Second Sunday of Easter
April 27, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “Christ sends us forth to be witnesses of hope and preachers of the better future that comes when we are able to live the Gospel. We are called to bring into reality the love of God.” -Fr. Bernardo Lara
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude He Leadeth Me | Shackley/Bradbury
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Praise God in God’s sanctuary!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Praise God for God’s mighty deeds!
Praise God according to
God’s surpassing greatness!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Hallelujah!
Let us worship God!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise That Easter Day with Joy was Bright
Call to Confession
Christ Jesus comes among us with extended hands and a wide embrace,
offering mercy and forgiveness and promising new life.
Trusting in the one who has been raised from the dead,
let us make our confession.
Prayer of Confession
O God, your love is boundless and your grace exceeds our imaginations.
You keep finding ways to be among us,
even when the doors of our hearts are locked.
Graciously, you seek us out.
We cannot hide, but we can confess that sin has us in its grip.
It has led us from your ways and corrupted our best intentions,
tempting us to believe that you don’t notice, that you aren’t even present.
Correct our vision. Cleanse our hearts.
Create in us a place where we can welcome you
and receive the fullness of what you have given us in Jesus Christ.
Assurance of Pardon
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
the power of sin has been defeated.
God’s love is stronger still.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
The Law of God:
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem Worthy is the Lamb | Zichterman/Lynch
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, Living Word,
as you revealed yourself to Mary
that Easter morning,
so reveal yourself to us.
By the power of your Spirit,
give each of us faith,
that hearing your Word
we, too, may proclaim,
“I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
First Reading: Acts 5:27-32
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: Alleluia
Second Reading: John 20:19-31
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “So I send you…” | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living 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.
Offering Risen Up! | Lantz
SENDING
*Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Benediction
Congregational Response Christ is risen! Earth and heaven Nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation Where the world is still in pain
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna, everyone!
Postlude Allegretto | André
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED