On the Road to Emmaus: 2026 Easter Worship Series
An empty tomb was not good news to the first disciples. As two of them walk back home overwhelmed with disappointment, grief, and confusion, they encounter a stranger. By the end of that encounter, they are running back to the eleven proclaiming, “The Lord has risen indeed!” Breaking hearts turned into burning ones. Despair gave way to hope. Confusion transformed into understanding. This Easter season we will walk with these two disciples on the road to Emmaus in the midst of our disappointment, grief, and confusion. Perhaps we, too, will encounter a stranger who will transform us and send us out to tell the world, “Jesus is alive!”
April 12th
Guest Preacher: Wilbur Douglass
April 19th
Rev. Kailey Stephens preaching.
April 26th
Breaking Hearts: When It All Falls Apart
The disciples are crushed. Jesus was dead. Even worse, his body was missing. As two disciples head back home to “life as usual” they commiserate with one another. In the midst of despair, a stranger starts to walk alongside them on the road to Emmaus. The first section of this story reminds us of our own Emmaus journeys of heartache and sadness. When it all falls apart, we find both friends and strangers walking with us in our disappointment. When your heart is breaking, “you’ll never walk alone” on the road to Emmaus.
Reflection Question: Describe an Emmaus journey of your own. Who walked with you? As you look back on it, how was Jesus present?
May 3rd
Youth Sunday
May 10th
Breaking Assumptions: We Had Hoped…
When the stranger asked two disciples what they were talking about, they shared the whole sob story. They recounted not only the facts, but their assumptions, hopes, and dashed dreams. The stranger then interpreted the Hebrew scriptures in a way that provided a whole new outlook, a better understanding, and a fresh perspective. As we walk on the road to Emmaus, we too have assumptions that keep us from understanding how God is at work. We had also hoped that things would be different. When we turn to scripture, we hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us in new and fresh ways, breaking assumptions and offering guidance and comfort for the journey.
Reflection Question: When have you turned to scripture to find guidance and comfort in your life? Describe a time when you had an assumption that blinded you to other possibilities or explanations. Finish this sentence for yourself, “I had hoped…”
May 17th
Breaking Bread: Open Eyes and Burning Hearts
Once the disciples invited the stranger into their home, they sat down to eat together. At their “Communion Table” they realized who they had been with all along. Their eyes are opened to the risen Christ, their hope is renewed, and their hearts are set on fire to go out and tell others. As we conclude our walk to Emmaus, we too recognize Jesus has been with us the whole time. We shift from knowledge to encounter as our hearts are set on fire. May we too run out into the world, excited to tell others about who Jesus is and how he has transformed our lives.
Reflection Question: In what ways have you unexpectedly recognized Jesus in your midst? How have you experienced a heart on fire after an encounter with Jesus? Who will you tell about Jesus this week?
May 24th
Rev. Kailey Stephens preaching.
Pentecost Sunday
Messages: 2
