Sunday Focus
19th April 2026
Today in Church we will be hearing from Rev. Kerr Wintersgill who will be preaching as sole nominee to be our new minister.
Welcome to this weeks Sunday Focus, we pray you will be blessed.
Hymn - Abide with Me
Song - Alleluia Alleluia Give Thanks to the Risen Lord
Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
Song - Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Reading
Luke 24:13-35
The Walk to Emmaus
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. 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?’ 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, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 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. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 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. 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.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 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. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 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?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Song - As The Deer
Heavenly Father
We pray for those who are worried.
We think of people struggling with debt.
We think of families in trouble
And of people here
and throughout the world
who are homeless –
Or jobless
Or who are coping with illness or grief.
Lord Jesus,
You already walk with each one,
but help them to know you’re there
and to see you
in the hands and hearts
and words and actions
of family, friends and strangers.
Come to those of all ages
who are trying to live well
In the midst of warring.
Come to those cast aside
Because of disabilities.
Come to those
Stuck in slums
And in prisons -
To any who feel desolate
And forgotten.
Give us we pray,
The courage to be as passionate as you, Lord Jesus,
In the care of those with least.
Help us not to judge
But to let love
Shape our words and our deeds.
And we pray for your church.
Continue to walk with those who follow you –
and help us all,
In every branch of your people,
to look for you
And to listen for you
And to feel your touch.
So may our hearts
Burn within us,
Compelling us
to share the joy of your living presence
With everyone.
Everywhere.
All this we ask in your name and for your sake, our risen Lord. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Song - My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
Go with the Lord who is always by your side.
Go to sense his presence.
And to let him guide you.
In thought,
Word
And deed.
And the blessing of God the Father,
Christ the Son
And the Holy Spirit
Rest upon you
And all those whom you love,
This day and always. Amen