Watchword for the Week

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the

things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the

right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2017)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(Verses from Psalm 118)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

God’s mercy endures forever.

Let Israel now declare,

“God’s mercy endures forever.”

Listen to the glad shouts in the tents of God’s

people: “God’s mighty power has done it!”

I will not die; instead, I will live

and proclaim what the Lord has done.

I thank you that you have answered me

and have become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the chief cornerstone.

This is God’s doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Hymn 410 * Jesus Christ is risen today

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

PRAYER of APPROACH

Before the beginning, before God began to

create the heavens and the earth, hidden in the

Soul of the Sacred, deep within the Depthless

Dark, in Eternity’s silence, the exploding and

ever-expanding cosmos, conceived in the

Father’s womb, formed, evolved and was born;

beyond all understanding, from cavernous

silence and darkness, new life was born.

Before the women arrived, before the angel

spoke, before the stone was moved, in the

silence of the sepulchre, in the airless dark of

the cave, hidden from all but the Holy One,

new life was born.

Billions of years ago, new life was born.

Two thousands of years ago, new life was

born. Today new life is born in us.

Hidden within our depthless dark, in the silence

of our soul, the Sacred is reborn, the Spirit of

the Risen Christ rises once again.

May we know the Spirit of Jesus within us,

hear His voice call us by name, touch His

crucified feet, receive from His hands bread

broken, the sacrament of forgiveness, and, in

the mind’s eye, see Him stand before us, gaze

into our eyes, saying ‘Peace be with you.’

Christ Jesus is risen. Alleluia! Amen.

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

Christ is risen. Alleluia!

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Jeremiah 31:1-6 OT p. 766 (767)

Hymn 779 * Listen now for the Gospel!

St. John 20:1-18 NT p. 144

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 395 What wondrous love is this?

(Hymn of the Month, April 2017)

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 415 * This joyful Eastertide

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

EASTER ACCLAMATION of FAITH

Risen Lord,

You love us. You call us. You change us.

Let us recognise your coming, however

gently or dramatically you approach us.

Let us recognise your coming, whoever

you use to make yourself known to us.

Let us recognise your coming, whatever

time or situation you use to approach us.

Let us recognise your compassionate

emergence into the dark places of our lives,

your generous summons which you

constantly utter, your transforming touch

upon the bleak places of our world.

Lord of life, of hope, of resurrection,

we dedicate ourselves to you. Amen.

PRAYERS for OTHERS

Life-giving God: transform our lives

COMMUNION PRAYER

God be with you, and also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to God.

Let us give thanks to God Most High.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

…With the faithful in every place and time, we

praise with joy your holy name:

Hymn 769 * Holy, holy, holy

… we may continue faithful in all things. In the

strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves

to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you

have called us to serve you. Amen.

BREAKING of BREAD

The LORD’S PRAYER (Galilean Aramaic)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uoHquJYGPM)

English words at: Hymn 652, Second Form (b)

Avvon d-bish-maiya, nith-qaddash shimmukh.

Tih-teh mal-chootukh. Nih-weh çiwyanukh:

ei-chana d’bish-maiya: ap b’ar-ah.

Haw lan lakh-ma d’soonqa-nan yoo-mana.

O’shwooq lan kho-bein: ei-chana d’ap kh’nan

shwiq-qan l’khaya-ween. Oo’la te-ellan l’nissyoona:

il-la paç-çan min beesha. Mid-til dedi-

lukh hai mal-choota oo khai-la oo tushbookh-

ta l’alam al-mein. Aa-meen.

SHARING BREAD and WINE

(please come forward for communion)

NOTICES and THANKSGIVING

Hymn 419 * Thine be the glory

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE