April 13, 2024

Dear Beloved St. Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation Family,

Grace and peace, church! As we continue in the season of Easter, remembering that every morning is Easter morning, we will once again visit with the disciples in the upper room in the days after the resurrection. We will consider their fear, their worry, their sense of brokenness and separation. And we will notice the way in which Jesus shows up in such a setting: with words not just of peace, but of restoration and reconciliation. This is not a ghost story, but a physical, embodied truth: that Jesus brings life and mercy and love.

Here is our schedule for tomorrow, April 14th:

9:00 AM: In-person Service of Word and Table in the sanctuary

9:00 AM: Sunday School for all ages in-person

Seekers and Servants Class in-person in Wesley Lounge or on Zoom. Join by clicking here or use Meeting ID 83292105478 and Passcode 522152.

10:30 AM: Hybrid Worship Service with Chancel Choir, in-person and livestreamed here

Please remember that since this service is filmed and live-streamed, you or your family members may be on our worship recording, which is streamed and archived on our YouTube channel.

11:30 AM: Discussion Group, in-person and on Zoom

Join by clicking here or use Meeting ID 87591478033 and Passcode stpauls.

Grace | Peace,

Pastor Greg

Discussion Questions

• What did you hear in this post-resurrection story in Luke that surprised you or especially resonated with you today?

• What difference does it make that Jesus was more than a ghost, but a human body? How did eating together help change their perspective? What do you think this means for us?

• In what ways are we also witnesses of these things, as Jesus said to them? What might this have to do with “practicing resurrection?”

Prelude: “Every Morning is Easter Morning” (Avery and Marsh, arr.)

Mary Bahnfleth, organ

Greeting

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Call to Worship

One: Hallelujah! Praise God in the heavens and the heights!

All: Praise God, o sun and moon and shining stars!

One: Let the news spread like a story told with great delight:

All: Love is not dead; Christ has risen!

One: Here, in this very space among us, Christ is alive!

All: Let us worship, as we live into this joy and peace together!

Opening Hymn: “Christ Has Risen” (TFWS 2115)

Opening Prayer

Rev. Sarah Coker Voigt

Passing the Peace 

Children’s Message

Debbie Harwell

Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:36-48 (NRSV)

Lou Geschwindner

Message: “Ghost Stories”

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Anthem: “We Walk By Faith” (Karen Marrolli)

Chancel Choir

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Offering

Closing Hymn: “Christ Is Alive” (UMH 318)

Announcements

Benediction

Postlude: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” (American Folk Hymn, arr. James Pethel); Variations on “Shout On”

Mary Bahnfleth, organ