Sunday, April 26, 2020
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 26, 2020
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter 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. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. Acts 2:14a, 36-41
The Congregation at Worship
Gathering the Community of Faith
MINISTRY OF LIGHT Light a resurrection candle
* CALL TO WORSHIP
On which side of Easter are we living? Post Easter is the new age of God,
where Christ Jesus lives victoriously and is with us to the end of the world.
No praise is good enough for the God of this new age.
Yet this Holy One treasures our love as if it were perfect.
I will offer to God the sacrifice of a thankful heart,
and call on the name of our Living Lord.
No song is beautiful enough, no good deed is pure enough; yet this Loving One hears our songs and blesses our deeds as if they were from all the angels and archangels in heaven.
I will make my vows now to God, in the presence of the people, in the courts of the house of the Lord.
* HYMN OF PRAISE “The Church’s One Foundation” No. 545
Hymn is available by clicking here
EPISTLE LESSON 1 Peter 1: 17-23
Scripture is available by clicking here
MORNING PRAYER
Dear Lord, we are bombarded with difficulties in this season of our lives. Many find that paychecks have stopped and financial responsibilities can’t be met. Children miss their school friends and congregations miss being together to bring you praise. We are told to remain isolated, and we wonder, “How long, O Lord, how long?” In this season of Easter when we celebrate our Savior’s resurrection, we are thankful for the great gift of eternal life you have promised and demonstrated through Jesus’ life, teaching, and resurrection. We give you thanks for the blessing of friends and family, even when we are with them only by phone or computer. We thank you for the beauty of this season with trees and flowers in bloom as we await the produce of our gardens. We feel comfort knowing that, come what may, you are with us and Jesus’ grace redeems us again and again. In his name we pray, Amen
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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. Amen.
THE RESPONSIVE PSALTER from Psalm 116
Leader: I love the Lord, who has heard my voice and my supplications, and has inclined his ear to me whenever I called.
People: The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
Leader: Then I called on the name of the Lord:
People: “O Lord, I beseech you, save my life!”
Leader: What shall I return to the Lord for all my benefits?
People: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
Leader: I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
People: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.
Leader: O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your handmaid.
You have loosed my bonds.
People: I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.
Leader: I will pay my vows to the Lord, in the presence of all his people,
People: In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
All: Praise the Lord!
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
The Gospel of Luke tells the story of the resurrected Christ walking with two guys on a road to the town of Emmaus, but they never recognized him. They were telling him all about this guy they loved who got crucified. Talk in the city was that he rose from the dead. When they got home, they invited him to share their supper. When Jesus broke the bread at their supper table, they suddenly recognized that this guy, this stranger, was really Jesus and they were so happy, celebrating their risen Lord. Take a few minutes to really look at each person in your family. Think of something special that you love about each of them. Next time you eat a meal with them, tell each one at the table what you’re thinking in these moments, or tell them right now!
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS may be mailed to the church with thanks to you and our Lord. As you do so, pray, “All things come of thee of God, and of thine own have we given thee.”
HYMN: “Amazing Grace” No. 378
Hymn is available by clicking here
* GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24: 13-35
Gospel Lesson is available by clicking here
SERMON Rev. David Harper
Message from Rev Harper is available by clicking here
CLOSING HYMN: “It Is Well With My Soul” No. 377
Hymn is available by clicking here
BENEDICTION
There is no evening tiredness that Christ will not share;
no anxious day that can dawn without Christ being first there.
Amen!
There is no road to travel, no Christ-empty space,
no enemy to face, without Christ’s grace.
Amen!
There is no joy to celebrate without Christ’s grin,
no sorrow to bear without Christ’s spirit within .
Amen!
The awesome blessing of God Most Holy, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now and evermore.
Amen!