Order of Worship for Sunday, April 23, 2023: Then Their Eyes Were Opened

Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit

Let the Day Begin - El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds

They’ll Know We Are Christians - El Dorado

Passing of the Peace: Through the act of passing the peace of Christ, we offer our sincere desire to love our neighbor.
You are invited to greet one another in the live stream chat on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. 

Welcome, Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Rev. Mark Nakagawa, and Margaret Irwin!

From 9-10:35am, part of breakfast, the hour between services, and for at least one song before heading to visit another church, we are honored to have our Bishop, Dottie Escobedo-Frank, her assistant Margaret Irwin and our District Superintendent Mark Nakagawa visiting us to get a peek at what makes our community so special.

So if you would like to meet them, make sure to get to church a little early tomorrow!

United Methodist Resources:

The 39th Annual Session of the California-Pacific Conference will be held June 14-17, 2023 at the Sheraton Gateway - Los Angeles Hotel.

Self-parking is available via Skyview Center Lot (6101 W. 98th St., Los Angeles, CA) at $17.55/day.
Click HERE for a parking map and more information.

BOOK A HOTEL STAY

Deadline to make a reservation at $159+taxes with the group is Monday, May 22, 2023. Guests should reserve as early as possible, as the hotel may sell out close to the event date.

Registration will open after Easter.

The 2023 District Conferences will be held online via Zoom Webinar over two different days. The West District Conference will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 1 -3 pm.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Under the state of emergency declared to help the housing crisis, LA County is creating more job opportunities and making the application process easier than ever.

Learn more at homeless.lacounty.gov/emergencyAccess to internet service is crucial.

The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program provides a $30 dollar monthly benefit for internet service. Find out how you can get your home connected at: Getconnectedlosangeles.lacity.org.

CALL TO PRAYER: Turn Your Eyes - El Dorado

Joys and Concerns: We believe that the best way to bear our burdens is to share them with one another. You are invited to share your joys and concerns so that our community can hold these things in our hearts as we lift them to God together. 

You are invited to share your prayers in the Facebook Live Chat, or on the YouTube Live chat.

Scripture:Luke 24:13-35 - The Walk to Emmaus

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.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 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 in the breaking of the bread.

One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God! 

Sermon: Then Their Minds Were Opened - Rev. Mandy McDow

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table: As we understand the Body of Christ to be inclusive, we understand God’s table of grace and fellowship can extend into our homes. As you’re able, bring your own elements to this time. Bread, Juice, Coffee, Muffins… the Body of Christ is comprised of wonder and mystery. Today, we celebrate that God can reach us where we are, even if we are not together.

The Great Mystery of our Faith
All: Christ has died
Christ is risen. 
Christ will come again.

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 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, and the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen.

MUSIC DURING OFFERING AND COMMUNION: Amazing Grace - El Dorado

Benediction Remember:
God is with you,
God is for you, 
God refuses to be God without you. 
And may all of God’s people say: Amen. 

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