LAMBETH METHODIST CIRCUIT – HOME WORSHIP SHEET FOR 26 APR 2020  3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER

OPENING PRAYER

Lord of our lives, you walk the path of human life; in our distress we see your distress: Grant to us, who know you as the crucified one, the wisdom of the foolish that through your death comes eternal life, life in and through the Holy Spirit, who reigns with the Father and the Son, now and for ever.  Amen. 

STF 348
He is Lord, he is Lord;            
he is risen from the dead, and he is Lord;           
every knee shall bow, every tongue confess           
that Jesus Christ is Lord.

He is King, he is King;            
he will draw all nations to him, he is King;            
and the time shall be when the world shall                                           
Sing that Jesus Christ is King.

He is love, he is love;            
he has shown us by his life that he is love;            
all his people sing with one voice of joy            
that Jesus Christ is love.

He is life, he is life
he has died to set us free and he is life
and he calls us all to live evermore
for Jesus Christ is life.

Anonymous
Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 348 

PSALM 116
I love the Lord, because he has heard    
my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me,    
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me;    
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;    
I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:    ‘
O Lord, I pray, save my life!’

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;    
our God is merciful.
The Lord protects the simple;    
when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest,    
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

What shall I return to the Lord    
for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation    
and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord    
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord    
is the death of his faithful ones.
O Lord, I am your servant;    
I am your servant,
the child of your serving-maid.    

You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice    
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord    
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,    
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

PRAYER
Loving God, for the times I have seen you journeying with me, I am thankful.
Gracious God, for the times I have seen others journeying with you, I am humbled,
Holy God, for the times I have not recognised your journeying with me, I am sorry.
Forgiving God, thank you for the assurance that you will continue to journey with me.

Living God, in my journey this week help me to see glimpses of your good news so that my heart burns within me.  Amen.

LUKE 24: 13-27
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.

STF 312
The head that once was crowned with
Thorns is crowned with glory now;             
a royal diadem adorns             
the mighty Victor's brow.

The highest place that heaven affords           
is his, is his by right,           
the King of kings and Lord of lords,           
and heaven's eternal light.

The joy of all who dwell above,           
the joy of all below           
to whom he manifests his love           
and grants his name to know.

To them the cross, with all its shame,           
with all its grace, is given,           
their name an everlasting name,           
their joy the joy of heaven.

They suffer with their Lord below,           
they reign with him above,           
their profit and their joy to know           
the mystery of his love.

The cross he bore is life and health,           
though shame and death to him;           
his people's hope, his people's wealth,           
their everlasting theme.

Thomas Kelly (1769–1855)
Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words 
Edition, number 312 

REFLECTION   

Certain themes are strongly associated with and used in Christian theology – and in the telling and interpretation of the Easter story. One is journey that appears as a theme in our gospel reading today - the journey on the road to Emmaus. Another is new life. But sometimes, perhaps even often, we do not see the enormity of the new life that the gospel refers to. The Emmaus road story has something important to say about God’s new life. But first let me say something about how we restrict and limit our understanding of what God is offering us.

The hymn Now the green blade rises is a case in point. The chorus goes – Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green. It is the case that God constantly renews the earth. And we give thanks for that renewal. We live through cycles of seasons and times and we always have hope that spring comes again; that injustices are overcome; that broken bodies and souls are healed; that love is renewed. But the proclamation of resurrection is not that a natural cycle has occurred. No, we proclaim something extraordinary has happened – and that this event, this miracle, this resurrection, makes even more difference than the natural cycles of restoration.

Cleopas and his companion converse with Jesus. They are on a physical journey – and yet they are about to undertake a revolutionary spiritual journey/transformation. For Jesus says to them ‘Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’

Let me suggest this – if a man has been subjected to betrayal, humiliation, torture and crucifixion – and gets the opportunity to come back from the dead  and speak with his followers – the most likely thing he would say is ‘Go and get the b******* who killed me’. This is a normal human reaction – we all know that revenge is a human desire – and if we are honest with ourselves, we will all have felt this emotion. We certainly see it played out in our world – often with deadly consequences.  We can read this kind of sentiment in the scriptures too. We can read It in other literature, both sacred texts of other faiths and in secular writing. We see it in the criminal justice system – the perpetrator must be punished.

But note what happens as Jesus enters into his glory. He patiently explains to these disciples what the scriptures mean. He sits with them and shares a meal. He will then meet that same evening with his disciples and say ‘Peace be with you’ (Luke 24: 36). In John’s gospel he forgives Peter his betrayal. In Matthew’s gospel he commands the disciples to go and baptise and teach in his name. In the Acts of the Apostles and in Paul’s letters we hear of how the apostles proclaim the crucified Christ as the Messiah. All of this, which is part of the glory of Jesus, is done not in revenge but as a mission of the peace of God’s kingdom.

This is what happens when a dead man comes back to life who is of God. That dead man proclaims peace and forgiveness because that is how that man interprets the scriptures. All the things that are written about Jesus/God in the scriptures speak of what he taught them when he was alive. They are confirmed now he has risen. God who makes the seasons to come, and who renews the earth, does even and much more. The God who in some texts seeks revenge/vengeance is not the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’s sacrifice is to enable us to read the scriptures through the lens of God who is for life, not death, for love not hate, for forgiveness not retribution. 

And, that is eternal life – to enter into the very life of God. To live with the Spirit of God in us. But this is the challenge too. So much of our hope and prayer is so often based on asking God to do miracles that are outside of the way of God. We want God to save us/our world. But God has already set the path of the life of the world. It is in the hands of human beings. That is why God becomes incarnate in Jesus. That is why Jesus says to the disciples at the feeding of the 5,000 – ‘You feed them’. (Mark 6:7). That is why Jesus is raised from the dead – Jesus, his life, his teaching, his interpretation of the scriptures, his mission, are vindicated by God. Now God, who gives the very spirit of Jesus to all who believe, is incarnate in all who live in peace, for love, justice and mercy. Those are big words – but they operate at whatever level of life we occupy. Whether we are people with resources and power, or humble folk with families and neighbours, we are empowered through the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Spirit to live life eternal – that is a life of human love that is given to those who profess Jesus as Lord.

STF 678
Come, all who look to Christ today,             
stretch out your hands, enlarge your mind,             
together share his living way             
where all who humbly seek will find.

Come, all who will from every place;           
find here new powers of unity,           
accept the Spirit's strong embrace           
which binds us in community.

Come, young and old from every Church,           
bring all your treasuries of prayer,           
join the dynamic Spirit's search           
to press beyond the truths we share.

Bring your traditions' richest store,           
your hymns and rites and cherished creed;           
explore our visions, pray for more,           
since God delights to meet fresh needs.

Come, trust in Christ and live in peace,           
anticipate that final light           
when strife and bigotry shall cease,           
and faith be lost in praise and sight.

Richard G. Jones (b. 1926)
Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 678
Words: © R. G. Jones

PRAYER
As you prepare to pray, you may find it helpful to reflect on this hymn verse:
‘This, this is the God we adore, our faithful unchangeable friend, whose love is as great as his power, and neither knows measure nor end’

Joseph Hart, Singing the faith 66

 Faithful God, you are present in all aspects of life even when people don’t see it.  We call on you today to send your Spirit to bring comfort and peace to all who find their path ahead difficult.

We pray for your church and all those seeking ways to be church in these times.

May they recognize your living presence.

We pray for the world and all those seeking to offer leadership in the midst of uncertainty.

May they recognize your living presence.

We pray for all those who suffer at this time in body, mind or spirit.

May they recognize your living presence.

We pray for all who are bereaved whether through the loss of loved ones or the loss of human contact.

May they recognize your living presence.

Merciful God, accept these our prayers today in and through the name of the living Christ.

May we too recognize your living presence in the week ahead and trust in you for all that is to come.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father ……

BLESSING
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ dwell richly in you through the power of the Holy Spirit, now and always.  Amen. 

This week’s worship was prepared by the Rev’d Dr Andy Lyons

The staff team in the circuit continue to work hard to help us to continue to be the church even whilst we can’t meet together in person. We thank you for your prayers and your support and for your suggestions of how we might do things better.

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