The Story We Live Into

We held virtual worship on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 10am. You can view the recording below or on Facebook clicking here.

Worship Bulletin
Second Sunday After Easter 2020 10 a.m

GATHERING O Master Let Me Walk with Thee
Charlie & Cynthia Yerrick

CALL TO WORSHIP

Come, People of God! We’ve a story to tell to the nations!
Jesus Christ is Lord!

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
Jesus Christ is Lord!

Over powers and authorities, over pandemics and pandemonium,
Jesus Christ is Lord!

Over all who determine, control, govern
or finance the affairs of mankind,
Jesus Christ is Lord!

Of the poor and the broken, of the sinned against and sinner,
Jesus Christ is Lord!

Above the church, beyond our most excellent theologies,
and in the quiet corners of our hearts,
Jesus Christ is Lord!

Let us worship the Crucified and Risen One.
Amen!

OPENING PRAYER Roddy Hamilton, mod.

When Thomas touched the wounds and set himself free
it was Easter day

When Peter’s three “yes’s” to Jesus finished his three denials
it was Easter day

When Mary, ready to embalm the dead,
ran in fear from the empty tomb
it was Easter day

When the disciples looked from afar
at a breakfast of fish on the beach
it was Easter day

When Emmaus became synonymous with welcome
and the breaking of bread with strangers
it was Easter day

When Paul was blinded by the light
and recognized the voice niggling in his head
it was Easter day

When people know they are beloved even in isolation
it is Easter day

When human connecting is stronger than social distancing
it is Easter day

When the hungry are fed at the same table as the rich
it is Easter day

When weapons are beaten to plowshares
and peace is a word to be shouted
it is Easter day

When the stranger is welcomed in community
and the lonely are restored to relationship
it is Easter day

GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24:13-35

Read by Sara Haskins

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.

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?” 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, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 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. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 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. 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.”

Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 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. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

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?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The poet Denise Levertov was inspired by this painting by Diego Valázquez to tell the story of the Servant Girl at Emmaus.
It is read today by Eve Thorsen.

POEM Denise Levertov

She listens, listens, holding her breath.
Surely that voice
is his—the one
who had looked at her, once,
across the crowd, as no one ever had looked?
Had seen her?
Had spoken as if to her?
Surely those hands were his,
taking the platter of bread from hers just now?
Hands he’d laid on the dying and made them well?
Surely that face—?
The man they’d crucified for sedition and blasphemy.
The man whose body disappeared from its tomb.
The man it was rumored now some women had seen this morning,
alive?
Those who had brought this stranger home to their table
don’t recognize yet with whom they sit.
But she in the kitchen,
absently touching the wine jug she’s to take in,
a young Black servant intently listening,
swings round and sees
the light around him
and is sure.