Order of Service / Easter 3 / April 19, 2026

#Gathering Hymn This is the Day That God Has Made (#175 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: When hope feels dim and our hearts grow heavy,

  All: Christ comes near and listens to us on the way.

One: When sadness and disappointment cloud our sight,

All: Christ shows us the way of love and opens our hearts.

One: The Risen Christ meets us in our journeys,

  All: and turns sorrow toward hope, and confusion toward new life.

One: Let us worship the God who does not leave us alone on the road.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Joy Comes with the Dawn (#166 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Comforting God, on this new day, you come proclaiming new life in the midst of our distress

and despair. We come with our convictions and our doubts, confessing our faith. Where we have uncertainty, you stay by our side, reassuring us with your steadfast love. Where we hold back with fear, you move ahead of us, leading us into life and purpose. When we cannot move, brought to our knees with shame or sorrow, you offer your hope and help us continue on. Embrace us now with your redeeming love, and carry us forward into a life renewed. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Gill Le Fevre. Gathering LE 2026. Page 45.

Words of Assurance

One: Hear this good news: when we walk in confusion or sorrow, Christ comes alongside us, even when we do not recognize him. He opens the Scriptures to us, warms our hearts, and is made known to us in the breaking of the bread.

All: Christ is with us on the road, forgiving, restoring, and calling us into new life. Thanks be to God.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve God Peace Like a River, VU #577)

I‘ve got love like an ocean, I‘ve got love like an ocean,

I‘ve got love like an ocean, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Acts 2:36-41 Three thousand new followers of the Way.

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 (VU p. 836) How can I repay you, God?

Luke 24:13-35 Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Stay with Us through the Night (#182 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541 VU)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise God, all creatures high and low;

give thanks to God in love made known;

Creator, Word and Spirit, One.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
 Gracious God, we bring these gifts with gratitude and trust. Bless them for ministry, compassion, and healing in the world. Shape our lives as well, so that our faith may be shown in loving action. In the name of Jesus, who walks beside us, Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn We Meet You, O Christ (#183 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Let us go into the days ahead.

All: Christ goes with us.

One: When the way is not clear,

  All: we trust the One who walks beside us.

One: When we meet pain or worry,

All: we will bring peace and hope.

One: Let us go in the grace of Christ.

All: We go in love and courage.

*Commissioning Song I Am Sending You Light (#99 TLUS)

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2

No matter where you go, no matter where you’ve been;

You’ll never walk alone. I feel you deep within.

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Message: Dance of the Wind / Acts 2:1-21

Today is Pentecost Sunday. This is the day we remember when the earliest followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Church came into being. It is the day when a new community of faith was born through the breath of God. It is a day full of mystery, courage, and hope. According to the book of Acts, on the 40th day after the resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. Before he left, he told his followers not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of God. He said, “This is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4–5). So they stayed. About 120 people remained in Jerusalem. They waited and prayed. They did not know what would happen, but they trusted what Jesus had told them. Several days later, it was the day of Pentecost. This was a Jewish festival when people from many different places came together in Jerusalem to worship and celebrate. The city was filled wit...
Read more

Message: Sowing Hope / Zechariah 8:9-12

  Thus says the LORD of hosts: Let your hands be strong—you that have recently been hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets who were present when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the LORD of hosts. For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one other. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the LORD of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.   Today, we gathered to celebrate Rural Life Sunday which is a time to give thanks for the roots of our lives. We rejoice with those who live and work in farming, fishing, and mining communities, and we acknowledge the ongoing struggles many rura...
Read more

Message: Nothing but Love / Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Today’s Gospel reading invites us to reflect on how we can share the gospel of Christ. The gospel is not simply a set of religious teachings or moral principles. It is the good news of liberation for those who live in suffering and oppression. It is the light of hope rising in the midst of darkness. When Jesus sent out his disciples, he did not tell them to force or pressure anyone. Instead, he said, “Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’” This was because the gospel of Christ is a message of peace. It brings freedom to the oppressed, hope to the despairing, and healing to broken relationships. The gospel must not be proclaimed with power. Jesus told his disciples to go with nothing. He said, “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals.” These were items that showed a person’s outward authority and status. Jesus rejected any kind of mission that relies on wealth or power. The gospel is never something to be forced or imposed. Looking back through history, we sadly see t...
Read more