† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit “Now Has Christ Arisen” Oudsen
Now has Christ arisen!
†Call to Worship
Come, all who travel the road of questions and disappointment.
We come, trusting Christ walks with us.
Come to the table where hearts burn and hope returns.
We come to recognize the risen Lord among us.
Let us worship God, who turns our journeys into testimony.
Amen.
†Opening Hymn “Open My Eyes, That I May See ” UMH 454
Prayer of Illumination
Risen Christ, open our hearts and mind to your living Word. As the stone was rolled away, remove every barrier that keeps us from seeing your truth. Let your resurrection light awaken us, renew us, and draw us into the life you promised. Speak, Lord, your servants are listening. Amen
A Reading from the Old Testament Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 NRSV
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my voice and supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord; “O Lord, I pray, save my life!”
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay 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 ones. O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
God of faithful presence, walk with us on the roads we did not choose. When our hopes are disappointed and our faith feels thin, draw near. Open the Scriptures to us; open our eyes to recognize Christ; open our hearts to receive new courage. Teach us to tell the truth about our wounds without surrendering to despair. Make us a people whose stories bear witness to your grace, so that neighbors may find hope and our city may find light. Through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response “Alleluia” UMH 186
†A Reading from the Gospel Luke 24:13-35 NRSV
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 Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Reverend. Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Responsive Hymn “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” UMH 462
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “Psalm 100 (Jubilate Deo)” Roth
Offering Prayer
God of peace, receive our offerings. Let these gifts become signs of your mercy—building bridges, opening doors, and strengthening witness to Christ. Amen.
†Closing Hymn “Abide with Me ” UMH 700
†Benediction
Go in peace. Christ walks with you. Your story matters—tell it with courage, and live it with love. Amen.
†Benediction Response “Hallelujah” Trad. Caribbean, arr. Moore
Hallelujah
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude