Image: part of the ‘living cross’ of plants that was created by the congregation during the Good Friday service.
You can watch the bible readings and sermon here, or scroll down to read the rest of the Sunday prayers and content, and watch this video at the point it occurs during worship.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY & WELCOME
The Dharawal people have lived on and cared for this land since before recorded time. We acknowledge their stewardship of God’s creation and honour their elders past and present. Together may we nurture this land and all her peoples on this Easter Sunday of new beginnings.
As followers of Christ Jesus we believe that all people are made in the image of God. If you know what it is to love and to be loved, you are welcome. If you have spent your whole life still searching for such love and acceptance you are welcome. We are all welcome to this safe place where Jesus is acknowledged as Lord. So welcome in His name on this resurrection day.
EASTER CANDLE
When all is dark you come to embrace us and be with us. Risen Lord Jesus, light of the world you are with us in all times and in all places. Hallelujah. Light candle.
LET US PRAY
There is a woman in the garden she is puzzled; she is crying, angels sit and speak to her where her master should be lying. Overwhelmed by grief she sees no one but herself until another in the garden begins to speak without her hearing, until her name is spoken, just a single word, Mary.
Full of intimacy and love. In recognition, her grief which knows no bounds is transformed. Her master lives, he lives now this day and this week and in this her life, her world is transformed.
Christ is risen! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
HYMN
I danced in the morning when the world was begun
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth.
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be
and I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high;
and they left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone
but I am the Dance and I still go on.
Refrain
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life, that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Refrain:
Sydney Carter 1915 – 2004 Words © 1963 Stainer & Bell. Hope Publishing Company CCLI Licence # 31951
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my rebellious ways; but according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. Lord Jesus, we bring all that has been and is part of our lives. Transform and renew all that we are through the prism of your Cross and Empty Tomb through a love that death has not conquered. Honour and receive each of our lives, in Jesus’ name. Amen
BAPTISM of Margot, Hannah & Melanie
BIBLE READINGS
ACTS 10:34 – 42 (The Message) Peter proclaims, God plays no favourites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God in your life the door is open made possible through Jesus Christ. “You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing them.
“And we saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen though he wasn’t put on public display. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead.
MARK 16: 1- 8 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Trembling and bewildered the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. In this we hear God’s Word of new Life. Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE
As we sing… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARoU2KTwYho
O let the Son of God enfold you (Spirit Song)
O Let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love;
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul;
O let him have the things that hold you and his Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill our lives
Jesus, O Jesus. Come and fill our lives.
O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name
O give him all your tears and sadness, give him all your years of pain
And you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill our lives
Jesus, O Jesus. Come and fill our lives.
John Wimber 1934 – 1997 Words & music by permission CMC Australasia. CCLI Licence # 31951
OFFERING PRAYER & PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Jan C
HYMN (Words modified)
Yours be the Glory, risen, conquering Son
Endless is the victory over death you’ve won
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away
Kept the folded grave-clothes where your body lay.
Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory over death you’ve won.
See, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing
For the Lord is living, death has lost its sting.
Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory over death you’ve won.
No more we doubt you, glorious Prince of life
Life is naught without you: aid us in our strife
Make us more than conquerors through your deathless love
Bring us safe through Jordan to your home above.
Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory over death you’ve won.
Words by permission World Student Christian Federation. CCLI Licence # 31951
BLESSING & BENEDICTION
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