Sunday 12 April 2020
John Spooner
Introduction and Welcome
Good morning
Easter blessings be with us all
The restrictions on our lives due to the Covid-19 pandemic continue and that unfortunately includes our ability to gather together on Easter Sunday — whether that be for worship in the sanctuary at the usual time, or whether that be for an “open air” celebration at an earlier hour at – or shortly after sunrise.
Whilst we yearn for these restrictions to ease and ultimately to be lifted completely, we must accept their necessity and wait with patience for this dark times in our lives to end – that we might live again in the brightness of the freedoms of being able to worship together – of being able to spend time and share company with friends and relatives – and to resume our involvement in activities and pleasures which take place outside the confines of our homes.
Holy Week was an increasingly dark time – as we travelled with Jesus towards Jerusalem and as we saw him crucified on a cross, set on a hill outside the walls of the city.
Today is the day of resurrection — a day of brightness because the Son has risen. Although we are not physically together – we are bound together in our Christian faith – in God’s love – and on this special day, we can still worship together by sharing in a common act of worship.
Last week for Palm Sunday, Maria recorded the hymns and Stephen embedded them into the printed text – all of which put together, Stephen posted onto our Church website, with a link to it from the Facebook page. All being well, I hope that we can offer the same this week.
So welcome to this Easter service, provided by Glenburn Parish Church. We trust that for all of us, this will be a time of encouragement and blessing.
Easter Greeting
“Christ is risen”
HE IS RISEN INDEED
“Christ is risen”
HE IS RISEN INDEED
“Christ is risen”
ALLELUIA
Call to Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made
let us rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day that he rose again
let us rejoice and be glad in it
This is a day of new life and new beginnings
let us rejoice and be glad in it
Let us worship God
Praise Our first hymn is “Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia ”
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia,
our triumphant holy day; alleluia,
who did once upon the cross; alleluia,
suffer to redeem our loss; alleluia !
Hymns of praise then let us sing; Alleluia,
unto Christ our heavenly king; alleluia,
who endured the cross and grave; alleluia,
sinners to redeem and save: alleluia !
But the pains which he endured; Alleluia,
our salvation has procured; alleluia,
now in heaven Christ is King; alleluia,
where the angels ever sing: alleluia !Sing we to our God above; Alleluia,
praise eternal as his love; alleluia,
praise him all you heavenly host; alleluia,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost: alleluia !
Let us pray
Almighty God
we gather together – not in one place – but in many places
we gather together – knowing that we are not alone
we gather together — knowing that we are part of your living church
stretching across the continents of this earth –
present in the realms of heaven
crossing all limits of time and space
we gather together –acknowledging Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord
we gather together to worship
with joy and with praise
with awe and with wonder
with gladness and celebration
Redeeming God
we rejoice in the message of this day – the Good News which is at the heart of our faith : that there is light after darkness
there is joy after sorrow
there is good after evil
there is life after death
Speak to us this day Lord
through what we read
through what we may choose to sing
through all that we think and ponder
May the truth of Jesus’ resurrection – inspire us with renewed hope
may his victory over all that would separate us from you – fill us joy
may Christ’s living presence with us – be the rock of our faith
On this new day – as we look forward in faith to a new future before us –
we confess our failings of the past
that we so readily forget all that on this day
inspires us with hope
fills us with joy
forms the foundation of our faith
Forgive us Lord
when we forget all that you have done for us
when we lose sight of the deep truths of our faith
when our vision is narrow and our response is weak
In your mercy and forgiveness – fill us with
new faith and commitment
new purpose and new life
through the power of the risen Christ
These prayers we bring in his name and we continue to pray in his words – as we say
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 debts : as we forgive our debtors
and lead us not into temptation : but deliver us from evil
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory : for ever.
AMEN
Scripture Reading : Matthew 28 : verses 1 to 10 (Good News Bible)
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Now I have told you.’
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
9 Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
AMEN
Thanks be to God for his Word to us today
Music “I know that my Redeemer liveth” Handel : Messiah
REFLECTION
All of us have memories of events and things which have happened in our own lives — or in the lives of others. Some of these memories are of things which were life changing and remain forever vivid.
Our reading from Matthew’s Gospel today tells us that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went early on the Sunday morning to see the tomb where the body of Jesus was laid. In the accounts of both Mark and Luke it is further explained that they took spices to anoint the body of Jesus — but the important point is that they went at a time of quiet — in the early morning – when all would be peaceful.
However, something happened that disturbed that peace and which would remain forever as a vivid memory for the women – an earthquake occurred and an angel descended from heaven — rolled the stone back from the mouth of the tomb.
The guards were in fear and fell to the ground and no doubt the women were also terror stricken. The angel – sitting on the stone – told them not to be afraid as he knew that they had come to see Jesus – but he wasn’t there.
Jesus had risen and he had gone ahead of them to Galilee – a place away from Jerusalem and a place where Jesus felt at home and comfortable. The women rushed away – still fearful but also joyful – to do as the angel had told them as they went to tell the disciples about this news.
On their way to find the disciples – Jesus meets them and as the angel did – he tells them not to be afraid. He also commands them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee where he will meet them.
In our world today – there is much fear – not least about the Coronavirus pandemic
the extent of its duration and possible resurgence if not adequately countered at present
its impact on families and communities
its impact on the way we live life as we know it
its economic impact
And of course there are many other fears and concerns about environmental issues, climate change, terrorism, mass migration from persecution – and lots of others – each with their own enormous challenges.
In the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter – the God who apparently was silent on Good Friday is having the last word – as he is beginning a new world promised long ago.
This was an event which changes the hearts of people and although we cannot meet Jesus in the way that these women did – we can meet him in spirit as we get to know him and develop our personal relationship with him.
The angel told the women to “go and tell” his disciples. Jesus also told the women to “go and tell” his disciples where they would see him and when they did meet up – Jesus told his disciples to “go and tell” throughout the world – in the assurance and promise that he would be with them always.
At Easter – God has defeated death and just as he told his disciples then — Jesus tells us – his disciples of today – not to be afraid – but rejoicing to” go and tell” – to share the good news.
And God knows – that there is plenty of need and opportunity for his church to do exactly that – both as our nation emerges from the current crisis – and also as it adapts to better serve in our world and thereby – to better serve and honour our Risen Lord
May we all rise – in love – in joy and in unity – and without fear – to meet and fulfil this challenge which awaits us
AMEN
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Let us pray
Great and mighty God
we praise and thank you for the great surprise of Easter
that you transformed what seemed to be the end into a new beginning
that you turned what had seemed to be the triumph of evil into the victory of love
we praise and thank you for the way you changed the lives of Jesus’ followers
turning sorrow into celebration and doubt to faith
turning questions to answers and confusion to confidence
turning darkness to light
Lord our God
we pray for our world today in all its needs
for peace and harmony among the nations and for wise leadership and governance within them
for peace and harmony in communities and for all the efforts to achieve that
for the relief of suffering – of hunger and malnourishment
for justice and fairness for all – irrespective of background or belief
for equity in the distribution of scarce resources
for healing of pain and illness
we continue to pray about the Covid-19 situation – across the world
to give thanks for the ongoing commitment and unstinting effort of so many people
as they care for others and as they strive to maintain as much of ordinary daily living as is currently possible
we give you thanks for all that is done to overcome the virus and for the healing which flows from that work
we continue to pray that you will keep in your love and care
all who are ill, those known to many and those known only to immediate family and friends
all who are worried and concerned about loved ones and who can only wait – as they remain at physical distance
all who are working tirelessly in the medical, the caring and the research professions
all who work in other vital jobs, such as the food industry, transport and countless others, to maintain daily living – as much as is possible
people who endure the pain of isolation, loneliness or bereavement – and those who seek to bring them support and comfort
people who are currently without work and are adjusting to reduced income
everyone in positions of influence and leadership – decision making and authority
Eternal God
we pray for the church in all its variety and branches across your world
that it may understand and remain true to its mission to go into all the world,
to make disciples – teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded
and to do so – in the assurance of the Risen Christ that he will be with us to the end of the age
Gracious God
Having prayed for others – we pray too for ourselves and for those we love
Lord – you know our needs and also the desires of our hearts
so we pray only for the blessings and the gifts which we need
gifts of love and care
gifts of courage and strength
gifts of hope and peace
Hear these our prayers and answer them according to your will – O God of love
AMEN
Praise
Our closing hymn is “Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son ”
Thine be the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son;
endless is the vict’ry Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where Thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son;
endless is the vict’ry Thou o’er death hast won.Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb.
lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let His church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life !
life is nought without Thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conqu’rors, through Thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above.
Blessing
May the blessing of the Heavenly Father be with us
may the presence of the Risen Son live in us
may the power of the Holy Spirit enable us
to live – to love and to serve
to the honour and glory of the Eternal God
in whose name and with whose blessing we go
AMEN