You can watch some parts of the service in this video here (mostly bible readings and sermon) or scroll down and read the prayers and songs in the order they happened.
GATHERING THE PEOPLE
Welcome Friends, you are welcome in this place. Our time together is God’s gift to each of us. We come with what we know of and have experienced in life, we come seeking to discover what we don’t yet know about God.
Together, we seek to make this a safe environment for all who search for meaning and purpose in life. Together let us seek to be Christ’s light and salt in the world. So welcome. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.
Acknowledgement of country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather.
We recognise that this land, a place of deep knowledge, story, and spirit,
has been cared for by countless generations.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and honour their enduring care and connection to land, waters, sky, and the life that flows through this Country.
We acknowledge that our relationship with them has not always been life-giving nor peaceful, and commit ourselves to nurturing understanding and mutual respect.
All: In doing so, we recommit to the path of reconciliation and justice that God lays before us.
Introduction to the theme (and Easter season): Easter Sunday’s cries of ‘Christ is Risen!’ echo not only through the next seven weeks of the liturgical Season of Easter but on into our lives every day. Jesus’ gifts of peace, presence, and life, offered to those early, fearful disciples, are still offered to us today to receive, live, and share in our world.
Call to worship
Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
We gather as Easter people,
with hearts made glad
and lives opened to hope.
God is present among us,
making known the ways of life.
Come, let us worship the risen Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, We have come to this place with wars and famine in the world around us.
Give us peace in the presence of Holy Spirit.
We have come to this place from the busyness of home.
Give us peace in the presence of Holy Spirit.
We have come with minds buzzing.
Give us peace in the presence of Holy Spirit.
We have come with one purpose;
to worship Holy One, Holy Three.
May this time of worship,
give us peace in the presence of Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Hymn/Song: At The Dawning Of Salvation (TiS 392; Tune: Nettleton)
At the dawning of salvation,
in the morning of the world
Christ is raised, a living banner
by the love of God unfurled,
through the daylight, through the darkness
Christ leads on his great array:
all the saints and all the sinners
he has gathered on his way
He is risen in the morning,
he is risen from the dead;
he is laughter after sadness
he is light when night has fled.
He has suffered, he has triumphed,
life is his alone to give:
as he gave it once he gives it
evermore, that we may live
For the glory of salvation
in the dawn of Easter day
we will praise you, our Creator;
we rejoice to sing and pray
with the Son and with the Spirit
Lead us on, Your great array
Saints and sinners celebrating
your triumphant love today
CCLI Song # 1035846, Jock Curle © 1979 Josef Weinberger Ltd For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 31951
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Holy One, Holy Three, you are great and powerful
but you are also Emmanuel, God with us,
As the psalmist says:
You show me the path of life.
In your presence, there is fullness of joy;
May we know that presence in our lives and follow your guidance to the path of life.
We bring our fears, our questions, and our hope to hear you speak your peace among us.
Meet us where we are,
and lead us in your ways of life.
Amen.
Intro to theme of breath
Today’s theme of peace, presence and life involves breath. Soon we will have the bible readings and I want you to listen for Jesus’ breath as he blesses the disciples. I’m not sure I’d really noticed that before, and it made me think more about breath this week. Even though I know that every breath means life – literally – I often only notice my breathing when it’s not exactly positive. I give sighs of disappointment (breath) – frustration (breath) – and more frequently than I would like, I catch myself (breath) in times of stress, whether its church work, other work, or family members. Today’s gospel reading has encouraged me to think about engaging with breath as life, in a positive healing way.
There’s a little craft activity to do today, and although the materials are prioritised for anyone under 21, you are welcome to make a pinwheel or paper cup windmill to explore how breath brings movement and life. This is one of the embodied practice suggestions that come with the liturgy suggestions from the Uniting Church resource unit. Embodied practice is not just for children, and it is an opportunity to engage more fully with the bible reading through sensory experiences and stimuli. It acknowledges the diversity with which we experience the world and take in new information. Embodied practice invites everyone—regardless of age—to enter the text in a new way, with an openness to insights that might emerge.
Prayer of adoration and confession
Holy One, Holy Three, present with us always,
we come aware that at times we have shied away from your presence,
by our actions or inaction.
We have broken the peace of others.
We have failed to see your presence in others.
We have missed the opportunity to be your presence to others.
We pray that Holy Spirit, your presence with us, will return us to your path to life.
Amen.
Words of Grace
Hear the good news:
the risen Christ comes among us and says,
‘Peace be with you.’
God’s mercy is sure,
and new life is given.
Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
HEARING THE WORD
Readings
“Let us pray: God, please open our ears and minds and hearts so that as we hear the words of the Bible, you will speak to us and bring us new life.
Allow me to set the scene of our bible reading today from John 20:19-31. The disciples have had a rollercoaster of a week and are dealing with grief, shock and fear. During this reading, you are invited to imagine yourself as one of the disciples and react accordingly as the story is read. Entering into the disciples’ feelings helps with our listening to this text.”
John 20:19–31
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the disciples had gathered together and locked the doors of the place because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the wounds from the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the wounds from the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it!”
26 Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” 28 Thomas replied to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Reader: Through these readings we hear God speak.
All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.
Item: Intergenerational Conversation by Sue, plus craft
Hymn/Song: I Danced In The Morning (Lord Of The Dance) (TiS 242)
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
Chorus:
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 for the scribe And the Pharisee
But they would not dance And they wouldn’t follow me
I danced for the fishermen For James and John
They came with me And the Dance went on
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 on high
And they left me there On a Cross to die
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
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
CCLI Song # 78529, Sydney Bertram Carter © Words: Stainer & Bell Ltd; Music: Stainer & Bell Ltd For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 31951
Sermon John McKinnon
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Response https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=681366735973181
Offertory prayer
“hank you to everyone as you bring your gifts of loving service and financial support through online giving. If you prefer to use cash, it can be placed in the wooden box at the back, and you can also make one-off donations via the QR code on the box. Let us pray:
Out of the fullness of your gifts to us, Holy One, we bring these offerings now.
Not just the money in the plate, but the time and talents which we give in your service.
We dedicate this money to your work in this community and beyond.
We also dedicate ourselves to the service of Christ wherever we are.
Through the power of Holy Spirit, Amen.
Announcements
Prayers of the people (Heather)
Celtic version of the Lord’s Prayer (by J Phillip Newell)
Holy One beyond all names
Eternal Wellspring
May love rise again in us today
With food for every table
Shelter for every family
And reverence for every life.
Forgive us our failings in love
And free us from all falseness
That the light of our souls may shine
And the strength of our spirits endure
For Earth and all its people
This day, tonight, and forever. Amen
Hymn/Song: Jesus Calls Us (TiS 477. Tune: Gaelic Air)
Jesus call us here to meet Him
As through word and song and prayer
We affirm God’s promised presence
Where His people live and care
Praise the God who keeps His promise
Praise the Son who calls us friends
Praise the Spirit who among us
To our hopes and fears attends
Jesus calls us to confess Him
Word of Life and Lord of All
Sharer of our flesh and frailness
Saving all who fail or fall
Tell His holy human story
Tell His tales that all may hear
Tell the world that Christ in glory
Came to earth to meet us here
Jesus calls us to each other
Found in Him are no divides
Race and class and sex and language
Such are barriers He derides
Join the hand of friend and stranger
Join the hands of age and youth
Join the faithful and the doubter
In their common search for truth
Jesus calls us to His table
Rooted firm in time and space
Where the church in earth and heaven
Finds a common meeting place
Share the bread and wine His body
Share the love of which we sing
Share the feast for saints and sinners
Hosted by our Lord and King
CCLI Song # 3356980 Graham Maule | John L. Bell © 1989 WGRG, c/o Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 31951
Thank you to everyone who did something to help out today. Without volunteers we cannot keep going. We love you and you are appreciated!
Benediction
As we leave this place,
may the presence of God remain active in our lives,
shaping our words and directing our actions.
May the peace of Christ be with you,
and the breath of Holy Spirit enliven you
so that we can be a channel of your peace
in the lives of those around us.
Amen.
Benediction Song: May the feet of God, TiS 779
May the feet of God walk with you
and God’s hand hold you tight.
May the eye of God rest on you
and God’s ear hear your cry.
May the smile of God be for you
and God’s breath give you life.
May the Child of God grow in you
and God’s love bring you home.
Words: Aubrey Podlich; Music: Robin Mann © 1983
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