Happy Easter!
He is Risen!
Our guest speaker today is Rev. Renny Domske.
Easter---What a joy to celebrate!!
Prelude Announcements: Choir Call to Worship: He is Risen! He is risen indeed! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! This call has rung out for 2000 years. Yet it is still as true as that first day! Christ has risen from the dead! Hallelujah! Christ is no longer in the grave! Hallelujah! The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. And by His wounds--by His stripes-we are healed! I serve a Risen Savior, He’s in the world today. I know that He is living, whatever men may say. Christ the Lord is Risen today! Up from the grave He arose! Hallelujah! Christ Arose. He is Risen indeed!
Invocation
Hymn of Praise “He Lives” see insert Unison Prayer of Joy Lord, help us to live right. Before you act, LISTEN. Before you react, THINK. Before you spend, EARN. Before you criticize, WAIT. Before you pray, FORGIVE. Before you quit, TRY. Before you fail, GIVE YOUR LIFE TO GOD. Assurance of Pardon Response – Gloria Patri Passing the peace The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you And also with you. Children Chat Gospel Joy John 20:1-9 Choir Anthem Gospel Joy John 20: 10-18 Prayer for Illumination Exploring God’s Word Dr. Renny Domske “My Mamma Martha Now Playing Mary” Hymn of Dedication “Christ Arose see insert Apostles Creed Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Offertory—Doxology Prayer of dedication Joys and Concerns Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE Communion Hymn of Celebration - Every morning is Easter Morning See insert. Choir Benediction
0 Comments
He is Risen!
Happy Easter!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet together, we share our joys and concerns together. If you have any prayer requests you would like to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Lord God, You loved this world so much, that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice.
Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world. All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen.
Today's lesson is on Luke 24:13-27, 30-31.
Lesson Context
Today's lesson follows directly after the women found the empty tomb. Our book says that many Jews at the time believed in the bodily resurrection of the dead. This idea is rooted in certain Old Testament prophetic texts (example Daniel 12:1-3, 13). In the time between the Old and New Testaments, this doctrine was developed further. However, not all Jews believed in the resurrection (Acts 23:8). Jesus' followers, though skeptical of the empty tomb, would not have entirely dismissed the possibility.
The Journey Begins
Two of Jesus followers who had heard the women's report were walking to a village called Emmaus. Emmaus was close enough to Jerusalem that they would have made the walk in a day. Our book says we do not know the exact location of the village. This is the only mention of the place in the New Testament. The men were discussing what had happened. Our book says the word used suggests a strong debate. Jesus came up and walked with the men. However, they were kept from recognizing him. This could mean that either God obscured their vision in some way, or that Jesus' physical appearance was changed from before his burial.
The Travelers Lament
Jesus starts a conversation by asking what they are talking about. The men are surprised! How could this man not know about all the things that had just happened in Jerusalem? Ironically, that man was the only person who fully understood the events of that week. The two men explain that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. They said he was a prophet, and that there was hope he would redeem Israel. As we have discussed before, the Jews were hoping for a political redemption, which would free them from oppressive foreign occupation. By speaking of the only who was going to redeem Israel, the travelers likely believed that Jesus was going to save their people from foreign oppression. To see Jesus put to death in a horrifying manner brought them disappointment. Further, this was the third day after Jesus died, when Jesus promised his disciples that he would be resurrected. If these two men had heard of that promise, they had left Jerusalem without experiencing the fulfillment of the promise. The men recounted that the women found the empty tomb that morning, and that at least Peter (and maybe also John) confirmed the empty tomb. But the men had not seen their resurrected Lord.
The Stranger Responds
Jesus calls the two men on the road foolish. This follows the tradition of Hebrew wisdom literature, like the book of Proverbs, which calls out the folly of fools. Jesus referred to all the things our Old Testament said regarding the Messiah. In Jesus' day, the scripture would have been traditionally seen in three categories:
As the travelers reached Emmaus, they invited the unknown stranger to stay with them as an act of hospitality. When they sat down to eat, Jesus acted as the host by giving thanks and breaking the bread. At this point, the men recognize Jesus. Then, Jesus vanishes. Our book says that his being recognized and yet vanishing from the men's sight indicates both a continuity and a discontinuity with his physical body after the resurrection. The men then returned to Jerusalem and told the other disciples of their experience with the resurrected Christ.
Conclusion
The travelers in today's scripture had an experience that brought about a personal revolution. Their saddened outlook was transformed when they shared a meal with the resurrected Lord. This revolution brought the two travelers joy, enthusiasm and peace. It also meant reordered priorities; they received a correction and were reminded of how scripture pointed to Christ's resurrection and the resulting revolution. Are you attentive to the ways the resurrection can change your expectations -- and your life? Prayer Heavenly Father, Jesus' resurrection has changed the world. Show us how we might better teach your Word for other people to believe in you. In the name of the resurrected Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the New Revised Standard Version.
Next week's lesson will be on John 21:1-14.
Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Renny Domske.
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. Birthdays, anniversaries, the prayer list and announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
Easter Worship
Prelude Music Director Robert Senay Announcements Choral Introit “Come Christians Join to Sing” CALL TO WORSHIP He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed! He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. And by His wounds---by His stripes---we are healed. He died for the sins of each one of us here. But He no longer is in the grave; He has risen from the dead! Christ the Lord is Risen today! Up from the grave He Arose! He Is Risen! Christ Arose! Hallelujah! He is Risen indeed!
Good morning!
Happy Easter!
When we meet together in person, we share our joys and concerns before we focus on our Sunday school lesson. Think about your needs and concerns right now, and if you like, you can share them in the comments.
Today’s lesson is on the resurrection account in Matthew 28:1-10. It is about how two women went to Jesus’s tomb in order to prepare his body. It is about the encounter they had with an angel there and with Jesus as they were returning to tell the disciples what they had seen and heard. The lesson is also about how Christ’s resurrection was and is the pivotal moment for the world and for each of us as Christ’s followers. The following prayer was written by Liz Curtis Higgs and posted on the website crosswalk.com:
Dear God, thank You for the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. We want to celebrate Him every day of our lives. In a world that grows increasingly dark, help us hold up His light. Give us the courage to speak as boldly as Mary Magdalene did, and never be ashamed of proclaiming Your Good News. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This week's lesson is on Matthew 28:1-10.
Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Don Austin
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
Hymn: “Christ The Lord is Risen Today”
CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The Lord is risen indeed: Hallelujah People: The Lord is risen indeed: hallelujah Leader: I am He that lives and was dead, saith the Lord; and behold, I am alive forevermore. People: Glory be to you, O God, who raised up your Son from the dead and made us partakers of His victory over sin and death.
Good Morning!
Happy Easter!
When we met in person, we shared our joys and concerns together. Take some time to think over your last week. What joys and concerns do you have? If you would like, you can share those as a comment so that the rest of us can pray as well. When you're ready, use the prayer below (from Woman's Day) to get started.
Lord, we lift our hearts to you. As the dawn breaks, may we carry the unity we share into every moment knowing that we are one with the risen Christ.
Lord, we lift our eyes to you. As the sun rises, may this moment stay with us, reminding us to look for the beautiful colors of promise in your word. Lord, we lift our prayers to you. As the dew air falls, may we breathe this morning in and know that like the earth, you sustain us, keep us and work within us always. And so, we lift our voices to you. We celebrate the greatest day in history, when Jesus rose from death, defeated darkness and bathed the world in stunning resurrection light. May we ever live to praise you! Amen.
Today's lesson is on Isaiah 53:4-11. The devotional reading is Philippians 2:1-11.
If you have any thoughts or observations on the scripture passages from today, you can share them in the comments.
Our benediction this week is from the Complete Jewish Bible.
Next week's lesson will be on Ezra 10:1-12.
Happy Easter!
|
AuthorWe are a small, rural Presbyterian church in southwestern Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|