Second Sunday of Easter
April 12, 2026 | 10:00am
Rev. Mark Poyner, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
Peace is not the absence of uncertainty—it is the presence of Christ amid it.
Like Thomas, we may wrestle with doubt, yet Jesus meets us there, not with condemnation, but with invitation. Today, may we move from questioning hearts to confident faith, declaring with joy: “My Lord and my God!”
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude When Morning Gilds the Skies | arr. Carter
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Opening Statement
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
bless the LORD, who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore, my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol or let your faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
*Hymn of Praise I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Call to Confession
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Scriptures remind us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come before Him in humility and faith, and confess our sins. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
Almighty and most loving God, forgive us for the times we are not present in the room. Forgive us when we return to you, we still have our doubts. May your peace be with us as we enter your presence. Guide us to never doubt the sacrifice your Son made for us on the cross. Allow us to move forward in the truth you so desire us to have and make us more perfect in your eyes. This we ask in your Holy Son’s name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Friends, Hear the Good News: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Friends, this is the promise we hold onto: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and made new.
Thanks be to God.
Summary of the Law of God
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says:“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
*Gloria Patri
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.
We Listen to God’s Word
Anthem Alleluia
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious and illuminating God, as we come before Your Word today, open our hearts and minds by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Quiet the distractions within us and around us, that we may hear Your voice with clarity and receive Your truth with faith. Where we carry doubt, bring understanding; where we feel uncertain, grant us assurance through Your presence. Lead us from hearing to believing, and from believing to living out Your Word in our daily lives. In Christ, who meets us and calls us to deeper faith, we pray. Amen.
First Reading Acts 2:14a, 22-32
*Hymn I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy
Gospel Lesson John 10: 19-31
Sermon: “From Doubt to Declaration”
*Affirmation of Faith (Nicene Creed)
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 Joy in the Morning | Sleeth
Blessing on the Offering ...Your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus 'name we pray, Amen.
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with 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 debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn How Firm a Foundation
Benediction
Postlude He Leadeth Me | Bradbury
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