To long-time Lutherans, Christians from every tradition, and people new to the faith.
We welcome you
To all who have no church home, want to follow Christ, have doubts or do not believe.
We welcome you
To people of every age and size, color and culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, and marital status, ability, disability, and challenge.
We welcome you
To believers, non-believers, questioners, and questioning believers.
This is a place where you are welcome to: celebrate and struggle, rejoice and recover.
AMEN
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Sana and Tonkawa peoples. It is also important to acknowledge that we are here today due to the exclusion and erasure of many indigenous people from their native land, including the land on which we stand today. We honor with gratitude the land itself and its original people.
Living Room Worship
Welcome to worship. God welcomes you here, as does this community. In tonight’s worship, you will be invited to offer a song, poem, essay, reflection, photograph, story, or letter around the theme of “doubt” Be brave! We are all enriched by your sharing.
Do we believe?
Yes, in spite of ourselves, we do believe!
While some follow fad and fashion,
changing with the seasons in Paris, London and New York,
we follow the man from Nazareth.
While some put their hope in a big lotto win,
or chase profits at no matter what cost to family,
we put our hope in loving one another as our Christ has loved us.
While some may give in to a sophisticated cynicism,
or some fall into apathy or despair,
we put out faith in the God who has given us his only true son.
While some may boast of their superior education,
culture, race, or living standard,
we boast in the self-giving of that Son on a Cross.
While some try to justify themselves by prizing fame or power,
or by claiming superior morals,
we allow the grace of our Lord to Jesus to be our best prize.
Because of Jesus,
yes, we believe in the living God
by whose Holy Spirit all things are open to change and renewal.
And that includes us and the church,
thanks be to God!
John 20:19-31
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.”
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 to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Time of Sharing
What do you doubt?
Prayers
Communion
LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
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;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Communion Hymn – Let Us Break Bread Together ELW 471
Announcements
Sending Song – Love Be With You
Another day passes by
Another memory is made
Another jewel put in the crown
Another chance to say…
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Til we meet again
Another dream becoming real
Another turn to fill a need
Another heart finding joy
Another hour of liberty
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Til we meet again
I’m happy as a man can be
To sing this joyful melody
I can face any enemy
Love burns bright…It sets my heart free
Love lives on in you and me
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Love be with you
Love be with you my friend
Til we meet again
Blessing
May you trust in God’s promises to his people:
peace
security
blessing
even when they are difficult to believe.
May you know that God’s news is good news,
nourishing
true
even when people tell you it is not.
And when you encounter doubt,
may you strengthen your belief
guiding you in his perfect wisdom and counsel.