ST CLEMENT CHURCH
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER SUNDAY COMMUNITY SERVICE
Good morning
We are still in the Easter season so we continue to ‘celebrate’ Christ’s Resurrection.
As we do so, may we give thanks for all the wonders of creation in our world … the flora and fauna, the mountains and valleys, the rivers, and seas.
May we look after the nature around us as Christ looks after us.
My love to you all
Liz
Here we are Lord; your people, your Church meeting together in your presence.
We welcome each other and we welcome You.
Make yourself known to us in new ways through our worship, our prayers, and our understanding of your Word today. Amen
We say together:
This is your day and we shall praise you!
This is your day and we shall declare your name!
This is your say and we shall worship a risen Saviour and King.
Amen
Hymn: 119 The strife is o’er (omit verse 4)
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, we confess that at times we do not share in the joy of the resurrection but are caught in the worries of the world.
We confess that we do not always live in the spirit of new life but remain discontent, grumbling and anxious.
Forgive us when we find it more comfortable to worry and complaint than to risk the joy and encouragement of new life in Christ.
Call us back to your ways, O God, to seek hope and reconciliation, restoration, and peace.
In the name of the risen Christ.
Amen
The Collect
Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever.
Amen
Readings:
Acts 2. 14a, 36 – 41
1 Peter 1. 17 - 23
Hymn: 375 I danced in the morning
Gospel: Luke 24. 13 - 35
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)
On that same day, two of the disciples 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 know the things that have taken place there in these days?’
Jesus 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 Jesus.’
Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and 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 was going on.
But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is nearly over.’
So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus; and he vanished from their sight.
Then 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 on the breaking of the bread.
(This is the Gospel of our Lord. Praise to you, O Christ)
Reflection
It’s interesting isn’t it … Luke’s account of the Resurrection, the last chapter of his Gospel, is dominated by the scene of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. You might think that rather odd. Yes, Luke does briefly mention the women at the empty tomb, and the message given them by the two Angelic men; and he mentions how Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself. But then, he gets on with narrating this story.
It's odd because these two seem to be nobodies. One of them isn’t even named. The one who is, Cleopas. Appears nowhere else in the New Testament. So, among all the post resurrection appearances of Jesus, this one would seem to be the least important.
Clearly Luke chose this story because there’s so much in it for us. In many ways it’s a picture of the whole Christian life. He tells it because he wants us to read ourselves into it, and to understand the lesson these two disciples learned.
Where is Emmaus? It was so unimportant that no one has ever been able to pin point its whereabouts. It was scarcely worthy of the title of village, or even hamlet. It was nowhere! So these two are on a journey to nowhere; full of grief, of dashed hopes, of disappointment: all their ideals and aspirations defeated, collapsed, gone. In a sense these two sad, disconsolate men represent humanity without Jesus.
And that’s all ironic, because they’re wrong! This very day – the third day – all their hopes have been superabundantly fulfilled, if only they could see it! In fact, Jesus is with them: if only they could open their eyes. Luke seems to enjoy ladling on the irony of the scene in layer after layer.
They say: ‘Are you the only person who doesn’t know?’
Well: he certainly does know what happened, since he was the main one involved. Indeed, he’s the only one who truly does know and understand everything!
They helpfully inform their unknown companion that Jesus had been a great prophet. But his resurrection proves what they should have known, that Jesus is much more than that.
They say: We had hoped he would set Israel free. But now they think that, alas, all the hope had been false. They even mention the story of the women at the empty tomb, though for them it’s just a strange story they can’t understand.
Does Luke mean us to see the funny side of this: it’s the humour of God, of Easter. We laugh at silly clots who are so busy being miserable they can’t see the joyful reality staring them in the face: if only they’d open their eyes.
Jesus opened the eyes of the two disciples to recognise him. Is this meant to be a reversal of the story of Adam and Eve? When they took the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened: but it was to know evil, to see sin. Because of that they were no longer able to see God; no longer able to freely converse with him. It meant too, that with their innocence gone, they no longer had access to unimpeded knowledge of goodness, or beauty or truth. They were driven out of the garden, to wander in a hostile land of exile.
But now, in the light of the resurrection – in the light of Easter Day – the eyes of the disciples are opened and they see Jesus.
Now, in him, they see everything differently. Instead of disconsolate despair: hope; and with hope a new energy, a new life and a new understanding. So, they reverse their journey and hasten back towards the Holy City, symbol of the Church. Even as they share their joy, they find themselves united with the other disciples better than ever before.
Why does Luke not tell us how Jesus explained the scriptures on the road? Because he wants us to listen directly to Jesus ourselves. He wants us to ponder the scriptures ourselves. He wants each of us to understand, by the light of the Holy Spirit more and more what it means for Jesus to be risen from the dead.
Amen
Hymn: 113 Love’s redeeming work is done
Our Intercessions
Lord Jesus Christ, the light of your love shines on, illuminating the places where you are present. As the bewildered disciples pondered the stories of your appearance, you penetrated the darkness of their fear and doubt with your word of peace. You showed them the appalling marks of evil pierced on your hands and feet. You opened their minds to understand why you had to die to defeat such evil and death. Increase our understanding, we pray, and open our minds and hearts to receive you.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Bring to us O God, the sense of your living presence as we go into this new week. Renew in us the faith you want us to have, the faith that is not afraid to reach out in your name and to share the treasure you have given us, that treasure which is greater than silver and gold.
Lord, you know our hearts, you know our needs, and you know the hearts and needs of those around us. We lift ourselves and them before you at this time.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
It is with heavy hearts that we look at our troubled world where violence, injustice, power and greed seem to be the leading forces. We pray that each and every person on this earth may learn to live not only for their own well-being but for the well-being of those around them; that hate may turn to love; that violence and war may turn to peace so that we all may live in a caring world.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord, we pray for your Church world-wide. We know that not all Christians may worship freely or safely. We pray for them and respect their courage for standing up for their faith. We pray for the Church in this county, diocese, and parish. We pray for Bishop David and for our much-loved priests Reverend Di and Father David who do so much for us. We give thanks for their loving care and ministry.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Loving God, we pray for those in need and ask you to wrap your loving arms around those who are suffering in any way. We pray for the broken-hearted, for the sick, for the lonely, for those for whom there seems no light at the end of endless darkness, that your presence may comfort them in their time of need. We especially pray for all those within our church family who need our prayers.
Reverend Diane, Ken, Sabie, Brian, May, Susan, Lauren, Lynda, Sandra, Roger and Helen, Daphne and David, Pam and David, Dot, Maureen, Mary, Allison and Rob, Kate, Catherine, Jan, Anita and Stephen, Michael and Patricia, Jeremy, Felicity, Callum and Elaine, Barbara, Laurie, Jeanette and Dave, all those who we know and those who have no one to pray for them.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord, we bring before you all those whose life’s journey has come to an end. Welcome them into your eternal kingdom. We pray for those who are grieving the loss of their nearest and dearest… comfort them in their sorrow. We pray for those whose life’s journey is drawing to a close… may they know the peace of your eternal love.
We remember those whose year’s mind occurs at this time.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Finally, O Lord, we ask that you would bless us here at St Clement Church, and those worshipping at home, with vision for the future and reverence for the past. Guide us each day as we minister to one another and to the world for which you gave yourself. Help us each day to bear witness to your name and to do that which you would have us do. We ask it through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of St Allen, St Andrew and St Clement and all Christian people.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
We say together:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Emmaus by Malcolm Guite
We thought that everything was lost and gone,
Disaster on disaster overtook us
The night we left our Jesus all alone
And we were scattered, and our faith forsook us.
But oh that foul Friday proved far worse,
For we had hoped that he had been the one,
Till crucifixion proved he was a curse,
And on the cross our hopes were all undone.
Oh foolish foolish heart why do you grieve?
Here is good news and comfort to your soul:
Open your mind to scripture and believe
He bore the curse for you to make you whole
The living God was numbered with the dead
That he might bring you Life in broken bread.
The Peace
Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
Neither let them be afraid.’
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Hymn: 120 Thine be the glory
The Blessing
And now, may the God of Peace, who brought back again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip us with all we need for doing his will.
May he produce in us, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him.
To him be glory for ever and ever.
Amen