Watchword for the Week

If we walk in the light as God is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another, and the blood

of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

(1 John 1:7)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2018)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

Christ is risen!

All is changed.

Christ is risen!

All are changed.

Christ is risen!

All may worship.

So let us join with the church throughout time

and around the world, proclaiming the

risen Lord and his great love for everyone.

Hymn 459 * Crown him with many crowns

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

PRAYER of APPROACH

Breathe in this place, O Lord,

by the power of your Holy Spirit,

to open our minds, unlock our hearts,

and enliven our faith

so that we may welcome

the risen one among us.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our

sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our

sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin.

You have shown yourself to us, O God,

by Word and Spirit, with signs and wonders,

in flesh and blood,

yet we still struggle to live and believe

the good news of Jesus Christ.

Have mercy on us; forgive us.

Enter into our lives and cast out fear

so that we may come to trust in you

and have life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn 619 * Spirit of the living God

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me:

break me, melt me, mould me, fill me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS

We have an advocate with God – Jesus Christ,

the righteous one – who offered his life in love to

save the world from sin. This is the good news of

the gospel: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

Hymn 620 * Spirit of the living God

Spirit of the living God, move among us all;

make us one in heart and mind,

make us one in love,

humble, caring, selfless, sharing.

Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love.

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Acts 4:32-35 NT p. 153 (152)

Hymn 620 * Spirit of the living God

St. John 20:19-31 NT p. 145

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 528 * Make me a channel of your peace

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 427 Alleluia! Hearts to heaven

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

(Hymn of the Month, April 2018)

DEDICATION PRAYER

Holy God, we give you thanks and praise

for light and life and love, and – above all –

the presence of the living Lord among us.

By your Spirit who breathes within us,

strengthen our faith, use our gifts,

and work in our lives to bear witness

to the resurrection of Christ our Lord,

in whose name we pray. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS (See Notices overleaf)

PRAYERS for OTHERS

Response: Pour out your blessing, O Lord;

send us your Spirit of peace.

The LORD’S PRAYER

(Please pray in your own preferred language / version.)

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

trespasses as we forgive those who trespass

against us. And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

kingdom, the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 413 The day of resurrection!

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE

Lord, in these times when we are about to

lose hope and our efforts seem futile, grant

that we may perceive in our hearts and minds

the image of your resurrection which remains

our only source of courage and strength, so

that we may continue to face the challenges,

and struggle against hardship and oppression

born of injustice.

(Philippines, from a liturgy used by the poor)