Welcome to worship at Armstrong Chapel UMC. We’re glad you’re here! Whether you’re watching live or catching the replay, you are part of our community. Join as we explore the message “Are We There Yet?” and how it speaks into our daily lives and faith journey along the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13–35. As two disciples walk in confusion and grief, the risen Christ comes alongside them—though they don’t recognize Him at first. In their questions and longing for understanding, Jesus is present.
How often do we ask the same question in our own lives—Are we there yet? Whether we’re waiting for clarity, healing, or hope, this story reminds us that Christ walks with us, even when we don’t see Him. Today, we’re invited to trust that even in the in-between moments, God is near, guiding us forward. You’re not alone on the journey.
Worship is enriched by special inspiring music from the Armstrong Bell Choir.
CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from the Equipper
LEADER: God is with the disciples when their grief doesn’t let them recognize Jesus...
PEOPLE: Jesus open our eyes!
LEADER: The Scripture reveals the very nature of God’s plan of salvation.
PEOPLE: Jesus open our eyes!
LEADER: The One who listens to our sorrow is the same one who has already carried it all the way to the cross.
PEOPLE: May Jesus open our eyes to see Him — over and over again.
*HYMN Christ is Risen #307 UMH
Christ is risen!
Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days.
Christ is risen!
Hush in wonder; all creation is amazed.
In the desert all-surrounding,
see, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding
bring a taste of love unknown.
Christ is risen!
Raise your spirits from the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning.
See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection,
not a servant, but a friend;
Jesus is our strong companion.
Joy and peace shall never end.
Christ is risen!
Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation
where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus:
“Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us.
Sing Hosanna everyone!
SCRIPTURE Psalm 116:1-4 & 19b (CEV)
1 I love you, Lord! You answered my prayers. 2 You paid attention to me, and so I will pray to you as long as I live. 3 Death attacked from all sides, and I was captured by its painful chains. But when I was really hurting, 4 I prayed and said, “Lord, please don’t let me die!” 19b Shout praises to the Lord!
HYMN We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise #2031 FWS
SCRIPTURE Luke 24:13-35 (NRSVUE)
13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.
17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”
19-24 He said, “What has happened?”
They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”
25-27 Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.
28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.
32 Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”
33-34 They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”
35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.
*HYMN Up From the Grave He Arose #322 UMH
