Click or touch the hyperlink for a printable version of the Order of Worship
Dear Church Family,
We are delighted to gather for worship over the phone or in person for our Simple Prayer Service. We share with you
the Order of Worship that we will use on the evening of
Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
We will begin the service at 7 PM. Please join us by using our Conference Call. We want everyone to have the opportunity
to worship. We are so happy to have you join us.
Welcome to St. Matthew’s UMC!
Conference Call
Please Dial-in: 267-807-9601
Use access code: 111-576-270#
Simple Prayer for April 23, 2025
Wednesday OF EASTER Week
Greeting and Welcome
*Lucenarium: Lighting of the Christ Candle
Leader: Jesus Christ is the light of the world
All: A light no darkness can extinguish.
Leader: The Lord is risen!
All: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,
to you be praise and glory forever.
All: As once you ransomed your people from Egypt
and led them to freedom in the promised land,
so now you have delivered us
from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.
May we, the first fruits of your new creation,
rejoice in the new life you have given us,
and praise you for your mighty acts.
All: Blessed be God for ever and ever. Amen.
Leader: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Hymn Now the Green Blade Riseth UMH 311
Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:1-4
3 If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
The Word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
Congregational Response Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
14 The Lord is my strength and my might;
the Lord has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has chastened me sorely,
but he did not give me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24:13-35
13 Now on that same day, the very first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 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?” 19 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, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 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. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 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. 24 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.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 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. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 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?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
The Gospel of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
MUSIC FOR MEDITATION
REFLECTION:
Listening on the Road to Emmaus —Darius Villalobos
There is some mystery as to why the two disciples on the road to Emmaus were “prevented from recognizing him.” Jesus could have appeared to them and relieved them of their heavy hearts. However, Jesus chose to accompany them on their journey without revealing himself. He takes the time to listen to their story of the events of the past few days. Clearly, Jesus knew better than they did about what occurred—he lived it! However, I believe Jesus’ feigning ignorance is important. He does not share with them the truth of the situation until he has listened to their story.
In a listening session I facilitated with young people discussing their relationship to the Church, a young person shared this wisdom: “I wish the Church would stop answering questions we are not asking.” I believe Jesus is modeling that sentiment in the Gospel today: to be a Church that listens firsts, and then responds. Sometimes we get overzealous about knowing the truth and forget to listen to the questions and concerns that people carry in their hearts.
If we can be a Church that listens and accompanies, we may find that people are more interested and willing to hear the Good News because we are willing to meet them where they are. The fruit of listening and accompaniment may well be an invitation to enter the homes of those with whom we walk. And in doing so, we allow Jesus to reveal himself to us. May we learn to be a Church that listens and accompanies, as Jesus did for the two disciples going to Emmaus—and as he does for each of us daily.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
As candles are lit and prayers are lifted up from the silence of our hearts by those assembled, all may sing as the musicians lead
Alleluia, alleluia UMH 186
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING PRAYER (all in unison):
Lord, You have arisen forever in my heart.
May the sunrise remind me to shine in Your light.
May the caress of a gentle breeze
remind me of Your compassion.
May the fragrance of a flower
remind me to blossom in Your love.
May the singing of birds
bring a song of joy to my lips.
And in the closing of each day
may I remember to quietly pray.
Wherever I am, whatever I do,
may my thoughts in joy return to You. Amen.
—Susan Helene Kramer
Benediction
Response: Triple Amen UMH 898