St. John’s United Church of Christ
Sunday April 23, 2023
Third Sunday of Easter
223 West College Avenue, Bluffton, OH 45817
Rev. Jeremy Mann (419-420-5052) Church (419-358-5641)
Email: blufftonstjohnsucc@gmail.com
Website: www.blufftonstjohns.com
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome here!
PRELUDE “Christ Has Triumphed, Alleluia!” arr. R. J. Hughes
Sue Hardwick, Organist
WELCOME Mark Badertscher, Liturgist
OPENING PRAISE AND WORSHIP “I See Grace”
Lyric Video Micah Tyler
*GATHERING PRAYER AND ADORATION
One: O Lord our God, we praise you.
All: We cried to you for help
and you answered us.
One: You have restored our lives;
All: you have rescued us from the grave.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION*
All: Lord God, in the light of your glory we see the evil we have done, the suffering we have caused, the good we have refused, and the truth we have denied. Heal us of our sin, wash us in your mercy, and feed us with your grace, so that we may follow your way and tell the good news of the gospel. Amen.
(Moment of Silent Personal Confession)
*DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
*PASSING OF CHRISTIAN PEACE
PASTORAL PRAYER (Joys and Concerns)
One: We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith; give them freedom, peace and safety.
All: We cry to you for help.
One: We pray for those who breathe curses and threats; give them new hearts and new lives to glorify you.
All: We cry to you for help.
One: We pray for those who work by day and night; give them satisfaction and rest from their labors.
All: We cry to you for help.
One: We pray for those who fear their efforts are in vain; fill their lives with your providence and grace.
All: We cry to you for help.
One: We pray for all who suffer in sickness and grief; give them healing, hope and joy.
All: We cry to you for help.
One: We pray for the faithful in every nation of the earth; give them voices to praise your name forever.
All: We cry to you for help.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (“debts” and “debtors”)
*HYMN OF PREPARATION “The Strife is O’er” P. 290
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Luke 24:13-35 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Walk to Emmaus
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then 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?” 19 He 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, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But 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. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and 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. 24 Some 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.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But 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. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They 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?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
MESSAGE “Unseen Blessings” Pastor Jeremy
*STATEMENT OF FAITH “Apostle’s Creed”
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 again 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.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE “He Lives” P. 302
GIFTS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
- Call to Sharing
- Dedicating our Gifts (In Unison)
Worthy are you, O God, to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing. Receive these gifts of thanksgiving and praise and use them for your glory and the good of your people; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*PASTORAL BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION “Sent Forth…” P. 712 (Vs. 1)*POSTLUDE “This Joyful Eastertide”
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