Luke 24:13-35 | Whether you’re a weather buff or not, many of us rely on weather forecasts. And, at a certain point, when the forecast indicates a certain percentage of impending rain or storm, we expect it’ll rain, altering what we choose to do, or not to do, during the day. Expectations aren’t neutral; expectations influence our decisions and our actions. In the same way, the expectations of the early disciples as they walked along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus influenced their decisions and their action (or inaction). But in that journey, Jesus didn’t let them stay where they were. Jesus remained committed to them, staying with them, transforming their expectations and their trajectory forward. So as we continue our journey forth from the empty tomb into God’s good garden, join us as we remain with Jesus, and as Christ takes us beyond our expectations into the wonder of God’s vision for the world.
Sunday, April 19, 2026, Third Sunday of Easter
Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. ELW Setting 4, © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Gathering: Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!. Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926. Music: David N. Johnson, 1922-1987. Text: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Music: © 1969 Contemporary Worship I, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Day of Arising. Text: Susan Palo Cherwien, b. 1953. Music: Carl F. Schalk, b. 1929. Text: © 1996 Susan Palo Cherwien, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music: © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: No Other Name. Text and Music: Trevor Hodge. Text and Music: © 2010 Hodge, Trevor. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ. Text: Fred Kaan, b. 1929. Music: Jamaican folk tune; adapt. Doreen Potter, 1925-1980. Text and Music: © 1975 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription.