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Sunday, April 6, 2008

See Jesus at Your Table

Third Sunday of Easter

Scriptures: Acts 2:14a, 36–41; Psalm 116:1–4, 12–19; I Peter 1:17–23; Luke 24:13–35/24:12–34 IV; I Nephi 5:113–122; Doctrine and Covenants 161:3

Sharing Christ’s Peace

Generously share the invitation, ministries, and sacraments through which people can encounter the Living Christ who heals and reconciles through redemptive relationships in sacred community.—Doctrine and Covenants 163:2b

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship: Luke 24:13–16

*Hymn

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” HS 31
OR “With Happy Voices Ringing” HS 29

*Prayer Reading: “God with Us”

Testimonies

Invite three persons of various ages to share testimonies about when they have recognized Christ in their lives.

Focus Moment Meditation: “Communion with Our Lord” 

Preparation of the Emblems (Use quiet meditation music during the preparation.)

Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine

Scripture Challenge: Luke 24:29–31

Hymn

“If Suddenly upon the Street” HS 389
OR “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” NS 33

Disciples’ Generous Response

Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries Mission Tithes. Offertory stories are provided to keep the church in touch with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ. Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information as part of your offertory ministry. Visit www.CofChrist.org/offertory to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.

Scripture: I Peter 1:18–19

Reflection

When we are reminded in the scriptures that relationship with Christ is so much more lasting than silver or gold, have you ever stopped to think about why these measures are often used in the comparison? These precious metals are mentioned in the Bible over 400 times. They have had monetary value for over 2,000 years, so hearers and readers would understand the worth of their relationship with their Savior. Let us remember that we do not gain everlasting life from the pursuit of earthly treasures, but our focus must be Christ-centered, not we-centered. Only then can we reach out to the world in need.

Hymn of Dedication

“Take My Life and Let It Be” HS 408
OR “As Saints of Old Their Firstfruits Brought” HS 405

Blessing and Offering of Oblation and Mission Tithes

*Closing Hymn

“Now Let Our Hearts Within Us Burn” HS 495
OR “Go, My Children” SP 44

*Benediction

*Postlude

God with Us

Our maker and sustainer,
     Our hearts are filled with your presence!
     You are our comforter, our counselor,
     our ever-present help,
     and our friend,
     —nearer than any other
     —knowing us and calling us each by name!
     You are our God—and we are your people!
Bless us now with calmness and strength.
     Settle us,
     center us,
     and fill us with your Spirit!
May we—each one—in this place that is so blessed with peace, sense your presence—your abiding faithfulness!
We are here together, supporting one another
     —bringing all our struggles, complexities, and fears;
     —bringing all our weakness and sin, our pain and our grief;
     —but bringing, too, all our incipient strength and our ability to grow,
     —striving to be one family
     —in love and kindness and thoughtfulness and patience,
     —united and bonded by your love, loving you and loving one another!
May the certainty-—that you are with us
     —fill us with strength beyond what we have known before!
May we be filled now (at this moment) with faith and expectancy!
     —Having no fear
     —Knowing full-well that you are with us!
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
—Virginia Bruch in Prayers and Readings for Worship, Vol. 2, Peter Judd, ed. (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 1996), 16.

Communion with Our Lord

You are invited to meet the Lord as the disciples met him on the road to Emmaus. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and for a brief time forget your present surroundings. (pause) Where would you choose to meet him? Perhaps on a quiet beach with beautiful white sands and crystal clear water, gently lapping at the edges of the shoreline. Perhaps in a peaceful, cool, green forest where you may sit on one of many smooth stones to wait for him. Or another place of your choosing. (pause) A kindly looking stranger approaches. (pause) He asks if he may sit with you and talk. (pause) He speaks as if he truly wants to know you. What would he say? (pause) He offers you forgiveness. How would you feel?

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Acts 2:14a, 36–41; Psalm 116:1–4, 12–19; I Peter 1:17–23; Luke 24:13–35/24:12–34 IV; I Nephi 5:113–122; Doctrine and Covenants 161:3

Exploring the Scriptures

The post-Resurrection narrative (Luke 24:13–35) of Jesus’ encounter with the two disciples traveling to Emmaus is only found in Luke’s Gospel. The time is Easter evening; the empty tomb has been discovered and the two discouraged disciples are walking, slowly, hopelessly on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Their faith had been shattered and their visions of a Messiah destroyed by the events of the past few days. What had started as a joyful entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) was followed by a Communion experience with their Lord in the upper room, chaotic events leading to the trial and conviction of their Lord, his crucifixion on a cross between two thieves, and now an empty tomb that symbolically reflected their feelings of emptiness (vv. 13–14).

As they walked along the road, they were joined by Jesus who, in their state of despair, they did not recognize (vv. 15–16). Jesus listened to their conversation and invited them to share their reflections of the recent events with him. They were shocked that he did not know about the events that had just taken place! Jesus then proceeded to share and interpret for them what the scriptures had foretold, prophets had foreseen, and what he himself had taught them about the events that had just taken place. Even after Jesus shared, they did not recognize him. Bible commentaries remind us that Jesus’ fulfilling of the prophecies of the scriptures is typical of Luke’s Gospel in helping readers understand that the gospel of Jesus Christ is a continuation and fulfillment of God’s covenant given to the people of Israel.

Jesus was walking ahead of the two disciples as they approached the village. It was late in the day, and they “strongly urged” Jesus to spend the evening with them. He agreed to stay. The scripture writer records that as they sat together at the table, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. It was then that their eyes were opened. They recognized him and remembered how their hearts burned within them as he had shared with them on the road earlier that day. Jesus then vanished, and they quickly returned to Jerusalem to share their testimony of the risen Lord with the other disciples and their companions (vv. 28–35). In these verses we are reminded of how encounters with the living Christ open our eyes, cause our hearts to burn, and transform our lives. Each time we come to the Communion table we have the opportunity to see Jesus, experience his forgiveness, and celebrate his love.

Central Ideas

1. Our feelings of loss, despair, and hopelessness sometimes prevent us from recognizing God’s presence with us.

2. We need to remove the barriers that prevent us from experiencing Jesus’ presence in our lives, the lives of others, and the world in which we live.

3. We too are called to invite others to join us in sacred community and experience God’s unconditional love.

4. Our witness of the risen Lord is central to our mission as disciples of Jesus.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you walked the Emmaus Road? What was going on in your life?

2. What causes you to be “blind” to Christ’s presence in your life?

3. How have you encountered the risen Lord? What was your response?

4. Where are you called to witness in your community?

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