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Third Sunday of Easter
Children Led Service
04/19/2026 - 10:30 am
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Savannah Guidinger
MINUTE FOR MISSION “Adult Ed.” Pastor Barbara
CENTERING MUSIC – Jack and the Beanstalk - traditional
Played by Elizabeth Moseley
MOMENT OF HOPE – Pastor Barbara
CALL TO WORSHIP – Vivian Kowalsky
One: Loving creator, thank you for the gift of this new day.
People: When you came to be with us, you grew as a child of wisdom and grace, and as an adult, you received children in your arms. You blessed them and said that Your kingdom belongs to them.
One: Dear God, receive us also on this day and hear our prayers.
People: Bless the children as well as all who care for them: parents, teachers, mentors, friends.
One: Bless us and protect us from danger. Give us strength to be truthful, honest, kind and helpful.
People: Guide us all to grow as members of your kindom. You are our God and we celebrate you today!
*HYMN #486 Child of Blessing, Child of Promise
Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit’s sign,
with his water God has sealed you unto love and grace divine.
Child of love, our love’s expression, love’s creation, Loved indeed!
Fresh from God, we refresh our spirits; into joy and laughter lead.
Child of joy, our dearest treasure, God’s you are, from God you came.
Back to God we humbly give you: live as one who bears Christ’s name.
Child of God, your loving Parent, learn to listen for God’s call.
Grow to laugh and sing and worship; trust and love God more than all.
PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE -- Vivian Kowalsky
One: Holy God, we thank you for our time together today: for all the households gathered here, and those gathered elsewhere.
People: We hold them in our hearts, and we lift them up to you, God.
One: God, we pray for our friends and family who are working or at home: our brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles.
People: We hold them in our hearts, and we lift them up to you, God.
One: God, we pray for people everywhere, and for all people who try to follow you.
People: We hold them in our hearts, and we lift them up to you, God.
One: God, we pray for everyone who is sick, or unhappy.
People: We hold them in our hearts, and we lift them up to you, God.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
SONG OF RENEWAL #155 Raise a Song of Gladness
Raise a song of Gladness, peoples of the earth.
Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!
CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE -- Vivian Kowalsky
God loves us more than we can imagine. And that is good news indeed!
Amen.
*PASSING THE PEACE – Vivian Kowalsky
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And with you also.
Leader: Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)
ANTHEM -- “Jesus is the Friend Who’s Always There”
by N. Price & D. Besig
TIME FOR ADULTS Pastor Barbara
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Cyndi Sneeringer
Leader: God in your Grace,
People: Hear our prayer
PASTORAL PRAYER – Pastor Barbara
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:
Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Luke 24:9-12 – Cade Moseley
Mark 16:12-14 – Alex Akiki
RESPONSE – Alex Akiki
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, FROM Psalm 19 - responsively
Pastor: May the words of my mouth – All the children in unison
People: And the meditations of our hearts
All: Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
Our rock and our redeemer. Amen.
SERMON The Road to Emmaus
Savannah Guidinger, Henry Restall & Caiden Van
MOMENT OF QUIET REFLECTION
*HYMN OF REFLECTION #188 Jesus Loves Me!
Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong.
Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know, as he loved so long ago,
Taking children on his knee, saying, “Let them come to me.”
MOMENT OF THANKS – Pastor Barbara
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUT GIFTS
OFFERTORY – Li’l Liza Jane – traditional
Elizabeth Moseley on piano
*DOXOLOGY -- Joan
Praise God whose breath fills all the earth
Whose love reveals our sacred worth
Whose Spirit forms one family
Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Children: What else can we say but Thank You!
Thank you! Amen!
*CLOSING HYMN #487 These Treasured Children
These treasured children present now are bound to us by sacred vow:
with love, we make a heart-felt claim to welcome them in Jesus’ name.
Our ancient story we shall tell, till these our children know it well
within their souls and minds and hearts, for this is where their journey starts.
We long to trust as children do and so entrust our days to you;
in their young lives we clearly see a lesson in humility.
Come, Holy Spirit, help us be a nurturing community;
empower us to realize God’s kingdom through our children’s eyes.
Then, tender God, each child embrace; God give them blessings, grant them grace.
Surprise them, God, with wonders still, and gently guide them to your will.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE Ode to Joy
Played by Henri and Alex Akiki