A Show of Hands
Worship
Bright Intervals
40 Brief Worship Services and Meditations for Any Occasion
Object:
Greeting and Call To Worship
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Opening Prayer
Creator God, we give thanks for this day which you have made. Be present with us in the power of your Holy Spirit to bless our worship and praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Special Hymn
"Blessed Assurance"
The words to this hymn were written by Fanny Crosby, who lived from 1820 until 1915. Having lost her sight as an infant, Fanny Crosby did not begin writing hymns until she was 41 years old. Hymn writing then became her mission in life, and she wrote nearly 8,000 hymns before her death. As we sing the words, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine," let the words of this confident Christian woman be an inspiration to you.
Scripture Reading
John 20:24-29
Meditation
One of the time-honored rituals in most families with growing children occurs when it is time for dinner. Children are called from play, and the parent says, "Now let me see your hands!" Those hands reveal sometimes more than our children even imagine -- the grimy evidences of the latest construction project in the backyard or the forbidden paint can in the garage.
But it is true of all ages. Our hands often tell a great deal about the person we are. How different are the hands of an auto mechanic from the hands of a concert pianist! We use our hands to express a variety of feelings. Often when we meet a friend, we shake hands. At a meeting people express their opinion by a show of hands.
Too often people use their hands in the wrong way. They become judgmental and point an accusing finger at someone. How interesting though that when your index finger is pointing out someone else's faults, three of your own fingers are pointing back at you! Other people use their hands to make a fist, and to hurt those who in some fashion they consider their enemies.
But in the story of Thomas, Jesus demonstrated that our hands can be used in the service of God. Jesus knew that mere words would not be enough to convince Thomas of his Resurrection. So he invited this honest questioner to touch his hands, and see for himself that the person standing before him was none other than the same Jesus who had been nailed to a cross. It was that show of hands that convinced Thomas to utter one of the most heartfelt expressions of faith ever made: "My Lord and my God!"
Think of all the ways God can use our hands in the service of Christ today. Even if our hands are gnarled by arthritis, every one of us in this room can lift our hands in prayer. Who of us has not been inspired by that famous sculpture of "The Praying Hands"? Lifting up our hands to pray for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our world is something every Christian can do.
Some of you are in a position to lend a hand to those around you who need a little help. We must never forget how even the tiniest gesture of love can communicate the love of Jesus to those around us. Remember Jesus saying, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me."
There's something else we can do with our hands as Christians -- we can join our hands. Do you remember as a child how many games began by someone saying, "Now join hands and make a circle"? The world we live in today is torn asunder by hatred and hostility. But in Jesus Christ, we are reminded that we are one family in the sight of God. Do you recall that simple poem about "hands"?
Christ has no hands but our hands to do his work today,
Christ has no feet but our feet to lead others in the way,
Christ has no tongue but our tongue to tell others how he died,
And Christ has no love but our love to bring others to his side.
Closing Prayer
O God, as you once revealed yourself to Thomas by a show of your nail-scarred hands, allow us to share the love of Jesus with others through our consecrated hands.
Benediction
May God bless you and keep you. May God's face shine on you and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Opening Prayer
Creator God, we give thanks for this day which you have made. Be present with us in the power of your Holy Spirit to bless our worship and praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Special Hymn
"Blessed Assurance"
The words to this hymn were written by Fanny Crosby, who lived from 1820 until 1915. Having lost her sight as an infant, Fanny Crosby did not begin writing hymns until she was 41 years old. Hymn writing then became her mission in life, and she wrote nearly 8,000 hymns before her death. As we sing the words, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine," let the words of this confident Christian woman be an inspiration to you.
Scripture Reading
John 20:24-29
Meditation
One of the time-honored rituals in most families with growing children occurs when it is time for dinner. Children are called from play, and the parent says, "Now let me see your hands!" Those hands reveal sometimes more than our children even imagine -- the grimy evidences of the latest construction project in the backyard or the forbidden paint can in the garage.
But it is true of all ages. Our hands often tell a great deal about the person we are. How different are the hands of an auto mechanic from the hands of a concert pianist! We use our hands to express a variety of feelings. Often when we meet a friend, we shake hands. At a meeting people express their opinion by a show of hands.
Too often people use their hands in the wrong way. They become judgmental and point an accusing finger at someone. How interesting though that when your index finger is pointing out someone else's faults, three of your own fingers are pointing back at you! Other people use their hands to make a fist, and to hurt those who in some fashion they consider their enemies.
But in the story of Thomas, Jesus demonstrated that our hands can be used in the service of God. Jesus knew that mere words would not be enough to convince Thomas of his Resurrection. So he invited this honest questioner to touch his hands, and see for himself that the person standing before him was none other than the same Jesus who had been nailed to a cross. It was that show of hands that convinced Thomas to utter one of the most heartfelt expressions of faith ever made: "My Lord and my God!"
Think of all the ways God can use our hands in the service of Christ today. Even if our hands are gnarled by arthritis, every one of us in this room can lift our hands in prayer. Who of us has not been inspired by that famous sculpture of "The Praying Hands"? Lifting up our hands to pray for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our world is something every Christian can do.
Some of you are in a position to lend a hand to those around you who need a little help. We must never forget how even the tiniest gesture of love can communicate the love of Jesus to those around us. Remember Jesus saying, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me."
There's something else we can do with our hands as Christians -- we can join our hands. Do you remember as a child how many games began by someone saying, "Now join hands and make a circle"? The world we live in today is torn asunder by hatred and hostility. But in Jesus Christ, we are reminded that we are one family in the sight of God. Do you recall that simple poem about "hands"?
Christ has no hands but our hands to do his work today,
Christ has no feet but our feet to lead others in the way,
Christ has no tongue but our tongue to tell others how he died,
And Christ has no love but our love to bring others to his side.
Closing Prayer
O God, as you once revealed yourself to Thomas by a show of your nail-scarred hands, allow us to share the love of Jesus with others through our consecrated hands.
Benediction
May God bless you and keep you. May God's face shine on you and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
