WORSHIP - SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Worship
– Sunday, April 26
Prelude
and Centering
Christ
is risen
He
is risen, indeed!
Good
morning, you beautiful people of God!
“He
Reigns”
Call
to Worship
Psalm 139:7-12 (The
Message)
Is
there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.
Hymn
“Lord
of the Dance”
Opening
Prayer
All
knowing God, we gather together with praise and thanksgiving for who
you are and all that you have done for us. We give thanks in pajama
pants and blue jeans and tee shirts and in Sunday best. We praise
you in solitude and in the community of our families. We sing and
pray away from our congregations and yet we are all united by Christ
and in your
love. No matter where we may be, your love encircles us – ahead
and behind – gently leading, guiding and blessing. We praise you
for your love and your faithful presence in our lives and in our
homes. May your Spirit move in our hearts and minds as we worship
together.
We
name in our hearts and lift our prayers for ….
Those
who must grieve in solitude.
Those
who are in hospitals or sick at home alone, without family by them.
Those who carry the burden of joblessness and homelesssness.
Those
who put their own health at risk to serve us.
Those
who are serving in the military and their families.
Those
who are single and those who are
with their
families in this time of self- sheltering.
Wherever
we may be, show us how to reach out and share the love of Christ
during these times. We pray as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
first taught us:
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
Special
Music
“He Is Our Rescurer”
Children’s
Message “Seeing
Clearly”
Source:
www.sermons4kids.com
Today’s
Bible story is about two of Jesus’ disciples who didn’t recognize
him. If your friends met you on the street, you’d know who they
were, right? Of course, you would. So why didn’t Jesus’
disciples know it was him?
Sometimes
we can get confused and perplexed by what happens to us, and it takes
awhile to understand what God is doing for us. Even in the Bible,
people didn’t always recognize the signs God gave them. He sent
prophets to explain things that would happen, but even when the signs
they told came true, not everyone understood. After Jesus rose from
the dead, He visited people, but they didn’t always know right away
who He was. Now, it’s possible that Jesus looked a little bit
different after the Resurrection. It’s also possible that people
weren’t expecting Him to be alive, and didn’t understand what God
had done, even though Jesus Himself had told them what would happen.
This
happened in today’s Gospel. A couple of disciples were walking
along a road, and they were feeling sad that Jesus had died. Jesus
showed up and started walking with them, but they didn’t know right
away that it was Him. He started asking questions about what they
were discussing, and they explained how upset they were over the
death of Jesus. Then Jesus started to describe to them how the
prophets and Scripture had predicted what would happen. He told the
disciples about Himself! Well, they invited Jesus to stay for supper,
and as He was breaking the bread, they suddenly realized who He was!
Their eyes were open and they were filled with joyful enthusiasm.
Sometimes
things in our lives are disguised, in a way. We don’t always
recognize or understand things that God is doing. We might encounter
difficult situations or circumstances and feel confused about why God
would allow something like that to happen. We can trust that God is
at work, but we might still face challenges. We won’t always find
out right away why we have such trouble in our lives. We might not
even understand until Heaven. But God promises that He is working
things for our good. We cling to the hope that even hard things can
bring blessings. We can also cling to the best news of all: unlike
the disciples on the road, we do know that Jesus came back to life.
We have the whole picture of the Bible, and we know that He was sent
by God to die and come back to life, so that we can have eternal life
with Him! We rest assured that our sins are covered, and that one day
all things will be made new.
Meanwhile,
we can keep an eye out for blessings. We remain in prayer and Bible
study every day, so that we won’t miss out on the work God does in
our lives. We recognize that sometimes God uses other people around
us, as well as situations and circumstances, and that He is
demonstrating love and strengthening us, even when things are tough.
He is faithful and steadfast, so we can gain strength and hope in
Him! Let’s pray.
Dear God, Thank you that we can celebrate Jesus, Thank you for all He did for us and all that He continues to do. Help us to trust in you even when we don’t understand what’s happening. We know you work things for good. Thank you for your love We love you, God! In Jesus name, Amen!
Giving
Thanks Even
though we are not able meet together, please continue to financially
support the mission of God and the ministry of Christ through your
gifts and offerings by contributing either through the mail or by
electronic giving. Thank you.
Special
Music Thank
you, Lord”
Prayer
God
of Truth and Light, we offer you these gifts with humble hearts. We
yearn to share your unmistakable presence with all people. While we
often find temporary security in our possessions, remind us that true
security comes from our relationship with you through your son, Jesus
Christ. Strengthen and entrust us to be your faithful disciples. In
the name of the Exalted One, we pray. Amen.
Song
of the Heart
“Because He Lives”
Scripture
Reading
Luke 24:13-35
The
Message “Wherever
We May Be” Pastor Lane Van
They left Jerusalem, carrying with them their worries, their fears and their grief, The women in their group had gone to the tomb to complete the task of preparing Jesus' body for burial. When the women returned with a tale of an empty tomb and angels, some of their fellow disciples went to verify their story and saw nothing but the empty tomb. Cleopus and his friend decided then it was time to leave. Maybe it was just too much after the crucifixion and the sleepless nights spent in fear for their own lives.
It was time to get out of Jerusalem and return home. Home to Emmaus, home to shelter in hiding until all of this blew over and they could return to their BC (before Christ) lives.
Unnamed people in the scripture, like the disciple that traveled with Cleopus, are like blank lines where we can fill in our own names. This enables us to be part of the story, to find in their stories our own story.
So, here we are, in April, 2020, finding ourselves sheltering in our homes, waiting for all of this to be over so we can return to our BC (before coronavirus) lives. Some of us may feel anxious and fearful. Some are worried about their jobs and paying their bills. We'e all waiting and watching for some good news. Some are lonely, some are grieving lost ones, some are just want it to be over. The news is not so good and a bit hopeless. We're all waiting for some good news -- enough respirators, financial relief, a cure, a vaccine.
Cleopas and the followers of Jesus had hoped that Jesus was more than just a prophet but was the cure for the sin and brokenness in the world. They believed his was the one that would save them. And then ...
Jesus shows up -- not in glory, surrounded by angels singing hallelujahs, but as a stranger, a fellow traveler, a companion on their journey of sorrow and hopelessness. Through the Word he brings them comfort and resurrects their hope.
He finally reveals himself not through some showy miracle but through the ordinary act of a shared evening meal, a table grace and the breaking of bread with the men who had opened their homes to him.
In times like this, it's hard to see God at work in our lives. As we shut ourselves away in our homes, Christ's presence is hidden from us by the crisis of the moment. Yet, no matter the circumstances, no matter where we may be, Christ is our steadfast companion on our journey of life.
Most often, Christ reveals himself not in great miracles or flashy visions. He speaks quietly through the Word of God, a word of encouragement from a friend, a phone call or a card. We may recognize him in the simple joys of God's creation, in inspiring stories in the news or in the quiet calm, that peace that is nothing like anything the world can give us.
I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, save my life!”
Psalm 116:1-4 (NRSV)
God hears our prayers -- God continues to love and protect us. Wherever we may be, Christ is with us. If we seek him, if we open our hearts to him, we will see him, working for our good. Wherever we may be.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
They left Jerusalem, carrying with them their worries, their fears and their grief, The women in their group had gone to the tomb to complete the task of preparing Jesus' body for burial. When the women returned with a tale of an empty tomb and angels, some of their fellow disciples went to verify their story and saw nothing but the empty tomb. Cleopus and his friend decided then it was time to leave. Maybe it was just too much after the crucifixion and the sleepless nights spent in fear for their own lives.
It was time to get out of Jerusalem and return home. Home to Emmaus, home to shelter in hiding until all of this blew over and they could return to their BC (before Christ) lives.
Unnamed people in the scripture, like the disciple that traveled with Cleopus, are like blank lines where we can fill in our own names. This enables us to be part of the story, to find in their stories our own story.
So, here we are, in April, 2020, finding ourselves sheltering in our homes, waiting for all of this to be over so we can return to our BC (before coronavirus) lives. Some of us may feel anxious and fearful. Some are worried about their jobs and paying their bills. We'e all waiting and watching for some good news. Some are lonely, some are grieving lost ones, some are just want it to be over. The news is not so good and a bit hopeless. We're all waiting for some good news -- enough respirators, financial relief, a cure, a vaccine.
Cleopas and the followers of Jesus had hoped that Jesus was more than just a prophet but was the cure for the sin and brokenness in the world. They believed his was the one that would save them. And then ...
Jesus shows up -- not in glory, surrounded by angels singing hallelujahs, but as a stranger, a fellow traveler, a companion on their journey of sorrow and hopelessness. Through the Word he brings them comfort and resurrects their hope.
He finally reveals himself not through some showy miracle but through the ordinary act of a shared evening meal, a table grace and the breaking of bread with the men who had opened their homes to him.
In times like this, it's hard to see God at work in our lives. As we shut ourselves away in our homes, Christ's presence is hidden from us by the crisis of the moment. Yet, no matter the circumstances, no matter where we may be, Christ is our steadfast companion on our journey of life.
Most often, Christ reveals himself not in great miracles or flashy visions. He speaks quietly through the Word of God, a word of encouragement from a friend, a phone call or a card. We may recognize him in the simple joys of God's creation, in inspiring stories in the news or in the quiet calm, that peace that is nothing like anything the world can give us.
I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, save my life!”
Psalm 116:1-4 (NRSV)
God hears our prayers -- God continues to love and protect us. Wherever we may be, Christ is with us. If we seek him, if we open our hearts to him, we will see him, working for our good. Wherever we may be.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Reflections
1.
What do you think the two disciples were feeling as they made their
way home? What are you feeling during this pandemic?
How are they different and/or similar to what Cleopas and his
companion were feeling.
2.
Even though you are self-sheltering at home, where are you
encountering our risen Christ in your life as we wait out the
COVID-19 epidemic?
3.
How did God speak to you, today, through the scripture and message?
Song
of Sending
“In
the Garden”
Benediction
May
the love of God surround you wherever you may be, the peace of Christ
fill you, and the Holy Spirit be your counselor and your guide. Have
a blessed week. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Going
Forth
“God
Will Take Care of You”
“Go
Now in Peace”
Remember – We are not alone!
“Easter
Hymn”
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