Join us in person or live-streamed at 10AM or find our recorded service at your convenience. Details on our Worship page. Service words are below.
Prelude: One of Us
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn: 211 CP Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing
Good Christians all, rejoice and sing! Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring: alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord of life is risen today! Sing songs of praise along his way;
let all the earth rejoice and say: alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise we in songs of victory that love, that life which cannot die,
and sing with hearts uplifted high: alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Your name we bless, O risen Lord, and sing today with one accord
the life laid down, the lift restored: alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Gathering Sentences
Christ is Risen!
Stones of fear are rolled away.
Christ is Risen!
Walls of prejudice are broken down.
Christ is Risen!
Doubts are affirmed; questions are allowed.
Christ is Risen!
Those who were pushed aside are welcomed in.
Christ is Risen!
Life will never be the same again.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia
Come, let us worship God
Together we pray
Risen Saviour, in love you came to earth as the Anointed one to set apart, prepare and send out your faithful. In love, this community finds its purpose in serving those whom you have anointed.
In love, we carry our anointing into the world so that we might fulfil the call you have placed in each of our lives. In the name of the One who has formed, redeemed, and inspired this community. Amen
Collect of the Day
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Children’s Ministry Time
Song: MV 48 Jump for Joy
I can feel you near me God I can feel you near
Yes I know you’re with me God I feel you here
I can feel you near me God I can feel you near
Yes I know you’re with me God Heaven is here.
And I’ll jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you
I will jump for you I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you.
I can feel you loving me yes I know you care
God I know you’re loving me always everywhere
I can feel you loving me yes I know you care
God I know you’re loving me I know you’re there.
And I’ll jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you
I will jump for you I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you.
Jump for joy for you.
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2.14a, 22–32
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, “I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover, my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”
‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, “He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.” This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
Living word of God live in our lives today
Psalm 16: 626 G&P Shelter Me, O God
Refrain: Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
You alone are my hope.
When my foes surround me, set me high above their reach.
Hear me when I call your name. Refrain
As a mother gathers her young beneath her care,
gather me into your arms. Refrain
Though I walk in darkness, through the needle’s eye of death,
you will never leave my side. Refrain
A reading from the first letter of Peter 1.3–9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Living word of God live in our lives today
Gradual Hymn: 244 CP We Walk by Faith
We walk by faith, and not by sight; no gracious words we hear
from him who spoke as none e’er spoke; but we believe him near.
We may not touch his hands and side, nor follow where he trod;
but in his promise we rejoice and cry, “My Lord and God!”
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief and may our faith abound,
to call on you when you are near, and seek where you are found:
that, when our life of faith is done, in realms of clearer light
we may behold you as you are, with full and endless sight.
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John 20.19–31
Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the authorities, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily - Alyson Barnet-Cowan
An Affirmation of Faith (Rex Hunt Liturgies) In response to the word reflected on, and the primal wounds of the world let us share an affirmation of faith. Beckoning Christ, you call us out of our comfortable ghetto of 'us' and 'them' to risk discipleship without walls. You call us into a world-wide fellowship where God is worshipped above all others. You call us into a world-wide fellowship where prayer is offered day and night. You call us into a worldwide fellowship where we can share what we are with others who love you. You call us into a world-wide fellowship where each person has something to give to the whole. You call us into a world-wide fellowship where compassion and respect shape missionary endeavour. Keep on beckoning us out of our safe havens into your rich fellowship of challenge and reconciliation, faith and hope.
Prayers of the People (Lutheran Coalition for Renewal http://lutherancore.website/) Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people. A brief silence Lord Jesus, thank you for being so patient with your followers. Thank you for breathing your Spirit and your peace upon us. Thank you for giving us your own work of forgiving the sins of all who are humble enough to seek forgiveness and grace. Give us the faith, hope, and charity to believe, worship, and obey you always. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Breathe your Holy Spirit upon your Church, so that it may never doubt your Resurrection, but always proclaim you as the crucified and risen Savior of the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Pour your Holy Spirit into your persecuted followers, so that their faith in you is unwavering and their witness to you is both gracious and bold. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Come with your forgiveness, grace, and peace to the people of this congregation. Make us hunger for your Word and thirst for your goodness. Give us a vision of your love for each of us. Help us to serve you by serving others in your name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Breathe your Holy Spirit upon skeptics, doubters, and all whose confidence in your grace has been shaken by tragedy. Use us to lead them gently into your house. Lift them with your wounded hands. Transform their unbelief into unshakeable faith in you, their Lord and God. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Give the leaders of the nations, and all people entrusted to their care, that peace which the world cannot give. Send your Holy Spirit into the world. Let repentant faith and deeds of mercy bring the light of your saving love to hearts darkened by the powers of sin, evil and death. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. The other disciples sought out Thomas when he was grieving and in despair. Teach us to be your disciples, seeking out and walking with others even when they despair of your love. Give us grace to be gentle, winsome, patient, yet persistent as we invite them to taste and see your goodness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Bring the peace of your forgiveness, the healing of your dear touch, and the joy of your salvation to all whose lives are shadowed by suffering to body, mind or soul. Especially we remember before you: {List}. Cheer their hearts, renew their faith, and restore them to fellowship with all who love them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Jesus, you have been raised from death, and you promise your resurrection life to all whom you have redeemed. We entrust into your strong arms the lives of all who have fallen asleep in you. Wipe away the tears of all who grieve. Turn our doubt into unshakeable confidence. Grant that all whom you have redeemed may see you face to face and cry out in adoration and joy, “My Lord and my God!” Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Peace
The Offertory Hymn: 60 CP I Come with Joy
I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved, and free, the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me. I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed, the new community of love in Christ’s communion bread. As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us makes us one, and strangers now are friends. The spirit of the risen Christ, unseen, but ever near, is in such friendship better known, alive among us here. Together met, together bound, by all that God has done, we’ll go with joy, to give the world the love that makes us one.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of grace, you have freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Accept all we offer you this day, and strengthen us in the new life you have given us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer 3
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true paschal lamb who has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us eternal life. Therefore, joining our voices with the whole company of heaven, we sing our joyful hymn of praise to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth of your glory are full
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth of your glory are full
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation;
in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the woman Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night, he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, Father, according to his command,
we remember his death,
we proclaim his resurrection,
we await his coming in glory;
and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation;
by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (Cameron)
The Breaking of the Bread
Lord, we died with you on the cross.
Now we are raised to new life.
We were buried in your tomb.
Now we share in your resurrection.
Live in us, that we may live in you.
These are the Gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God
The Communion
Hymns during Distribution: I Looked Up Mary Laid Her Baby Down
Prayer after Communion
Creator, we have seen with our eyes and touched with our hands the bread of life. Strengthen our faith that we may grow in love for you and for each other; through Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen
The Doxology:
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing
Announcements
Closing Hymn: 231 CP That Eastertide with Joy Was Bright
That Eastertide with joy was bright; the sun shone out with fairer light, alleluia, alleluia!
when, to their longing eyes restored, the apostles saw their risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
He bade them see his hands, his side, where yet the glorious wounds abide; alleluia, alleluia!
the tokens true which made it plain their Lord indeed was risen again.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
From every weapon death can wield thine own redeemed forever shield: alleluia, alleluia!
O Lord of all, with us abide in this our joyful Eastertide.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus, the king of gentleness, do thou thyself our hearts possess, alleluia, alleluia!
that we may give thee all our days the tribute of our grateful praise.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Dismissal
Let us go in faith to ponder in our hearts the mystery and the wonder of this season... And now may we go forth in the certainty of faith, in the knowledge of love, and in the vision of hope. And in our going, may we be blessed. Thanks be to God! Alleluia
Postlude: Break Dividing Walls
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