​Call to Worship                    Revelation 5:13
Then I heard every creature in heaven
and on the earth and under the earth
and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
To the one seated on the throne
and to the Lamb,
be blessing and honor and glory and might
forever and ever!
 
Prayer of the Day
God of heaven and earth,
We rejoice today before the throne of Christ’s power and peace,
for he has put down tyrannies that would destroy us,
and unmasked idols claiming our allegiance.
We thank you that he alone is Lord of our lives.
by your Spirit,
give us freedom to love with his love,
and to embrace the world with his compassion.
Accept the offering of our lives,
that we may obey your commands to witness and serve.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
 
Hymn                           Lift High the Cross
   George William Kitchen; Michael Robert Newbolt, Sydney Hugo Nicholson
                       Glory to God, Westminster John Knox Press
Refrain
Lift high the cross, the cross of Christ proclaim,
til all the world adore his sacred name.
Come, Christians follow where our Savior trod,
the Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God.  Refrain
 
All newborn servants of the Crucified
bear on their brow the seal of Christ who died. Refrain
 
O Lord, once lifted, on the glorious tree,
your death has brought us life eternally. Refrain
 
So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory. Refrain
 
Scripture Reading                    Luke 24:44-53
 
The Word Proclaimed
I’m not a very quantitative person, but I think it’s safe to estimate that approximately none of us has witnessed a person being taking up from earth into the clouds and vanishing from sight to be transported to the right hand of God.
 
Which presented me with a problem this week as I considered the message I would share with you. I stumbled around my theological attic a bit until I learned that an extended family member had just that day been delivered to the entrance of a local hospital by family members, to have joint replacement surgery. No one was permitted to accompany him. I wondered how that felt on both sides of that event. What does it feel like to be a patient, or to face surgery alone, and what does it feel like to drop off a loved one and see the doors close behind him, shutting them out. When would they see each other again? Would they see each other again? I know many of you have experienced this same thing recently.
 
And then I remembered how this scripture text connects to our life and faith.
Since Advent and Christmas, I have been thinking a lot about the nature of Jesus, fully God and fully human. We celebrate his humble birth at Christmas. This is Emmanuel, God with us, a baby like we once were, who would grow and learn and experience the full range of human life. We call that “low Christology.”
 
Here, in his ascension, we witness his divinity. Though he was born like us, he ascends to heaven, unlike us. This is high Christology.  In my preparation, I was getting stuck in how we could relate to the divinity of Jesus, when all around me, and indeed, around all of us, are testimonies of his humanity, his presence with us in this time that has brought separation, mortal threat, fear, and a real “cloud of unknowing.”
 
This is a very disquieting and discomforting time. We may not want to acknowledge it. We were raised on rugged individualism here in the mountain state. We’re strong and sturdy and nothing can shake us or shake our faith.
 
So, dear friends, why did we strip bare the grocery shelves and fight over toilet paper? Oh, we can justify it. We needed to be prepared. I said that, too. Why? Because we had been plunged into a disaster we hadn’t anticipated. We were not in control. So, we took control in whatever way we could. This is human nature.
 
Several weeks later, we are in a different place. We are making plans to return to church and other gatherings. We are thinking about going out to lunch or shopping at the mall for the first time in months. Maybe we will even dare to make vacation plans. I can hear the beach calling my name.
 
But, in our efforts to get back to life as we knew it, let’s think of how we have been changed…for the better.
 
I think one of the most important lessons we will have learned as we emerge from this Covid 19 era, is that the last time we kissed a loved one good-bye, hung up the phone, turned in an assignment, borrowed sugar from our neighbor…may well be the last time we see that person for awhile. And, those precious moments, that we probably took for granted because we couldn’t anticipate how the pandemic would interrupt life, may have been the last time we will be with that person this side of heaven.
 
And that is sobering.
 
The story of Jesus’ ascension is repeated in the book of Acts, which is also attributed to the writer of Luke’s gospel. In the Acts account, as Jesus disappears, a couple of angels appear to the disciples. Now, usually when angels show up in scripture, they say, “Fear not!” That’s the first message.
 
Not here. In this text, the angels ask the disciples why they were standing still, staring at the sky.
And in the Luke text, Jesus gives them their job description: repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in Jesus’ name to all the world, beginning at home right there in Jerusalem.
 
If we take these two accounts together, we might interpret the message to be:
“Shake a leg, people! There’s work to do. You will miss Jesus. You will grieve his loss. Do something with what Jesus taught you. Love people. Forgive offenses. Show people the abundant life that results from turning away from sin and turning toward God.
 
And, that’s what I would offer to all of you who have seen a teacher for the last time, or a classmate, or a neighbor, or a loved one. Do something with what he or she taught you. It will be a tribute to their life and give purpose to yours.
 
Pastoral Prayer Including the Lord’s Prayer
God of Goodness, grace, and love,
like the Apostles, we stand looking toward the sky,
not fully understanding all that this day means.
We fail to grasp the wonder of your ascension.
Forgive the smallness of our vision,
the narrowness of our outlook,
the weakness of our love,
the nervousness of our witness,
our repeated failure to recognize
the fullness of your revelation in Christ.
Give us a deeper sense of wonder,
a stronger faith,
and a greater understanding of all you have done for us.
We have many concerns on our hearts today and we lift now the names of those in need…
…the sick, those in the midst of treatment, the recovering, their families and caregivers;
the lost, the lonely, the confused, and the forgotten;
those in the halls of government, boards of educations, and all public servants;
for those who are returning to work and those who must now search for it;
for all those who are given charge of family and loved ones;
give us your strength, wisdom, and love that we may care for them as you have cared for us.
We pray in the way Jesus taught us saying, Our Father…Amen.
 
Blessing
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the King of glory,
give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
that makes God known to you.
May the eyes of your heart have enough light to see
what is the hope of God’s call,
what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers,
and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power
that is at work among us.  Amen.
 
Next week is Pentecost, the day we traditionally celebrate as the Birthday of the Christian Church. The church will be clothed in red. You may choose to do the same in celebration.
 
 

Call to Worship                     Antiphon at Lauds, Saints Days
Come, mine elect one,
and I will set my throne within you.
Source of all creation, maker of the world and everything in it,
you are never far from each one of us.
We come into your presence seeking you,
O giver of life and breath.
Reveal yourself to us; dwell with us; abide with us.
We live because of you.
We hope because of you.
In the name of Jesus Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being.  Amen.
 
Hymn          Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!                William Chatterson Dix 1866;
                                                                         Rowland Hugh Pritchard, 1831

​Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne!
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone!
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation, hath redeemed us by his blood.
 
Alleluia! Not as orphans, are we left with sorrow now.
Alleluia, he is near us; faith believes nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him, when the forty days were over.
Shall our hearts forget his promise, “I am with you evermore”?
 
Scripture Reading      Acts 17:22-31
                                     John 14:15-21
 
Today’s texts lift up two important events: Paul’s speech before the Areopagus in Athens, and the ascension of Jesus. You recall that Jesus made several post-resurrection appearances. This is the final one as he is taken up into heaven. In the church year, this happens forty days after Easter and a few days before the Day of Pentecost, which we will celebrate on May 31st.
 
I would like to turn our attention this morning to the Acts passage.
 
My husband says when he was in officer training shortly after being elected a Ruling Elder, he was told that an elder should be ready to preach at all times. In fact, back in the day, some church elders carried a sermon in their wallets or folded up in the pocket of a suit jacket. Leaders of the Church should be ready to preach the gospel at all times.
 
Paul was ready to preach before the Areopagus, the high court of intellectual and religious sparring, in Athens. This would not be a friendly audience. He was there to be tested. So what does he do? Well, he doesn’t start with the Westminster Catechism, or preach the importance of baptism. He doesn’t even enumerate the four spiritual laws that characterize some Christian preaching.
 
No. Paul meets them where they are. He says he has noticed the numerous statues displayed in the temples around Athens. There were idols to everything. There was even one dedicated to the “unknown God,” in case they had forgotten one.
 
And that’s where Paul seizes his opportunity. He tells them that he stands before them to introduce them to that unknown God.  “What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you.”
 
The court of the Areopagus was about the strength of reason and rhetoric. The Greeks were all about the life of the mind. Some adhered to a philosophy that the flesh, the human body, was inferior to the mind and the spirit. Some went to great lengths to deny the needs of the body or to satisfy the desires of the body. We have a more integrated understanding of life that includes body, mind, and spirit.
 
Paul whets his audience’s intellectual appetite by saying there is more to learn. And to this body of critical thinkers, he drops a great mystery: the mystery of God in human flesh, the God who defies death by resurrection.
 
“God calls all people to repent, to follow, for judgment in righteousness by an appointed Savior, who has given us assurance by raising the Savior from the dead.”
 
And in his death, is the promise of ours.
 
Willie James Jennings, professor at Yale, has written, “ To speak of the resurrection of Jesus is…speech that changes reality, reorients how we see earth and sky, water and dirt, land and animals, and even our own bodies. This is speech that evokes a decision: either laugh at it or listen to it. Either leave it or draw near to his body. It is his body or your stones.”
 
One positive outcome from this sheltering at home era is that we have been compelled to look at our immediate surroundings. How have we spent our time? I can’t tell you how many of my friends and family members have taken the opportunity to clean out closets and attics and garages, getting rid of those things they no longer use or need or ever needed. I actually found the floor of a closet I haven’t seen in about twenty years.
 
My husband and I just spent a week with our two year old grandson. It was great fun, at least most of the time. It was good to be reminded of the early days of our family life, when we had little ones to feed, and bathe, and dress and comfort. We heard expressions we hadn’t heard in a long time, at least in such direct language. “Mine!”  Whether it was a cup, a toy, a shoe, when it seemed to Thomas that he was about to lose something, he loudly protested and claimed it as his own.
 
Most of us outgrow that behavior. We know that hanging onto or accumulating things can be a form of idolatry. So can the unhealthy pursuit of recognition, power and wealth. They become the stones that Dr. Willie Jennings warns us about. Like the idols in Athens, their promises are empty and they may come with a high price.
 
Friends, Jesus isn’t a stone like the idols found in Athens. He is a living Savior who paid the highest price and keeps his promise: to be at home with us on earth and to welcome us to a home with him in the world to come.
 
I’ll take it. How about you?  
 
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Lord of love,
in the upper room, you gave us a new commandment to love one another. You have demonstrated before us the power of love to bring healing, redemption, and hope in the lives of all your people. Just as you have called us all into the ministry of grace, you have empowered us with gifts to carry out your purpose.
The weeks have been long, O God, and we are weary. So many lives have been disrupted, services interrupted, and events cancelled. Illness and death have been our food day and night. We have become isolated out of necessity, and that has brought its own set of troubles. And so today, we come before you to dwell in your presence and receive the courage to be your people in this time and in these circumstances. Remind us when we bring the names of those in need before you, we also bring our own needs and concerns. Hear now the names of those who long to feel your love and grace…
We celebrate with the graduates among us, for the successful completion of their academic pursuits and their optimism and goals for the future.
In the words of the prayer that never fails, in gratitude for all life’s blessing, we pray, Our Father…Amen.
 
 
Blessing
Wherever we are, we are in God.
Wherever we are, we are in Christ, and Christ is in us.
We go forth in peace and hope,
with the support of God’s Spirit,
in faithfulness and trust.
and with enough transparency that, through us, others may glimpse the Divine.

Call to Worship 
And Jesus said, “Come!”
To all mothers and children, he said, “Come!”
To the motherless and the childless, he said, “Come!”
To all who longed to be mothered, he said, “Come!”
“Come unto me all you who are heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble of heart
and you will find rest for your souls.”                 
 
Prayer of the Day
Holy God,
We come together this day celebrating the role that mothers have played in our lives. We thank you for both the present love and the memories of our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and all those who have been like mothers to us. Keep us mindful of those for whom this day brings grief. May we be prompt to extend Christian fellowship to any who are hurting or are in need. We pray, strengthened by the example of Jesus, who honored his mother, Mary, from the cross. Amen.
 
Special Music
 
Scripture                    Philippians 1:1-11
Here we have one of Paul’s letters. His letters, or epistles, play a significant role in how we understand the Christian faith. His letters inform our theology and doctrine.
For many people, Philippians is the loveliest letter Paul wrote. It has been known by two titles: The Epistle of Excellent Things and The Epistle of Joy. We will hear in this letter Paul speaking of the need to rejoice at all times and in all circumstances. The world can turn ugly. Life is unpredictable. We all experience loss, frustration, brokenness. Paul tells his friends to direct their hearts toward joy-to the joy that no one can take from us.
At the time of this writing, Paul is in prison in Rome. He has a short list of purposes for his letter:
It is a letter of thanks. Paul was persecuted in Philippi and unjustly imprisoned. Behind him he left a community of faith. He says he thanks God every time he thinks of them. Their faith is growing stronger, even while Paul is in prison for his faith. They have become his companions in Christ, sharing in the gift of grace and witnessing to the gospel.
A second purpose for this letter is to explain why Epaphroditis was returning to Philippi. Epaphroditis had been sent by the Philippians to Paul as his personal servant. But Epaphroditis grows sick and must return home. Paul instructs the church to treat him with welcome and mercy. Not to shame him.
 
Another purpose is to encourage the Philippians in his absence, as they, too, endure persecution. In spite of the trials they all face, Paul is fully confident about their future, declaring that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
 
The final purpose of this letter is an appeal for unity. Later in the Epistle, Paul addresses the selfless humanity of Jesus (2:1-11). He exhorts the church to model the life of Jesus. All they do in thought, word, and deed, should point to the life of Jesus Christ. Arguments among the church members had erupted and according to Paul, there were false teachers in their midst who were trying to coax them away from the true path, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
In this age of electronic devices, we are in contact with people all the time. It is the way we communicate now and usually our technology keeps us informed and connected. But when our courage fails, when our bodies or spirits are troubled, when someone we love asks for our wisdom and help, a personal note, card, or letter is invaluable. Maybe you have a collection of such things, personal messages with which we cannot part. I know I do.
 
Maybe some of those messages are from our mothers or fathers, or the one who was like a parent to us. Think of a time when you needed support, or when there was something to be celebrated, or someone to be mourned…who was there for you? Think of a time when you assumed a new role, took on greater responsibility. Was there someone to be your best cheerleader, reminding you of your gifts and strengths? Have you ever received a warning from someone who was concerned for your well-being? If you do, then you have something in common with the Christians at Philippi.
 
Putting the shoe on the other foot, when have you written a note to express your thanks, or to encourage, or to say, “I’m sorry?”
 
Mother’s Day is one of those occasions that calls for special, personal messages between family members. Who is waiting to hear from you?
 
Hymn                  For the Beauty of the Earth
Text: Folliot Sanford Pierpoint; Music: Conrad Kocher
 
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies:
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.
 
For the wonder of each hour, of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light.
Lord, of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
 
For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight:
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
 
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild:
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.
 
For thyself, best gift divine to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.
 
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Lord, we thank you for the gift of motherhood. We thank you for the many examples of faithful mothers in scripture: Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Lois among them. We thank you for those who embraced the role of mother as a high calling. We pray for all who longed for children and children did not come; for those who parented poorly; for those who have mistreated their own parents. In this moment, we let go of any offenses that interfere with a wholesome and joy-filled family life and ask that you help us make our homes a place of peace and welcome.
Hear now the names of other women who have inspired, encouraged, taught, and sacrificed for their loved ones…
We are mindful this day of Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, who had the courage to say “Yes” to your calling. May we, men and women, likewise have the courage to answer “Yes” to your call on our lives. Help us all to live more fully into your purpose.
Whether we are parents or not, we are your disciples, and followers of your way, truth, and life.
We lift to you all others on our minds and hearts this day…
Bring hope and healing to the weary, worn, and sick; peace to all the troubled; and needs supplied to those who have little in a world that demands so much.
We pray as Jesus, our brother, taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen. 
 
Blessing
Go into this week knowing that you are embraced by the love of God,
a love that is both tender and strong, like the arms of a mother around her child. Amen.
​

​Click Here to Download a Printable PDF for May 3rd

​Call to Worship
Satisfy us with your love in the morning,
and we will live this day in joy and praise.
 
Prayer
We have seen your glory, O God,
and we have witnessed your mighty acts.
By your Holy Spirit, put your voice in our mouths,
fill our arms with your strength,
and warm our hearts with your love.
Then we will be worthy disciples of Jesus Christ.  Amen.
 
Scripture Readings           Psalm 23; John 10:1-10
 
“Baa! Baa!” Driving inland from Ireland’s west coast, we passed through some small villages. The roads were unfamiliar and narrow, and we were driving on the “wrong” side of the road. If that weren’t complicated enough, occasionally we would have to move out of the way so a tractor could pass. And, to our surprise, the road was dotted with woolly pedestrians- sheep.
They seemed unaware of us and impending danger. We were so close we could easily bump them or worse.
 
“Baa! Baa!” On closer inspection, we noticed each was wearing a bright color painted on his rump. Green or blue. Turns out it was vegetable dye, kind of like we use for dying Easter eggs. This is how the flocks are identified. The green ones belong to one farm, the blue ones to another. For awhile, it was novel and amusing. But, eventually, dodging sheep lost its charm.
The truth is they require a lot of care. They tend to go their own ways with no logical sense of direction. They get mixed up and follow their mates into neighboring pastures. They act on their own appetites. And, they really don’t know when to get in out of the rain. And sometimes they are roadkill.
 
On subsequent trips, we have discovered the art of sheep-herding using trained sheep-dogs. Equipped with a whistle and a few vocal signals, the shepherd gives commands to the sheep-dog who works the flock into an organized troupe, moving them around the pastures, down by the cool, clear streams, up on the rocky hills, and back to their pen. The shepherd and his dog are of critical importance to the life and health of each sheep.
Sheep are important in that place. Textile art- like sweaters, caps, and blankets- plays a significant role in the Irish economy. And, yes, I’m told lamb makes for a hearty stew. (When it’s on the menu, I order the fish and chips!)
 
In John’s gospel, Jesus announces who he is through a series of “I am” passages. He says, “I am the good shepherd” and, “I am the gate.” He clearly identifies with the role of care-giver. It is an all-consuming task. It is a life of relationship. Jesus says he and his flock are so familiar with one another that his sheep hear and respond to his voice.
 
Imagine for a moment that you are one of the flock and you have climbed up one of the craggy hills looking for something tasty to nibble. You lingered too long and you find yourself alone under a dark sky. It is growing cold. Which way is home? You hear water, but it is not the sound of the stream that gently runs over rocks near your pen, but the loud, crashing water of the ocean. You turn your head this way and that. Your heart starts to pound in fear. You cry for help. “Baa! Baa! Baa!”
 
And then you hear a voice. The voice that has called you to breakfast, the voice that asks for your wounded foot so that it may be washed and treated, the voice that urges you to stick together this time, lest you become lunch for a predator, the voice that calls you back to the fold each night, where you may lay down your head and rest. The voice that says,“Welcome home.”
 
 
Hymn       My Shepherd Will Supply My Need  (Psalm 23)
My shepherd will supply my need; Jehovah is his name.
In pastures fresh he makes me feed, beside the living stream.
He leads my wandering spirit back, when I forsake his ways.
And leads me for his mercy’s sake, in paths of truth and grace.
 
When I walk through the shades of death, your presence is my stay.
One word of your supporting breath drives all my fears away.
Your hand in sight of all my foes, does still my table spread.
My cup with blessings overflows; your oil anoints my head.
 
The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days.
O may your house be my abode, and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come.
No more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home. 
Glory to God, Westminster John Knox Press
 
Prayers of the Faithful and the Lord’s Prayer
Gracious God, shepherd of our lives,
we come to you with thanksgiving.
You are our provider and sustainer.
You transform our weary souls with your grace, wisdom, and love.
You bless us each day with glimpses of resurrection and the promise of new life-
in signs of spring, in stories of kindness, and help in our distress.
Tender Shepherd, we bring before you now our prayers for others...
for all who are struggling with illness, loneliness, sadness, or grief;
for those diagnosed with  or recovering from Coronavirus, and all the issues that accompany this disease;
for those who have lost income and other measures of security;
for those who must decide when and how to return to work and resume other activities;
for those who are victims of hatred and prejudice, ridicule, or scorn;
for messengers of peace and healing, hope and reconciliation;
for your Church and all faithful people here and around the world.
Lord of mercy, hear our prayers.
We lift our hearts and voices in the prayer Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen.
 
Blessing
May God lead you in paths of rest and renewal on this Sabbath day;
may Christ Jesus accompany you on this week’s journey;
and may the Holy Spirit fill your heart with joy and generosity.
Go now in peace, to love and serve the Lord.  Amen.

​Call to Worship         Psalm 116
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
and hears me when I call.
The Lord has been good to you.
The Lord has delivered my life from death,
my eyes from tears,
and my feet from stumbling.
I come with thanksgiving,
and call on the name of the Lord.
 
Prayer of the Day
O God, whose presence is veiled from our eyes,
when we do not recognize you,
may our hearts burn within us,
and when feeling is lost,
may we cling in faith to your Word
and the power of bread broken
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever. Amen.
 
Hymn        Hymn of Promise (in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day)  Natalie Sleeth
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed within its season, something God alone can see.
 
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
 
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
in our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
 
Scripture Reading             Luke 24:13-35
This is a favorite Scripture passage for many of us. My affection for it has been influenced by the beautiful painting of this scene by Robert Zund, Gang nach Emmaus. Public domain.
Since we are familiar with it, let’s imagine ourselves in this story. How does the road feel beneath our weary feet? Do we see the footprints of small animals? What do we hear? Do we notice any fragrances in the air?
Jesus’ friends are headed home to Emmaus after witnessing his death and resurrection. You have experienced both the deepest grief and highest joy in a few short days. I would be sad and exhausted, longing for the comforts of home and hearth, a bath, a cup of tea, a good night’s sleep.
What would you be feeling?
Suddenly a stranger appears who wants in on our conversation. In this time of social-distancing, such behavior would be avoided. But, this man was somehow different. He was curious. What were we discussing?
After we relay the news of recent days, this man engages us in a lively and detailed discussion of the Hebrew Scriptures, stories we all know “by heart.” As darkness was falling, and the hour was late, we invite Jesus to our home for a meal and a night’s rest. Although he was not the owner of the house, Jesus assumed the role of host at the table. And the text says, “They recognized him in the breaking of the bread.”
And then he was gone from their sight.
A friend of mine says that when she was a young girl, she and her sister shared the task of setting the table for family meals. They always set an extra place, for Jesus, the unseen guest at every meal. Sometimes, when a person is near death, they report that they see Jesus waiting for them, to take their hand and lead them into the next life. It is great comfort for them and for us.
Jesus is always with us, though we may not see him. How have you recognized him? In the breaking of the bread? In the breaking of an addiction? In the healing of old or fresh wounds? In the embrace of loved ones?
I’d like to suggest a practice to take up this week: Let us be alert to the presence of Jesus. Maybe you could set an extra place at the table for him, like Peg and her sister were taught. Maybe you will initiate a conversation with someone you don’t know well. Maybe your faith could be your common ground. Maybe when you are putting those sandwiches together at lunchtime, you will pause a moment and recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
 
Prayer
Holy God.
we pray for all those born this day, and ask your richest blessing on their lives;
we pray for all who face new ventures and challenges;
for those troubled by loneliness, despair or grief;
for all who feel cut off from your presence and love;
for those who are exhausted by work or worry or everyday life;
for those whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic and its collateral damage;
for all who will find their rest in you today.
We give you thanks for all signs of hope, healing, opportunity, and joy.
We pray for the earth entrusted to our care… its resources, treasures, beauty, and mystery.
Draw near to those we lift now before you...
And now, with the confidence of the children of God, we pray, Our Father…Amen.
 
Blessing
May the work of your hands bring Christ honor;
may your speech and actions reflect the Word of Life;
and may the service you offer
be driven by the indwelling Spirit.  Amen.

​Call to Worship              1 Peter 1:3
By God’s great mercy
we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
 
Hymn       Thine is the Glory                       Edmond Louis Budry, 1884
                                                                       George Fredrick Handel, 1748 
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou over death has won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded graveclothes where thy body lay.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou over death hast won.
 
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without thee. Aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou over death hast won.                      
 
Prayer
Living God, for whom no door is closed,
no heart is locked,
draw us beyond our doubts,
til we see your Christ
and touch his wounds
where they appear in others.
This we ask through Christ our Savior,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.
 
Scripture Reading           John 20:19-31
In this text, Jesus appears to his disciples who are gathered behind closed doors in fear. In years past, I have not identified much with this text. This year is different, as we, too, are living behind closed doors. The disciples were in fear for their lives because of the civic authorities. Our fear comes from the COVID 19 Virus, a different kind of threat, but also deadly.  
What does it feel like to be confined? Are you feeling fear and anxiety? Name some ways you are dealing with those things.
 
When he appears, Jesus immediately pronounces peace upon his friends. He gives them a mission: to be sent. Then he empowers them with the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission.
And then there’s Thomas, who missed Jesus’ visit. When the disciples tell him of it, Thomas declares that he needs to see the evidence that it really was Jesus before he believes them.
And then Jesus appears to Thomas and provides the evidence- wounds in his hands and side.
And Thomas is awe-struck like the others.
 
We are hearing a lot these days about the gathering of evidence-data related to the Coronavirus. Every day we hear about the number of cases diagnosed, and unfortunately, the number of deaths. Every day I look for West Virginia on the map of the US and breathe a sigh of relief when I see that we are still reporting fewer than a thousand confirmed cases.
We hear of the tragedy and the triumph this pandemic has wrought. Physicians are observing symptoms. Laboratories are analyzing specimens. Sociologists and anthropologists are studying why certain populations are especially hard-hit. All of this is to answer the questions this disease has raised, address the problems, and hopefully avoid another pandemic and another global catastrophy. So, maybe Thomas was ahead of his time in asking to see the evidence.
 
The death and resurrection of Jesus has a global impact, too. How are these two things alike? How are they different? In this time of social distancing, how can we, as Jesus’ disciples, still be sent? How can we witness to our Savior and our faith in him?
 
Prayer
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew the gift of life within us.
Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us live more fully into the everlasting life his resurrection makes possible.
Loving Lord, hear now the concerns of our hearts today (insert names of particular people or circumstances of concern to you).
Lord, we pray for the healing of this and every nation, all of us made in your image, who suffer the effects of the pandemic and other diseases and conditions. Assure the sick of your presence and love, comfort those who grieve, encourage those whose money can stretch no further, give the homeless a place to lay their heads, fill the hungry with good things, and keep all of us faithful.
We give you thanks for the blessings of this life: the birth of Evan Daniel Sadler, great-grandson of Clara Rose, and for birthdays and anniversaries and small victories wherever they appear.
With the confidence of the children of God we pray, Our Father…Amen.
 
Blessing
The risen Christ says: Peace be with you.
We have seen the Lord! Alleluia!
May you be filled with all joy and hope in believing. Amen.
 
 
 
Worship resources: Glory to God, Westminster John Knox Press, 2013; The Book of Common Worship, Westminster, John Knox Press, 1993; Daily Prayer, Westminster Press, 1987

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