April 12, 2026 – The Second Sunday of Easter

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At Grace, all are welcome, which means we affirm people of every age, race, language, nationality, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, ability, family structure, or economic, social, immigration, and marital status.

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Welcome to Grace UMC! We’re blessed by your presence for worship. Please register your attendance using the red attendance pads in the Sanctuary or the link above. Assisted listening is available by AuraCast technology. Please ask an usher or greeter. During worship, we use three hymnals: The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, and Worship & Song.

 

+Please rise in body or spirit​

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Welcome, The Rev. Seth O'Kegley

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Prelude, Anita Lockwood

"Jesus, I Will Ponder Now"  by Johann Gottfried Walther, arr. by Steven Scott

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+Opening Hymn, UMH 304

“Easter People, Raise Your Voices"

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+Opening Prayer​​

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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+Gloria

Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity,​ one God: as it was in the beginning is now and forever, Amen! Amen!

 

+Prayer of Confession​​

Risen Christ, you dwell among us, yet we do not always recognize you. You meet us in doubt, at the table, in community, in our suffering, and in the world, yet we are slow to see and quick to turn away. Forgive us, we pray. Open our eyes to your presence, soften our hearts to your voice, and lead us in the way of life. Amen.

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Silence for personal confession and assurance of pardon.

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+Passing the Peace

May the peace of the Risen Christ be always with you.

And also with you.

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The First Reading, Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man whose credentials God proved to you through miracles, wonders, and signs, which God performed through him among you. You yourselves know this. In accordance with God’s established plan and foreknowledge, he was betrayed. You, with the help of wicked men, had Jesus killed by nailing him to a cross. God raised him up! God freed him from death’s dreadful grip, since it was impossible for death to hang on to him. David says about him, I foresaw that the Lord was always with me; because he is at my right hand I won’t be shaken. Therefore, my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover, my body will live in hope, because you won’t abandon me to the grave, nor permit your holy one to experience decay. You have shown me the paths of life; your presence will fill me with happiness. “Brothers and sisters, I can speak confidently about the patriarch David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day. Because he was a prophet, he knew that God promised him with a solemn pledge to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Having seen this beforehand, David spoke about the resurrection of Christ, that he wasn’t abandoned to the grave, nor did his body experience decay. This Jesus God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.

 

This is the word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

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Psalm 111

Response: Great are the works of the Lord, which abound to the ends of the earth.

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Praise the Lord!

I thank the Lord with all my heart

in the company of those who do right, 

in the congregation.

The works of the Lord are magnificent;

they are treasured by all who desire them.

God’s deeds are majestic and glorious.

God’s righteousness stands forever.

God is famous for his wondrous works.

The Lord is full of mercy and compassion.

God gives food to those who honor him.

God remembers his covenant forever.     R. 

 

God proclaimed his powerful deeds to his people

and gave them what had belonged to other nations.

God’s handiwork is honesty and justice;

all God’s rules are trustworthy—

they are established always and forever:

they are fulfilled with truth and right doing.

God sent redemption for his people;

God commanded that his covenant last forever.

Holy and awesome is God’s name!

Fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins;

sure knowledge is for all who keep God’s laws.

God’s praise lasts forever!     R.

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+Hymn of Preparation, UMH 317

“O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing” 

vs. 1, 4,6 before second lesson, vs. 8,9 after

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+Second Lesson, John 20:19-31 

It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.” Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.

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This is the word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

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Sermon, The Rev. Seth O'Kegley

"Recognizing Jesus in Reconciliation" (Click here to read the text.)

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Affirmation of Faith, The Apostles Creed (rev.)

I believe in God, the Almighty maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God Almighty. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 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.

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Prayers of the People

Let us pray for the Church and for the world, saying, Living God, hear our prayer.

 

For your Church, called to be a sign of reconciliation in a divided world, that we may speak peace, practice forgiveness, and remain faithful in the work you have given us.

 

Living God, hear our prayer.

 

For the Church’s leaders, Kristin our Bishop, Jessica our Superintendent, and all who serve in ministry, that they may guide your people with faithfulness and bear witness to your reconciling love; we pray to the Lord.

 

Living God, hear our prayer.

 

For the nations of the world, especially Iran, the United States, and Israel, where there is war, violence, and unrest, that leaders may choose the way of peace, that hostilities may cease, and that the dignity of every human life may be honored and protected.

 

Living God, hear our prayer.

 

For those in authority, Donald our President, Jared our Governor, and all who serve in public office, that they may seek wisdom, act with justice, and lead with humility for the good of all people in the world.

 

Living God, hear our prayer.

 

For our communities of Denver and for all who are in need, especially those who are fearful, grieving, or alone, that they may know your presence and be surrounded by care, compassion, and hope. We remember Barbara and Joanna as they heal.

 

Living God, hear our prayer.

 

For those who have died, and for those who mourn, that they may rest in your eternal peace and that we may be strengthened by the promise of resurrection. We especially remember and give thanks for Marjorie.

 

Living God, hear our prayer.

 

Gracious and reconciling God, you speak peace into a fearful world and restore what has been broken through your Son; receive these prayers we offer and strengthen us to be a people shaped by your mercy, faithful in forgiveness, and steadfast in resurrection hope. Send us into the world as signs of your reconciling love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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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. 

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Parish Announcements

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Offertory, Chancel Choir

“Alleluia, Christ is Risen!” arr. by James Kirby​

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Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts to heaven and voices raise: sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a hymn of praise. He, who on the cross a victim, for the world’s salvation bled, Jesus Christ, the King of glory, now is risen from the dead. Christ is risen, we are risen! Shed upon us heavenly grace, rain and dew and gleams of glory from the brightness of thy face. Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to God on high; Alleluia! to the Savior who has gained the victory. Amen.

 

-Today’s loose coin offering is for Network Coffee House Food Ministry-

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+Doxology, Lasst Uns Erfreuen

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.​​​

 

+Hymn of Discipleship,  TFWS 2196

“We Walk by Faith" vs. 1-4

 

+Benediction & Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Risen Lord. Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

 

Postlude, Anita Lockwood

"Festal March" by James Mansfield

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Serving in Worship Today

Preaching, The Rev. Seth O’Kegley

Liturgist, Jessica Sergeant

Musicians, Steven Burchard, Anita Lockwood, Chancel Choir