Third Sunday of Easter Worship on April 26, 2020

Third Sunday of Easter
"Strait from the Heart"
​April 26, 2020

We continue with our Easter Season because Easter isn’t just one day.
It is the message of God’s desire for us to live fully every day.
The early church practiced their hope in this way:

“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)

We create a “temple” of worship in our hearts that connects us across boundaries, distance and time.
But as we share this worship, we will stay connected.
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 [everyone breathes together].

I invite you to place your hand on your heart and
let’s lightly tap together in a slow heartbeat rhythm
Holy Living God,
Heartbeat of Creation,
help us to take this time to center on you,
for you made us,
you gave us life,
and you continue to be with us
            every moment… every breath... every step

Be still, O heart, you’re not alone,
your beat is shared with me.
Come now, and calm, and center here,
you’re mine, secure and free.
Into your care, we offer now,
our worries, fears and strife.
We turn to you and know you’re near–
Your light, our love and life.

Let’s light our candles now and set our heart worry stones next to it.


Hymn / UMH #408 "The Gift of Love"

​Breaking Open the Word with Scriptur

Leader:
Here is how the story of Jesus’ surprise visit on the road and at the dinner happened. Imagine yourself walking down the road and a stranger comes along…

Reader:
On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him.

He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast.

The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?”
He said to them, “What things?”
They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.
When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he
disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”​

They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread. - Luke 24:13-35

Anthem        “Didn’t Our Hearts Burn Within Us” by Pepper Choplin

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It is difficult in this moment not to be near some of the people we love and might be worried about.
Take a moment and say out loud the names of people you wish were right there next to you at your table today.
As we name them, they are present with us in our hearts.

We also want to call to mind, the people we cannot name, whose names we do not know. But we know they need our prayers and God’s comfort.

For those who have lost loved ones
For those who are sick and recovering
For those who are caring for loved ones who are sick at home
For those who are caring for persons in medical care
For those who are separated from loved ones
For those who are feeling alone and isolated
For those who are helping and are so very tired
For those who are struggling to find friends, food, and comfort
For those who are afraid

​Closing Hymn / UMH #675 "As the Sun Doth Daily Rise"

​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.