April 27, 2025

Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Colleen Birchett

Please use this Order of Service to easily follow the service online.

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Prelude:    Richard Harper

Chalice Lighting:

We kindle our chalice flame this morningAwakening the fire of our ancestors in our hearts

Beacon of freedom held out to light the wayLight of reason illuminating the pathSpark of courage igniting our SpiritsAglow with hope for all we endeavor to do together

Holy flame of times past, brighten this present momentThat we may be the Love that is our center and our foundation, both.Blessed be. [Tracy Johnson]

Opening Hymn:     Sweet Sweet Spirit  NCH #293          

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship:  

One Voice: Our God is an awesome God who breathed into emptiness and created all that is.

Many Voices:With love and care, God shaped the world in all its diversity with mountains and valleys, rivers and deserts, and people of all colors and sizes.

One Voice: And threading through it all are beautiful dreams of justice, compassion, liberation, and peace.

Many Voices:O God, creator of our past, our present, and our future, we thank you for the many blessings you bestow on us each moment.

One Voice: Be with us now. Draw near to us as we draw near to you.

Many Voices: Lead us in paths of righteousness. Fill our hearts with compassion and a thirst for justice. Teach us to be co-creators, with You, of a world where all belong and share in the abundance you have given us.

All: Praise be to God. [United Church of Christ]

Prayer of Invocation:  Rev. Dr. Colleen Birchett

First Sacred Reading    Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation—    whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life—    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me    to devour[a] me,it is my enemies and my foes    who will stumble and fall.3 Though an army besiege me,    my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,    even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,    this only do I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the Lord    all the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the Lord    and to seek him in his temple.5 For in the day of trouble    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent    and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted    above the enemies who surround me;at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;    be merciful to me and answer me.8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”    Your face, Lord, I will seek.9 Do not hide your face from me,    do not turn your servant away in anger;    you have been my helper.Do not reject me or forsake me,    God my Savior.10 Though my father and mother forsake me,    the Lord will receive me.11 Teach me your way, Lord;    lead me in a straight path    because of my oppressors.12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,    for false witnesses rise up against me,    spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:    I will see the goodness of the Lord    in the land of the living.14 Wait for the Lord;    be strong and take heart    and wait for the Lord.

Passing of the Peace 

Sharing of Our Joys & Concerns

Prayers of the People/Pastoral Prayer

Offering & Doxology:    We Give You But Your Own – NCH 785 

We give you but your own, what e'er the gift may be; All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully

Second Sacred Reading:   Luke 24:13-35

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] 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.

Hymn of Reflection:    Blessed Assurance NCH #473

Sermon:   “The Emmaus Road: From Political Chaos to a Warm Spring”

Closing Hymn:    Great is Your Faithfulness NCH#423

Benediction:                           Rev. Dr. Colleen Birchett

Postlude:                                Richard Harper

All Souls Bethlehem Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo

Ministers: All Members of ASBC

Minister Emeritus: Rev. Bill Nye 

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An All-inclusive, Welcoming Community of Faith

born from the traditions of the:

Disciples of Christ - www.Disciples.org

United Church of Christ - www.UCC.org

Unitarian Universalist Association - www.UUA.org 

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