The Third Sunday of Easter, 26 April 2020 

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

O God of mystery, out of death you delivered Christ Jesus,
and he walked in hidden glory with his disciples.

Stir up our faith, that our hearts may burn within us at the sound of his word
and our eyes be opened to recognize him in the breaking of the bread.

Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead,
who lives and reigns with you now and always
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Walk With Me” – Kim Walker – Jesus Culture (Passion 2013)

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 24:13-35 (NLT)

The Walk to Emmaus

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.
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Psalm 16 (Fullness of Joy) Shane & Shane

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Prayers of Intercession:

O Lord our God, you show us the path of life: support us by your presence and help us every step of the way, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

• You alone, O God, are our inheritance, every good thing we have comes from you….
• Keep safe all who come to you for refuge, O God, that we may find our rest in you….
• Comfort us during our anxious nights, O God, with your presence close beside us….
• Cover our homes and families during this pandemic, O God, with the blood of Jesus….
• Provide sustenance, O God, for all those who have lost their jobs and livelihoods….
• Turn our hearts from sadness, O God, to joy-filled faith and hope through our risen Lord….

O Lord our God, you show us the path of life: support us by your presence and help us every step of the way, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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A Reading from the Epistles: 1 Peter 1:17-21 (NLT)

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
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rust In You – Lauren Daigle

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Closing: 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen