Second Sunday of Easter Worship on April 19, 2020

THE HEART OF THE MATTER
April 19, 2020

Prelude

​Friends, you may not realize that Easter is not just a day. Easter is a whole season of eight Sundays that last from Easter until Pentecost Sunday, a time when we celebrate the Spirit of Christ in the church as the presence of Jesus’ work ongoing in the world. During the Easter Season, we will continue to hear more about Jesus’ message of what is truly the “Heart of the Matter” in our lives.  As you gather each week in front of your computer, tablet or phone, think of how you can make this spot a Worship space.  Perhaps you can light a candle, put out your pocket/prayer stone, make a cup of Coffee or Tea and we can “sit a spell, with each other and God.


  “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.” (Acts 2: 46-47a)


​So over the next few weeks, we are following our ancestor’s traditions. We are creating a “temple” of worship in our hearts whether we can be physically together or not. By sharing in words and music and breathing and eating and moving together, we will stay connected. The earliest Christians worshiped in their homes before they had churches, and so will we, until we can meet again in our sanctuaries. Because at the “Heart of the Matter,” we are connected through the Spirit that makes us one in love.​​

Opening Act of Centering Our Hearts as One
We are going to center our hearts as one to begin.
Let’s take a deep breath together
I invite you to place your hand on your heart and
let’s lightly tap together in a slow heartbeat rhythm

Let’s take another deep breath,
making sure our shoulders and any tension we feel in our bodies
is letting go with the breath
Let us pick up our heart stone, sometimes called a “worry stone,”
and let our touch on its surface remind us that God’s touch is
within us, between us, and around us.
As close and real as this object is in our hands right now,
is how close Love is to us always.

Leader: Today we imagine Jesus at our “right hand,” counseling us throughout our days, with these words, “Peace be with you.” This is what he did when he appeared to the disciples after his resurrection. They were in a locked room, fearing for their lives. Sound familiar? Let’s let Jesus speak these words to us as well. Here is how the story from the Gospel of John goes:

People: “It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid… Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As [Abba, God] sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” - John 20: 19-22

Leader: Two things Jesus wanted the disciples to have in their moment of fear was peace and the Spirit. “Taking a breather” is one way to see what Jesus offered to them. He wanted them to take his breath so that they would feel his spirit living in them. May Peace be with you.

Scripture: John 21:15-17 (NIV)

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Sermon / Pastor Gil - "Do You Love Me?"

PRAISE GOD

We know Jesus is present among us… [repeat]
even in this very home… [repeat]
We will not let fear be louder than love… [repeat]
but with glad hearts and rejoicing souls… [repeat]
we will sing God’s praise… [repeat]
for we are Easter People…! [repeat]

HAVE GOODWILL
​
Let’s decide to send some good news out to the world that needs it! What message does the world need? Perhaps you will decide to create a way to let more and more people know the message of Christ, “You are not alone. I am here. Peace be with you.” What can we do to create more peace in our household, in our family, in our relationships with those we cannot be with right now? How can we offer peace to those who are working so hard right now? How can we offer peace to those who feel no peace or comfort? Maybe we can send virtual HUGS through email, text or Facebook.  Make some random calls to people on our mail list.  Put some hearts in your windows.  Look for heart shapes in nature as you take a walk.  The list could be endless.  JUST LOOK FOR LOVE!

Benediction
(based on Psalm 16)

As we close this time together, remember:
God is always with you. No matter what you face,
no matter what trials or hardships come your way,
God is right beside you, whispering “Peace be with you,”
guiding and directing your path.
So do not live in fear, but in joy.
Take heart! This is the heart of the matter.
​Amen.