Online Worship Text
April 18, 2021
Third Sunday of Easter Season
Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross, a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery. What symbol of Easter lifts your heart? An Easter lily? The empty tomb? A butterfly or dragon fly? The empty cross? Place something in your worship center today that lifts your heart with the Good News: Christ the Lord is risen today!!!!!
Welcome
Musical Meditation:
Focus:
Lighting the Christ Candles We light our candles or lights.
Voice One: In the beginning, God said,
Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!
Call to Worship
Voice One: We are witnesses, to the love God has poured into us.
Voice Two: We are witnesses of God’s love, sharing it with each person we meet.
Voice One: We are witnesses to everyone we encounter,
Voice Two: Let our worship and communion today inspire our witness to our world.
-Adapted from a piece written by Thom Shuman and posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net . Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2018/04/call-to-worship-witnesses.html.
Invocation
Jesus, you show us your hands, so we may reach out to mend the broken;
You show us your feet, so we may walk with those the world passes by;
You show us your face, so we may know what our sisters and brothers look like.
Risen Christ: touch us with your compassion.
Now, Holy One, open our eyes, so we may see your love;
Open our minds, so we may welcome God's Word;
Open our lips, so we may be God's witnesses.
Spirit of Hope: touch us with your peace.
God in Community, Holy in One,
open us to your presence as we worship today.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
— written by Thom Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies blog.
Scripture: Scripture: Luke 24:13-35
Dramatic Monologue: “The Innkeeper” Troy Price
Voices From the Upper Room, 1971, Contemporary Drama Service, Used with permission with Church CCLI
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.[i] 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.
I John 3:1-3
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he[a] is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
-New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Meditation
Invitation to the Table The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper.
Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Kyle Sowers and Judy Halstead.
Words of Institution We break the bread and lift the cup as the words are spoken.
The Lord's Supper We share in the bread and cup as we hear the music.
Communion Meditation:
Prayer of Thanksgiving: The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Prayers of the People
Lord Jesus Christ, Author of life, help us be willing witnesses of your resurrection, your healing presence, and the suffering forgiver of our many sins.
Voice One: Set our minds on heavenly things.
Voice Two: Fill us with your joy.
Heavenly Father, when we are in distress, remind us of your Son, who makes room for us in this world and the next.
Voice One: Set our minds on heavenly things.
Voice Two: Fill us with your joy.
Holy Spirit, help us love being a child of God, for there is no higher calling.
Voice One: Set our minds on heavenly things.
Voice Two: Fill us with your joy.
When we are startled and terrified by your unexpected presence, Lord Jesus Christ, help us hear your word of peace. Touch us as we seek to touch you.
Voice One: Set our minds on heavenly things.
Voice Two: Fill us with your joy.
Come to us Lord Jesus, be at our table. As you visited with your disciples after your resurrection, and ate with them, come, Lord Jesus, be our guest today.
Voice One: Set our minds on heavenly things.
Voice Two: Fill us with your joy.
We silently speak within our hearts the names of those who are hungry for your touch, ready for your healing, or nearing the new life _____.
Voice One: Set our minds on heavenly things.
Voice Two: Fill us with your joy.
Help us listen closely to your Word, even as you listen closely to our prayers. Amen.
— adapted from a prayer written by Paul Sauer, and posted on the Lutheran Forum website.
Challenge for Discipleship
Blessing We speak in unison.
The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us. We abide in peace! And we go forth into the world as children of God!
Postlude:
