Act of Worship: The Second Sunday of Easter, 11th April 2021

Easter

Alleluia. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

‘This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.’ (1 John 1:5)

Hymn: This joyful Eastertide...

Acts 4:32-35

‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 1:8-9). Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith:

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the day: Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father. Amen.

John 20:19-31

Let us pray:

We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world, asking for the strength and courage to serve wherever we may be;

We pray for the world’s leaders, asking for wisdom and compassion;

We pray for our communities, families and friends, asking for relationships to thrive;

We pray for all who are sick or suffering, asking for God’s healing presence to be known;

We pray for people who have been bereaved, including the royal family following the death of Prince Philip;

Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: Breathe on me, breath of God...

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts; and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and and be with us always. Amen.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.