Morning Service @ Home 26th April

Let us prayLord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples ……‘I am with you always’.Be with us today, as we offer ourselves to you.Hear our prayers for others and for ourselves, and keep us in your care. Amen

Recognising you by Amy Scott Robinson & Richard Lyall

Jesus on the journey…. https://youtu.be/j12TJruN7fI

Jesus in the garden, newly risen from the dead,who stood by weeping Mary, and who heard the words she saidas if you were the gardener, till at last your shepherd's voicecalled 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 showedthe 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 sideso 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 recallthe 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.

Hymn: Be thou my vision https://youtu.be/jIMhshpf0Y4 Celtic acoustic version

https://youtu.be/YxvXGgSlRcs Songs of Praise version

God shows his love for usin that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Let us then show our love for him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Father, we have sinned against heaven and against you.We are not worthy to be called your children. We turn to you again.Have mercy on us, bring us back to yourself as those who once were deadbut now have life through Christ our Lord. Amen cf Luke 15

Bible Readings: Acts 2: 14a, 36 – 4114 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Gospel Reading Luke 24:13 – 35 Video of the reading https://youtu.be/yoGYfmGaxhM

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles [a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Hymn: Alleluia, hearts to heaven https://youtu.be/7ezuuH7fKYo or Mighty to save https://youtu.be/HnXX8TbUX-E

Basil’s Talk [see attached] Hymn: My lighthouse https://youtu.be/x-weIQXpM1A or What a friend we have in Jesus https://youtu.be/Vlv0zzKs_rY

Prayers of intercession: Let us pray to God, who walks alongside us through all life brings:

Walk with us Lord on our journey of faith, open us up to the truths you long for us understandin these times of isolation and uncertainty.Help us to pass on the Good news of EasterLord God….Abide with us.

Walk with us in our hearts as we try to live our lives under lock down.Meet with all those who are curious, who are asking for prayer, who are seeking answers.May your presence be sought and recognised by all.Lord God….abide with us

Walk with us through the sorrow and pain of these times,Alert us to the need s of others and provide for us in whatever ways are best for us.Help us to trust in you in times of darkness and fear, breathe new life and hope into those close to despair.Lord God…..abide with us

Walk with those whose path takes them through the valley of death,May our love and prayers support all who walk that journey today. Draw close to them and welcome them into the joy of heaven.Walk with their loved ones in the grieving and sadness.Lord God ….abide with us.

We thank you for walking with us through these days of difficulty and trial,Wherever we travel, we thank you that you are alive and with us every step of the way.We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,to the mercy and protection of God.Merciful Father,accept these prayersfor the sake of your Son,our Saviour Jesus Christ.Amen.

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty Father,who in your great mercy gladdened the discipleswith the sight of the risen Lord:give us such knowledge of his presence with us,that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen lifeand serve you continually in righteousness and truth;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen

Hymn To God be the glory https://youtu.be/-15v9iworAU or

Christ alone, cornerstone https://youtu.be/a3HH__-1Zbs

May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with us and remain with us now and always. Amen

A Prayer for lighting the candle at 8pm

“Thank you, Lord, for those working in the front line during this crisis,confronting the challenge of coronavirus head on.Thank you for hospital staff –doctors, nurses, consultants, pharmacists, care home staff support workersand so many others behind the scenes –caring, treating, comforting, sustaining,sometimes at great personal risk to themselves.Thank you for GPs, district nurses, helpline staff, and those working in the community,offering guidance and support to those in special need.Thank you for these people:for their dedication, professionalism, compassion,and giving of themselves above and beyond the call of duty.Support them in all the pressures they face,and help them to cope with the extra workload,the limited resources,the emotional and physical demands made upon them,so that, through their work and skills,you may show your loveand bring your healing. Amen

Excerpt From: Nick Fawcett. “For Such a Time as This.” iBooks.