2nd Sunday of Easter
Sunday, April 12, 2026
9 a.m. Worship
Prelude
Announcements
Opening Song "My Redeemer Lives”
Greeting
Kyrie
Canticle of Praise "This is the Feast"
Prayer of the Day
Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32
14a Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd]: 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having released him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover, my flesh will live in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades or let your Holy One experience corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’ 32 “This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Children's Message
Gospel Acclamation "Speak Lord, Your Servant is List'nin"
Gospel: John 20:19-31
The holy Gospel according to John, the 20th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.” 26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 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.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day "Victory in Jesus"
Nicene Creed
Prayers of Intercession
Sharing of the Peace
Offering & Special Music:
Offertory Hymn: “As the Grains of Wheat” ELW 465
Offertory Prayer
Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Communion
Communion Hymns: "The Peace of the Lord" ELW 646
"I've Got Peace Like a River"
Post Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
Sending Hymn: “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” ELW 535
Dismissal
Adapted from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #014958
Weekly Calendar
Sunday, April 12th—9 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), 10 a.m. Sunday School (begins in Sanctuary), Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional), 4 p.m. CIC Softball game (Field #2 at North Meck Park)
Tuesday, April 14th—NO Bible Study (Narthex), 2 p.m. Card Ministry (Classroom #1)
Wednesday, April 15th— 1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor)
Thursday, April 16— 6:30 p.m. Carillon Bell Choir (Sanctuary)
Sunday, April 19th—9 a.m. Worship (Livestreamed), 10 a.m. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), Sunday School (begins in sanctuary), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional), 3 & 4 p.m. Softball Game (Field # 2 at North Meck Park), 6:30 P.m. Confirmation Class
Welcome, Pastor Christy Lohr Sapp! On Sunday, April 12th, we welcome Pastor Christy Lohr Sapp as our supply pastor at both services. Christy is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America currently serving the Church of the Redeemer - Jerusalem, English-speaking Congregation. Originally from North Carolina, she has served the church in varying capacities in North & South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Kenya. Her doctoral work at the University of Exeter in England and Hartford Seminary in Connecticut focused on articulating a Lutheran theology of interfaith engagement. Inspired by the faithful witness and steadfast resilience of the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land, she and her family (Paul, Sadie, Riley, and 2 cats - Sunshine & Marshmallow) moved to Jerusalem in November 2025. In the middle of March, in what is intended to be a temporary move, the ELCA relocated Pastor Christy and her family back to the United States. Please introduce yourselves and welcome Pastor Christy on April 12th!
Announcements:
Office Update: NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: Stephanie’s new e-mail address is: Churchoffice@communityinchrist.net
SCHEDULES:
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The pastors will be out of the office Monday, April 6th, through Monday April 13th .
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Music Director, Sherry Malia, will be out of the office Thursday, April 9th , through Monday, April 13th .
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Office Administrator, Stephanie Avino, will be out of the office Wednesday, April 15th , through Friday, April 17th .
Have you joined CIC's new online photo directory yet? The directory is through a program called Church Center, which
is also an app. Follow the QR code to get started.
April Grocery Cart: We will be partnering with CIC’s preschool to collect items for the Bags of Hope program during the month of April. This month we will be collecting individually wrapped snacks. Snacks of any kind as long as they are individually wrapped. Cookies, crackers, goldfish, pretzels, chips, fruit snacks, etc. Your generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of many in and around our neighborhood.
Preschool Registration for 2026/2027: Tuitions for 2026/2027: $340.00 for 2-year-old classes, $310 for 3-year-old classes, $360.00
for 4-year-old & PK class and $370 for TK class. There is an $85 non refundable registration fee.
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Questions? Contact Morgan Naum at preschooldirector@communityinchrist.net to learn more!
Happy Times Seniors: Will meet on Wednesday, April 15th at 11:30 a.m. at The Serve Pickleball & Kitchen located at 20220 Chartown Drive in Cornelius. For questions and to RSVP contact Linda Muhlbach at 704-905-5847 or lindamuhlbach@gmail.com
Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor Room on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.
Card Ministry: We’ll be meeting Tuesday, April 14th, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, April 28th, at 6:30 p.m. in Classroom One. Participants are asked to enter through the doors nearest the Spirit Center. If you would like information contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.
Quilting Ministry: We will meet on Thursday, April 23rd, in Classroom 1@ 10:00 AM. Questions? Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.
All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. 1st Thessalonians 5:11, we are a women’s group that “encourages one
another and builds one another up, just as you are doing.” We meet monthly between services to discuss ways we can
continue to encourage and build each other up and support our church. Contact Tracy Lyon (vikingtk@hotmail.com) or
Susan Kullstam (skulls01@me.com) with any questions.
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Please refer to the newsletter for ways to connect with this group.
CIC Softball! : Come cheer the team on! Here is the April schedule—Sunday, April 12th,at 4:00 p.m. on Field #2 and Sunday, April 19th, at 3 & 4 p.m. on field # 2 at North Meck Park on Old Statesville Road. Tournament games begin April 26th. Games are TBD—stay tuned! All games are at North Meck Park on Old Statesville Road.
A VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ADVENTURE - SNOWBALL MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE - “FIND YOUR STRENGTH IN GOD!”
July 26 –July 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. More details and Registration Information will be in the April Newsletter. Save the date for this amazing adventure. Please contact Suzi Hinrichs or Kathy Shugarman with questions suzihinrichs@gmail.com or shugs02@gmail.com
