Author: Hope Ridge Office

Welcome to Hope Ridge United Methodist Church
where our mission is to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

April 18, 2021, 8:45AM Traditional Worship
PRELUDE Nancy Cline
GREETING Rev. Beth Wilterdink
CALL TO WORSHIP*
Leader: Sing praises to God, you faithful,
give thanks to God’s holy name!
People: Weeping may linger for a night,
but joy comes in the morning.
Leader: You turn our weeping to dancing, God;
You remove the garments of mourning and clothe us in gladness.
All: May we praise You and not be silent!
We will give thanks to You, O God, forever!
+ hymn And Can It Be that I Should Gain UMH 363 vs. 1,4,5
+ UNISON PRAYER*
God of grace, You have come to us in Jesus Christ so we might have a new life -- here on earth with each other. You seek that we surrender to Your grace and completely change our lives -- so we might know new strength in You, so we might love beyond frustrations, so we might help and serve others as a witness to Your power and grace. Be in all our days, for we pray in the name of the Risen Christ. Amen.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
SONG OF PREPARATION Spirit of the Living God UMH 393
COMMUNITY PRAYERs
SCRIPTURES
Acts 3:12- 19 NRSV
When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.
MESSAGE Living the Resurrection: Touch and See Rev. Beth Wilterdink

WELCOME: “We welcome others into a relationship...

WORSHIP: so that they can worship God, ...

NURTURE: be nurtured by the Holy Spirit and one another...

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
What a joy it is to live in the new life of Christ! As we bring our tithes and offerings, we give thanks for the many talents that are shared throughout this community. Offering baskets are now in the back of the sanctuary, or visit us online at hoperidge.com/donate to find other easy ways to tithe.
DOXOLOGY UMH 94
PRAYER OF DEDICATION*
Mighty God who brings life and hope out of death and despair, help us hear the invitation Christ offered to the disciples, “Touch me and see!” Make us bold to grab hold of the risen Christ – not for this day but for all our days. May we offer our gifts this morning not to the church historical—the church that was—but to a church that is becoming, that is still being born, that Christ will bring into the future. May our eyes and ears and hearts continue to hold on to him as we help Christ lead his church forward! In his name, we pray. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION*
Wondrous God, we confess that at times our doubts and fears override our hope and faith. Forgive us when we lose sight of the joy of Your love and instead fall into despair and gloom. Lift up our spirits, Lord, and help us to remember the promise of new life here and now, not just the hope of resurrection for the future. We give thanks for Your Son, Jesus the Christ, who continues to offer us new life, who continues to turn us around and upside down, who continues to break down the walls of death in our own life. Forgive us, restore us and renew us. In the name of our risen Savior, Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF AFFIRMATION*
The tomb is empty. The stone is rolled away. There is no darkness now, only light. God continues to renew us and restore us. We are forgiven, loved and restored, receiving the gift and promise of new life and resurrection now. Go and share the wondrous news of God’s love in Jesus the Christ. Amen.
CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Let us now pray together:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
+ CLOSING HYMN Thine Be the Glory UMH 308
+ BENEDICTION*
+ GO FORTH
+please stand as you are able
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*liturgy from “Touch Holiness” ed.by R.Duck and M.Tirabassi
Please fill out the weekly connection card online at hoperidge.com
to acknowledge your attendance today
and also let us know of any requests you may have.
A CHURCHWIDE SPECIAL SUNDAY OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
APRIL 18, 2021
NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY
Your generous gift provides scholarships for United Methodist Native
American seminarians, strengthens and develops Native American ministries and communities, both urban and rural, and supports Native American
outreach at the annual conference level.
To give, please use the Special Sunday offering envelope provided today,
and place it in the basket as you exit,
or give online to hopeirdge.com/donate and check the box “Special Sunday.”
There are 6 Special Sundays throughout the year.

SEND: to be sent out to serve in Christ’s name.