Third Sunday of Easter -- Year A - Worship Service - 12:00 PM Service -- Pastor Naomi Carriker

We gather each Sunday at 11:00 am for worship by singing hymns, hearing readings from the bible, praying together and a celebration of Holy Communion. Communion is the spiritual bread our bodies need to live. All are invited to join us at the Lord's table to be fed by his heavenly food, There are no strangers in God’s house, and if you choose to worship with us, we would be honored by your presence.

Introduction

Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.

Prayer of the Day

O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Today’s reading is the conclusion of Peter’s sermon preached following the giving of the Holy Spirit to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. The center of his preaching is the bold declaration that God has made the crucified Jesus both Lord and Christ.

Psalm: 116:1-4, 12-19

I will call on the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:13)

Second Reading:  1 Peter 1:17-23

The imagery of exile is used to help the readers of this letter understand that they are strangers in a strange land. Christians no longer belong to this age. Through the death of Christ we belong to God, so that our focus, faith, and hope are no longer on such things as silver or gold.

Gospel:  Luke 24:13-35

The colorful story of Jesus’ appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus answers the question of how Jesus is to be recognized among us. Here, he is revealed through the scriptures and in the breaking of bread.

13  Now on that same day two [disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,

14  and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

15  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,

16  but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

17  And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.

18  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?”

19  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,

20  and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.

21  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.

22  Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,

23  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.

24  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.”

25  Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!

26  Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?”

27  Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.  

28  As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.

29  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. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

31  Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.

32  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?”

33  That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together.

34  They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!”

35  Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

After the Sermon, Holy Communion will be offered. Come as you are, the gift of the Table of the Lord has been prepared as Jesus has requested and now we are invited to the meal. Come to the table like Peter, with m ore enthusiasm than resolve and like James and John, disappointed and the priorities of God’s reign. Come to the table like Martha, hosting and leading with confidence like Mary, full of love and grief. Come to the table like Judas, disillusioned and rebellious and like Mary Magdalene, faithful till the end. Come to the table, because it is God who invites us and it’s God’s will that those who want to should meet God here.

Blessing for the day (Our blessing is an adaptation of a Franciscan Prayer)

May God bless us with discomfort at a Easy answers, half truths and superficial leaderships so that we may live out God’s will deep in our heartland in our world.

May god bless with anger at injustice, oppression and exploration and the environments that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, hunger and war so that we may reach out with hands and hearts to help them, walk with them and turn their pain into hope and joy.

And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done. To bring justice, peace, hope and love to all children, the poor and all others in any need.

God be your comfort, your strength;

God be your hope and support;

God be your light and your way; and the blessing of God Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life, remain with you now and forever.