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University UMC
April 27, 2025

Second Sunday of Easter
“The Cup of Freedom” Weekly Focus “Freedom to Sing”

Prelude

Welcome

Leader: Good morning! I am Kris Best. I am delighted to have you with us for worship today as we hear the gifts of our choir. Welcome to “the freedom to sing!”

We open our service with the acknowledgment that our church sits on the ancestral land of the Onondaga Nation. It is with gratitude that we pay respect for their many generations of care and protection of our shared environment.

At University Church, we embrace diversity in all its forms—across faith traditions, racial and gender identity, age, ability, and other differences. We are a member of the Reconciling Movement of the United Methodist Church, which means you are welcome here no matter who you are or whom you love.

We also welcome you no matter where you might be on your own spiritual journey. Whether you consider yourself a seeker, a questioner, or believer—or all three, we are glad to have you continue your faith journey with us.

Please fill out the attendance slip in your bulletin, it is green for Spring, share your prayer request on the back to be collected during the prayer song, and feel free to bring your children to explore the activity table. We will have Sunday School today following the Children’s Time for ages 3 to 10 year.

Pastor Alicia begins her mission trip today as a part of her life in ministry but also another step in the ordination process. Please keep her in your prayers as she participates in an “Immigration Immersion Mission Trip” in Arizona and a day spent in the country of Mexico.

So, I will be leading worship with Aimee, our musical director, Abbie, our musician, the UUMC Choir, Debra, one of our Sunday School teachers and Beth, who will be leading our time of prayer.

Introit “From the Rising of the Sun” by Eric Thiman

Leader: “How can we keep from singing” once we have experienced freedom? We are called to become witnesses to a new thing that God is doing in our lives. Despite the admonition not to teach in the name of Jesus, we hear in the Acts passage for this Sunday that Peter and the other apostles just can’t help themselves! And neither can we. I invite you to rise in body and/or spirit and let us sing together!

Opening Prayer

Leader: Please rise in body or spirit to join in our opening prayer.

All: God of Freedom, our spirits sing
because you have vanquished death.
Open our mouths to sing your praise
so that all may know freedom in you.
We come to you in this moment,
cups running over with thanksgiving.
Amen!

Leader: Peace be with you!
All: And also with you.

Leader: I invite you to pass the Peace of Christ among you
and those worshiping remotely, we are glad you are on the journey with us!

Opening Hymn “My Life Flows On (How can I Keep From Singing)” FWS#2212

Leader: Please remain standing as we sing “My Life Flows On, How can I Keep From Singing”

My life flows on in endless song,
above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the clear, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die?
I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!
How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

The Children’s Time Led by Debra Robinson

Leader: Please be seated. Children, please come forward for Children’s Time?

Anthem “Mendelssohn Thanks Be to God” from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn

Scripture Readings

Leader: Our first scripture today comes from the book of Psalms chapter 118.

The Lord is my strength and my song; God has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous… I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

Leader: Our Gospel reading today is John 20: 19-31.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As Abba God has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Leader: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.

Call to Prayer “God of freedom, God of justice” (TUNE Picardy)

Leader: Please remain seated. Let us settle ourselves, our hearts, our minds, our bodies… Settle into our seats as we enter our time of prayer. Please pass your prayer requests to the ushers as they come down the two center aisles. Let us remain seated and sing “God of Freedom, God of Justice.” We’ll be singing this until Pentecost. So, if you don’t pick it up today, you will by then.

God of freedom, God of justice,
You whose love is strong as death,
You who saw the dark of prison,
You who knew the price of faith—
Touch our world of sad oppression
With Your Spirit’s healing breath.

Time of Prayer

Beth Drew:
Let us pray for all those who are not free:

We pray for those who know the prison of poverty of body, mind, and spirit–lack of basic needs, lack of rest and calm, lack of loving care. Help us, O God, tend to the most vulnerable in our midst.

We pray for those who know the prison of fear–fear of losing financial security, physical safety, and emotional wellbeing. Help us, O God, tend to the most vulnerable in our midst.

We pray for those who know the prison of war and political unrest. May world leaders be moved by compassion and may they learn to love peace. Help us, O God, tend to the most vulnerable in our midst.

We pray for those whose singing is silenced. We pray that all are free to find their voice and contribute to the harmony of all creation. We give you thanks, O God, for the symphony of life you have given us. Help us to sing with courage and conviction, blending our voices with all.

This week we pray for…. 

Beth: God, in your mercy.
People: Hear our prayers.

Beth: Let us take a moment for silent prayer.

Silent Prayer

Leader: Amen…Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray using whatever words or language that brings you closest to God.

Lord’s Prayer

All: Creator God, who are in heaven, blessed be your name.
Your Kin-dom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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 yours is the Kin-dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Anthem “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” from Heiligmesse by F.J. Haydn

Offering

Leader: Today is a day of new beginnings. Maybe today is the day you feel called to participate in the life of the church in a new way. Here are a few ways to get involved.

Please check out the bulletin for more ways to live out your faith. If you would like to help with any of these opportunities, please talk to the pastor after worship today or email the church office.

Our church’s mission is, “Feeding God’s People: Body, Mind and Spirit.” We do this with a multitude of volunteers through our outreach ministry, the Seeking Justice Team, education, prayer, music and worship.

Please place your attendance slip and/or your donation in the offering plate as ushers pass it to you. You may also give through our website, using the QR code in your bulletin, the Venmo QR code in the bulletin or continue to mail your check. Thank you for your generosity–and for all you do to support University Church.

Following the Offertory, we will be singing a new doxology. The words will be on the screen. The tune is Old 100th, from the United Methodist Hymnal, no. 621 if you want to look at the notes we will be singing.

Let the music continue!

Offertory “Hallelujah, Amen” (from Judas Maccabeus) by G. F. Handel

Doxology (Tune Old 100th)

We give you thanks, O God of life,
for freedom, justice, mercy, grace
These treasured gifts we know become
our hope for living life in Christ.
Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Leader: Please join me in the unison prayer of dedication.

All: Loving God, we offer our gifts of song, praise and donations to You today so that Your justice may be done in our church, in our city, in our world as it is in heaven. May the cup of freedom you offer us, sustain us during these uncertain times. Amen.

Closing Hymn “Come, Christians, Join and Sing” UMH #158

Leader: Let us remain standing to sing together “Come, Christians, Join and Sing.”

Come, Christians, join to sing,
Alleluia, Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King,
Alleluia, Amen!
Let all with heart and voice
Before his throne rejoice;
Praise is his gracious choice;
Alleluia, Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high;
Alleluia, Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia, Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us he’ll condescend;
His love shall never end;
Alleluia, Amen!

Praise yet the Lord again;
Alleluia, Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia, Amen!
On Heaven’s blissful shore
His goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forever more,
Alleluia, Amen!

Closing

Leader: Thank you to all who bring worship together each week from the hymn sing team, the bulletin printing, the sanctuary cleaning, the choir rehearsing, the PowerPoint creating and the greeting on Sunday. And thank you for being with us today, whether on-site or on-line, as well as those who are streaming at another time. We are grateful to be a part of your spiritual journey. We hope to see you again next week.

Benediction

Leader: Let us join in the benediction.

The Divine One has blessed us with the cup of Life.
The Divine One has blessed us with the cup of Goodness.
The Divine One has blessed us with the cup of Freedom.
Drink deeply!
And may our Holy God who gave us life,
Jesus who showed us goodness,
and the Spirit that is our source of freedom
be with you now and evermore!
Amen!

Postlude