Friday, April 25, 2025

Worship Service - April 27, 2025

                                           Elkton United Methodist Church
                                                      Holy Humor Sunday
                                                    Sunday, April 27, 2025
                                                                10:00 a.m.

GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE.......................................... “C.S. THEME AND VARIATIONS”1............. RANDALL COMPTON
                                                                                                            (PIANO DUET WITH LORI GECKLE)

INTROIT............................................................................................................................... CHANCEL CHOIR

OPENING

TIME OF CENTERING PRAYER

**OPENING HYMN #657 (UMH).................................................................................. “THIS IS THE DAY” X2

**CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      Joy is loose,
People:     In the innocent mischief of the children,

Leader:      The practical jokes of youth,

People:     the dad jokes,

Leader:      The mother’s tickles,

People:     The grandparent’s songs,

Leader:      We praise God for this glorious day!

People:     When Satan thought he had won, but Jesus’s joke on death resulted in new 

                  life for all.

All:            Let the laughter be deep, for we are resurrection people. AMEN.


**OPENING PRAYER (IN UNISON)

O Great Laughing God, we come into your presence with joy and longing to be 

surprised. We thank you that you have given to us the gift of laughter and delight. 

These things give hints as to the nature of your purpose for us and for all the earth. May 

we find that in giving up to laughter there is healing and hope and abundance and 

blessing. Tickle our souls with the brush of your Spirit to renew our worship and our 

living. AMEN.


OLD TESTAMENT LESSON, GENESIS 18:1-15 (PAGE 14) AND 21:1-6 (PAGE 16)
Leader:   This is the word of God for the people of God.
People:  Thanks be to God!

MUSICAL OFFERING......................... “A PLACE IN THE CHOIR”1............................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**GOSPEL LESSON, LUKE 6:20-23 (PAGE 64)
Leader:   Christ is risen!
People:  He is risen indeed!

**RESPONSE........................................................................................... “HARK THE HERALD ANGEL SAID”
                                                                                                (Sung to the tune of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)

Hark the herald angel said, “Why seek Jesus with the dead?  He’s not here, as you can 

see, graveclothes lie where he would be.  On your way now, tell the others, Jesus will be 

with his brothers.  Sisters, too, he wants to see on the hills of Galilee.”  Hark the herald 

angel said, “He is risen from the dead!”

MESSAGE................................. “GOD BROUGHT LAUGHTER” .............................. REV. ERIC WARNER

**RESPONSE........................................................................................................ “TAKE TIME TO BE FUNNY”
                                                                                                        (Sung to the tune of “Take Time to Be Holy”)
Take time to be funny, rejoice in the Lord
Let laughter erupt and have fun with God’s Word
For laughter is healing, gives strength to the weak
God loves to see smiles, for they lift up the meek.

Take time to be silly, it’s good for the soul
Too many are somber, grabbing control.
Let go and let God’s love wash over your soul
Heavenly transcendence can be your life’s goal.
Old Sarah and Abram – a child they lacked
But God’s angels promised and she birthed Isaac
In Hebrew that’s “laughter”, go check if you want
Genesis Seven-teen is where it is found.

For humor is holy, it sanctifies life,
Replenishes hope and oft softens advice
It undercuts sorrow, deflates haughty pride
So smile and hang on, and rejoice in life’s ride.

HOLY HUMOR PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER (IN UNISON)

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.


RESPONSE #2215 (TFWS)................................................................................................. “CARES CHORUS”

I cast all my cares upon you, I lay all of my burdens down at your feet, and anytime that 

I don't know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon you.

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY

**DOXOLOGY #95 (UMH)..................................... “PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

**OFFERTORY PRAYER

**CLOSING SONG.................................................................... “DECK THE HALLS WITH EASTER LILLIES”
Deck the halls with Easter lilies,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Dance a jig and sing the sillies,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
At the devil, mean, old bloke,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
On whom God has played a joke,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

Devil thought he'd won the battle,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Pranced around high in the saddle,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Did not know God's special plan,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
To resurrect the Son of Man,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

Merry Christians rejoice and sing,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Now's the triumph of our King,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Lord of Life is ris'n this day,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Let the world rejoice and say,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

Songs of joy to Christ our head,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Lives again who once was dead,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Life was purchased by his loss,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Died our death upon the cross,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

**CHORAL BENEDICTION.................................................................................................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love. 


POSTLUDE........................................... “HALLELUJAH CHORUS”1.......................... ARR. BY EJ LORENZ
                                                                                                            (PIANO DUET WITH LORI GECKLE)

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                            Flowers on the altar are given in memory of our parents and grandparents &

                                            flowers on the organ are given in honor of our family

                                                                    by Anne & Paul Humphrey


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**Indicates the congregation should stand if able

UMH: United Methodist Hymnal (red cover)
TFWS: The Faith We Sing (black cover)
W&S: Worship & Song (green cover)

1Public Music performance provided for and reported to CCLI Licensing
Copyright License: #1824650/Recording License:  CSPL148932

  

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