Liturgy for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year A (Matthew)

Introduction

The Third Sunday of Easter centers on the road to Emmaus. Two disciples walk away from Jerusalem, their hopes apparently buried. A stranger joins them, opens the Scriptures, and is recognized in the breaking of bread. The readings for this day speak of a God who draws near in ordinary moments, and of a church called to witness what it has seen and received. This liturgy follows the Revised Common Lectionary for the Third Sunday of Easter (Year A) and is shaped by themes of recognition, witness, and the new life born through Word and table.

The lectionary readings at a glance

Acts 2:14a, 36–41 — Peter calls the crowd to repentance and faith. Three thousand respond. The church is born through witness, water, and the gift of the Spirit.

Psalm 116:1–4, 12–19 — A song of gratitude from one who cried out and was heard. The psalmist asks what can be offered in return and answers with a life of faithful praise.

1 Peter 1:17–23 — Believers are called to live in reverent obedience, ransomed not by wealth but by the blood of Christ. Love for one another flows from new birth through the living Word.

Luke 24:13–35 — Two disciples on the road to Emmaus encounter the risen Jesus without recognizing him. He opens the Scriptures and is finally known to them in the breaking of bread, then vanishes. They return to Jerusalem to tell what they have seen.

Call to worship — Option 1

One: The risen Christ walks with us on the road.

All: Even when we do not recognize him, he is near.

One: He opens the Scriptures and breaks the bread.

All: Our hearts burn within us as he speaks.

One: Come, let us worship the one who makes himself known.

All: We gather to hear his word and know his presence among us.

Call to worship — Option 2

One: What shall we return to the Lord for all his goodness?

All: We will lift the cup of salvation and call on his name.

One: We have been ransomed and raised to new life.

All: We come with gratitude, love, and praise.

One: Let us worship the God who hears our cry and draws near.

All: We gather in his name, grateful and glad.

Opening prayer

Risen Lord, you walked with your disciples when they could not see you, and you opened their eyes at the table. Walk with us now. Open the Scriptures to us, draw near in Word and bread, and let us recognize you in our midst. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayer of confession

Merciful God, we confess that we often walk away from you without knowing it. We grow discouraged, we lose sight of your presence, and we fail to love one another as you have called us to. Forgive us. Open our eyes and turn us back toward you. Amen.

Assurance of pardon

Hear the good news: "You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:23)

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made new.

Thanks be to God!

Prayer for illumination

Lord, open the Scriptures to us as you opened them on the road. Let our hearts burn with your truth. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Benediction

Go in the joy of the risen Christ. He has walked with you, opened the Word to you, and made himself known. Now go and tell what you have seen.

For a full collection of benedictions and blessings, visit Benedictions and Blessings.

See also

Worship Resources
Calls to Worship
Opening Prayers
Prayers of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Prayer of Illumination
Benedictions and Blessings