Peace Mennonite At-Home Worship: May 10, 2020

Welcome to Worship with Peace Mennonite!

You are invited to join us for sharing and prayer on Zoom each Sunday morning at 11. Simply click this link. This morning the Worship Committee plans to have some structured sharing and prayer time for the first thirty minutes, and then leave the zoom call open for more informal conversation afterwards.

A reminder that our current church announcements are available here.

Prelude

Twila Schmidt playing Be Thou My Vision (Blue Hymnal: A Worship Book #545)

Opening Worship Image: Kitchen Maid with Supper at Emmaus, or the Mulata, Diego Velàzquez

Poem: Kitchen Maid with Supper at Emmaus, or the Mulata—after the painting by Diego Velàzquez, ca. 1619, by Natasha Thethewey

She is the vessels on the table before her:
the copper pot tipped toward us, the white pitcher
clutched in her hand, the black one edged in red
and upside down. Bent over, she is the mortar
and the pestle at rest in the mortar—still angled
in its posture of use. She is the stack of bowls
and the bulb of garlic beside it, the basket hung
by a nail on the wall and the white cloth bundled
in it, the rag in the foreground recalling her hand.
She's the stain on the wall the size of her shadow—
the color of blood, the shape of a thumb. She is echo
of Jesus at table, framed in the scene behind her:
his white corona, her white cap. Listening, she leans
into what she knows. Light falls on half her face.

Welcome from Pastor Melissa

Happy Mother’s Day! As you are remembering your mother, I pray that the beauty of these flowers blooming in the church garden will comfort those who mourn, encourage those who struggle, and express joy for those who can rejoice. Thanks to Roger Gibson for the photos!

I’m blessed to get to preach on my favorite Bible story this week. It’s a vivid encounter with the risen Christ while on a journey. I took the opportunity to film the sermon while hiking the Konza Prairie Nature Trail, a Kansas version of the Road to Emmaus. I hope its not too windy for you!

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16 (read by Joe Casad)

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn: I Will Come to You in the Silence (Sing the Story #49) sung by the Douglas Mennonite Male Choir in Winnepeg

Congregational Prayer

How can we hold you in prayer this week? Please consider sharing with the community by joining our 11:00 Zoom call, commenting below, or emailing Pastor Melissa.

You are invited to pray these words, silently or aloud, written by Joanna Harader:

God of the cross, you are with us
in our struggles for justice,
in our feelings of isolation,
in our physical suffering.

God of the Resurrection, you are with us
in our deepest healing,
in our claiming of your abundant life,
in our embrace of a new reality.

God of the Emmaus road, you are with us
in our overwhelming grief,
in our struggles to understand,
in our persistence on the journey.

You are with us God,
even when we want to look away,
even when we live with doubt,
even when we don’t know why our hearts are burning.

Thank you for walking with us on this road.
Teach us.
Feed us.
Open our eyes. Amen.

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer

Children’s Time: Jenny

Hymn: On the Journey to Emmaus (Sing the Story #98)

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 (Please note: There are brief and very realistic images of the crucifixion at 1:02-1:17)

Sermon

I am indebted to David Lyle Jeffrey for his translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Blessing of the Bread

Music for Prayer and Reflection: Abide With Me (Blue Hymnal: A Worship Book #653)

Abide with me! fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day.
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence ev'ry passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless.
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold then thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life and death, O Lord, abide with me.

Offering

You are invited to mail your financial contributions to the church (615 Lincoln St., Lawrence, KS, 66044) or to the home of our treasurer, Roberta Renz (address in the church directory).

See the “How and Where to Give” section of our announcements page for information on giving to other organizations who need funding at this time.

Special Opportunity: PMC received a request from Woodlawn Elementary School to help local families in need. The Peace and Justice committee invites you to help cover the cost of four fifty-dollar grocery gift cards for families who have recently lost jobs. You can help by making a donation to the Benevolence Fund, designating Woodlawn Families. This is a wonderful example of how the Benevolence Fund gets used in times of need!