Watchword for the Week

You have been born anew, not of perishable but of

imperishable seed, through the living and enduring

word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2017)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(Based on Psalm 116)

L.: The danger of death was all round me, and

the horrors of the grave closed in on me.

R.: I called to the Lord,

“I beg you, Lord, save me!”

All: The Lord is merciful and good;

our God is compassionate.

L.: What can I offer the Lord

for all his goodness to me?

R.: I will bring a praise offering to the Lord.

All: I will give you a sacrifice of thanksgiving

and offer my prayer to you.

Hymn 413 * The day of resurrection!

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

PRAYER of APPROACH

For the morning light that woke us,

the water that bathed us,

the breakfast that nourished us,

Most generous Creator, we thank you.

For a welcome at the church door,

the faces of fellow believers,

and the symbols of faith in this sanctuary

dedicated to your praise.

Most generous Creator, we thank you.

For music and singing,

praying and reflecting and for the ancient

readings from sacred Scripture,

Most generous Creator, we thank you.

For the Living Word that speaks to us through

the words of preaching and for the chinks of light

which break into our inadequate understanding.

Most generous Creator, we thank you.

For the ongoing celebration of Easter;

for Jesus who died and rose for our liberation

and for the promise that wherever as few as two

or three gather in his name, he is present,

Most generous Creator, we thank you.

For the times we have failed to recognise you

walking beside us in those who hunger and

thirst for food and for justice,

Most generous Lord, forgive us.

For the times we have failed to encounter you

in our weary and anxious neighbour,

in the stranger and in those different from us,

Most generous Lord, forgive us.

For the times we have failed to celebrate your

presence in the tears and laughter of the world,

in sick and healthy, young and old,

Most generous Lord, forgive us.

Hymn 776 * Kyrie eleison

WORDS of ASSURANCE

The world with its huge need is always with us.

Yet so is the constant encouraging presence of

Christ, who says, “I am with you always.”

Thanks be to God. Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Peter 1:17-23 NT p. 295 (293)

St. Luke 24:13-35 NT p. 114

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 404 * I danced in the morning

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 395 What wondrous love is this?

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

(Hymn of the Month, April 2017)

DEDICATION PRAYER (responsive)

Lord God, you went before the Israelites

in a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire,

leading them from slavery to freedom:

Journey with us in paths that lead to life.

Lord God, you walk with your disciples

along the Emmaus Road, leading them

from grief to expectant hope:

Journey with us in paths that lead to life.

Lord God, you met your apostles at Pentecost

with rushing wind and visionary tongues of

flame, leading them to dance and sing for joy:

Journey with us in paths that lead to life.

Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS (See Notices overleaf)

PRAYERS for OTHERS

Response: Lord God, abide with us.

The LORD’S PRAYER

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 421 * Our Lord Christ hath risen!

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE