Welcome
(Click video to play)
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle, like we do at church, to remind you of the presence of the Holy Spirit. You can have a bowl of water in the vicinity to remind you of your baptism, and to use during the ‘Thanksgiving for Baptism’ portion of worship. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we find creative ways to worship together, even though we are not in the same building. One good thing about virtual worship is that if you really like a song, you can listen to it again! Do what you need to do to worship God wherever you are.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
Read these words to yourself our out loud. Mark the sign of the cross on your hand or forehead or in the air space in front of you. If you are with other people, you can mark the sign of the cross for each other.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! We give you thanks, holy and gracious God, for you created the waters of the earth: oceans, streams, lakes, and rivers. You led your people through the sea and called them to life in covenant with you. Your Son was baptized in the river Jordan to begin his mission among us. You pour out your Holy Spirit to renew the all of the earth. Through this water remind us of the gift of baptism. Renew us in your promise so that we may serve this world in all its need; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Song
Open the Eyes of My Heart
(Click video to play)
Open the eyes of my heart Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see You. I want to see You.
To see You high and lifted up. Shining in the light of Your glory. Pour out Your power and love. As we sing holy holy holy.
Holy holy holy. Holy holy holy. Holy holy holy. I want to see You.
Prayer of the Day
O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Reading
1 Peter 1:17-23
(Click video to play)
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. 20Christ was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through Christ 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.
Anthem
O Del Mio Dolce Ardor
(Click video to play)
Children’s Moment
(Click video to play)
Reading and Message
Luke 24:13-35
(Click video to play)
13Now on that same day when Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene, two of them 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 Jesus 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 Jesus 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 Jesus 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 Jesus had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Hymn of the Day
Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing
(Click video to play)
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky. Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine, but saving, healing, here and now, and touching ev’ry place and time.
In ev’ry insult, rift, and war, where color, scorn, or wealth divide, Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth, can feel the Spirit, hear the call, and find the way, the life, the truth, revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring good news to this and every age, till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Apostles’ Creed
(Click video to play)
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers
Separated in our residences but united by God’s promises of restoration, we pray for the church, the earth, the world, and all who are in need.
Gracious God, give us faith to know your loving presence among us. Open the scriptures to us, and nourish us with your word. Direct our church leaders, in their novel and difficult tasks. Bind into one all denominations around the globe in hope for the renewal of all things, and uphold the work of the World Council of Churches. Hear our prayer.
Bless all the natural world. Renew landscapes, cleanse the waters, and protect the animals. Save your people especially at this time from destructive storms and floods. Hear our prayer.
Preserve all peoples from war and violence. Guide the leaders of nations, our president, our governors, and our legislators toward wise decisions in struggling against the virus and in reviving the economy. Teach all peoples how to share limited resources with those in greater need. Guide the work of the United Nations during this unprecedented situation. Hear our prayer
Come to all who suffer from the virus. Comfort the mourners, heal the sick, sustain medical workers. Empower those researchers who are seeking a vaccine. Stay with us, and accompany all those who are isolated or afraid. Give to those with prior ailments and chronic disease their necessary medical care. Especially we pray for those we name here before you now . . . Hear our prayer.
Uphold farmers, ranchers, migrant workers, and all who produce, package and market our food. Guard the health of those who work at grocery stores. Bless the efforts of local food banks. Enable us to feed the children who have relied on food given out at school. Show us how to feed the people living in refugee camps and nations experiencing famine and drought. Hear our prayer.
Walk with us on our roadways, whether marked with sorrow or joy, and receive our petitions, both sad lament or joyful praise. Hear our prayer.
Accept our praises for those who have died in the faith, including those who stricken with the virus and the medical workers who died healing others, Accompany us now until at the end of all things we feast at your table with all the saints in glory. Hear our prayer.
With bold confidence in your providence, O holy and gracious God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our saving Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
(Click video to play)
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Sending Song
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia!
(Click video to play)
Christ the Lord is ris’n today; Alleluia! Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia! offer praise with love replete, Alleluia! at the paschal victim’s feet. Alleluia!
For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia! sinless in the sinner’s stead. Alleluia! Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia! now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia! God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia! when contending death and life, Alleluia! met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!
Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia! all your grateful homage pay; Alleluia! Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia! now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
Franciscan Sending
(Click video to play)
Read this out loud. If you are with other people, take turns reading the parts out loud.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems, and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forevermore. Amen.
Blessing
(Click video to play)
May the One who brought forth Jesus from the dead raise you to new life, fill you with hope, and turn your mourning into dancing. Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.
Dismissal
Christ is risen, just as he said. Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Worship Assistants:
Music:
Lori, Ian
Message:
Pastor Kristin
Readers:
Inara, Satya, Aimee, Pat, Maddy Jo, Dylan, Scott, Zander, Ally
Children’s Moment:
Dione
Click below to sign up to be a Worship Assistant
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted with permission. CCLI#116214