FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
APRIL 19, 2026
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-MARLYS MOORE FUNERAL will be held at FPC Sanctuary on Monday, April 20 at 10:00 AM.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-DEACON COMMITTEE will meet on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 PM in the Center .
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM, Center Meeting Room
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus the Christ has freed us from death and brought us into new life.
Through Christ, we have faith and hope in God.
In genuine, mutual love, let us worship with one heart and one voice.
In reverence and joy, we praise God’s holy name!
*OPENING HYMN #404 (red) “What is this Place”
What is this place, where we are meeting?
Only a house, the earth its floor.
Walls and a roof, sheltering people,
Windows for light, an open door.
Yet it becomes a body that lives
When we are gathered here,
And know our God is near.
Words from afar, stars that are falling,
Sparks that are sown in us like seed:
Names for our God, dreams, signs, and wonders
Sent from the past are what we need.
We in this place remember and speak
Again what we have heard:
God’s free redeeming word.
And we accept bread at his table,
Broken and shared, a living sign.
Here in this world, dying and living,
We are each other’s bread and wine.
This is the place where we can receive
What we need to increase:
God’s justice and peace.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternally patient God, we ask again and again, “What should we do?” And again and again, you tell us, “Repent and return to me.” Yet we have not changed our ways. We fall into old habits, cling to our own ways, and take for granted the grace you have given us. Once again, we ask you for forgiveness. Show us the way forward and help us return, once again, to you.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
…. We are born anew, through the living and enduring word of God.
Response: Alleluia! Praise to the risen Christ!
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Mourning into Dancing” Choir
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord--
in your midst, Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 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?”
19 “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. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 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. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 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.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 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?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Keep these words in your heart.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Response: Thanks be to God.
SERMON Where is Emmaus, anyway? Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #252 (red) “Day of Arising”
Day of arising, Christ on the roadway,
Unknown companion walks with his own.
When they invite him, as fades the first day,
And bread is broken, Christ is made known.
When we are walking, doubtful and dreading,
Blinded by sadness, slowness of heart,
Yet Christ walks with us, ever awaiting
Our invitation: Stay, do not part.
Lo, I am with you, Jeasus has spoken.
This is Christ’s promise, this is Christ’s sign:
When the church gathers, when bread is broken,
There Christ is with us, in bread and wine.
Christ, our companion, hope for the journey,
Bread of compassion, open our eyes.
Grant us your vision, set all hearts burning
That all creation with you may rise.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Life in Christ is life eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign that God will consummate the work of creation and reconciliation beyond death and bring to fulfillment the new life begun in Christ.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Concerns: Dee W, Duane M, Jessica (Dorothy W’s granddaughter), Jeanne L, Jan J, Darcy (Ella’s friend’s daughter), Carrie VB, Skip W
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Steve & Carrie VB, Dee W, Skip W
Those Who Mourn: prayers for the family and friends of Judy McCann’s nephew Dean who passed away April 6 and Joyce Reeter who passed away March 25
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN ##238 (red) “Thine is the Glory”
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vico'ry thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
APRIL 19, 2026
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-MARLYS MOORE FUNERAL will be held at FPC Sanctuary on Monday, April 20 at 10:00 AM.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-DEACON COMMITTEE will meet on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 PM in the Center .
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM, Center Meeting Room
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus the Christ has freed us from death and brought us into new life.
Through Christ, we have faith and hope in God.
In genuine, mutual love, let us worship with one heart and one voice.
In reverence and joy, we praise God’s holy name!
*OPENING HYMN #404 (red) “What is this Place”
What is this place, where we are meeting?
Only a house, the earth its floor.
Walls and a roof, sheltering people,
Windows for light, an open door.
Yet it becomes a body that lives
When we are gathered here,
And know our God is near.
Words from afar, stars that are falling,
Sparks that are sown in us like seed:
Names for our God, dreams, signs, and wonders
Sent from the past are what we need.
We in this place remember and speak
Again what we have heard:
God’s free redeeming word.
And we accept bread at his table,
Broken and shared, a living sign.
Here in this world, dying and living,
We are each other’s bread and wine.
This is the place where we can receive
What we need to increase:
God’s justice and peace.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternally patient God, we ask again and again, “What should we do?” And again and again, you tell us, “Repent and return to me.” Yet we have not changed our ways. We fall into old habits, cling to our own ways, and take for granted the grace you have given us. Once again, we ask you for forgiveness. Show us the way forward and help us return, once again, to you.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
…. We are born anew, through the living and enduring word of God.
Response: Alleluia! Praise to the risen Christ!
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Mourning into Dancing” Choir
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord--
in your midst, Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 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?”
19 “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. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 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. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 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.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 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?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Keep these words in your heart.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Response: Thanks be to God.
SERMON Where is Emmaus, anyway? Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #252 (red) “Day of Arising”
Day of arising, Christ on the roadway,
Unknown companion walks with his own.
When they invite him, as fades the first day,
And bread is broken, Christ is made known.
When we are walking, doubtful and dreading,
Blinded by sadness, slowness of heart,
Yet Christ walks with us, ever awaiting
Our invitation: Stay, do not part.
Lo, I am with you, Jeasus has spoken.
This is Christ’s promise, this is Christ’s sign:
When the church gathers, when bread is broken,
There Christ is with us, in bread and wine.
Christ, our companion, hope for the journey,
Bread of compassion, open our eyes.
Grant us your vision, set all hearts burning
That all creation with you may rise.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Life in Christ is life eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign that God will consummate the work of creation and reconciliation beyond death and bring to fulfillment the new life begun in Christ.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Concerns: Dee W, Duane M, Jessica (Dorothy W’s granddaughter), Jeanne L, Jan J, Darcy (Ella’s friend’s daughter), Carrie VB, Skip W
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Steve & Carrie VB, Dee W, Skip W
Those Who Mourn: prayers for the family and friends of Judy McCann’s nephew Dean who passed away April 6 and Joyce Reeter who passed away March 25
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN ##238 (red) “Thine is the Glory”
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vico'ry thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the vict'ry thou o’er death hast won.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
