SONG
The opening song is, ‘10000 reasons’, by Matt Redman. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E
Call to worship
Today we will journey with the early disciples as they were amazed and challenged by the risen Jesus.
You may like to light a candle at this time.
God’s truth has been revealed in the risen Jesus Christ, the light of the world. May the light shine for the hope of the world.
Acknowledgment of country
As we begin, it is appropriate to recognise that this great land has been home to our first nations peoples for many thousands of years. Therefore, let us also acknowledge those Aboriginal peoples who are the first habitants of the regions in which we dwell and honour them for their care of the land.
Prayer
Let us pray.
Loving God, we thank you for the love that you have poured out upon us through Christ Jesus. We come before you, O God, as his servants. We come before you as a resurrection community, as an Easter people, and we ask for your holy and transforming presence to be among us.
Bless us O God, that we may become what you would have us be, and that we might bring honour and glory and praise to you and to Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
We ask it in his name. Amen
From the Bible
The Bible readings for today are from Acts 9:1-6 and the Gospel of John 21:1-19. The words of the first reading are included below and the Gospel reading is in the two videos underneath.
Acts 9:1-6
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Dramatic readings from Lumo
Here are the dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel readings by the Lumo group. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzj5wLTnOE8 AND
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5fQrUiYrJ4
Message
The message today is brought to us by Keith Robinson from the HomeFaith Community.
How do you perceive your own faith? Do you feel your faith is inferior, or even superior, to other people you know? What can we learn from the Apostle Paul?
Before a time of prayer you may like to spend some time in silence sitting still. Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert. Simply be still and open to God. You may prefer to do this while listening to the ‘Optional reflective music’ below.
Optional reflective music
‘Ancient of days’, presented by CityAlright. If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJUtAw21qAM
Prayers for Others
Let us pray. We thank you for the gift of new life through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Easter is a time of hope and a time of new beginnings, and so we pray for situations in our world that can sometimes seem beyond hope, such as the conflict in Ukraine. Please comfort those who are grieving, give peace to those who are afraid, and grant healing to those recovering..
[pause]
Risen Saviour, hear our prayer.
Loving God, we bring to you now our concerns for family and friends and others in our community. We remember those who are sick, lonely, those who are separated from loved ones, and those who don’t have a place to call home. May they find comfort in your healing presence. We also pray for other people who we now name in our hearts…
[pause]
Risen Saviour, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, may we take time to remember your gifts to us: the gift of your life and death on the cross, and the hope of eternal life that your resurrection brings. May we live in faith, hope and love as your Easter people in all we say and do.
[pause]
Risen Saviour, hear our prayer.
Loving God, we ask you to accept all these prayers through your Son, our Risen Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessing
Friends, let us not fear. We are welcomed into the intimate presence of God. God offers us warmth and nourishment to prepare us on our journey. Go well. Go in peace. Go in joy.
Bless us and the people we meet along the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
SONG
The closing song is, ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’, at Royal Albert Hall. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igs3mNsppsI
Fun Activities
Easter colouring in
Just copy/paste or download the image and then print it out!
Holy Week trail
Here is a selection of fun activities designed for the last week of Lent and Easter Sunday. It was prepared by Ros Robinson from the HomeFaith community.
https://homefaith.net/resources/holy-week-trail-2022/
Resources
The blessing is based on the blessing from the Saltbush service for this week, which can be found at:
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/easter-3-resurrection-now-john-211-19/
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