This Week’s Theme
The Suffering and the Glory
Luke 24.13-35

On the first day of the week, when our Lord had appeared to Mary and the disciples, two of the disciples were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they journeyed, they were talking with one another about all the happenings of those recent days. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself drew near and went with them (although their eyes were kept from recognizing him). In answer to Jesus’s question about their conversation, they spoke of Jesus of Nazareth, the mighty prophet, who was delivered to the rulers, condemned to death, and crucified. But they thought he was the one to redeem Israel. Further, they spoke of the testimony of the women concerning his appearance that the women had witnessed, and others who visited the tomb and found it empty.

Jesus rebuked the two, saying, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And then, starting from the book of Moses and the Prophets, Jesus interpreted to the two in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

After they drew near to the village, the two strongly urged Jesus to stay with them, and so he did. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened to see that, in fact, their traveler, the stranger, was the risen Jesus of Nazareth! After Jesus vanished from their sight, they spoke to each other concerning how their hearts burned within them as he talked on the road and opened the Scriptures to them. They then returned to Jerusalem, reported to the company of disciples what happened on the road, and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The suffering and glory of Christ were foretold and foreshadowed in the Scriptures, revealing the sovereign will of God in his death and resurrection. Jesus’s death and resurrection are at the center of God’s plan for redeeming his people, and the world.

Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Sovereign God, whose holy Scriptures foretold both the suffering and the glory of the Messiah, thank you that your plan was fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. In his name, all who believe receive eternal life, and we cling to him in faith. Reveal him more and more to us, that his life might be seen in all we do. In his name we pray, amen.

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus 

You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.

Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day

Thursday: Prov. 17-19

Lectionary Readings

Psalm: Ps. 116.1-4, 12-19

Acts*: Acts 2.14a, 36-41

Gospel: Luke 24.13-35

NT: 1 Pet. 1.17-23

(Click here for all readings)

*During Eastertide, a reading from Acts is often substituted for the lesson from the Hebrew Bible.

Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ 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; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on 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.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Departing to Serve
Benediction 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the testimony of your walk with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, how you joined them on their walk and entered into their conversation. You listened to them and responded, and instructed them into a deeper vision of your mission and work as you walked with them on the way. In the same way, we ask that you come and meet us here in the midst of our journeys, wherever we are, right where we sojourn, and enter into our conversations and teach us, too. Make yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread, and we will worship you alone. Cause our hearts to burn, even as theirs did, for your sake. In your name we pray, amen.

Affirmation for the Day
Through the suffering of Jesus all the curse has been defeated, and new life begun.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Thank you, dear Savior and Lord of all, Jesus our King, for suffering on the Cross and rising from the dead to save us all from sin.

For Your Weekly Journey

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
You Will Not Abandon My Soul, Psalm 16

Book Reading
Barrett, None Greater