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	2300 S. Sunny Slope Road – New Berlin, WI 53151 / Church Office: (262) 786-5850 Fax: (262) 786-5483 / Website: www.forestparkpcusa.org / Like us on facebook / Email fppcsec@aol.com / Rev. Dr. Bruce A. Jones, Interim Pastor ̶ Jack Serwe, Music Director / 3rd Sunday of Eastertide—26 April 2020

*Those who are able please stand
(Please date, fill out, and pass the Friendship Register to your neighbor.)

April 26, 2020 Easter Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Forest Park Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Dr. Bruce A. Jones, Interim
Pastor’s Cell 608.205.7428
3rd Sunday of Eastertide, April 26, 2020
Welcome and Announcements: Elder Sue Smith, GAPC
Silent Meditation
Let us quiet our spirits for a moment as we prepare to worship God. Take a few seconds to remind yourself why we are gathered today, not in a church sanctuary, but together in love of Christ through the gift of technology. Then listen, for God speaks even through the background noise of the world around us.
Gathering Music: Sheri Masiakowski
Call to Worship: (LEADER AND PEOPLE RESPONSIVELY)
Though we worship from many places this day, we all walk the same road.
It is the road for those who seek greater understanding.
Our ears and hearts are open to the wisdom of scripture,
For we seek to grow in the faith.
We come to learn of the one revealed in the breaking of bread.
Come, join in worship of God, made know to us in Christ Jesus.
** Opening Hymn # 515 I Come with Joy Dove of Peace
Invitation to Confession
The words and works; desires, hopes, and fears that dominate our everyday lives are often unworthy of us as Christians. In these moments of worship, we come before God in confession, asking pardon. Let’s pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: UNISON
Our world is reeling, Holy One. Effects of “the virus” have caused upheaval on this already chaotic planet, leaving so many miserable, broken, bereft. Some are tempted to surrender to feelings of hopelessness. Others ask, “How can God allow such disaster to happen?” We are like the grieving travelers on the road to Emmaus, who, thinking your Son was dead, believed all was lost. Renew our faith. Console us with certainty that Jesus is alive, and will never leave us. May we always believe where we have not seen, and feel your healing and peace. We ask in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Brief Statement of Faith, 1991
With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Special Music
Prayer for Illumination
Risen One, though you walk with us each day, we often fail to recognize you. Come nearer as we walk. Open us to your word in the scriptures, and fill us with understanding. Guide us with your Spirit as you reveal your message of life. Amen.
The Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)
Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples 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.
May God bless to our understanding, this reading from the Holy Word.
*HYMN #252 “Day of Arising” Raabe
Sermon “On the Road Again”
*Hymn# 240 “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks” Alleluia No. 1
Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Christian Stewardship
Prayer of Decation
Lord, like the disciples at Emmaus, we offer what we have. They offered their company, their table, their bread. We invite you to be with us as we offer you our love, our devotion, and our gifts. May our eyes be opened to your holy presence, this day and always. Amen.
**Charge and Benediction
**Postlude “Alleluia! The Strife is O’er Alfred Fedak

Prayer Concerns
If you would like prayers included in next Sunday, please call me or the church office
262-786-5850 and leave a message or email them to me by Wednesday.
Please remember we give to honor God and give thanks for the many blessings we experience. If you are able please remember to support Forest Park Presbyterian Church. You can mail in your pledges or contributions. The Mail is being picked up periodically, so it is safe mail it in.
Session Notes - The May Messenger is getting developed. If you have articles please send them to fppcsec@aol.com by April 29th. Pam will be working on putting it together. It will be out a little late, but we want to keep you informed.
Based on the current recommendations, in-person worship is suspended through May 24th. Session will be monitoring the changes with the Badger Bounce Back program and when we can return to in-person worship .
Both, FPPC and GAPC Sessions voted to extend the Memorandum of Understanding to continue to share Rev. Jones’ pastoral services for up to 45 days after we can return to in-person worship. The Commission on Transitional Ministry (formerly COM) will act on this request on Tuesday, April 28th.
Deacons News—Please remember to contact your Care Group Leader for concerns or suggestion on how we may provide care during this challenging time. Joe DeGaro is Deacon on Call for April 262-364-8123.