April 28, 2024 Order of Worship

Improvisation on "Converse" (What a Friend We Have in Jesus) – Geoffrey Liu

Welcome – Terry Bolender

Come Christians Join to Sing – UMH #158

Opening Prayer – Desi Mayo

Leader: Lord of our hearts, inspire us with your vision so that working or resting we will always think of you.

People: Lord of our hearts, guide us with your light so that at home or on the road we will always walk in your way.

Leader: Lord of our hearts, direct us with your wisdom so that thinking or acting we will always know right from wrong.

People: Lord of our hearts, strengthen us with your courage so that with friends or enemies we will always speak and act for justice.

Leader: Lord of our hearts, fill us with trust so that hungry or well-fed we will always rely only on you and your mercy.

People: Lord of our hearts, save us from chasing after more and more so that in times of poverty and wealth we will always give generously.

Leader: Lord of our hearts, save us from everyday distractions so that we will always study your Word and seek to live your will in our lives.

All: Heart of our own hearts, whatever should happen, rule over our thoughts and feelings, our words and actions, and walk with us along the way. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Yesu Kwetu ni Rafiki (What a Friend We Have in Jesus) – Intergenerational Choir

Time with Young Disciples – Stephanie McIlwain Miller

Scripture Reading – Desi Mayo

Luke 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.

Message: Hearts on Fire – How Expecting Jesus Can Change Your Life – Pastor Jim

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

He Knows My Name – Congregational Singing

Offering Our Gifts to God – Be Thou My Vision (Trad. Irish, arr. Geoffrey Liu)

Doxology – All Creatures of Our God and King – UMH #62, v. 2

Prayer of Dedication

Leader: All that we have, we have from you, Creator and Preserver of all.

People: Accept these gifts which we now offer.  Help us to make the whole of life an offering and every thought a prayer. Amen!

Be Thou My Vision – UMH #451

Blessing

Maccabeus (Festival March) (G. F. Handel, arr. Aaron David Miller) – Geoffrey Liu

Resources for Worship

Opening Prayer is by Jim Head-Corliss for worship at Kent UMC, April 28, 2024, adapted from a prayer in The Black Book of Camarthan in ancient Wales.

Yesu Kwetu ni Rafiki is based on the traditional hymn What a Friend We have in Jesus, by Joseph M. Scriven and Charles Crozart Converse with additional lyrics, music, and arrangement by Mark Burrows.

Yesu kwetu ni rafiki = What a friend we have in Jesus
Maombi asikia = Take it [to God] in prayer