first snow by sarah pye why does the wood become lighter as you enter? used with permission

First Snowby Sarah Pye

Why does the wood become lighter as you

enter?

Used with permissionwww.sarahsart.co.uk/

http://www.sarahsart.co.uk/

I am With You Always

by Elizabeth Wang

Life can be a tightrope –

underneath are the

everlasting arms

Used with permission © www.mccrimmons.com

Behold I Make All Things New

by Yvonne Bell

A butterfly is fragile, yet many make

long, risky journeys in order for their

species to survive and flourish

Used with permission www.christianart-yvonnebell.co.uk

http://www.christianart-yvonnebell.co.uk/

The Pilgrim’s Path, Lindisfarne

A path which is only safe at certain times...Photo: Jill Baker

The Way of LifeA sculpture by

Jonathan Clarke

“... Life is far from straightforward...”

Used with permissionwww.elycathedral.org/

http://www.elycathedral.org/

Climbing North Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran

Risk the rocky path or take the safer, skirting path?...

Photo: Jill Baker

Jesu, tawa pano;Jesu, tawa pano;Jesu, tawa pano;tawa pano, mu zita renyu.

Singing the Faith 27

1/3

Gathering song

Jesus, we are here,Jesus, we are here,Jesus, we are here,we are here for you.

Saviour, we are here,Saviour, we are here,Saviour, we are here,we are here for you.

2/3

Master, we are here,Master, we are here,Master, we are here,we are here for you.

Spirit, we are here,Spirit, we are here,Spirit, we are here,we are here for you.

Words & music © Patrick Matsikenyiri, Zimbabwe3/3

Call to worship

Leader: With Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leahand all who journey with you,

All: We are here for you, Lord.

Leader: With Mary and Luke, Joanna and Peter, Lydia and Paul ,and all who break new ground to bring in the Kingdom,


Leader: With David Livingstone, Gladys Aylward, Thomas Coke,and all who leave their homeland to share the Gospel,


Leader: With the people sitting around us in this church, at this momentand with all the company of heaven,

All: We are here for you, Lord!

Welcome and introduction

Lord, I lift your name on high,Lord, I love to sing your praises;I’m so glad you’re in my life,I’m so glad you came to save us.


1 of 2

Hymn of praise

You came from heaven to earth to show the way,from the earth to the crossmy debt to pay,from the cross to the grave,from the grave to the sky:Lord, I lift your name on high.

Rick Founds2 of 2

Words and music © 1989 Maranatha Music. Administered by Song Solutions CopyCare, www.songsolutions.org 14, Horsted Square, Uckfield, East Susssex. TN22 1QG Used by permission

Prayer of adoration and confession

Sung response: Singing the Faith 752

Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!

Or spoken response:

Glory to God in the highest,Alleluia!

Leader:We glorify you, Creator God, for a world of symmetry and pattern, as well as exuberance and surprise; for a creation entrusted to fallible human beings to steward and to share; for the ongoing transforming power of love, grace and courage.



Or spoken response:


Leader:We glorify you, Jesus Christ, for humbling yourself to be born in human flesh as a baby in Bethlehem;for daring to live a perfect life in a world of sin, which led to your death on the cross;for rising in dazzling triumph from death to life at your Resurrection.



Or spoken response:


Leader:We glorify you, Holy Spirit, for your brooding, watchful, caring presence in all the world; for your barrier-breaking energy at the heart of all mission; for your comforting strength when our courage fails.



Or spoken response:


Leader:As we ponder your glory, we are aware of how far short we fall;

for the times we abuse your creation or deny your power to transform us, we say sorry;

for the times we hide our vulnerability under a proud exterior, we say sorry;

Leader:

for the times we refuse your resources and let apathy hold sway, we say sorry;

When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thanks be to God.



Or spoken response:


© Taizé Community Used by permission.

Setting the scene

Old Testament Reading:

Esther 4:9-17

The Revd Joseph Dunwellstatue outside Cape Coast Cathedral, Ghana

Story 1: Seeds of sacrifice in Ghana

Photo: Jill Baker

Photo: Jill Baker

A traditional Ashanti welcome at MWTC, GhanaPhoto: Jill Baker

Students exhibit their work at MWTC, GhanaPhoto: Jill Baker

MWTC Kumasi, Ghana and Director Aretha GrahamPhoto: Jill Baker

One human family God has made, and all for each to care. One world, to be the home of all, with all its wealth to share. One Christ, to manifest on earth love's ultimate design. One Church to know the mystery of broken bread and wine.

Singing the Faith 687Hymn of challenge

1/4

One race, one world - yet torn apart, we spurn the way of love. But still ahead, the Christ leads on and calls his Church to move from love of power to power of love, to give the word to all -to trust the love that conquered death, outside the city wall.

2/4

And are we brave enough to join with that great company -the cost not less than all we have and are or hope to be -the bitter cup of human sin to drink with him who died,and take his love outside the wall to all the crucified?

3/4

Claim him who claims us for his own, to share his pain and grief,to bear the scars that stamp us his - the hallmark of belief.As partners of the living Christ, who risk the path he trod,with wondering love we find we share the timeless joy of God.

© Rosemary Wakelin (b. 1932) Used with permission 4/4

New Testament Reading:

Matthew 28:1-10

Mission Partner Julia Edwards worked in climate change research in Fiji

Story 2: The risk of going ahead

Photo: Julia Edwards

Risks caused by rising sea levels in the PacificPhoto: Julia Edwards

Original Xhosa:

Cantor: Thuma mina.All: Thuma mina, thuma mina,

thuma mina, Somandla.

Singing the Faith 782Song from the World Church

1/3

Cantor: Send me, Lord.All: Send me, Jesus, send me, Jesus,

send me, Jesus, send me, Lord.

Cantor: Lead me, Lord.All: Lead me, Jesus, lead me, Jesus,

lead me, Jesus, lead me, Lord.

2/3

Cantor: Fill me Lord.All: Fill me, Jesus, fill me, Jesus,

fill me, Jesus, fill me, Lord.

Cantor: Thuma mina.All: Thuma mina, thuma mina,

thuma mina, Somandla. South African traditional hymn adapted by Anders Nyberg (b. 1955)

© 1995 WGRG Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland www.wgrg.co.uk3/3

Many women and children in

Bangladesh are employed by the garment industry

Story 3: Risk-taking now

Photo: Steve Pearce ©TMCP

Bangladeshi women’s groupPhoto: Steve Pearce © TMCP

Building community in Kurgan, RussiaPhoto: Eurasia UMC

The Kantilena choir is attracting young people in Kurgan

Photo: Eurasia UMC

Methodist Conference football match raising awareness of street children in South America.

Eduardo Rodriguez and other victors! Photo: Eduardo Rodriguez

Response: Transformation through risk

Butterfly cards may be used for our response and brought to the cross

Have you heard God's voice;has your heart been stirred?

Are you still prepared to follow? Have you made a choice to remain

and serve, though the way be rough and narrow?


Hymn of commissioning

1/8

Will you walk the path that will cost you much

and embrace the pain and sorrow?Will you trust in One who entrusts to

youthe disciples of tomorrow?

2/8

Will you use your voice;will you not sit down

when the multitudes are silent?Will you make a choice

to stand your ground,when the crowds are turning violent?

3/8




4/8

In your city streetswill you be God’s heart?

Will you listen to the voiceless? Will you stop and eat

and when friendships start,will you share your faith

with the faithless?

5/8




6/8

Will you watch the news with theeyes of faith

and believe it could be different?Will you share your views using

words of grace?Will you leave a thoughtful imprint?

7/8

After the bidding:Risk-taking God, to all who follow you,

Please respond:Give grace and courage.

Prayers for others

The Lord’s Prayer

The offering and dedication of Easter Offering envelopes

Prayer of dedication

A: Everything we have is a gift.B: Everything we have comes from you, Lord.A: We have brought our gifts

of money.B: We have offered our prayers.

Prayer of dedication

A: We have listened to your voice.B: We have seen your footsteps

leading us on.All: We dedicate all to be used in

your service, asking for graceand courage to risk the path you trod. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

May the God of hope go with us every day,

filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.

May the God of justice speed us on our way,

bringing light and hope to every land and race.


Closing hymn

1/4

Praying, let us work for peace;singing, share our joy with all;working for a world that's new,faithful when we hear Christ's call.

2/4

God will be our Shepherd as we go our way

and will not forsake us when we go astray.

Even though the load of life is hard to bear,

we must not forget that God is always there.

3/4

Praying, let us work for peace;singing, share our joy with all;working for a world that's new,faithful when we hear Christ's call.

4/4V1 Spanish trad. Translated by Schutmaat; v2 Ann Mitchell

©CRC Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Leader: let us bless one another as we say together:

The Lord bless you and keep you,The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.Amen.

Blessing

Your local Easter Offering service is prepared by Methodist Women in Britain

on behalf of the World Mission Fund.

Thank you for your generosity to the World Mission Fund which enables the Methodist Church in Britain and Ireland to give to the work of the 65 Partner Churches overseas.

first snow by sarah pye why does the wood become lighter as you enter? used with permission

Documents

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