Description
Luke 24:36-49
After His resurrection, Jesus miraculously appeared several times to His followers. In our passage today, we find the disciples discussing all the startling events they had witnessed and suddenly Jesus appeared before them once again. He ate with them a simple meal of fish and opened their minds to understand the fulfillment of Scriptures and the promised Holy Spirit. We, like the disciples, may feel startled, doubtful, fearful, or confused. But as we encounter our Risen Lord through worship, prayer, and fellowship, we ask Him to open our minds and hearts to see and understand as we bear witness to this Good News.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Because He Lives (Amen)
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, & William J. Gaither, © 2014 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hanna Street Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Fullness
Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Matthews Ntele, ©2016 Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin by Essential Music Publishing)
There Is A Cloud
Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, ©2017 Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
[Traditional Options]
Hope of the World
BH 75 364; CHH 538; EH 472; HLC 515; LBW 493; LSB 690; LW 377; NCH 46; PH 360; UMH 178; WC 434; UMH 178; WAR 404
Rise, Shine, You People
ELW 665; HS 98 871; LBW 393; LSB 825; UMH 187; WAR 89
Spread the Reign of God The Lord
LBW 379; LSB 830; LW 321
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome all, young and old, come worship the Ancient of Days!
Worshipers
We are young, we are old, or we are somewhere in between, but our home is not on this earth. We wait for the hope of glory, our mansions in the sky. We seek the Lord, for He is our home.
Pastor / Worship Leader
He does miracles and meet us where we are. He stirs our hearts with passion for the Lord God Almighty.
Worshipers
May we encounter Him today!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father God, we are so grateful to be in Your presence away from the noise of this world. You are truly Great- the God who is above our earthly understanding. You work miracles that we can hardly believe- You are amazing! We look to You to do the work that we cannot do ourselves, to show up unannounced in our lives. Give us Your eyes to see You today. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
We are children of God, adopted into His family through Christ alone. We at times feel startled, doubtful, fearful, or confused.
Worshipers
We refuse the help of Almighty God and rely on our own earthly strength and knowledge to help us and get us through. We focus on the seen, not on the unseen God. Forgive us, Father.
Pastor / Worship Leader
If we are children of God, we must live as children of God giving up our lives for one another as He gave up His life for us. So, Lord, help us live as Your children. Fill us with the Holy Spirit who empowers to forgive as we’ve been forgiven.
Worshipers
We ask this, Father, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ- Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 3:11-21
After Peter and John prayed for the healing of a lame beggar, the people were astonished and amazed. Peter used this miraculous moment to share, “Repent and turn to God!” bringing them the Good News of Jesus Christ.
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. 17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
