Worship I 4/26/20

Even though we aren’t gathering in person today, we invite you to join your SSUMC community by reading through this worship guide. Together, we’ll say the same prayers, read the same scripture, and reflect on where God is calling us in this Easter season. We worship a God who always brings life out of death. May we pray and worship without ceasing. This is the day the Lord has made: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

The Worship of God
Sandy Springs UMC
April 26, 2020 | 3rd Sunday of Easter

Today we’ll hear the story of two disciples on a journey to Emmaus. They are walking and talking about all that has happened, when they are joined by what they believe to be a stranger. This stranger, who is actually the resurrected Jesus, and they have an experience that we all can learn from. Today we’ll explore how our faith flourishes, even when it feels like the opposite is true. 

Call to Worship

Sisters and Brothers, what shall we do?
We shall praise God 
who hears our prayers, 
who draws near to us, 
and brings new life out of death.

Sisters and Brothers, how shall we live? 
With the confidence of God’s beloved children, 
with security and joy of God’s saving grace.

Sisters and Brothers, what is the promise?
New life, forgiveness of sin, the Spirit as gift!

Sisters and Brothers, how shall we praise? 
We lift our voices and our hearts in love, thanks, and praise!
We will praise the Lord as long as we live!

Opening Song

Children's Moment

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

And now let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us, saying: 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

If you have a prayer request, submit it HERE. Prayers will be e-mailed on Fridays, except those marked confidential.

Testimony

Song of Reflection

Scripture: John 24:13-35

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.

This is the Word of God, for us, the people of God: Thanks be to God! 

Reflection

Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

Offering

As you listen to the offertory song, we invite you to give towards the ministries of the church. Thank you for your generosity and all you do to make sure SSUMC continues to change lives. 

• Online: Give through our secure site HERE, either a one-time or recurring donation.

• Text to Give: Text ssumcgive to 73256

• Make a check out to the church and mail it to: Sandy Springs UMC 86 Mt. Vernon HWY NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

• Set-up Recurring Giving through your Bank to mail checks directly to the church

Offertory Song

Benediction

Benediction Response -