CCLI license #1913561
Sunday, April 26, 2020
The Third Sunday of Eastertide
OPENING WORDS
Followers of Jesus, by his cross we are redeemed from the futility of sin. By his rising we are free from the fear of death. By his love we are made new in the living and enduring Word of God. Thanks be to God!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, Jesus was made known to the disciples in the breaking of the bread. Open the eyes of our hearts that we may recognize his presence, and, with his disciples, cry, “The Lord has risen, indeed!” Through Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
PSALM OF PRAISE: Psalm 116: 12—19
What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.
O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.
Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, our world is filled with corruption:
power disguises itself as truth;
convenience masquerades as goodness;
selfish pleasure imitates love.
We confess to you, O God, that we have been caught in the web of the world’s sin.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, save us from these deceptions and free us for glad
obedience, that we may see the joy of Jesus’ resurrection and receive the promise of everlasting life. Amen
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Followers of Jesus: God has promised salvation to us, to our children, and to all who are near and far. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven
"Live Your Dreams" by Keisha Prime
I apologize on behalf of the things that got in your way.
And I am sorry that the one you loved went astray.
I see the sadness in your eyes
When someone lives the life that could have been yours.
I see the hope in your eyes when you see in God another reason to fly.
Your dreams don’t have to die.
You can do anything through Christ.
Leave your past behind to die.
Push forward to the destiny named after you.
Take all your failures and your loss
And nail them to His cross.
You are accepted and so loved.
Live your dreams today, through Christ.
You’ve been believing all those lies
That whisper to you when you’re alone at night.
Somebody told you that your dreams were too bold for you. Oh!
But look beyond yourself. Look beyond the skies.
There is a power ready to launch you.
Beyond your fright, beyond your sight
To a place where you will take flight.
Your dreams don’t have to die.
You can do anything through Christ.
Leave your past behind to die.
Push forward to the destiny named after you.
Take all your failures and your loss
And nail them to His cross.
You are accepted and so loved.
Live your dreams today, through Christ.
Do not hesitate. There’s so much in store. Its up to you to open that door. You’re no failure. You’re no mistake. Live your purpose! Please do not forsake! The passion inside that God gave to you just because someone lied to you. Look yourself in the eye and sing this with me. Let’s drown out those voices proclaiming their defeat.
READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Luke 24: 13—35
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.1 Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah1 should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us1 while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
LISTEN TO THE WORD FOR THE DAY
Be Thou My vision-Ancient Irish Poem
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art--
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise.
Thou my inheritance now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart.
Great God of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall.
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
CLOSING PRAYER
Loving God, you have upheld me with your love even when I have not been aware of your presence. Now let me rest without fear of darkness or death and rise to face the coming days inspired and strengthened to follow the one who has never left me. Amen.
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:
The disciples finally recognized Jesus as the risen Lord in “the breaking of the bread.” How has this time of isolation felt? Is there something missing when we do not break bread together?