HOPE UNITED CHURCH
2550 Danforth Avenue, Toronto M4C 1L2 April 23, 2023
Easter III - 11:00am
The Congregation of Hope United Church
Worship Leader – Glen Greenwood
Interim Music Director – David Harrison
PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND
With respect, we acknowledge the worldviews, spirituality, history and stewardship of the Mississauga of the New Credit on whose traditional lands our church resides. We thank and honour the other indigenous peoples who share this land. We affirm our commitment as Canadian Treaty people to work in right relation toward reconciliation.
GREETING
I greet you in the name of our risen Lord and welcome you to our service of worship. Let us join together in our opening song “Open My Eyes, That I May See…
VU #371 - “Open My Eyes, that I May See”
Open my eyes, that I may see,
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
CALL TO WORSHIP
We call out to the Spirit who teaches
Come…teach…our ears are open!
We call out to the Spirit who comforts
Come..hold us…our hearts are open!
We call out to the Spirit that guides us…
Come…lead us…our eyes are open! Amen
OPENING PRAYER
(Adapted from United Church of Christ)
Loving God, we welcome your living presence in our midst. Share our joy and our thanks for the life you give us. with us! Dance among us! Pray with us! Shower us with your love! Help us to seek out the light of Christ, to lift the veil of darkness that we find once more find ourselves Bathed in your healing love and light. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle as a symbol of Christ’s light in
the world. May it burn brightly within us all. Amen
Let us sing together, twice through, “Candle of
Light”.
“Touch Us With Your Light” - By Brian Stevens
Light from this candle burning bright
Light our way through dark of night.
Help us find our way to you
Guide us, touch us with your Light, O Lord
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 those who long for peace and help to revive those in whom hope has died. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God may come to us, unrecognized, as a stranger. Enwrapped in a simple gesture of kindness or comforting word or boldly as an unexpected miracle laid before our very eyes. The Risen Christ reaches out to us in unexpected ways as we travel our own Emmaus roads. May the Word of our Still-speaking God continue to burn in our hearts. Amen
VU #37 – “Gloria” (sung three times through)
Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis deo
Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
May the Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
FIRST READING Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off— for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
VU #836
Refrain – How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you show to me?
I love you, God, because you heard my voice when I made supplication Because you turned your ear to me,
When I called your name.
The cords of death entangled me
And the pangs of the Grave laid hold on me
I suffered distress and anguish
Then I called upon the name of God:
“O God, I pray, save my life”
Refrain – How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you show to me?
How can I repay you, God
For all the good things you have done for me?
I will take the cup of salvation
And call upon the name of God
I will pay my vows in the presence of all God’s people.
Refrain – How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you show to me?
Precious in the sight of God is the death of the saints
O God I am your servant,
I am your servant, the child of your maidservant.
You have freed me from my bonds
I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving
And will call upon the name of God
I will pay my vows to God in the presence of all God’s people In the courts of the house of God, in your midst, O Jerusalem
Refrain – How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you show to me?
GOSPEL Luke 24:13-35
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
MUSIC MINISTRY
SERMON: “Jesus Frees His Followers for Faith” - Glen Greenwood VU #184 - “As We Walked Home At Close Of Day”
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Jesus, God has made you both Sovereign and Christ. Therefore, we pray your blessing upon the gifts we offer. We pray for your blessing upon the abundance of creation. We pray your blessing upon us, and all those whose lives will benefit from the gifts shared on this day. May your victory over death empower all whom you call to trust in God. In faith and hope we pray. Amen.
VU #541 – DOXOLOGY - “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures high and low;
Give thanks to God in love made known;
Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.
PRAYERS OF THE DAY
As we continue our prayers: let us join our hearts and voices as we sing The Lord’s Prayer…
VU #959 – “THE LORD’S PRAYER”
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sin,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil,
For the kingdom, the power,
And the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TONIGHT!!
Earth Day Messy Church - April 23rd at 5:30pm
Special guest: Mark Sepic!
~Fun musical enviro-crafts and a delicious meal
~Recycled musical fun with Mark Sepic
~Crafts with Tess
~Environmentally friendly food!
• Seniors Lunch - Thursday, April 27 @ 12:30pm
• Jazz Vespers – Sunday, April 29 @ 4:30pm
• Glen Greenwood will lead worship on Sunday, April 30 @11am • Rev. Brian will return on Sunday, May 7th!
CLOSING PRAYER
Friends, rejoice in the mothering and fathering love of God! Rejoice in the victorious life of our Risen Saviour! Rejoice in the power of the Spirit! Go, living in the love of Christ! Go, serving in the name of Christ! Let your love of God embrace all whom you encounter…Those who are afar off…Those who are strangers met on the road…May your lives praise the Lord! AMEN.
MV #8 – “And On This Path”
And on this path, the gates of holiness are open wide,
And on this path, the gates of holiness are open wide,
And on this path, the gates of holiness are open wide
Open wide, open wide, open wide the gates are open wide.
So enter in, the gates of holiness are open wide,
So enter in, the gates of holiness are open wide,
So enter in, the gates of holiness are open wide,
Enter in, Enter in, Enter in, the gates are open wide
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING
Go forth into the world
Walking in the light and love
Of the Risen Christ
Moving with compassion and care
Sustained by the unconditional love of Christ
And may the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Our Creator God and Holy Spirit…
Be with you this day and evermore. Amen
CHORAL BLESSING - “Walk In Love”
Walk in love as you go into the world,
Walk in peace with everyone you meet,
May God’s grace touch your heart, mind and soul…
This day and evermore,
Amen. Amen, Alleluia and Amen!
POSTLUDE
Please join us downstairs for hospitality following the service Thank you to everyone who assisted with our Service of Worship. Blessings to all and keep safe!
Office Hours
Wednesday and Thursdays
9:30am – 4:30 pm 416-691-9682
hopeunitedchurch@gmail.com
Hope United.ca