Greetings for another week of “Church at Home”
The peace of Christ be with us all.
Christ be with us as we continue physical distancing.
Christ be with us as we seek to live as disciples, as we celebrate the gift of life of Easter.
Christ be with us as we grieve. This week, all Canadians have been shocked and grieved by the shootings and deaths in Nova Scotia. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and communities of the victims.
Christ be with us as we miss being together. For our church community, Sunday would have been the final performance of this year’s Dinner Theatre. We look forward to the joy of when we can gather together again. (Dinner Theatre has been rescheduled to October 22-25.)
Our scripture this week is the story of two of Jesus’ followers on the road to Emmaus. It is a story of ‘Christ be with us’.
Thanks to everyone for engaging with us on this COVID-19 journey. We are grateful to share ministry with you and really appreciate your efforts to stay in touch, to provide us with feedback, and to continue to care about TMUC with your prayers and your financial support. Donations on PAR, through www.canadahelps.org and in cheques mailed to the church are making a difference. Thank you.
And thanks to all those who are placing orders for our fundraiser at www.glenleagreenhouses.com You can place orders online until May 1 with delivery to the church on May 22.
Even though we cannot be together in one place, let’s continue to be a community at prayer together. On Sunday at 10:00, let’s think about the gifts we have in our lives, and needs of our world, and then let’s all pray the Lord’s prayer (you can pray silently, or out loud).
And, sometime, when you want to have a longer worship time, we are including some words and videos for your use.
Worship for Sunday, April 26, 2020
Call to Prayer
‘Where Love Comes to Life’ sung and played by Cheryl Jackson
We gather together although we are apart.
We gather in community although we are alone.
We gather asking for God’s blessing on our lives, and on our world.
We gather knowing God is with us.
Gospel
TMUC’s puppets – Emmett and Esther have heard the Gospel and here’s what they have to say:
Printable version – Esther and Emmett_April 26
The scripture reading today is Luke 24:13-45
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.
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?”
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, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.
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. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,
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. 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.”
Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 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.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
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?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together.
They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reflection
Printable version – Jeff’s reflection on ‘EMMAUS’_April 26
Hymn
‘Stay with Us through the Night’ – Cheryl singing and playing the piano and Annette playing the violin
Let us pray:
Holy God, we come before you thankful that you stay with us. You stay with us through all of our lives and are with us now. We thank you that you are with those we love, and through whom we experience your grace and care.
We thank you that you stay with those who are suffering and grieving. This world knows such pain through acts of violence. We especially think about the people in Nova Scotia. And we think about those who are afraid of violence in their own homes.
We pray for those on whom we lean in this COVID pandemic. We give thanks for all those who are working towards health and safety for all on our planet. So many people are needed to make the world a better and safer place right now, and we give thanks for their service and their courage.
Help us O God to live as faith-filled disciples. Help us to remember that we are Easter people, and nothing can separate us from you or from one another.
We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. AMEN
Song
Lynne, Steve, Crystal, Marcel, and Harvey lead ‘Lean on Me’ with a few guests!
God bless you and keep you.
God’s face shine upon.
God grant you peace and joy.
Be in the peace of Christ, this day and always. Amen
We keep you in our prayers,
Carol and Jeff