned, yet trusting that if we confess to you, your forgiveness will be as rain on our gardens, as sunshine through our kitchen windows, as smiles on the faces of our friends. Accept us as we are, but heal our brokenness. Forgive our foolishness and self-centeredness. By the power of your holy love, make us fit to proclaim your truth, and strengthened to live in your light. Amen.

Words of Assurance: There is no measure to the magnitude of God’s love. It goes beyond all boundaries but that of grace in extending to us full forgiveness and renewal of hope. Glory be to God.

Passing the Peace Sharing Our Gifts and Tithes

(Please use the offering box place on the table at the entrance door. For online giving, please visit https://livingfaithumc.net/online-giving/ or download tithe.ly on your smartphone.) Doxology #95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication Dear God of grace and glory, God of power and might, God of life and breath, we offer to you not only a portion of that which you have so generously given, but also our very lives. Make us to be life and breath and healing in this wonderful creation of yours. Help us to remember that it is through our hands, hearts and feet that you move and have your being in this time and place. Amen.

Hymn: #318 Christ Is Alive

1/ Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. His cross stands empty to the sky. Let streets and homes with praises ring. His love in death shall never die.

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2/ Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine, he comes to claim the here and now and dwell in every place and time.

3/ Not throned afar, remotely high, untouched, unmoved by human pains, but daily, in the midst of life, our Savior in the God-head reigns.

4/ In every insult, rift, and war, where color, scorn, or wealth divide, he suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, though ever crucified.

5/ Chris is alive, and comes to bring good news to this and every age, till earth and all creation ringing with joy, with justice, love, and praise.

Benediction Postlude: All Hail King Jesus Svetlana Morse

Welcome as we gather on the second Sunday of the Easter season. Christ is risen! Alleluia!

We are planning to begin in-person worship beginning Sunday, May 2nd. If you feel comfortable attending, please remember that social distancing and masks are still required.

Birthdays & Anniversaries this week: Monday: Mary Ann Fodor, Tuesday: Pat & Jim Harvey