Dear all,
Among the favorite images in the early Church (first three centuries) were representations of the meal of bread and fish that the risen Jesus shared with his disciples. They are found in the catacombs (underground burial sites) beneath Rome in which Christians secretly gathered for worship and shared meals of bread and fish. Even if the quality of art leaves something to be desired, they functioned as symbols to remind people of what it was they celebrated.
They all refer back to tomorrow’s lesson from John’s gospel when Jesus appears again to his dispirited disciples who have gone back to their old lives as fishermen on the sea of Galilee. Jesus surprises them with his presence after they have spent a long and fruitless night of heavy-duty work – and no catch. (Maybe we can identify with their weariness and exhaustion? Their discouragement?) The unrecognized Jesus suggests throwing their nets out on the other side of the boat. Despite their fatigue, they do it and and the result is an astounding haul – more fish than they have ever seen. It’s only then that they realize that this stranger is Jesus. Overwhelming abundance is key to recognizing who it is that invites them to breakfast. Re-energized by grace, they are sent out once again to engage in Jesus’ mission, led by Peter.
Order of Service
SUNDAY, May 1, 2022 Third Sunday of Easter
Prelude:
Hymn 251: “Christ is alive”
Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Grace and Lord’s Prayer
Responsive reading: Psalm 30 (29)
Revelation 5: 11-14
Anthem: “Je t’exalte, Seigneur : tu m’as relevé”
Acts 9: 1- 20
John 21: 1-19
Hymn 16: “I worship you, O Lord”
Meditation: “Exhausted disciples, recommissioned”
Hymn 572: “Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult”
Offering and Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn: “Go to the World”
Benediction
“Go Now in Peace”
Postlude: