Home Church The Third Sunday of Easter April 26, 2020

Home Church,3rd Sunday of Easter April 26, 2020

Rev. Karen Hollis

Preparing the Space

Here, on the 3rd Sunday of Easter, I invite you to lean into this ritual of preparing the space for your worship. As we clear a space and set up a focal point, the familiar movements of our bodies remind us what we are preparing for – it helps us bring ourselves more fully to the moment and to the experience. Maybe place a tablecloth down and place a bouquet of flowers and a lit candle; perhaps place with them an object or two that help you open to God’s presence (item from nature, Bible, object with personal significance, cross). The intention you bring to your worship is the fertilizer for the richness you experience.

Gathering

Sit quietly for a moment perhaps with feet on the floor, taking a couple

of deep breaths and bring yourself into this moment. Open yourself to the presence of God who is with us and within us . . . as you intentionally open yourself to God, open yourself also to what you need as you turn to worship.

Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

May his grace and peace be with you.

May he fill our hearts with joy.

Opening Prayer  Read the prayer slowly                                   (with BAS)

Gather us in, O God – you are here with each of us and so in the space between us. Help us to enter a holy space together where connection is real and our hearts meet as one. Just as Jesus revealed himself to his disciples in the breaking of the bread, open our eyes in this season to your redeeming work in the world. We pray in the name of the risen Christ. Alleluia, Amen!

Hymn: Thine is the Glory

1.Thine is the glory,

risen, conquering Son:

endless is the victory

thou o’er death hast won.

Angels in bright raiment

rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave-clothes

where the body lay.

[Refrain]

Thine is the glory,

risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory

thou o’er death hast won.

2. Lo, Jesus meets us,

risen from the tomb!

lovingly he greets us,

scatters fear and gloom.

Let the church with gladness

hymns of triumph sing,

for the Lord now liveth:

death hath lost its sting. [Refrain]

3. No more we doubt thee,

glorious Prince of life;

Life is nought without thee:

aid us in our strife;

make us more than conquerors,

through thy deathless love;

bring us safe through Jordan

to thy home above. [Refrain]

Prayer of Confession    Walter Brueggemann

We are your people and mostly we don’t mind,

except that you do not fit any of our categories.

We keep pushing . . . and pulling, and twisting, and turning,

            trying to make you fit the God we would rather have,

            and every time we distort you that way

                        we end up with an idol more congenial to us.

In our more honest moments of grief and pain

            we are very glad that you are who you are,

            and that you are toward us in all your freedom

            what you have been toward us.

So be your faithful self

            and by your very engagement in the suffering of the world,

            transform the world even as you are being changed.

We pray in the name of Jesus,

            who is the sign of your suffering love. Amen.

 

Silent prayer of confession

Assurance of Grace

In these days set apart from other days, we do not need a version of

God that is pleasant or pleasing . . . we need God, in all the qualities known and unknown to us. Let us be reminded today that this God lives and acts in our lives and in the world. Thanks be to God!                                                    

Peace of Christ

The resurrected Christ is with each of us, and so is in the space between us – let us share with each other the peace he brings today!

            A-M: The Peace of Christ be with you!

            N-Z:  And also with you!

Scripture Readings

The Psalm of the day is number 116; listen for the word of God to you this morning.

I love you Lord, you heard my cry

            because you listened closely

            on the day I called to you.

Death itself surrounded me,

            and trapped me in its tomb

            called anguish and despair.

So I called out to you in an agony of pain,

            “Save me, God,” I cried, “O save me!”

How gracious you have been, my God,

            balancing your justice with compassion.

You are protector of all the simple-hearted ones.

            You rescue all the helpless ones

            when hope is gone.

O soul of mine, I speak to you:

“Turn back to God,” I say, “God is your rest!”

For God is good and keeps my soul from death,

            my eyes from crying,

            and my feet from stumbling on the path.

I walk, then, in the presence of my God

            across a living land.

And walking there, I learn to trust

            when I am deeply troubled

Even when I cry in desperation and there’s nothing left,

            and no one I can ever trust again.

So how can I repay you, Lord

            for all the goodness you have shown?

I will take this cup called, “restoration,”

            and raising it in celebration.

With all the vows that I have made to you

            I will fulfil them before these many witnesses.

And death itself I’ll offer up to you, as greatest gift,

            a precious thing.

And I shall ever be your faithful, willing servant, Lord,

            for you have broken every bond on my behalf

            and set me free.

So I lift this sacrifice of gratitude for freedom’s sake,

            and in your name I offer it with all my vows.

Among these people, at the center of your city,

            before the doors of your own house,

I speak my deepest praise to you, forever.

Hallelujah.

 

Gospel Reading

One:    God be with you.          

All:      And also with you

One:    The Good News of Jesus Christ according to Luke.

All:      Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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. 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 Messiah 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 us 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.

One: This is the Gospel of Christ;

All:   Praise be to Jesus Christ

Song: King of Glory - by Third Day

Who is this King of glory that pursues me with His love
And haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words
My conscience, a reminder of forgiveness that I need
Who is this King of glory who offers it to me

Who is this King of angels, O blessed Prince of Peace
Revealing things of Heaven and all it's mysteries
My spirit's ever longing for His grace in which to stand
Who is this King of glory, Son of God and song of man

His name is Jesus, precious Jesus
The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart
The King of glory

Who is this King of glory with strength and majesty
And wisdom beyond measure, the gracious King of kings
The Lord of Earth and Heaven, the Creator of all things
Who is this King of glory, He's everything to me

The Lord of Earth and Heaven, the Creator of all things
He is the King of glory, He's everything to me

Reflection The Road to Emmaus ( see attached pdf below)

Silent Reflection

A New Creed Let us affirm our faith . . .

We are not alone,
    we live in God’s world.

 We believe in God:
    who has created and is creating,
    who has come in Jesus,
       the Word made flesh,
       to reconcile and make new,
    who works in us and others
       by the Spirit.

We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church:
    to celebrate God’s presence,
    to live with respect in Creation,
    to love and serve others,
    to seek justice and resist evil,
    to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
       our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
    God is with us.
We are not alone.

    Thanks be to God.

Prayers of the People From Paddy Waymark ( see attached pdf below)

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

Minute for Mission

Offering

Thank you for all the ways you are serving and caring for others and yourselves during this season. Thank you to all who continue to give time, talent and treasure – watch your email for reminders on how you can give to the church’s continued ministry.

Let us pray: God we pray in resonance with the economy of love that circles the globe. The need is immense – hungry bellies, financial instability, tensions at home, loneliness and longing. With hands and hearts eager to help, guide us, O God to the needs to which we are uniquely equipped to respond. May we feel our hearts burning with your presence - In Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: You Shall Go Out with Joy                                             (Isaiah 55)

You shall go out with joy
And be led forth with peace,
And the mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you.
There'll be shouts of joy
And all the trees of the field
Will clap, will clap their hands.

And the trees of the field will clap their hands,
And the trees of the field will clap their hands,
And the trees of the field will clap their hands,
While you go out with joy.

Blessing

If you are with another person, you’re invited to bless each other, taking every other line.

One:    The Creator’s blessing be yours on your road, on your journey,       guiding you, cherishing you.

First name A-M:

            The Son’s blessing be yours, wine and water, bread and stories,    feeding you, challenging you.

First name N-Z:

            The Spirit’s blessing be yours, wind and fire, joy and wisdom,         comforting you, disturbing you.

All:      The Angel’s blessing be yours, on your house, on your             living, guarding you, encouraging you. Let us walk together,    a community on a journey, sustained in God’s blessing.             Amen!

One:    Let us go now in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All:      Thanks be to God.