Third Sunday in Easter
The Worship Service will live stream here
You can also join up this Sunday at 10:30 via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/734973955
You can also log in by Phone at 1-646-558-8656
You will be prompted for the meeting ID followed by the # sign
It will then request a form of user ID, just press the # sign again and you will be able to hear the service by phone; please note, everyone else can hear you too.
Meeting ID: 734 973 955
We come hungering for greater understanding.
We come to hear the wisdom of Scripture.
We come seeking companions in the faith.
We come to discover the One revealed in the breaking of the bread.
We come to grow as disciples of Christ.
Come, let us worship God, made known in Christ Jesus.
His cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
His love in death shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
he comes to claim the here and now,
and conquer every place and time.
Not throned above, remotely high,
untouched, unmoved by human pains
but daily, in the midst of life,
our Saviour, with the Father reigns.
Christ is alive! His Spirit burns
through this and every future age,
till all creation lives and learns
his joy, his justice, love and praise.
Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we see beyond all doubt that nothing exists beyond your saving power.
You work within our brokenness, limitation and loss to bring new life.
You have overcome even death, promising us and all creation the power of your transforming love and the gift of new beginnings.
God of resurrecting power, it is by Easter’s light that we worship this day.
In that light, we dare to believe, to trust, to risk and to pray in the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
We forget the new beginnings Christ offers us and cling to our old ways.
Forgive us for failing to recognize Christ’s presence with us in the midst of our sorrows.
Hear us now as we confess in silence those times we have failed to live by Easter’s light.
You are forgiven and set free by God’s redeeming love. Be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another.
in bread broken and wine poured out, in friendship and in conversation.
Send us your Holy Spirit as your Word is read.
May our hearts burn within us as we encounter your truth, through Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.
36“Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth
In Betlehem I had my birth
Dance, then where-ever you may be
I am the lord of the dance', said he
And I lead you all, where-ever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he
I danced for the squires and the Pharisees
They wouldn't dance, they wouldn't follow me
I danced for the fishermen James and John
They came with me, so the dance went on
Dance, then where-ever you may be
I am the lord of the dance', said he
And I lead you all, where-ever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame
They dripped, they stripped, they hung me high
Left me there on the cross to die
Dance, then where-ever you may be
I am the lord of the dance', said he
And I lead you all, where-ever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he
28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But 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. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They 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?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
You have walked the Emmaus Road with your faithful people in many generations,
people facing challenge and uncertainty,
people seeking your purpose and promise.
Thank you for your faithfulness to us in all situations.
Walk with us and with those for whom we pray for this day,
that your grace and mercy may sustain our faith and hope.
God in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
We pray for communities challenged by forces beyond their control:
the pandemic, the economic crisis it is creating, environmental collapse, natural disaster, political strife.
Give courage to those facing these crises day by day
and wisdom to those who lead us through them
so that wellbeing may be restored and hope for the future prevail.
God in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
We pray for our congregation, for our life together and our future in mission.
In a time when we cannot gather in person,
sustain our fellowship and strengthen our prayers for one another
so that you will find us faithful on our journey into that future.
And we pray for the wellbeing of those lives linked to ours
who bring us both joy and heartache
because they matter so much to us and to you
God in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
Prayers of the Community
God our Maker, hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken,
and use us in ways we may not yet even imagine to respond to those around us
with the love and mercy we see in Jesus Christ
who taught us to pray in these words…
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
refrain Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
Please remember that our ministry functions from your generosity, please give as you are able
You can also join up this Sunday at 10:30 via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/734973955
You can also log in by Phone at 1-646-558-8656
You will be prompted for the meeting ID followed by the # sign
It will then request a form of user ID, just press the # sign again and you will be able to hear the service by phone; please note, everyone else can hear you too.
Meeting ID: 734 973 955
Responsive Call to Worship
We come from many places, following different roads.We come hungering for greater understanding.
We come to hear the wisdom of Scripture.
We come seeking companions in the faith.
We come to discover the One revealed in the breaking of the bread.
We come to grow as disciples of Christ.
Come, let us worship God, made known in Christ Jesus.
Hymn #108 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing vs.1-3,5
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.His cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
His love in death shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
he comes to claim the here and now,
and conquer every place and time.
Not throned above, remotely high,
untouched, unmoved by human pains
but daily, in the midst of life,
our Saviour, with the Father reigns.
Christ is alive! His Spirit burns
through this and every future age,
till all creation lives and learns
his joy, his justice, love and praise.
Prayer of Adoration
God of heaven and earth, we rejoice in the hope revealed with Easter’s light.Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we see beyond all doubt that nothing exists beyond your saving power.
You work within our brokenness, limitation and loss to bring new life.
You have overcome even death, promising us and all creation the power of your transforming love and the gift of new beginnings.
God of resurrecting power, it is by Easter’s light that we worship this day.
In that light, we dare to believe, to trust, to risk and to pray in the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Reconciliation
God of majesty and mercy, even as we offer you our praise, we confess we often seek darkness rather than Easter’s revealing light.We forget the new beginnings Christ offers us and cling to our old ways.
Forgive us for failing to recognize Christ’s presence with us in the midst of our sorrows.
Hear us now as we confess in silence those times we have failed to live by Easter’s light.
Assurance of Pardon
Friends, know that in Christ, you have been born anew through the power of the living God.You are forgiven and set free by God’s redeeming love. Be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another.
Prayer for Understanding
God of the Living Word, you come to us in sacred story,in bread broken and wine poured out, in friendship and in conversation.
Send us your Holy Spirit as your Word is read.
May our hearts burn within us as we encounter your truth, through Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.
First Reading Acts 2:14a, 36-41
14aBut Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them,36“Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
Hymn# 302 I Danced in the Morning
I danced in the morning when the world was youngI danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth
In Betlehem I had my birth
Dance, then where-ever you may be
I am the lord of the dance', said he
And I lead you all, where-ever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he
I danced for the squires and the Pharisees
They wouldn't dance, they wouldn't follow me
I danced for the fishermen James and John
They came with me, so the dance went on
Dance, then where-ever you may be
I am the lord of the dance', said he
And I lead you all, where-ever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame
They dripped, they stripped, they hung me high
Left me there on the cross to die
Dance, then where-ever you may be
I am the lord of the dance', said he
And I lead you all, where-ever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he
Gospel Luke 24:13-35
13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then 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?” 19He 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, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But 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. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and 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. 24Some 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.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But 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. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They 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?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Prayer of Dedication
Generous God, you bless us with life, purpose, and opportunities to serve in the world you love. We offer you our gifts in Christ’s name, not seeking greater gain, but desiring to enrich life around with your love. Amen.Joys and Concerns
God our Maker,You have walked the Emmaus Road with your faithful people in many generations,
people facing challenge and uncertainty,
people seeking your purpose and promise.
Thank you for your faithfulness to us in all situations.
Walk with us and with those for whom we pray for this day,
that your grace and mercy may sustain our faith and hope.
God in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
We pray for communities challenged by forces beyond their control:
the pandemic, the economic crisis it is creating, environmental collapse, natural disaster, political strife.
Give courage to those facing these crises day by day
and wisdom to those who lead us through them
so that wellbeing may be restored and hope for the future prevail.
God in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
We pray for our congregation, for our life together and our future in mission.
In a time when we cannot gather in person,
sustain our fellowship and strengthen our prayers for one another
so that you will find us faithful on our journey into that future.
And we pray for the wellbeing of those lives linked to ours
who bring us both joy and heartache
because they matter so much to us and to you
God in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
Prayers of the Community
God our Maker, hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken,
and use us in ways we may not yet even imagine to respond to those around us
with the love and mercy we see in Jesus Christ
who taught us to pray in these words…
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn #276 Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my FatherThere is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
refrain Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
Announcements
Blessing and Commendation
Please remember that our ministry functions from your generosity, please give as you are able
Comments
Post a Comment