Sunday, April 12 th 2020
Easter Sunday
Christ is risen. He
is risen Indeed
Welcome to our third week
in lockdown.
We hope you have
experienced the presence of God in your life this week.
We invite you to have
your bible beside you for the service, and then take a moment of silence to
remember God is with you.
Maybe you could light
a candle as a sign that you are entering this more deliberate sacred time and or
find something beautiful to look at like a flower, a picture, a view out the
window to remember God as Creator and the giver of good gifts.
If you want all the videos should follow one after another and you won't need to click the links in this order - or come back to this and watch only the bits you want.
I am having some problems with the correct video starting when you click a link so you may have to use the menu on the right-hand side of the playing video to watch the right clip. it may be easiest to start with the first youtube video and let them play one after another. You may need to pause them if you want to discuss things.
I am having some problems with the correct video starting when you click a link so you may have to use the menu on the right-hand side of the playing video to watch the right clip. it may be easiest to start with the first youtube video and let them play one after another. You may need to pause them if you want to discuss things.
Call to worship
Recognising Jesus a
poem (watch on youtube)
Jesus in the garden, newly risen from the dead,
who stood by weeping Mary, and who heard the words she said
as if you were the gardener, till at last your shepherd's voice
called her 'Mary' and with one word gave her reason to rejoice,
Jesus in the garden, ever new but still the same,
help me recognise you in the speaking of my name.
Jesus on the journey, fellow traveller on the road,
who met two sad disciples, walking with them as you showed
the meaning of the scriptures that predicted you would rise,
but only when you blessed the meal could they believe their eyes.
Jesus on the journey, meet me where my hopes have fled,
help me recognise you in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus in the locked room, breaking through despair and doubt,
who comforted your friends when they had shut the whole world out,
who came again for Thomas, and revealed your hands and side
so that he could touch and know you as alive, though you had died.
Jesus in the locked room, breaking through our self-built bars,
help me recognise you in the touching of your scars.
Jesus on the shoreline, cooking breakfast for your friends,
who offered guilty Peter one more chance to make amends,
who filled a net with fish for him, and helped him to recall
the first catch that convinced him to respond to your first call.
Jesus on the shoreline, know my best, forgive my worst,
help me recognise you in the way I met you first.
Opening Prayer
God we thank you that our faith does not just rest on promises alone but
the sure evidence of your resurrection.
You are not just a dead teacher of the way of love but the risen Lord who
pours your love into our hearts.
We have hope not because you are the first fruits of the dead, the first
to come alive, an example of what will happen to us in the great
resurrection. We have hope that in the
midst of our isolation and grief you come to us, just as you came to those
first disciples. We are grateful that
they were surprised at your unexpected appearance and filled with doubt, but
you never turned them away. We also
acknowledge our doubts asking for your reassurance and peace. May the presence of the risen Christ be real
for us today.
Amen
We invite you to follow the Faith 5 format as we have been doing for each
of these lockdown services
If you are with
others share your highs and lows for the week. If you are doing this with just
you and God, pause and ponder the things of your week that you are grateful
for: the people you know and love, the
company you have shared….
Don’t forget the low
points – what have you struggled with this week?
Opening Song (Click the underlined words)
Sing In Christ alone
Bible Readings:
Brett’s
Message
If
you were to say a month ago that there would be no Easter Services in the
church everyone would have thought you mad.
Life has a way of throw many surprises at you.
It
reminded me of a Christmas video clip by a church in Auckland which has the
refrain “no one will have expected that!”
WE didn’t expect the messiah to be born in a stable, we didn’t expect
Jesus to die on a cross, and we certainly didn’t expect a dead person to come
alive again.
I
was interested in the Women who first came to the tomb. Luke and Matthew record that they were
bringing spices to put on the body. They
weren’t expecting a risen saviour. They
certainly weren’t expecting to see an empty tomb or an angel or to meet the
risen Christ on the path.
This
theme of God doing the unexpected is reflected so often in the bible. I was thinking about Peters visit to the
Gentile Cornelius in Acts 10. The last
thing he was expecting was that all people, even gentiles would be included in
God’s plan of salvation and they too would be filled with the Spirit of Jesus.
Thinking
about my own life – God had been an idea, Christ a person I had stories about,
but when I encountered God for myself – it was amazing but unexpected. When I was called to be a minister again very
unexpected.
I am sure you will have
your own stories of when the risen Christ has met you or done something
unexpected. If you haven’t can I suggest you ask God to help you know the
presence of the risen Christ and to fill you with his spirit, and then to take
those next steps of Following Jesus.
I read a book by Seth
Godin called the purple cow – it said that we never really notice a brown or a
black cow but if we saw a purple one it would capture our attention. God has given us a purple cow moment with the
resurrection of Jesus but more than that he wants us to create purple cow
moments for others. In this no tough
world how can we be high touch people, showing unexpected kindness and
love. In this world we people delight in
telling on those who aren’t following the lockdown rules can we be people of
grace and forgiveness. In this world of
fear and anxiety – can we be people of hope and peace. This will mark us as followers of the
surprising God.
Discuss this together
Is there
other connections between our bible readings and your highs and lows for the
week?
·
Was there a word, sentence, or phrase that
stood out to you in the readings today?
Pray for those who shared
their highs and lows giving thanks for the blessings and asking for God’s help
with the struggles.
Prayer for Others and Ourselves Written by Sue Read
Lord,
you are the strength of our lives. There can be no true progress spiritually
without the power of your holy spirit. We have a deep and unshakeable hope that
you are working in our midst.
This
Easter has been like no other we have experienced because we are affected by a
worldwide pandemic. The Covid 19 Virus has affected and killed huge numbers of
people; young and old. We know we have to stay home and isolate ourselves. New
Zealand is in lockdown, just as most countries are.
We
pray for all people of goodwill who with their work and prayers contribute to
building in our communities; unity, reconciliation, hope and peace.
We
pray for people in New Zealand and other countries with Covid 19 and other
illnesses. We especially remember those who have lost loved ones, be near to
them.
We
pray for people who are struggling with loneliness, anxiety and depression. We
pray for those worried about their employment, businesses and what lies ahead
of them in the future.
We
are so grateful for all of the nurses, doctors and carers, and those who take
up the challenge to serve us and whose work demands constant risk. Let us all
appreciate what others are doing to keep us safe.
At
this time, we particularly pray for Brett and Sue, Pam and Barry. We pray for
all of our leaders and teachers and young people everywhere; that they will
understand that we will get through this difficult time.
Jesus
Christ, have mercy on us. strengthen us,
renew us and lead us so that we may walk in your way on this very special
Easter Sunday.
Communion
Our Communion Hymn – Behold the lamb
Listen to the story of the last supper as told by Brooke and Henry Cuneen.
Tai and Katarina Eddy also did a version of that story here
Tai and Katarina Eddy also did a version of that story here
Communion hymn – Behold the
Lamb
Brett
leads the service of communion in this video
We
invite you to eat and drink together with us.
Final HYMN
I
have included 3 more video clips in the playlist if you are following on
youtube – let them play or jump to the bless section below in the order of
service
1. Listen to the words – peace be with you
3. Another version of Christ the Lord is risen today
Say this to one
another – (and yourself)
Go today knowing
that Christ walks behind you to hem your journey.
Go today knowing
that Christ walks before you to light your way.
Go today knowing
that Christ is beneath and above you,
that Christ is
with you in all ways.
Go today, knowing
that Christ surrounds you –
Now and forever.
Amen!
Go now in peace, Go
now in peace. May the love of God surround you, Everywhere, everywhere, you may
go.
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NOTICES
Help during the health crisis: We are wanting to be able to offer help where
we can and where it is needed. For
example, this might be to pick up some groceries and leave them at the door of
someone who feels unable to be in contact with people at that time. It might be a ride to an appointment. If you wish your name to go onto a list of
those willing to help please let anyone Brett or the church office know. Please note - in order to protect everyone,
you must be in good health yourself to be involved in this.
The Prayer Team: If you or someone you know would benefit from having some prayer
support we have a prayer chain so please feel free to send your requests to office@stcolumba-taradale.org.nz
and the team will spring into action. (You can be assured of confidentiality).
Zoom Meeting after worship (BYO cuppa and chat)
We are having a get together on Zoom on Sunday after worship at 10:30am.You can also use your regular phone and dial in the numbers below and add the meeting id when asked.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/376981534?pwd=K1dlTWZMNUJUUDZpTnNyRWhydzVxZz09
Meeting ID: 376 981 534 Password: 014488
One tap mobile
+6448860026,,376981534# New Zealand
Dial by your location
+64 4 886 0026 New Zealand
Ministers all the people Parish contact details
Website: www.stcolumba-taradale.org.nz
Church office Will be unstaffed but Anna will answer
emails for all needs or questions Phone Brett Walker
Home 06 8442256
Mobile 0274083658
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