Opening Prayer:
Let us pray:
O God,
who through the resurrection of your son Jesus destroyed death
and brought forth light and immortality,
grant that we, your children,
may abide in your light and love
knowing that we are people of hope.
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
be dominion and praise forever.
Amen.
Psalm of the Day:
Psalm 16
Click on the link to read today’s scripture at Bible Gateway
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be
world without end.
Amen.
Focus Scripture:
John 20:19-31
Click on the link to read today’s scripture at Bible Gateway
Reflection Questions:
- The disciples were gathered in fear when Jesus came to them, offered peace, and breathed into them God’s Spirit. How are you hiding in fear today, and how would God’s holy breath make difference in your life?
- Jesus gives praise to those who are able to believe in him without seeing. What does faith in Jesus Christ mean to you, and how are you able to believe without seeing?
- John says that his gospel was written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah. How do you understand Jesus and what difference does this gospel story mean to you?
Leave a comment or question below about these questions or what you are hearing in today’s scripture texts.
We really hope you will leave a comment!
Your sermon made me think of a comment from Alister McGrath: “Coming to faith doesn’t mean merely having a new idea. it means recognizing in our minds who God is and what he is like, and responding to him in our hearts” I have seen how God has protected me and been so faithful to me along my life, and how he is taking care of City Road and each of us now. I can “see” that God is not just a concept, but a personal being I can trust and is worthy of my praise and commitment. I am thankful for the witness of City Road during this time, and pray that God will continue to bless us and our ministries. I am thankful for Jay’s leadership and look forward to being able to assemble together again.
Sometimes I am consciously looking for God…..sometimes I simply realize that I have found Him. I may be seeing Him in action or feeling His quiet reassurance that He is there. We are all seeing His hands and feet everywhere around us in this strange and crazy environment. We are desperately trying to trust and not fear the unkown. I do not know the science that attempts to verify that God was and IS, I just believe. I believe in Him and that He is faithful, even if we are overwhelmed and a little doubtful. I know He’s got me in His heart and hands even if my eyes are not fully open at that moment. I am thankful, trying to list the reasons why in my head when I have to take a deep breath. I believe in God, the Father and in Jesus Christ, His Son.
Thank you Jay and Brian. I see God in you and how He is using you to keep us all connected as the Church. I look forward to seeing your smiling, laughing faces and the time we can gather in person!
Sometimes I am consciously looking for God…..sometimes I simply realize that I have found Him. I may be seeing Him in action or feeling His quiet reassurance that He is there. We are all seeing His hands and feet everywhere around us in this strange and crazy environment. We are desperately trying to trust and not fear the unkown. I do not know the science that attempts to verify that God was and IS, I just believe. I believe in Him and that He is faithful, even if we are overwhelmed and a little doubtful. I know He’s got me in His heart and hands even if my eyes are not fully open at that moment. I am thankful, trying to list the reasons why in my head when I have to take a deep breath. I believe in God, the Father and in Jesus Christ, His Son.
Thank you Jay and Brian. I see God in you and how He is using you to keep us all connected as the Church. I look forward to seeing your smiling, laughing faces and the time we can gather in person!