Sunday Worship + April 26, 2020

+ 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. +

Gathering Hymn: Christ is Risen by Matt Maher

Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love

And bled for us
Freely You’ve bled for us

Chorus:
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but Heaven’s will
No scheme of Hell, no scoffer’s crown
No burden great can hold You down

In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim

Chorus

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night

Sing it, o death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead,
He’s alive, He’s alive

Hymn of Praise: Lord, I Lift Your Name On High (ELW #857)

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
we are raised with him to new life.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.

We give you thanks, O God,
for in the beginning you created us in your image
and planted us in a well-watered garden.
In the desert you promised pools of water for the parched,
and you gave us water from the rock.
When we did not know the way,
you sent the Good Shepherd to lead us to still waters.
At the cross, you watered us from Jesus’ wounded side,
and on this day, you shower us again with the water of life.
We praise you for your salvation through water,
for the water in this font,
and for all water everywhere.
Bathe us in your forgiveness, grace, and love.
Satisfy the thirsty, and give us the life only you can give.
To you be given honor and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.

Opening Prayer

Holy Stranger, at times we do not recognize you. We have inherited beliefs that narrow our perception. We rely on you, O God, to help us expand our understanding of the Sacred among us. Stretch us, that we might grow in faith. Challenge us, that we might deepen our commitment to love’s strange ways. Amen. 

Readings

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. +

The first reading comes from Acts beginning at the second chapter.

^14aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd], ³⁶“Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
  ³⁷Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” ³⁸Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” ⁴⁰And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

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

Together we will read responsively from Psalm 116.

¹I love the Lord, who has heard my voice,
  and listened to my supplication,
 ²for the Lord has given ear to me
  whenever I called.
 ³The cords of death entangled me; the anguish of the grave came upon me;
  I came to grief and sorrow.
 ⁴Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
  “O Lord, I pray you, save my life.” 
 ¹²How shall I repay the Lord
  for all the good things God has done for me?
 ¹³I will lift the cup of salvation
  and call on the name of the Lord.
 ¹⁴I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
  in the presence of all God’s people.
 ¹⁵Precious in your sight, O Lord,
  is the death of your servants.
 ¹⁶O Lord, truly I am your servant;
  I am your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
 ¹⁷I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
  and call upon the name of the Lord. R
 ¹⁸I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
  in the presence of all God’s people,
 ¹⁹in the courts of the Lord‘s house,
  in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

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. +

The second reading comes from 1 Peter beginning at the 1^st chapter.

¹⁷If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. ¹⁸You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. ²⁰He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. ²¹Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
  ²²Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. ²³You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message

Earlier this week I found an incredible devotional resource by Pastor Mark and Pastor Jesse, who are good friends of mine and ELCA pastors in Greensboro, NC. They’ve created Morning Watch as a daily devotion and singing time that they are posting daily. There is one for adults and one just for children. Check it out as well as the coloring pages I’ve posted to the Holy Trinity Facebook Page!

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.+

The Holy Gospel according to Luke beginning at the 24th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

¹³Now on that same day [when Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene,] two [disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸Then 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?” ¹⁹He 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, ²⁰and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. ²¹But 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. ²²Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³and 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. ²⁴Some 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.” ²⁵Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! ²⁶Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” ²⁷Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
  ²⁸As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. ²⁹But 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. ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. ³²They 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?” ³³That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. ³⁴They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Sermon

Stay tuned. The sermon will be posted shortly.

Hymn of the Day: In the Breaking of the Bread by Amanda Udis-Kessler

In the breaking of the bread, in the telling of the story,
In the drinking of the cup, love comes to life.
In the sharing of the meal, in the feeding of the hungry,
We remember all the gifts that love provides.

In the passing of the peace, in the practice of compassion,
In the welcome we embrace, love makes a way.
In the tenderness we show, in the time we take to listen,
We embody love’s great blessing every day.

In the healing of the sick, in the emptying of prisons,
In the work we do for justice, love is spread.
In the caring for the poor, in the housing of the homeless,
In the hope we bring the hopeless we let go of our aloneness

And are one in the breaking of the bread.

Prayers of the People

Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

For those whose hearts are fervent with love for your gospel, that they are empowered to tell the story of your love in their lives and to show hospitality in response to this love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the diverse natural world: for jungles, prairies, forests, valleys, mountains, and for all the wild and endangered animals who call these spaces home, that they are nurtured and protected. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For broken systems we have inherited and that we continue to perpetuate, forgive us. Restrain the nations from fighting over limited resources. Redeem us from the cycles of scarcity and violence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who call upon your healing name, give rest. Stay with us, and walk with all those who are hungry, friendless, despairing, and desiring healing in body and spirit especially Peter, Laura, Kathy, Susan, Tom S., Maeve, Anita, Catalina Ann, Jacqueline, Bob, Joe I., Tony, Joe W., Cliff, Jan, Kara, Diane, Jennifer, Ingke, the family and friends of Barney, Edwin, Diane, Rosetta, Franco, the family and friends of Marie, Charley, the family and friends of Dorothy, Zenaida, and anyone we name silently in our hearts, aloud in our homes, or in the comments below. We celebrate with Cassie, Mike, and Lucas on the birth of Mason James. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those in pursuit of recovery and perseverance in the midst of the Coronavirus. We pray for all essential workers in New York City and around the country who continue to work and put their own wellbeing on the line to help us face this crisis. We pray for doctors, nurses, first responders, researchers, law enforcement, caregivers, sanitation and maintenance workers, and all working to combat COVID-19. Be with those who work in service and restaurant professions, those keeping stores stocked and making at home deliveries, for teachers both at home and online working tirelessly to give our children an education in the midst of crisis. We pray for those who transport goods to the places that need them, provide them with what they need along the journey. Keep them safe, keep them healthy, and help us to find ways to provide them with the supplies that they need to do their jobs well. We ask that you continue to be with employers and employees who are struggling to figure out how to keep things going during this time. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those at Holy Trinity who celebrate their birthdays in April including Tyler, Hailey, Courtney, Ken, Tiffany, Bobette, Kyle, Joe, Ruth, Nicholas, Brandon, Jamie, Isabella, Doris, John, and Jancie. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Create in our hearts a yearning to rest in your promise of eternal and resurrected life. Give us thankful hearts for those who have died, even as we look forward to the hope of new life with you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering

Please consider continuing to mail in your offering or giving online!  We continue to have expenses that need to be covered during this time. We are most grateful for your generosity.

Offertory Hymn We Are an Offering (ELW #692)

Thanksgiving for the Word

Let us pray.    
O God of justice and love, we give thanks to you that you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, awaken us to the needs of others, and at the end bring all the world to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven,     
hallowed be thy name,     
thy kingdom come,     
thy will be done,     
on earth as it is in heaven.     

Give us this day our daily bread;     
and forgive us our trespasses,     
as we forgive those who trespass against us;     
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.     

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Benediction

Now is the acceptable time.   
Now is the day of salvation.   
Holy God, speaking, spoken, and inspiring,
☩ bless you, unbind you,   
and send you in love and in peace.    Amen.     

Sending Hymn: Christ is Arisen Alleluia!

Mfurahini, haleluya

SWAHILI
Mfurahini, haleluya,
mkombozi amefufuka.
Amefufuka, haleluya,
Msifuni sasa yu hai.

Refrain
Tumwimbie sote kwa furaha.
Yesu ametoka kaburini
Kashinda kifo, haleluya;
Haleluya, Yesu yu hai.

ENGLISH
1 Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise him, alleluia.
For our redeemer burst from the tomb,
even from death, dispelling its gloom.

Refrain
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!

2 For three long days the grave did its worst
until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo,
and in its conquest his might did show.  Refrain

3 The angel said to them, “Do not fear.
You look for Jesus who is not here.
See for yourselves the tomb is all bare.
Only the graveclothes are lying there.”  Refrain

4 “Go spread the news: he’s not in the grave.
He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done.
Even the battle with sin is won.”  Refrain

5 Christ has arisen to set us free.
Alleluia, to him praises be.
Jesus is living! Let us all sing;
he reigns triumphant, heavenly king.  Refrain

Swahili text © 1968 Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, Tanzania, admin. Augsburg Fortress. English text © 1977 Howard S. Olson, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Text: Bernard Kyamanywa, b. 1938; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922

Dismissal

What is our mission? Welcoming all to grow in faith; living Christ’s message of serving and loving neighbors near and far.

Go in Peace, share the Good News! Thanks be to God!