Dear Friends,
 
Peace to you on this second Sunday of Easter. What a gift that we have an entire Easter season to live into the "thunderous yes" of Christ's resurrection - yes to life, yes to love, yes to hope, yes to light, yes to forgiveness, yes to compassion, yes to peace, yes to trust.
 
Below is a video link to our worship service, along with an order of service. We hope it's inspiring and meaningful to you. Thanks to all who contributed!
 
For families with young children, Lindley Traynor has kindly provided a five-minute video that helps you experience the Scripture reading from John 20:19-31 (click the link here ). Don't miss it!
 
I hope you are holding up OK. The news from Gov. Pritzker that schools would be closed through the rest of the year was hard to hear, though I certainly agree we want to do everything we can to flatten the curve, love our neighbors and be good stewards. I think of our students who were anticipating graduations, internships, and many other school events that now will have to be cancelled or postponed. We grieve with you. Not to mention the everyday challenges we are all facing that are likely to continue for some time. As I was reflecting with some of our church members during the "Coffee with a Pastor" on Wednesday morning, there are indeed "moments of joy" and "signs of resurrection" each day, if we are paying attention, but they do seem to be few and far between.
 
Hang in there, friends. We love you and we're praying for you. You are not alone - please do reach out to me or any staff or church member to talk, to pray, to tell a story, to laugh, to cry, to dream, to vent. We are the body of Christ. We belong to one another.
 
With gratitude and Easter hope,
Pastor Jeff


2nd Sunday of Easter
Second Sunday of Easter


Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
Second Sunday of Easter, April 19th, 2020


Story of "Doubting Thomas," mosaic from the Resurrection Chapel
in the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.

 
Prelude
Anglaise                                                                           George Frederic Handel

Welcome and Call to Worship 
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
The Lord is our strength and our song.
The Lord has become our salvation.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His steadfast love endures forever! 
Let us worship God, tender and just.

Opening Hymn No. 239, verses 1 & 4
Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!


Call to Confession
In the early church, the apostles faced a spate of challenges: resistance from the powers that be, explosive growth and internal differences. We, too, often face challenges that seem insurmountable, and it is hard to remain faithful in the midst of them. In humility and honesty, let us confess our failures to our gracious and always present God.
 
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, we open our hearts to you this day, and offer the truth of our lives: the fear that stifles us, the prejudice that blinds us, the ignorance that hobbles us, the doubt that plagues us, the frustration that wearies us. Help us in this Easter season, we pray, that we will find courage in unlikely places, see the world with new and gracious eyes, move to those places where love is needed, have faith that you are with us. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness
Christ is alive and all things are being made new. Because of Christ, the old is gone and the new has come. Because of Christ, grace is really true. Because of Christ, reconciliation is possible. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel!
Christ is risen! Thanks be to God. Amen. 

Sharing the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you!
 
Our Common Life

Scripture Reading                                                                             John 20:19-31

Reflection                                                                                      Rev. Erin Raska

SoloEaster Song                                                                               Anne Herring

Affirmation of Faith (The Apostles' Creed)
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 Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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 Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen. 

Prayers of the People and 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 our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
 
Call to Offering
In this Easter season, we are invited to participate in the kingdom emerging all around us - where Christ meets each one of us and says, "Peace be with you." May we respond this morning with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of this congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we invite you to give online through our church website or smartphone app or send a check in the mail to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.

Doxology -  LASST UNS ERFREUEN  
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Prayer of Dedication 
Wise and gracious God, with these gifts, we offer ourselves to you, confident that you have a purpose for them and for us. Put us to work, loving God. Stretch our gifts to meet the needs of your weary world, and enlarge our efforts through your powerful Holy Spirit. In the peace-giving name of Christ we pray. Amen.

Sending Hymn No. 251 -  Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia   (verses 1 & 5)

Charge and Benediction
 
Postlude Hornpipe                                                                             G. F. Handel

Worship Leaders
Rev.Erin Raska, preaching
Rev.Jeff Lehn, pastoral liturgist
Peggy Massello, music director
Amy Russell, liturgist
Margaret and Anna Hughes, scripture readers
Rick Drake, trumpet
Jim Rank, Doxology soloist
Jordon Roulo, soloist




 Contact Us  
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette 
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779 
847-256-3010