The Third Sunday of Easter
The videos for this worship service are posted on our Church’s youtube channel as a playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBiEVOXnXWzb7MM1N7c8ihbo-rE_RyKR
1) Welcome and Prayer
Click on the youtube link below to hear the words of welcome.
Good morning everyone. This week has been a difficult one for Canada as we’ve faced the tragic events that happened in Nova Scotia. Our hearts and our prayers go out to the families and the communities who lost loved ones. There will be a time later on in the service when we can pray specifically for the people of Nova Scotia.
While our hearts are heavy with concerns and burdens for others and ourselves, let’s listen to Jesus’ voice as he says to each one of us:
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.(Matthew 11:28-30)
Let’s pray,
God of heaven and earth,
we rejoice in the hope revealed with Easter’s light.
Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
we see beyond all doubt that nothing exists beyond your saving power.
You work within our brokenness, limitation and loss to bring new life.
You have overcome even death,
promising us and all creation the power of your transforming love
and the gift of new beginnings.
God of resurrecting power,
it is by Easter’s light that we worship this day.
In that light, we dare to believe, to trust, to risk and to pray
in the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
2) Musical Call to Worship: Come, Let Us Sing for Joy to the Lord
Click on the link below and sing along for a musical call to worship.
3) Praise Songs
Sing these praise songs. Click on the links below for the youtube videos.
“All Creatures of our God and King”
“Knowing You, Jesus”
4) Song of Confession: “Create in Me a Clean Heart”
Click the link below to hear this song of confession.
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5) Song of Assurance of Forgiveness: “Amazing Love”
Click the link below to hear this song of assurance.
6) Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 23
Someone in your group can read this passage.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
7) Prayer for Nova Scotia
Take some time and pray for the people in Nova Scotia, whose lives have been shaken by the violent events of this past week. I encourage you to use this prayer.
God of loving-kindness,
you hold all situations and souls in your hands and
you are our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.
You sent Christ into the world
that we might have life
and have it abundantly;
he came as the Prince of Peace
to a world that is too often violent.
In the face of harrowing events in Nova Scotia we pray for the family, friends,
schools, hospitals, care-workers, law enforcement agencies and personnel, communities and congregations that have been experiencing so much shock, loss, grief and pain this week.
We come to you in grief
for those whose lives are cut short or are now forever changed; and
we come to you in sorrow and anger
at the violence in our streets, schools, workplaces and homes.
Give us strength to be a comfort to those in sorrow;
give us wisdom to be voices of peace in moments of chaos, tension and fear;
and give us courage to be a force for change in our communities.
And in your grace, let us see the day when the circumstances that lead to violence are transformed and the guns and weapons that destroy life are made into instruments of peace and healing.
These things we pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
8) Reflection Hymn: Be Still
Sing this reflective song before we listen to the Gospel lesson. Click the link below for the youtube video, which has the words and music.
9) Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:13-34
Click the link below and watch the dramatized reading of the Gospel lesson.
10) Message: Encountering Jesus
Click on the link to hear the sermon. A copy of the sermon is also attached to this email.
Prayer after the Sermon
Lord Jesus,
you are our companion on the way,
you walk behind, beside, beyond;
you catch us unawares.
Break through the disillusionment and despair
clouding our vision,
that, with wide-eyed wonder,
we may find our way and journey on
as messengers of your good news. Amen.
11) Musical Response: Be Still My Soul
Click on the link below for the youtube video.
12) Blessing
Click the link below to hear the words of blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace. Amen.