First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
April 19, 2026
Third Sunday of Easter
Rev. Brian Copeland
CHIMES (Preparing yourself for worship.)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
Jesus the Christ has freed us from death and brought us into new life.
Through Christ, we have faith and hope in God.
In genuine, mutual love, let us worship with one heart and one voice.
In reverence and joy, we praise God’s holy name!
HYMN #104 Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
As we continue our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are called to repent,
remembering that the promise of Jesus Christ is for us, for our children, for our siblings, for all who are near and all who are far, for everyone called to God. In confidence, let us confess our sin.
Eternally patient God, we ask again and again, “What should we do?” And again and again, you tell us, “Repent and return to me.” Yet we have not changed our ways.
We fall into old habits, cling to our own ways, and take for granted the grace you have given us. Once again, we ask you for forgiveness. Show us the way forward and help us return, once again, to you.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
Beloved, hear this good news: through Christ you have come to trust in God, who raised Christ from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
We are born anew, through the living and enduring word of God.
Alleluia! Praise to the risen Christ!
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (If children are present. Children may go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Living God, with joy we celebrate the presence of your risen Word. Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit so that we may proclaim the good news of eternal and abundant life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 1:17-23 Liturgist
17If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
22Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 24:13-35 Rev. Brian Copeland
13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then 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?” 19He 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, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But 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. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and 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. 24Some 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.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But 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. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They 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?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #536 Lord, Make Us More Holy
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Life in Christ is life eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign that God will consummate the work of creation and reconciliation beyond death and bring to fulfillment the new life begun in Christ.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
We offer our prayers through Christ, who lives and reigns forever, and prays for us in heaven. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and back tables.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
Great God, to you we give our thanks; your steadfast love endures forever. With gratitude we bring our gifts to you. Bless us and our gifts, that our lives and our resources may be a source of healing and hope, of joy and justice in our world. Amen.
HYMN: Go to the World (Insert)
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
**LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE. PLEASE ASK THE GREETER.
Reminders:
May 15 – Doug’s to Go to benefit WFPC
May 18 – Our turn to volunteer at the food pantry (off schedule because of Memorial Day.)
June 22 – Doug’s to Go to benefit Weedsport Fire Department Auxiliary
