THE CELEBRATION OF THE GOSPEL
Third Sunday of Easter
May 4, 2014
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road?”
— Luke 24.32
______________“They were walking along, talking with each other…”______________
GOSPEL Luke 24.13-15
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.
GREETING
PRELUDE Holy, Holy Jimmy Owens, arr Fred Bock
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God of life, we long for you
All: Bread of life, we hunger for you.
Breath of Life, we open ourselves to you.
Our hearts are burning within us.
Come, and stay with us.
SONG Christ Is Risen Black hymnal # 2115, vv. 1,3,4
CHILDREN’S TIME
THE WORD IN SONG Ubi Caritas Maurice Durufle
______________“He interpreted to them the things in scripture…”______________
GOSPEL Luke 24.16-27
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.
SERMON
SONG Bind Us Together Black hymnal # 2226
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PASSING THE PEACE
______________“At the table with them, he took bread…”______________
GOSPEL Luke 24.28-31
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.
OFFERING OUR GIFTS Come Share the Lord Bryan Leech, arr: Fred Bock
* COMMUNION SONG One Bread, One Body Blue hymnal #620
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son, saying, Go into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.”
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of mystery and love, all Creation shines with your presence. We praise you. We love you, We trust you.
Jesus had them sit down in groups on the green grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. They numbered five thousand.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. My cup overflows.
“Get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!”
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” He came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
[The Blessing and Covenant ]
They told what had happened, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, O God and on these gifts, that they may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Receiving the Body of Christ, may we become the Body of Christ, one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, in the power and grace of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
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 forever. Amen.
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL
[Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You walk with us unseen, and our hearts burn with wonder. By your grave may we walk with others on the road, and share with them the bread of your presence. Amen.
______________“They got up and returned…”______________
GOSPEL Luke 24.32-35
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.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
SONG Alleluia, Alleluia Blue hymnal #162
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE We sing to each other::
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE Trumpet Tune in C Alice Jordan