Call to Worship

Easter people, we gather today as people who spent the week inundated with news reports, social media posts, and reels that inundated us with information, worry, and stress.
Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we carry the weight of being overwhelmed and anxious, wondering who we can believe.

We gather as people who long for peace, for God to break through and bring us clarity and hope once again.
Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we don’t always recognize when the Risen One comes alongside us, showing us the way where there seems to be no way.

We gather as people hoping to catch a glimmer of Resurrection, ready for our hearts to burn with the truth of the resurrected Christ.
Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we open our hearts to the possibility that God’s Resurrection life is closer than we think.

Easter people, God knows the burdens we carry, and God is faithful to meet us where we are with good news.
May the good news of the Resurrection astound us today as we come to worship God! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, September 2025.

Opening Prayer

O risen Christ,
On the road to Emmaus, you were the disciples’ companion.
Be at our side on the journey of faith
on life’s pathways and at every encounter,
engender our compassion,
so that we may welcome others and listen to their stories.

Kindle anew the desire to proclaim your Word.
May it illumine us, and may our hearts burn to bear witness to it.
May your Holy Spirit teach us the art of explaining scripture and open our hearts to recognize you.
Grant us the courage to become vulnerable
so that our siblings may know you through us
and that we may know you through them.
Amen.

Adapted from Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Throughout the Year (2010), jointly prepared and published by The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. Posted on the World Council of Churches website. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/01/opening-prayer-luke-2413-32.html.

Prayer of Confession

Heavenly Stranger, our Companion on the Way,
we yearn for your love and grace. We seek your wisdom and guidance.
We relish the joy which burns within our hearts when you are with us.
Yet, sometimes we would cling to you,
hoard the blessings of relationship with you,
and not share your love with others.
Forgive us, Dear One.
Remind us that your love is to be carried throughout the world.
Press us to share the hope and joy of your love,
so that someone who hungers for spiritual food
may be filled by our witness to your grace.
Shine the light of your Spirit through us,
so that we may show your Way to those who long for peace
and help to revive those in whom hope has died.
Amen.

Written by Rev. Renee C. Jackson and posted on the Worship Ways (United Church of Christ) website at https://www.ucc.org/worship-way/easter_3_april_26/.

Benediction

Go now in the courage and blessing of the Risen Christ to live as bearers of the astounding good news to bring hope and peace in a world that so desperately needs Resurrection. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, September 2025.