Sunday, April 18, 10 a.m.
In-person Worship*

Where? Join us by our front steps facing Stockley Gardens.  If it rains, then we will move inside the sanctuary with additional precautions. Please BYOC (bring your own chair).

According to UMC Covid guidelines, no one unmasked is allowed to attend in-person worship, including children under age 2. We look forward to welcoming our little ones as soon as it is safe to do so! 

*This is a Covid-safe event. All of our guests are required to wear masks, maintain safe social distances, and follow the CDC guidelines to stay home if you are sick or may have been exposed. 
Online Worship

Instructions:
  • Click here to go to our Facebook page and scroll down until you see the video of worship.
  • The link and video are viewable even if you don't have a Facebook account!
  • If you do have a Facebook account, then "like" our page to receive a notification when the service begins. 
  • Please write your name in the comments so we know you are worshiping with us.

Streaming licenses: Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services with permission under CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. All rights reserved.
Gathering & Prelude: "Agnus Dei" by Michael W. Smith; Words and music: CCLI #2723293
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words:
  • Verse: Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia.
  • Chorus: Holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb; Worthy is the Lamb. You are holy. Holy are You, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb; Worthy is the Lamb. You are (repeat Chorus). Amen.

Greeting & Announcements

Call to Worship
  • Fear hung over the disciples as a dark cloud.
  • Huddled in the upper room, they spoke in soft whispers, afraid of the sound of their own voices.
  • Lightning flashed in their souls.
  • Christ, the Risen Lord, was standing with them, eating with them, talking with them.
  • Where doubt had reigned, hope now grew.
  • Where fear and panic had laid claim, faith was again planted.
  • Come, let us worship the God of great miracles.
  • Let us lift our voices in praise to God! AMEN.

Opening Prayer
Lord of Light and Mercy, as we again hear the stories of faith and sight, help us to believe in your abiding presence with us, both in our darkness and in the light which you bring. Give us courage and strength to witness to your resurrection. For we offer this in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Opening Hymn #306: "The Strife is O'er, the Battle Done;" Tune: Victory; Words and music: Public Domain
  1. The strife is o'er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun: Alleluia!
  2. The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions hath dispersed; let shouts of holy joy outburst: Alleluia!
  3. The three sad days are quickly sped; he rises glorious from the dead; all glory to our risen Head! Alleluia!
  4. Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee, from death's dread sting thy servants free, that we may live, and sing to thee: Alleluia! (Antiphon)

Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, you give to us your greatest gift, Your Son Jesus Christ, as we still don’t understand what is going on. You call us to be people of courage and hope; and yet we run and hide, doubting and fearing. You challenge us to proclaim our faith; but we huddle in darkness whispering our words of discouragement. Shake us up, Lord! Forgive us when we seem to need prodding over and over again. Help us to see the presence of Jesus in our lives; and remind us of all that He taught us, to help us to live as disciples, serving you by serving others. Change us! Remold us! Make us truly the disciples you have called us to be. AMEN.

Words of Assurance
Do not be afraid. The Light of God has vanquished the darkness! Christ is risen! Doubts are erased. Rejoice! God’s love is poured upon you, now and forever. AMEN.

First Reading: Luke 24:36-48 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Second Reading: Psalm 4 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Sermon Series: "Getting Warmed Up"

Sermon: "Sleep in Peace"

Sermon Hymn #315: "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain;" Tune: St. Kevin; Words and music: Public Domain
  1. Come, ye faithful, raise the strain of triumphant gladness; God hath brought forth Israel into joy from sadness; loosed from Pharaoh's bitter yoke Jacob's sons and daughters, led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters.
  2. 'Tis the spring of souls today; Christ hath burst his prison, and from three days' sleep in death as a sun hath risen; all the winter of our sins, long and dark, is flying from his light, to whom we give laud and praise undying.
  3. Now the queen of seasons, bright with the day of splendor, with the royal feast of feasts, comes its joy to render; comes to glad Jerusalem, who with true affection welcomes in unwearied strains Jesus' resurrection.
  4. Neither might the gates of death, nor the tomb's dark portal, nor the watchers, nor the seal hold thee as a mortal; but today amidst the twelve thou didst stand, bestowing that thy peace which evermore passeth human knowing.

The Apostles' Creed (Traditional Version)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Traditional use of this creed includes these words: "He descended into hell."
**universal
Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer
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, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Offering
  
Doxology: "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow" by Witkowski; Tune: Lasst uns erfreuen
Words and music: One License #A-727358
  • Words: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise him above, you heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn: "Peace to You" by Graham Kendrick; Words and music: CCLI #2723293
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words: Peace to you, we bless you now in the Name of the Lord, peace to you. We bless you now in the Name of the Prince of Peace. Peace to you, (Repeat 3 times)

Benediction

Postlude
Citation
The liturgy for this service is written by Nancy C. Townley for ministrymatters.com.
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Daily Prayer Starter

Please set aside time each day to pray for 2-3 minutes. This week's prayer starter is: 

Rather than offering a prayer starter this week, I want to invite each to engage in a prayerful exercise. Kneel next to your bed or sit on the edge each night before you lie down to sleep, read Psalm 4 and pray pouring out all your angst. Then sit in silence with God for a few minutes before curling up under the covers.

For prayer requests, contact Pastor Melody Tanner.

For more information about Ghent United Methodist Church, please click here to visit our website.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28