Sunday, April 26

This is a photograph of two tulips in bloom.
Sunday, April 26
This is an image of two tulips blooming.

Abide With Me (Voices United, page 436)

Welcome and Opening Prayer

Our Wisdom Stories
Psalm 116: 1 - 4, 12 - 19

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!”
What shall I return to the Lord
    for all his goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord
    is the death of his faithful servants.
Truly I am your servant, Lord;
    I serve you just as my mother did;
    you have freed me from my chains.

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
    and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord—
    in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.
This is a beautiful image of a woman praying at sunrise.
This is an image of a cobblestone pathway.
This is an image of a cup and loaf of bread.
Luke 24: 13 - 35

On the Road to Emmaus

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

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

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

 “What things?” he asked.


“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.  But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Anthem: Thine Be the Glory (Voices United 173)

Reflection: The Big Picture

If you would like to download the sermon or read along, click here.

Good Christians all Rejoice (Voices United 169)

Offering and Final Benediction

A Virtual Choir - Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Voices United, 157)

Postlude: Lux Aeterna (In memory those whose lives were tragically cut short last weekend in Nova Scotia)

Moderator's Message 

Moderator Richard Bott reflects on the road to Emmaus story, and asks who are you walking with in this time of shock and tragedy?
Image credits for today's Church Online:

Tulips images by Jen Smith.
Cobblestone path image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay. 
Breaking bread image by  hudsoncrafted from Pixabay.
Woman praying image by Barbara Jackson from Pixabay.

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