SONG
The opening song is, ‘Come, now is the time to worship’, by Maranatha Praise Band. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doOVqKQo3lo
Call to worship
Come all who have hope for liberation, for peace, for freedom, for God’s kingdom.
Jesus declares, “See, I am making all things new.”
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 in this worship, that we may become what you would have us be and that we might bring honour and praise to you in all we do and say. Dwell among us, we pray, that we may love one another as we were meant to love. We ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen
From the Bible
The Bible readings for today are from Revelation 21:1-6 and John 13:31-35. The words of the readings are included below and the Gospel reading is in the video underneath.
Revelation 21:1-6
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
John 13:31-35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Dramatic readings from Lumo
Here is the dramatic re=enactment of the Gospel reading by the Lumo group with some extra verses added in (John 13:19-38). If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciKoyLT509U&t=4s
Message
The message is brought to you by Tim Jensen from the Saltbush Community. In the few hours before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion he distills his life to a few words: Love one another. What would your last words be to those you love?
If you knew that you were about to die, what would you tell the people that you love?
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
“Moses stood on a mountain” by Steffany Gretzinger. If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCq3HNBmB8k
Prayers for Others
Teach our hearts to love, O God, as you would have us love.
For those who feel lost and alone.
Teach our eyes to see, Holy One, as you would have us see.
For those who live under the threat of violence and hatred.
You would have us love without prejudice and accept others without judgment.
You would have us truly learn to love.
Make your home among us, that we might be made one and whole.
Loving God, teach us to love as we live in you.
There are many who walk in the shadows of fear and suffering and despair, and we pause now, to offer our prayers for the broken and bleeding places in this world…
We also offer our prayers for our families and friends, the church and our community…(pause)
We pray all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Blessing
A new commandment changes our lives..
We are called to love one another.
A new vision guides our way…
We are to see God’s acceptance, even to those who are stranger to us.
A new blessing leads us forward…
We are called to be a blessing to the world.
Bless us and the people we meet along the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
SONG
The closing song is, ‘King of love’, courtesy of Emu Youth. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs8sjuS0YzA
Fun Activities
Messy Family Fun Psalm 23
There are many fun activities at HomeFaith based on the theme of the ‘Good Shepherd’ at:
https://homefaith.net/resources/messy-family-fun-psalm-23-2022/
Easter colouring in
Just copy/paste or download the image and then print it out!
Resources
The ‘Prayers for others’ and ‘Blessing’ are based on content in the Saltbush service for this week, which can be found at:
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/easter-5-love-one-another-john-1331-35/
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