HYMN:
"Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing" V.U. 169
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Each day we walk down familiar paths and new roads,
Often not really seeing what is all around us;
We are too often blind to the beauties of God's wondrous Creation
Caught up in our own thoughts, problems and desires.
Come to worship today with open eyes and ears,
So that we might truly experience and appreciate the wonders
Of Christian love, community and God's word for us.
Help us to see Jesus in the stranger walking next to us, eating next to us,
And join in true communion and belief by sharing Jesus' love.
Come, let us journey and worship together!
OPENING PRAYER
(in unison)
Dear God, each time we look at a loaf of bread; each time we pick up a
glass of wine or juice; and each time we walk down a pathway, help us to
see in these simple acts and symbols the presence of Jesus all around us.
Help us to become better able to discern the opportunities, needs and
challenges which you present us with, while at the same time appreciating,
celebrating and putting to good use the gifts that you have given us to
serve in this world; in this community.
OPENING PRAYER
(continued)
As you did with those travelers on the road to Emmaus, open our eyes so
that we might open our hearts, and reach out in fellowship with our hands,
words and actions. Thank you for these opportunities to serve. Amen.
We continue to pray with the words that Jesus taught us to pray, saying
together:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
HYMN:
"Rejoice, the Lord is King" V.U. 213
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN:
How do we truly rejoice?
We rejoice by…
SERVICE OF LIGHTING THE CANDLE:
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Jesus is our friend who loves us always.
ANTHEM: "Saviour, Teach Me Day by Day" Leeson/Cabena
WE HEAR GOD'S LOVING WORD FOR US
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Open our eyes, that we might see, glimpses of truth that you have for us,
dear God, in your Holy Words, as we hear, sing and recite them today. Grant
us understanding, insight and the motivation to live out your message for
us. We ask for your guidance and the strength of the Spirit so that we
might be inspired to share the Good News with all whom we meet. Amen.
Click on Scripture below for actual Bible passage Luke 24: 13-35
This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN:
"The Head that Once was Crowned" V.U. 190
MESSAGE: "Making Ourselves Open to Jesus' Presence"
RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
PASTORAL PRAYER:
OFFERING INVITATION:
OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that
ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully. V.U. 540
OFFERTORY PRAYER:
We offer these gifts in gratitude today, to assist all those travelers and
sojourners in life who may be struggling, who may have lost their way, and
for the continuing worship and mission life of this congregation, so that
we can fulfill Jesus' commandment to feed His sheep. Amen.
HYMN:
"As We Walked Home at Close of Day" V.U. 184
COMMISSIONING:
May God go with us from this place as we enter the world this week, loving
and seeking to care for our fellow human beings and being better attuned to
seeing the needs and gifts of those around us. May God continue to bless
you on your journey.
