The Resurrection Effect: A Life Transformed

Sunday Service
April 16, 2023
New Beginnings: from Chrysalis to Catalyst
The Resurrection Effect:: A Life Transformed

Prelude
Jubilee Bells

Greeting
Rev. David Petty

*Call to Worship
CLM Twinkle Gordon

Leader: Easter People Raise your Voices!
People: We are the people of God, following Christ. Every day, to us, is Easter.
Leader: Come to Worship. Be made new. Raise your voices in praise.
People: We give thanks for each new day and the opportunity to begin again.
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
People: We shall rejoice and be glad in it!

*Gathering Song
He Lives
UMH #310
WORDS: Alfred H. Ackley, 1933
© 1933, renewed 1961 The Rodeheaver Co.

1. I serve a risen Savior,
he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living,
whatever foes may say.

I see his hand of mercy,
I hear his voice of cheer,
and just the time
I need him,
he’s always near.

Refrain
He lives, (he lives)
he lives, (he lives)
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me
and talks with me
along life’s narrow way.

He lives, (he lives)
he lives, (he lives)
salvation to impart!
You asked me how
I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.

2. In all the
world around me
I see his loving care,
and though my heart
grows weary,
I never will despair.

I know that
he is leading
through all the stormy blast;
the day of
his appearing
will come at last.

Refrain
He lives, (he lives)
he lives, (he lives)
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me
and talks with me
along life’s narrow way.

He lives, (he lives)
he lives, (he lives)
salvation to impart!
You asked me how
I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.

3. Rejoice, rejoice,
O Christian,
lift up your voice and sing
eternal hallelujahs
to Jesus Christ the King!

The hope of
all who seek him,
the help of all who find;
none other is
so loving,
so good and kind.

Refrain
He lives, (he lives)
he lives, (he lives)
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me
and talks with me
along life’s narrow way.

He lives, (he lives)
he lives, (he lives)
salvation to impart!
You asked me how
I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.

Mystery Box

Prayer Song
Because He Lives 
UMH #364  v. 1
WORDS: Gloria and William J. Gaither, 1971
© 1971 William J. Gaither

1. God sent his Son,
they called him Jesus;
he came to love,
heal, and forgive;

he lived and died
to buy my pardon,
an empty grave is there
to prove my Savior lives.

Refrain
Because he lives,
I can face tomorrow;
because he lives,
all fear is gone;

because I know
he holds the future,
and life is worth
the living
just because he lives.

Pastoral Prayer
Silent Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from
evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever.

Prayer Song
Because He Lives 
UMH #364 - v. 2
WORDS: Gloria and William J. Gaither, 1971
© 1971 William J. Gaither

2. How sweet to hold
a newborn baby,
and feel the pride
and joy he gives;

but greater still
the calm assurance,
this child can face
uncertain days
because he lives.

Refrain
Because he lives,
I can face tomorrow;
because he lives,
all fear is gone;

because I know
he holds the future,
and life is worth
the living
just because he lives.

Offering Announcement
Twinkle

Offertory
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanks & Dedication
Rev. David Petty

*Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
UMH #94

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Scripture Reading
John 20:19-31
CLM Twinkle Gordon

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
 Jesus and Thomas

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”   Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.  But these are written so that you may continue[b] to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Anthem
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer for Illumination
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Message
The Resurrection Effect: A Life Transformed
Rev. David Petty

*Affirmation of Faith
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

We believe in one Almighty God,
Creator of the universe,
Whose love surpasses all understanding,
And whose power is manifest in every breath of life.

We believe in Jesus Christ,
the Son of God,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Whose life on earth embodied love and sacrifice,
And whose teachings guide us toward the path of righteousness.
He was killed for who he was and what he taught.

He endured pain and suffering and knows our pain and suffering
He died and was buried.
But on the third day, he rose again.
He is present with God and sent us his Holy Spirit
to be with us and work through us.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the divine presence within,
Inspiring, guiding, and transforming us,
Uniting us in love and empowering us each day.
We believe in the universal Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

We are the people of God.
We are St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
A community of Christians in Colorado Springs for more than 130 years.
We are Celebrating the love of God,
Following the teachings of Jesus,
and Living in the power of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

*Sending Hymn
This is a Day of New Beginnings
UMH #383
WORDS: Brian Wren, 1978; alt. 1987 (Rev. 21:5)
© 1983, 1987 Hope Publishing Co.

1. This is a day
of new beginnings,
time to remember
and move on,

time to believe
what love is bringing,
laying to rest
the pain that’s gone.

2. For by the life
and death of Jesus,
God’s mighty Spirit,
now as then,

can make for us
a world of difference,
as faith and hope
are born again.

3. Then let us,
with the Spirit daring,
step from the past
and leave behind

our disappointments,
guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths,
and sure to find.

4. Christ is alive,
and goes before us
to show and share
what love can do.

This is a day
of new beginnings;
our God is making
all things new.

5. In faith we’ll gather
round the table
to taste and share
what love can do.

This is a day
of new beginnings;
our God is making
all things new.

*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

Postlude
Stephanie Shorden