The Celebration of the Gospel
April 26, 2018 —Third Sunday after Pentecost
They told how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.
— Luke 24.
_______________ We Gather as the Body of Christ_________________
PRELUDE
GREETING – 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.
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* CALL TO WORSHIP
Faithful God, in all our journeys, you are with us.
When we are in unfamiliar places, when we do not know what is to come, you are with us.
In disappointment, when our hearts are broken, you are with us.
When we are challenged, when we are tired and hungry, you are with us.
Therefore every moment, even the difficult ones, is a gathering, a feast,
a celebration of your presence and your grace.
We thank you. We praise you. We worship you. Alleluia!
* SONG – Christ Is Risen
Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna!
Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder:
All creation is amazed.
In the desert all-surrounding,
See, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding
Bring a taste of love unknown.
Christ is risen! Raise your spirits
From the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning.
See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection,
Not a servant, but a friend.
Jesus is our strong companion.
Joy and peace shall never end.
Christ is risen! Earth and heaven
Nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation
Where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus:
Christ is risen! Get you gone!
God the First and Last is with us,
Sing Hosanna, everyone!
CHILDREN’S TIME
___________ We Attend to the Word___________
THE WORD IN SONG- “I Surrender All” arr. by Sandra Eithun
GOSPEL Luke 24.17-27
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.
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PRAYER
God, you who speak when the word is in chaos, you who comfort us when we are anxious, you who show us the way when we cannot see: speak to your people now. Through the grace of your scripture open our eyes to the good news, so we can find the way forward. Speak, God, for we are listening. Amen.
EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 12.12-17, 26-27
Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body”, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as God chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” There is no dissension within the body, but the members have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
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GOSPEL – Luke, 24.28-29
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.
THE PRAYERS
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
___________We Share at Christ’s Table _________
SONG – One Bread, One Body
GOSPEL – Luke 24.30
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
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THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL
______We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
GOSPEL – Luke 24.31-35
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.
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NEW TESTAMENT – Acts 2.42-47
The followers of Jesus devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
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* SONG – Christ, Our Companion – Steve G-H
Christ, you companion us, walking this road,
hearing our stories and sharing our load.
Though we don’t see you or know you are here,
still our hearts burn, for they sense you are near.
Unseen companion, you tend to our fears,
bend to our grief with compassionate ears.
Walking beside us, you help us to live
bearing the peace and the healing you give.
Through darkest valleys you shepherd your sheep,
giving us courage when pathways are steep.
Christ, whom we follow and trust and adore,
you lead us always where you’ve been before.
Christ, you who feed us your life as our bread,
love that is food for the journey ahead,
send us in joy to embody your grace,
walking with you, Love, in each time and place.
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE