April 27 - 9 AM Connect Service

9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

April 27, 2025 - Second Sunday of Easter 

Guest Preacher: Rev. Rebecca Blazier-Higman

Gathering & Welcome - Kevin Clark 

1st Gathering Song: “Everlasting God” - FPC Praise Band  

2nd Gathering Song: “The Heart of Worship” - FPC Praise Band

Call to Worship - Don Doddridge

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come. 

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 

And made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, 

To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. 

Look! He is coming with the clouds; 

Every eye will see him, 

Even those who pierced him; 

And on his account all of the tribes of the earth will wail. 

So it is to be. 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,  

who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. 

Call to Confession - Don Doddridge

Prayer of Confession - Don Doddridge

Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy on us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. 

Assurance of Pardon - Don Doddridge

…Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Thanks be to God. 

Passing the Peace - Don Doddridge

…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

Response: “Doxology (Amen)” - FPC Praise Band   

Friendship Pad Announcement - Kevin Clark

Time for Young Disciples - Rebecca Blazier-Higman 

Worship Song: “Let My Words Be Few” - FPC Praise Band 

*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed (unison) - Mary Blazier-Higman 

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.  

Prayer for Illumination - Mary Blazier-Higman

First Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:14-29 - Mary Blazier-Higman 

Sermon Scripture: John 20:19-31 - Rebecca Blazier-Higman 

Sermon: “There's More to Thomas than Doubt” - Rebecca Blazier-Higman 

Invitation to Offering - Mary Blazier-Higman 

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: 

Holy and loving God, we offer these gifts with gratitude, knowing that all we have is from you. Bless these offerings, that they may support your work which brings hope to all. Make us mindful stewards of our money, time, energy, and lives. Teach us to give freely and joyfully, trusting that you provide for us in abundance. Grant that we live in ways that further your justice, mercy, and peace in the world. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Offertory Song: “Goodness of God” - FPC Praise Band 

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Rebecca Blazier-Higman 

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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Rebecca Blazier-Higman

Final Worship Song: “Glorious Day” - FPC Praise Band 

Benediction - Rebecca Blazier-Higman                         

Praise Band tag 

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Announcements:

Today, April 27

  • A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service

Monday, April 28

  • Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom

  • Card Fellowship, 1:30 p.m., Church Office Conference Room

Tuesday, April 29

  • Ladies’ Bible Study, 9 a.m., Youth Center

Wednesday, April 30

  • Praise Band Rehearsal on break (resumes next Wednesday)

Thursday, May 1

  • Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Choir Room

Friday, May 2

  • Men's Bible Study, 8 a.m., Room N-123

  • Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom 

Sunday, May 4

  • Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203

  • Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center

  • Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Church Office Conference Room

  • Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-5th), 10 a.m., S-202, S-100

  • Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel

  • “Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123 

  • New Member Class (Part 1), 10 a.m., Church Office

  • Rev. Robert Galloway’s Installation Service, 4 p.m., Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Chapel

Upcoming Events:

  • Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m., New Member Inquirers’ Class (Part 2). Please call the Church Office to RSVP!

  • Sunday, May 11, Session has called (brief) congregational meetings after each worship service  to approve the recommendation by the Nominating Committee to fill the 2025 session term for an elder who will be moving.

  • Sunday, May 11, Mission Sunday project, 10 a.m., Fellowship Hall (packing health kits for our summer Honduras mission trip; see First News for details!)

  • Wednesday, May 14, Wednesday Night Dinner: Fiesta! 5:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP online or by calling the Church Office.

Amy McCutcheon