Commentary on John 20:19-31 Thomas is not so much a doubter as he is a realist (a practical person). Think about it. Everything we

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1 Commenttary on JJohn 20:: Thomas is not so much a doubter as he is a realist (a practical person). Think about it. Everything we know about Thomas up to this point suggests that he is forthright, genuine, and even courageous. Way back in chapter 11, for instance, Thomas is the one who urged the disciples to go with Jesus to raise Lazarus even though it might spell their deaths (John 11:16). And in chapter 14, when Thomas doesn t understand Jesus figurative speech about the place he is going to, Thomas calls him on it: Lord, we do not know where you are going, how then can we know the way. Thomas, I would contend, is at heart a practical person, one who likes his truth straight up and who relentlessly takes stock of the situation before making a decision. You can count on Thomas, but you d better be truthful with him, because Thomas doesn t handle falsehoods easily. From this point of view, it s interesting to me that Thomas wasn t with the other disciples in the upper room when Jesus first appeared. Actually, I should describe it differently: Thomas wasn t with the other disciples when they were cowering in fear in the upper room. We don t know where he was, but I m guessing he was out getting on with his life, figuring out what was going to come next and getting on with it. Because Thomas is, first and foremost, a practical person. And here s the thing: reality came like never before on that Friday just two days before this scene, when Thomas watched as they nailed his Lord, teacher, and friend to two slabs of wood. Jesus was dead, and with him all the hopes and dreams of the past three years had perished as well. Quioccasin Baptist Church Quiioccccassiin Road Henrriicco,, Viirrgiiniia Churrcch Offffiicce:: ((804)) Fax:: ((804)) nd Sunday in Eastertide April 12, 2015 So when the disciples come saying that they had seen Jesus, Thomas doesn t merely doubt them. He out and out just plain doesn t believe. And so I suspect that his demand to see and feel the mark of the nails in Jesus hands is less a request for proof than it is mocking the disciple s claim. He makes that demand, in other words, because he knows it will never happen; it s a request as absurd, even ridiculous, as what his friends are claiming. Which leads me to believe that what changes when Thomas is confronted by the risen Lord is not that he is no longer a doubter he never really was and certainly not his realism. No, what changes is his perception of reality itself. Of what is possible. Of what God can do. Even of what God can do through him. Jesus comes and takes his mocking words and turns them back on him, not to humiliate or scold him, but simply to confront him with the possibility that his reality was too small, his vision of what is possible too limited. And when Jesus calls him to faith, he s actually inviting him to enter into a whole new world. And this issue of having too small a vision of reality is what I find interesting. Because I also fall into a world view governed by limitations and am tempted to call that common sense. Which is when I need to have the community remind me of a grander vision. A vision not defined by failure but possibility, not governed by scarcity but by abundance, not ruled by remembered offenses but set free by forgiveness and reconciliation Webssiitte:: -- Emaiill:: qbcc@quiioccccassiin..orrg Dr.. Andrew M.. Moslley,, Jr.. Pasttorr Reverend P.. Frances Watson Ministterr off Educatti ion/ /Administtrratti ive Assisttantt

2 The Celebration of Morning Worship... 8:00 A.M. The Church School... 9:30 A.M. Mr. Arthur W. Byrd, Jr., Deacon Superintendent Some will ask, How can the dead be raised to life? What kind of body will they have? I Corinthians 15:35 GNT The Prelude... Ms. Angela M. Mosley Sweet, Sweet Spirit No. 127 The Call to Worship... Dr. Andrew M. Mosley, Jr. Clap your hands for joy, all peoples! Praise God with loud songs! The Prayer of Invocation... In Unison Mighty God, whose Son Jesus broke bonds of death and scattered the powers of darkness: arm us with such faith in him that, facing evil and death, we may overcome as he overcame, Jesus Christ, our hope and our redeemer. Amen. The Chant... No. 29 He Is Lord The Responsive Reading... Minister/Congregation THE MAJESTY OF GOD No. 606 The Hymn of Praise and Adoration... No. 7 REJOICE, YE PURE IN HEART The Welcome/Announcements/Recognitions Mrs. Edith Lomax, Deacon/Church Clerk The Scripture... Minister Psalm 23 Special Music... The Volunteer Choir No, Not One! No. 62 The Prayer... Minister The Prayer Response... Choir/Congregation Sweet Hour of Prayer No OUR SICK AND SHUT-IN LIST Mrs. Lillian Anderson Rosewood Avenue Mrs. Michelle Crawford-Brooks Midway Road Mrs. Dorothy Clark Marywood Lane, Apt 311 Mrs. Marie Collins Orinda Drive, Mr. Moses Fenner Lawson Street, Mrs. Florine Fleming, Deaconess... Back Home from Hospital Whistler Road Mrs. Helen Foster... Beth Sholom Lifecare 1600 John Rolfe Prkwy - Room 208/Unit 2 Miss Helena Fountain Fountain Lane Mrs. Denise Hardy Anna Marie Drive Mr. Herbert Jackson Parham Road Ms. Everlena King Forest Hill Avenue Ms. Marjorie McIntyre Marywood Lane, Apt 209 Mrs. Pearl and Mr. Emmett Morgan Ironhorse Road, Mrs. Mary Lee Reid Pemberton Road Mrs. Elizabeth Simmons Fendall Avenue, Mrs. Emma J. Truman... Imperial Plaza, 1715 Bellevue Avenue, Apt 208 Mrs. Florence Tyler Pemberton Road Reverend P. Frances Watson Taylor Avenue West, Hampton, Virginia Mrs. Lucy C. Wells Midway Road Mr. Uriel Winfree Hunters Mill Circle Mr. Charles Woodson, Deacon Francis Road, Glen Allen Mr. James Woodson French Avenue HOW MAY WE SERVE YOU? Sickness in the Home Desires Offering Envelopes Moved to the Address Below A Newcomer in the Community Seeking Church Membership Desires A Pastoral Call Children for Church School In Need of Prayer NAME PHONE ADDRESS DATE CITY STATE ZIP CODE Information supplied by: Please check desired one(s), tear off, and place in the offering plate or give to the Minister. DEACONS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL Mrs. Edith Lomax (804) and Mrs. Norma Hudgins (804) Please inform them of any persons that are sick -11-

3 QUIOCCASIN BAPTIST CHURCH 9011 Quioccasin Road Henrico, Virginia SPONSORS SUMMER DAY CAMP EXPERIENCE 2015 June 15 th - August 7 th Monday Friday (7:30 A.M. 5:30 P.M) For Children Ages 6-12 To obtain additional information or to register your child, please contact Quioccasin Baptist Church at or Beverly Manley at Please leave a message if no one answers. Your call will be returned. Fax: summercamp@quioccasin.org Visit our website at: The Evangelism Moment... Reverend Ulric Eley, Jr. Student Intern The Hymn of Aspiration...No. 348 REVIVE US AGAIN The Stewardship Challenge/Prayer... Mr. Kenneth Mayo, Sr., Deacon John 3:16 THE MUSICAL OFFERING/TITHES/OFFERINGS (Benevolence).... In Unison Psalm 24 KJV (MORTGAGE)... Ushers/Deacons/Congregation Praise Him! (Tithes/General/EASTER)... Ushers/Deacons/Congregation You Can t Beat God Giving No. 528 The Offertory Prayer... Mr. Jack Stuart, Deacon The Offertory Response...No. 559 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow The Hymn of Preparation...No. 249 Blessed Assurance The Sermon... Reverend Frank Lomax, Jr. DON T WORRY BE HAPPY Associate Minister THE INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP The Invitational Hymn...No. 198 I Surrender All The Silent Moment The Benediction/Grace... Reverend Frank Lomax, Jr. The Choral Response... Choir/Congregation The Threefold Amen No. 553 The Postlude... Let the Church Say AMEN -3-

4 The Period of Prayer and Praise... 10:40 A.M. The Celebration of Morning Worship... 10:55 A.M. Some will ask, How can the dead be raised to life? What kind of body will they have? I Corinthians 15:35 GNT The Prelude... Ms. Angela M. Mosley The Introit... No. 29 He Is Lord Processional Selection... Choir/Congregation It s A Highway to Heaven The Call to Worship... Dr. Andrew M. Mosley, Jr. Clap your hands for joy, all peoples! Praise God with loud songs! The Prayer of Invocation... In Unison Mighty God, whose Son Jesus broke bonds of death and scattered the powers of darkness: arm us with such faith in him that, facing evil and death, we may overcome as he overcame, Jesus Christ, our hope and our redeemer. Amen. The Chant... No. 9 Alleluia The Responsive Reading... Minister/Congregation THE MAJESTY OF GOD No. 606 The Hymn of Praise and Adoration... No. 7 REJOICE, YE PURE IN HEART The Welcome/Announcements/Recognitions Mrs. Edith Lomax, Deacon/Church Clerk The Scripture... Minister John 20:24-28 Special Music... The Choral Ensemble The Prayer... Minister The Prayer Response... Choir/Congregation Thank You Lord -4-

5 SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 CHILDREN S DAY The Stewardship Challenge/Prayer... Mr. Jack Stuart, Deacon John 3:16 THE MUSICAL OFFERING/TITHES/OFFERINGS (Benevolence).... In Unison Psalm 24 KJV (MORTGAGE)... Ushers/Deacons/Congregation Praise Him! (Tithes/General/EASTER)... Ushers/Deacons/Congregation You Can t Beat God Giving No. 528 The Offertory Prayer... Mr. Kenneth Mayo, Sr., Deacon The Offertory Response...No. 559 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow The Preparational Selection... The Choral Ensemble The Sermon... Reverend Ulric Eley, Jr. I WILL MAKE A BELIEVER OUT OF YOU Student Intern 10:55 A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE Speaker Minister Charity Williams Member, Greater Saint Paul Holy Church Maple Hill, North Carolina 13 Year Old Servant of God Almighty Accepted the Call to Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the Age of 6 THE INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP The Invitational Hymn...No. 198 I Surrender All The Silent Moment The Benediction... Reverend Ulric Eley, Jr. The Choral Response... Choir/Congregation The Threefold Amen No. 553 The Postlude... Let the Church Say AMEN CHILDREN S DAY SACRIFICIAL OFFERING - $

6 Announcements April 13 at 6:30 P.M. Trustees Meeting April 14 at 6:30 P.M. PASTOR AND PEOPLE ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE MEETING April 14 at 7:00 P.M. THE WOMEN S DAY CHOIR WILL REHEARSE April 15 at 11:00 A.M. The Senior Citizens Ministry will meet April 15 at 6:45 P.M. Bible Study Instructor Reverend Kenneth Brown Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations Passionate Worship Romans 15:7 April 15 at 7:30 P.M. Prayer and Praise April 16 at 6:45 P.M. The Male Chorus will rehearse April 16 at 7:00 P.M. The Sanctuary Choir will rehearse April 18 at 8:30 A.M. Deacon s Meeting April 18 at 10:00 A.M. Deaconess Meeting April 18 at 12:00 NOON THE WOMEN S DAY CHOIR WILL REHEARSE April 19 at 2:30 P.M. VIRGINIA STATE BANQUET Multi-Purpose Building WORKERS NEEDED ESPECIALLY MEN April 19 at 3:00 P.M. Male Chorus Engagement-Antioch Bapt Church Matthews, VA April 20 at 6:00 P.M. The Commission on Finance will meet April 20 at 7:00 P.M. Women in Mission Ministry Meeting April 21 at 6:00 P.M. WOMEN S DAY PLANNING MEETING April 21 at 7:00 P.M. THE WOMEN S DAY CHOIR WILL REHEARSE April 22 at 11:00 A.M. The Senior Citizens Ministry will meet April 22 at 6:45 P.M. Bible Study Instructor Reverend Kenneth Brown Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations Romans 15:7 April 22 at 7:30 P.M. Prayer and Praise April 25 at 11:00 A.M. THE WOMEN S DAY CHOIR WILL REHEARSE April 27 at 6:30 P.M. Meeting - Deacon s Ministry of Richmond and Vicinity First African Baptist Church, 2700 Hanes Avenue April 29 at 11:00 A.M. SENIOR CITIZENS to travel to FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH, 2700 Hanes Avenue, Richmond, VA Reverend Dr. Rodney D. Waller, Senior Pastor, will speak. The Church Van will leave the church at 10:15 A.M. May 2 12:00 Noon - 2:00 P.M. Delta / Zeta Luncheon - WORKERS NEEDED May 3 REMAINING $50 DUE Men s Fellowship Sports Outing May 14 at 11:00 A.M. SENIOR CITIZENS to travel to ABNER BAPTIST CHURCH, Abner Church Road, Glen Allen, VA Reverend Dr. James D. Ballard, Interim Pastor, Redeeming Love Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC will speak. The Church Van will leave the church at 10:15 A.M. May 16 at 11:00 A.M. Virginia Randolph Banquet WORKERS NEEDED June 20 4:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M. PASTOR S 75 th BIRTHDAY PARTY Theme: African Color Scheme: Red, Green, Black FREE ADMISSION Women s Day Weekend LUNCHEON Honoring the Legacy of Legends, Trailblazers and Visionaries Saturday, April 25, :00 NOON 2:30 P.M. Multi-Purpose Building - Tickets $20 - SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday, April 26, :30 A.M. WOMEN S DAY SERVICE Sunday, April 26, 2015 ONE SERVICE - 10:00 A.M. Speaker Deacon Mary G. Herbin President, Women s Auxiliary Tuckahoe Baptist Association Member, St. James Baptist Church Blair Road WOMEN S DAY ASSESSMENT - $ WOMEN S DAY ADVERTISEMENTS FULL PAGE $50 HALF PAGE $25 QUARTER PAGE $15 - BLANK AD BOOKLETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW - See Mrs. Norma Hudgins, Deacon, to obtain one today! -7-