Bradenton-Sarasota Community of Christ
Online Service – April 26, 2020
Will You Recognize Him?
Prepare to Worship
Terry and John Michael Talbot – Create For Me a Clean Heart
As the video reminds us, we’re to strive to be like Him. In order to do that, we have to be able to recognize him.
Let us pray
Where do we see you, God? In the intricacy of a flower, in the beauty of a sunset, in the diversity of color amongst the birds, in the smile of a friend.
Where do we hear you, God? In the lap of the ocean as it greets the shore, in the song of dawn, in the deafening hum of cicadas, in the laughter of children.
Where do we smell you, God? In the summer rains, in the blossoms of spring, the scent of a new born baby, in a homemade dinner with family.
Where do we taste you, God? In the saltiness of the sea, in the sun-warmed berries picked straight from the bush, in the falling snow, in the casserole given to a grieving family.
Where do we feel you, God? In the power of the spray of a waterfall, in the warmth of a midday sun in winter, in the softness of a pet, in the digital embrace of a social distancing friend.
Help us to recognize you, God, in every moment that makes up our day. Help us find peace in these moments and truly connect with you. Amen.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Click here to use eTithing, send your offering to Dick Kramer, or put your offering aside and bring it with you when we meet again. During the Disciples’ Generous Response we focus on aligning our purposes with God’s purposes, aligning our heart with God’s heart. Remember that the needs of the church and its work worldwide continue even when we cannot meet.
Scripture Reading – Luke 24:13-35 – New International Version (NIV)
On the Road to Emmaus
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.
Message – Elder Rick Lindgren
Sending Forth
The message spoke about how humans have interpreted the image of Jesus over the centuries. In our every day lives let us once again give thought to how we can find the face of Jesus and the meaning in our every day lives.
The Face of Christ – music by Chris Rice; images by Tom Stone
This service was prepared by Sherry and Rick Lindgren.