THE LONGEST NIGHT JOHN 20:24-31
DECEMBER 21, 2017 • 7:00 P.M.
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING REV. KEN LOUDENBACK
The Longest Night
December 21, 2017 - 7:00 p.m.
Prelude
Zoe Wiltrout, piano
Welcome Opening Reading
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Unison Prayer
Rev. Charlie Wilfong
From the darkness of a stable, you brought forth the light of the world, He carried your light into every darkened corner, calling those kept in darkness to rejoice in your love, and exposing those who hid from your Truth to the light of your righteous judgment. So we come to you Lord seeking your peace and understanding. We come as children searching for The Love and Protection of a Good Father. We come to you Lord to worship and share our pain while searching for relief and comfort. We pray for Your Power to manifest Yourself in Peace, Provision, Protection through your Presence in ourselves. Shine your great Light and Truth in the midst of our darkness and make us whole in You through your son Jesus Christ. Be with us Lord now and forever. Amen. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel * Hymn 211 (page 4) vs. 1, 2, 4, & 6 Lighting the Advent Candle Leader: This first candle we light is to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their face, their voice, the memory that binds them to us in this season. People:
May God’s eternal love surround them.
Leader This second candle we light is to redeem the pain of loss; the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. We pause to gather up the pain of the past and offer it to God, asking that from God’s hands we receive the gift of peace. People:
Refresh, restore, and renew us, O God, and lead us into your future.
Leader: This third candle we light is to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember these past weeks and months; the disbelief, the anger, the down times, the hugs and handshakes of family and friends, all those who have stood with us. We give thanks for all the support we have known. People:
We remember that dawn defeats darkness.
Leader: This fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which the Christmas story offers to us. We remember that the God who shares our life promises us a place and a time with no more pain and no more suffering. People:
We remember the One who shows the way, who reveals the truth, and who brings light and life.
Scripture
John 20:24-31
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, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. Message
Joy Comes in the Morning
Rev. Ken Loudenback
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Hymn 206 (page 6) Holy Communion Communion Anthem
It Is Well with My Soul
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 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. Amen. Lighting of the Christ Candle Silent Night, Holy Night * Hymn 239 (page 8) vs. 1 & 4 * Dismissal with Blessing * Postlude
Zoe Wiltrout, piano
Plainfield United Methodist Church 600 Simmons Street • Plainfield, IN 46168 317.839.2319 • pumc.org