2nd Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 5v27-32; Psalm 150; Revelation 1v4-8; John 20v19-end. Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. A Word: In John we hear about two of Jesus’ resurrection appearances. In the first the disciples were meeting in a locked room when Jesus appeared amongst them and showed them signs of his crucifixion. After this Jesus breathed his Holy Spirit on them and commissioned them to go into the world with the power to forgive sins. Now, Thomas was not at this meeting, so when he was told about it, he was dubious and said he would not believe unless he saw and felt the marks of the crucifixion for himself. So when the second resurrection appearance happened a week later, when Thomas was present, it is surprising to hear that after Jesus’ invitation to see and feel the marks of crucifixion and Jesus’ instruction to stop doubting and believe, that Thomas simply declared that the one before him was his Lord and his God. I believe that this appearance to Thomas shows us that our ability to believe is not about finding proof but about setting aside the doubts that cloud our ability to dare to believe. For as Jesus told Thomas, people who have not seen him but believe in him are more blessed than those he has met with. In Acts we hear that Peter was a changed man. For the man who denied that he knew Jesus was now standing up for Jesus against the very same people he had been so afraid of before, This was even though Peter knew that what he was saying could get him killed. For Peter was so changed that he spoke up, even though he had been ordered to not speak about Jesus. Peter was so changed that he dared to obey God by standing up as a witness for Jesus and sharing his witness testimony about Jesus’ resurrection. For Peter believed beyond doubt: that Jesus had died to give God’s people the ability to change and be forgiven of all of their sins; and that God had raised Jesus back to life as the Leader and Saviour of God’s people; and that God had exalted Jesus and placed him at his right hand. I believe from all of this is that what Peter had witnessed was so compelling that he was no longer able to refuse what God required of him. In Revelation we hear a message about Jesus, a message given by the Alpha and Omega, the Lord God, the eternal one who always exists. This is a message for the 7 churches in Asia. A message telling us that Jesus is: God’s faithful witness; the firstborn of the dead; and the ruler of earth. A message telling us that: Jesus freed us from our sins because he loved us so much that he died for us. A message telling us that those who belong to the Church are Jesus’ people, a kingdom of priests serving his Father. A message telling us that one day Jesus will return and when he does that every human being - past, present and yet to come - will see him and be judged by God. I believe that what we hear in this message is that each and every one of us who join the Church is a priest serving the Father; and that the message we are called to share with the world is that one day we shall face judgement and that Jesus died to save us from our sins. These readings share with us the good news we are called to share with the world for the God that the psalm calls us to praise with songs and music and dancing. For as the psalmist tells us, God is worthy of praise because God is holy, powerful, mighty and great. The one true God who knew that the only way to save us was by allowing his son to come and show us the way to heaven. Let us Pray: Almighty Father and everlasting Lord, we thank you for Jesus who you permitted to come and save us from our sins by dying in our place for us. We thank you that Jesus rose again and ask you to help us to leave behind our wicked ways, to serve you because of all that Jesus has done for us and to assure the world that you are calling us to eternal life through Jesus. Amen Thanks for joining us today.
Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia, Christ is risen. He is risen indeed, Alleluia.A Thought for today Today we reflect on the early morning of the third day after Jesus’ death. The sealed tomb was open. Jesus’ body was gone. Men in dazzling white said Jesus was not here. Later a range of people met with a risen Jesus who they did not at first recognise. This is not a myth - it is the witness testimony of people who were there. Testimony handed to us so that we too may believe. Easter Prayer Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of Jesus overcame the old order of sin and death: make all things new in him and grant that we may reign with him in glory by becoming dead to sin and alive in Jesus. AMENPrayer of blessing May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.Closing Note: This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope in these quite extraordinary times.
Service of LightLighting of the Easter CandleWith the building in darkness, the ministers go in silence to the main entrance carrying the unlit Easter Candle. The president says: This is the night in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life. The Church invites her members throughout the world to gather in prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord through which we share in his victory over death.A minister prays: Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.A minister reads these verses: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. Genesis 1.1A new fire is lit and the Easter Candle is lit. The president says: Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your one true light: set us aflame with the fire of your love, and bring us to the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Marking of the Easter Candle Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to him, and all ages; to him be glory and power, through every age and for ever. Amen.By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard and keep us. Amen.Procession into ChurchAt the entrance the minister bearing the Candle lifts it and says: The light of Christ.Further into the building the minister bearing the Candle repeats: The light of Christ.At the centre the minister bearing the Candle says: The light of Christ.Then the Easter Candle is placed on a stand. Exsultet - Led by a deacon. Choirs of angels, stars and planets: All creation, Church of God: We praise you Lord of life and death: we glorify your name: This is the night you set us free, bringing us home in love; holy night, when you led your people through the fearsome sea: This is the night you brought your Son through the doors of death; O holy night, when death takes flight and hope is born again: This is the night our tears of sadness turn to shouts of joy; holy night, when the choirs of earth sing the songs of heaven: This is the night when Christ our Light makes the darkness bright: Christ is the life that knows no end. Christ is the love that burns within. Christ is the peace that floods the world. Christ is the Lord who reigns on high. Amen.The Easter Acclamation: The president says: Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. A joyful fanfare may be played, bells rung, cymbals clashed, noise made.Gloria in ExcelsisChurch candles are lit from the Easter Candle and Church lights are switched on as we pray: Glory be to God in Heaven, and to all on earth his peace. Lord and Father, King in glory, gifts of praise in us release, then the worship and thanksgiving from our hearts will never cease. Christ incarnate, sent by Father to redeem, renew, restore; Risen Lamb, in glory seated, hear our prayers, Lord, we implore. Now to Father, Son and Spirit, Be all glory evermore. The Collect God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains of death and hell: fill your Church with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.The Blessing God the Father, by whose love Christ was raised from the dead, open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life. God the Son, who in bursting from the grave has won a glorious victory, give you joy as you share the Easter faith. God the Holy Spirit, who filled the disciples with the life of the risen Lord, empower you and fill you with Christ’s peace. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.
Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. A Thought for today Today, we remember that on the Sabbath day Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. We also reflect on the Creed of the Church, which says that on this day that Jesus descended into hell. But why? Hear a reply from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday which says: “Today a great silence reigns on earth because the King is asleep”. It also says “I order you sleeper to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead”. As Christians it is our belief that on this Holy Day that Jesus opened up the gates of hell for us to be let out.Holy Saturday Prayer Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we may reign with him in glory by becoming dead to sin and alive in Jesus. AMENPrayer of blessing May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.Closing Note This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope in these quite extraordinary times.
