Life Anew
Gathering
God’s People
Hymns
(Tune – Easter Hymn)
Hymn
390: Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks …
(Tune – Alleluia Alleluia)
Hymn 380: Yours be the glory
(Tune – Maccabaeus)
Hymn
755: You
shall go out with joy
(Tune – Trees of the Field)
Hymn 702: Alleluia, Alleluia
(Tune –
Alleluia 7 Taize)
Readings:
The First Reading: Acts 10: 34-43 NEB
page 847
The Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-10. NEB page 755
A Candle can
be lit and placed somewhere near where you are worshipping
The candle is lit with
these words:
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ
is risen indeed!
This is the day that that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Acknowledgement of First Peoples
We acknowledge the first people who have cared for this Land, where we
worship, the Wallumedgal.
May
our worship join with the voices of the First Peoples of this Land.
Call to Worship
Praise the Lord!
God has defeated death.
Praise the Lord!
Sing the Easter song.
It is the first day of the week.
God Almighty is with us.
Peace be with us.
It is the first day of the week.
Jesus is here.
Peace be with us.
It is the first day of the week.
The Holy Spirit is upon us.
Peace be with us.
Hymn 362: Jesus
Christ is risen today
(Tune – Easter Hymn)
1. Jesus
Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our
triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who
so lately on the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer
to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
2. 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!
3. But
the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our
salvation has procured; Alleluia!
Now
exalted he is king, Alleluia!
And
the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Words: Lyra Davidica,
1708
Opening prayer
Our Lord and our
God, like doubting Thomas so long ago,
it is sometimes
difficult for us to believe in new life and
Resurrection. We ask
you to turn our doubts into vibrant
faith. We have not seen
but help us believe. Amen.
A Prayer of Confession
God of
life and love, we rejoice in our own salvation, but find it hard to forgive
those who have hurt us.
You call
us to seek the paths of peace and blessing, to be your face to everyone we
meet, but it is easier sticking to well-travelled streets of anger and
resentment. We yearn to live in ease in heaven, but too often make life hard
for people around us.
You call
us to spread your word of resurrection, to witness to your love and grace for
the world, but our lips remain silent.
Forgive
us, Holy One, when we hold on to what we have, rather than share your gifts
with the world.
Declaration of Forgiveness
The One
whom the prophets foretold, and of whom the Gospels testify, lives among us
today. In the love of the Creator; in the life, death, and resurrection of
Christ; and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.
Thanks,
be to God!
The
Peace
Rejoicing in Christ’s life among us, let us
share signs of peace.
The peace of Christ be with you.
The peace of Christ be
with you always.
(You may like to
exchange a sign of peace with those around you.)
A
Word with The Young People –
Theme: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Object: Imagine a small juice glass half-filled with juice.
There are two ways of looking at a glass of juice. Some people would
look at the glass and say it was half empty. There are others who would look at
the glass and say it is half full. (Next drink all of the juice in the glass or
imagine it.)
Well, we solved that problem, didn't we? Now everyone who looks at this
glass would say that it is empty, but guess what? Everyone still wouldn't
look at the glass in the same way. Some would look at the glass and grumble and
complain because it empty. Others would look at the glass and see it as a glass
just waiting to be filled with good things to drink. I guess there are always
different ways to look at any situation.
On the Sunday morning after Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary went
to visit the grave where the body of Jesus had been laid. When she got there,
she found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. She ran to find
someone to tell them what she had seen. She found two of the disciples, Peter
and John, and she said to them, "They have taken our Lord out of the tomb and
we don't know where they have put him."
The three of them immediately ran to the tomb. When they got there, they
all saw the same thing, but they didn't all look at it in the same way.
Peter looked and was curious. The Bible says Peter went in the empty tomb
and looked around. He saw strips of linen laying around and the cloth that
Jesus had been buried in folded neatly and placed where the body had been.
"Hmmm, very interesting," Peter might have said to himself.
Mary looked and was sad. The Bible tells us that Mary didn't even go
inside the empty tomb. She just stood outside the tomb and wept because she
feared that someone had stolen the body of Jesus.
John looked and believed. The bible says that John went inside the tomb
and he saw and believed. Now, I don't know exactly how much John understood,
but I think he believed that Jesus had risen from the grave just as he said he
would.
Three people -- they all saw the same thing -- one was curious, one was
sad, and one believed. I think that is pretty much the same way people react to
the story of Jesus today. Some people hear the story and they are curious,
others hear it and think it is sad, others hear it and believe. How do you look
at it?
Offering Prayer
God of love and grace, for the love and life that you give us in Christ,
we offer you signs of our gratitude; for the compassion and mercy that you give
us in the Holy Spirit, we offer you our thankfulness and praise. Receive our
gifts in your holy name. Amen.
Hymn 390: Alleluia, alleluia, give
thanks …
(Tune – Alleluia Alleluia)
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
1. Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
2. Spread the good news o'er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
3. We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live for ever.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
4. God has proclaimed his gracious gift:
Life eternal for all who believe.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
5. Come, let us praise the living God,
Joyfully sing to our Saviour.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
Text: Donald Fishel (1950 -)
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
1. Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
2. Spread the good news o'er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
3. We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live for ever.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
4. God has proclaimed his gracious gift:
Life eternal for all who believe.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
5. Come, let us praise the living God,
Joyfully sing to our Saviour.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
Text: Donald Fishel (1950 -)
Betty Pulkingham (1928-)
The
Service of the Word
The First Reading: Acts 10: 34-43 Pew Bible NEB page 847
The Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-10. Pew Bible NEB
page 755
Readings from the NRSV
Translation of Scripture
Acts 10: 34-43
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I
truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but
in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to
him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people
of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That
message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that
John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and
healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We
are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him
to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God
raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not
to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate
and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He
commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained
by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All
the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives
forgiveness of sins through his name.’
Matthew 28:1-10.
1 After the Sabbath,
as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
went to see the tomb.2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the
stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning,
and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the
guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said
to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was
crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he
said. Come, see the place where he lay.7 Then go quickly and
tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going
ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for
you.’ 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy
and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly
Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of 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.’
Preaching
of the Word – Life Anew
Violent earthquakes, fearful friends, tearful disciples, running men,
appearing angels, disappearing bodies, empty tombs, mistaken identities, more
running, more tears and fears, running to and fro. Confusion, chaos,
conflicting messages (stay here or go to Galilee?). Easter sounds more like a
disaster story in desperate need of the SES rather than the triumphant Jesus
comeback we retell year after year.
We really don’t want to go there on Easter Sunday. We much prefer the
shiny golden cross, the trumpets, the happy hymns in major keys, the heavily
perfumed Easter lilies. We deserve this after all we’ve been through. Holy Week
nearly drove us off the rails; worship can’t get more depressing than Maundy
Thursday and Good Friday. We need an upper! A shot in the arm! A win for the
team!
But if resurrection is really about new life, then it is messy,
stressful, and emotional. It is most likely not without physical pain. I once
heard a young preacher compare childbirth to the new life of Easter. “Jesus is
NOT AN EPIDURAL!” he blurted out. What an inspired sentiment. We can’t use
Jesus to numb the pain of some new thing God is trying to show us.
Think about death-defying. That’s what resurrection is. What activities
use the term death-defying? Bungee-jumping off a mile-high cliff? Swimming with
great white sharks? Death-defying is TERRIFYING. I’m not saying that we should
turn Easter into an Evel Knievel or Halloween Holy-day, but there is something
way too pretty about our packaging of Easter into egg hunts and chocolate
crosses when the idea of life-death-resurrection should be unsettling and
awe-inspiring in the truest sense of the word.
Of course, there is another side of new life. There are tears of deep joy
and surprise, gratitude and wonder. How did this happen? How can this happen?
The miracle of life continues to astound and confound us. Peace be with us.
Hymn 380: Thine be the glory
(Tune – Maccabaeus)
1. Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, 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
conquering Son,
Endless is the victory,
thou o'er death hast won.
2. Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won
3. No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won
Intercessory Prayers
Great God of light, you come to us while it is deepest night; God
of life, you overcome the power of death. Alleluia! We come from the shadows to
stand in your presence, unafraid. Alleluia! Fill our hearts with joy on this
day of resurrection.
We think of your church today celebrating in clusters and crowds
all over the world. Our language race and nationalities may be different but
our worship is one and our praise for you united.
We pray that your spirit may guide and strengthen us all in mission and service to you , to our own community and to the world outside in whatever way we can each contribute and we pray that day by day we may draw closer to you, experiencing your love for us .
We pray that your spirit may guide and strengthen us all in mission and service to you , to our own community and to the world outside in whatever way we can each contribute and we pray that day by day we may draw closer to you, experiencing your love for us .
Lord, on this special day grant us peace in your world for
countries where there is war and communities that are broken. We remember today
those involved in conflicts around the world and in our prayers we
especially remember the people of the Middle East, we pray for our
service personnel in active duty around the world and ask that you will
keep them safe until they return home to their families and those they love.
We pray for those living in our own country in areas of deprivation where high unemployment and crime levels make daily living a tough challenge.
May all who struggle know that you are always with them in their suffering and will follow them step by step down whichever road they choose to take.
Lord we pray for ourselves, you know the needs of human life. As we seek to live our lives according to your example, help us by your presence to overcome our hasty speech that hurts others, to be free from greed and selfishness, from pride and jealousy that spoil our life.
Help us to curb our temper, to be free from moodiness and wanting our own way, let your presence help us to care about the feelings of others to be gentle and ready to say we are sorry.
You know us Lord bring out the best in us so that our lives may reflect your way for the world.
We pray for those living in our own country in areas of deprivation where high unemployment and crime levels make daily living a tough challenge.
May all who struggle know that you are always with them in their suffering and will follow them step by step down whichever road they choose to take.
Lord we pray for ourselves, you know the needs of human life. As we seek to live our lives according to your example, help us by your presence to overcome our hasty speech that hurts others, to be free from greed and selfishness, from pride and jealousy that spoil our life.
Help us to curb our temper, to be free from moodiness and wanting our own way, let your presence help us to care about the feelings of others to be gentle and ready to say we are sorry.
You know us Lord bring out the best in us so that our lives may reflect your way for the world.
Lord we pray for those in your world who are in need and ask you to
look with pity on those who suffer.
Be merciful to those in need. We pray for the broken hearted that you would bind up their sorrows, for the sick that you would heal their infirmities, for the lonely that in you they would discover the perfect friend, for the bereaved that in the midst of their unmeasurable loss they would know the depths of your love .
Jesus Christ is the light of the world a light which no darkness can quench we remember before God all those who have died being reminded that the light of Christ always eternally shines and brings hope. You turn our darkness into light in your light shall we see light
Be merciful to those in need. We pray for the broken hearted that you would bind up their sorrows, for the sick that you would heal their infirmities, for the lonely that in you they would discover the perfect friend, for the bereaved that in the midst of their unmeasurable loss they would know the depths of your love .
Jesus Christ is the light of the world a light which no darkness can quench we remember before God all those who have died being reminded that the light of Christ always eternally shines and brings hope. You turn our darkness into light in your light shall we see light
Ever living God help us now to celebrate our joy in the
resurrection of Jesus and to express in our lives the love we celebrate.
Death cannot hold the Lord of Life, new life for him means new life for all who believe in Christ.
Merciful father accept these prayers for the sake of you son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Death cannot hold the Lord of Life, new life for him means new life for all who believe in Christ.
Merciful father accept these prayers for the sake of you son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in
heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth
as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive
those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn
755: You
shall go out with joy
(Tune – Trees of the Field)
You shall go out with joy
And be let forth with peace,
And the mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you.
There'll be shouts of joy
And the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands.
And be let forth with peace,
And the mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you.
There'll be shouts of joy
And the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands.
And the trees of the fields
will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
While you go out with joy.
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
While you go out with joy.
Steffi Geiser Rubin, Stuart Dauermann
Publisher: Lillenas Publishing Company
Benediction
With Mary and the disciples and all those who
live in Christ, let us rejoice that we have seen our Saviour, who is not dead,
but lives. In the love of the Creator; in the life, death, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ; and the power of the Holy Spirit, let us go forth to love and
serve the world.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
This is the day that that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Hymn 702: Alleluia, Alleluia
(Tune –
Alleluia 7 Taize)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia!
Taize Community – Jacques Berthier (1923-1994)
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