The 50th of Earth Day, an international event, fell on 22 April this year and was marked by President Biden’s Leaders’ Summit on Climate. It is encouraging that he is determined to forge ahead with reducing carbon emissions in the US and to reverse the damage done by his forebear. Worryingly however, China continues to build new coal fired power plants and is the world’s top emitter of carbon, whilst conversely being a top producer of alternative energy or the means to generate it (solar panels etc.). Whilst emissions fell worldwide during the pandemic in the first half of 2020, they have risen in 2021. Ireland has introduced its Climate Action Bill and aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Some people are unhappy with some of the actions that must be taken, but they are essential if the world’s temperature rise is to be kept below 1.5⁰C. The more countries that become carbon neutral, the more possible it will be for other countries to follow suit. Reducing (and ultimately eliminating) our reliance on fossil fuels whilst converting to the use of green technology will be critical to our change to carbon neutrality.
The Ashford Country Fair
At this time of year, last minute arrangements are normally in train to ensure the success of the Ashford Country Fair. Sadly, for the second year, the Fair cannot take place this Bank Holiday Monday. It is hoped that the 2022 Fair will be bigger and better.
The Select Vestry plans to organise a fundraising event for later in 2021 to offset some of the lost revenue.
As in 2020, parish income will be significantly adversely impacted by having no Fair and by the reduced opening period for the shop.
The Hub May
The current expectation is that non-essential retail outlets will be allowed to re-open at some stage in May.
Work has begun to ensure that Ashford Charity Shop will be in a position to greet customers when restrictions are lifted.
Pentecost Vigil
Killiskey Parish is organising a Pentecost Vigil which will be posted on YouTube on Saturday 22nd May. The service will be recorded in Nun’s Cross church and will include hymns, readings and prayers related to the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Morning Prayer Easter 4 25th April 2021
Topic: Morning Prayer Easter 4
Time: Apr 25, 2021 11:00 AM Dublin
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82188729347
Meeting ID: 821 8872 9347
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EASTER GENERAL VESTRY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 12 NOON, FOLLOWING THE SERVICE, USING THE SAME LOGIN DETAILS.
The service leaflet is available here: Killiskey MP Sunday 25 April 2021
or below here:
KILLISKEY PARISH
MORNING PRAYER FOR USE ON SUNDAY – 25 APRIL 2021
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
The Gathering of God’s People
THE GREETING
Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
INTRODUCTION
We have come together in the name of Christ
to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word,
to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
and to pray for the needs of the world,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.
O Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
Let us worship the Lord.
All praise to his name.
Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As once you ransomed your people from Egypt
and led them to freedom in the promised land,
so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.
May we, the first fruits of your new creation,
rejoice in this new day you have made,
and praise you for your mighty acts.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Opening Hymn: CH327 “Christ is our corner-stone” (vs 1, 2 and 4)
Christ is our corner-stone,
on him alone we build;
With his true saints alone
the courts of heaven are filled:
on his great love
our hopes we place
of present grace
and joys above.
O then with hymns of praise
these hallowed courts shall ring;
our voices we will raise,
the Three-in-One to sing,
and so proclaim
in joyful song
both loud and long,
that glorious name.
Here may we gain from heaven
the grace which we implore,
and may that grace, once given,
be with us evermore,
until that day
when all the blessed
to endless rest
are called away.
Anon. 7th or 8th century Latin
- John Chandler (1792-1866) altd.
PENITENCE
Christ died to sin once for all, and now he lives to God. Romans 6: 10
Let us renew our resolve to have done with all that is evil
and confess our sins in penitence and faith.
O God, our loving Father in heaven,
we confess that we have sinned against you;
we have broken your commandments;
we have often been selfish,
and we have not loved you as we should.
For these, and all our sins, forgive us, we pray:
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse you from your sins,
and restore you in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
Your word is a lantern to my feet
and a light upon our path. cf Psalm 119:105
O Lord, your word is everlasting:
it stands firm for ever in the heavens. cf Psalm 119: 89
Let us then receive the word of the Lord:
so may the light of your presence shine into our hearts.
Proclaiming and Receiving the Word
The First Reading: Acts 4: 5-12
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’
Psalm 23: CH20 “The King of love my shepherd is”
The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never.
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow
with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever.
Henry Williams Baker (1821-77)
metrical version of Psalm 23
The Second Reading: 1 John 3: 16-24
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Hymn before the Gospel: Thanks & Praise 60 “I will sing the wondrous story”
I will sing the wondrous story
of the Christ who died for me.
how He left His home in glory
for the cross of Calvary:
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
of the Christ who died for me,
sing it with the saints in glory,
gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost, but Jesus found me,
found the sheep that went astray,
threw His loving arms around me,
drew me back into His way.
Days of darkness still come o’er me,
sorrow’s paths I often tread,
but the Saviour still is with me;
by His hand I’m safely led.
He will keep me till the river
rolls its waters at my feet;
then He’ll bear me safely over,
where the loved ones I shall meet.
Francis Harold Rowley (1854-1952)
The Gospel Reading: John 10: 11-18
‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’
THE SERMON
COLLECT OF THE WORD
Jesus, good shepherd of the sheep,
by whom the lost are sought
and guided into the fold:
feed us and we shall be satisfied,
heal us and we shall be whole,
and lead us that we may be with you,
where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Response to God’s Word
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.
That our risen Saviour may fill us and all Christians
with the joy of his glorious and life-giving resurrection …
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
That isolated and persecuted churches
may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter …
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
That God may grant us humility
to be subject to one another in Christian love …
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
That he may help us provide for those
who lack food, work or shelter …
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
That, by his power, war and famine may cease through all the world …
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
That he may reveal the light of his presence
to the sick, the weak and the dying,
to comfort and strengthen them …
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
That, according to his promises, all who have died
in the faith of the resurrection may be raised on the last day …
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
That he may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people,
so that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection,
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant that, as his death has recalled us to life,
so his continual presence in us
may raise us to eternal joy;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
Raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, we are bold to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven:
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn: CH644 “Faithful Shepherd, feed me”
Faithful Shepherd, feed me
in the pastures green;
faithful Shepherd, lead me
where your steps are seen.
Hold me fast, and guide me
in the narrow way;
so, with you beside me,
I shall never stray.
Daily bring me nearer
to the heavenly shore;
may my faith grow clearer,
may I love you more.
Hallow every pleasure,
every gift and pain;
be my only treasure,
all I hope to gain.
Day by day prepare me
as you see is best,
then let angels bear me
to your promised rest.
Thomas B Pollock (1836-96) altd.
Going out as God’s People
A THANKSGIVING
Blessed are you, Holy God,
creator, redeemer and life-giver;
you have spoken the world into being
and filled it with wonder and beauty.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for people of every language and culture
and for the rich variety you give to life.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for Jesus Christ our Saviour,
truly divine and truly human,
living and dying for us,
and going before us into heaven.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for your Spirit, the fire of love burning in our hearts,
bringing us to faith, and calling us to holiness
in the Church and in the world.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
We go into the world
to walk in God’s light,
to rejoice in God’s love
and to reflect God’s glory.
THE BLESSING
God the Father,
by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead,
raise you up to walk with him in the newness of his risen life:
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always. Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
We go in the peace of the Risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Compline 21 April 2021
Topic: Compline 21 April 2021
Time: Apr 21, 2021 07:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87034033898
Meeting ID: 870 3403 3898
The service leaflet is available here: Compline – Wednesday 21 April 2021
or below here:
WEDNESDAY, 21 APRIL 2021: COMPLINE
PREPARATION
APPROACH
The angels of God guard us through the night,
and quieten the powers of darkness.
The Spirit of God be our guide
to lead us to peace and to glory.
It is but lost labour that we haste to rise up early
and so late take rest, and eat the bread of anxiety.
For those beloved of God are given gifts even as they sleep.
Silence
My brothers and sisters,
Our help is in the name of the eternal God,
who is making the heavens and the earth.
Dear God,
thank you for all that is good,
for our creation and for our humanity,
for the stewardship you have given us of this planet earth,
for the gifts of life and of one another,
for your love which is unbounded and eternal.
O thou, most holy and beloved,
my Companion, my Guide upon the way,
my bright evening star.
PENITENCE
We repent the wrongs we have done:
Silence
We have wounded your love.
O God, heal us.
We stumble in the darkness.
Light of the world transfigure us.
We forget that we are your home.
Spirit of God, dwell in us.
Eternal Spirit, living God,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
all that we are, have been, and shall be is known to you,
to the very secret of our hearts
and all that rises to trouble us.
Living flame burn into us,
Cleansing wind, blow through us,
Fountain of water, well up within us,
that we may love and praise in deed and in truth.
INVOCATION
Eternal Spirit, flow through our being and open our lips,
that our mouths may proclaim your praise.
Let us worship the God of love.
Alleluia, alleluia.
THE WORD OF GOD
PSALM
Psalm 135
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord;
give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 you that stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
sing to his name, for he is gracious.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great;
our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth;
he makes lightnings for the rain
and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
both human beings and animals;
9 he sent signs and wonders
into your midst, O Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He struck down many nations
and killed mighty kings—
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12 and gave their land as a heritage,
a heritage to his people Israel.
13 Your name, O Lord, endures for ever,
your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people,
and have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
they have eyes, but they do not see;
17 they have ears, but they do not hear,
and there is no breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them
and all who trust them
shall become like them.
19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord!
O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!
20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord!
You that fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
he who resides in Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, ■
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, ■
is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A READING
Mark 16: 9-18
Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’
ADDRESS
HYMN (SAID)
Glory to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light!
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done,
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
O may my soul on Thee repose,
And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close,
Sleep that may me more vigorous make
To serve my God when I awake.
When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
VERSICLES AND RESPONSES
Into your hands, O God, I commend my spirit,
for you have redeemed me O God of truth and love.
Keep me, O God, as the apple of an eye;
hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Preserve us, O God while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in your peace.
THE GOSPEL CANTICLE
NUNC DIMITTIS The Song of Simeon Luke 2: 29-32
Praise be to God, I have lived to see this day.
God’s promise is fulfilled, and my duty done.
At last you have given me peace,
for I have seen with my own eyes
the salvation you have prepared for all nations –
a light to the world in its darkness,
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to God, sustaining, redeeming, sanctifying,
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever.
Amen.
Preserve us, O God while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in your peace.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
OPEN PRAYER
Those who have requested prayer or who are on our minds are mentioned.
THE ENDING
DISMISSAL
I will lay down in peace and take my rest,
for it is in God alone that I dwell unafraid.
Let us bless the Earth-maker, the Pain-bearer, the Life-giver,
Let us praise and exalt God above all for ever.
May God’s name be praised beyond the farthest star,
glorified and exalted above all for ever.
Be present, Spirit of God,
within us, your dwelling place and home,
that this house may be one where
all darkness is penetrated by your light
all troubles calmed by your peace,
all evil redeemed by your love,
all pain transformed in your suffering,
and all dying glorified in your risen life. Amen.
BLESSING
O God,
strengthen your servants with your heavenly grace,
that we may continue yours for ever,
and daily dwell in your Holy Spirit more and more,
until we come to your everlasting home.
The divine Spirit dwell in us.
Thanks be to God.
The Easter Vestry
The Easter Vestry (Annual General Meeting of the Parish) takes place via Zoom on Sunday, 25th April at 12 noon after the morning service. This is your chance to hear more about the parish’s activities and finances, to have your say on the future direction of the parish and to vote for an incoming select vestry.
To join the meeting, click on the same link as the Morning Service. This link will be posted on the Website and on Facebook.
Morning Prayer Easter 3 18th April 2021
Topic: Morning Prayer Easter 3
Time: Apr 18, 2021 11:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84117281603
Meeting ID: 841 1728 1603
The service leaflet is available here: Killiskey MP1 Easter 3 18-04-21
and below here:
Killiskey Parish
Sunday 18th April 2021 @ 11.00am
MORNING PRAYER 1
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Opening Hymn: CH250 “All hail the power of Jesu’s name”(vs 1, 3, 5 and 6)
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
let angels prostrate fall.
bring forth the royal diadem,
to crown him Lord of all.
Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race
ye ransomed of the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Let every kindred, every tribe,
on this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
O that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall;
we’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
Edward Perronet (1726-92)
and John Rippon (1751-1836)
based on Revelation 4: 9-11
SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE
Christ is risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.
1 Corinthians 15: 20
Let us humbly confess our sins unto almighty God.
A GENERAL CONFESSION
Almighty and most merciful Father; We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
THE ABSOLUTION
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins: He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, And the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord, open thou our lips
and our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
A CANTICLE
THE EASTER ANTHEMS
1 Corinthians 5: 7,8 Romans 6: 9-11 1 Corinthians 15: 20-22
1 Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,
therefore let us keep the feast,
2 Not with the old leaven
nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness:
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
3 Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more;
death hath no more dominion over him.
4 For in that he died, he died unto sin once;
but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
5 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin;
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6 Christ is risen from the dead:
and become the first-fruits of them that slept.
7 For since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
8 For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
A LESSON
from the Old Testament
Acts 3: 12-19
When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.
After the reading silence may be kept.
THE PSALM
Psalm 4
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness : thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour : and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after lying?
3 Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly : when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not : commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
5 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness : and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There be many that say : Who will shew us any good?
7 Lord, lift thou up : the light of thy countenance upon us.
8 Thou hast put gladness in my heart : more than men have, when corn and wine increase.
9 I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest : for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,: and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A LESSON
from the New Testament
1 John 3: 1-7
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
Hymn before the Gospel: CH263 “Crown him with many crowns” (vs. 1, 3, 4 and 6)
Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne,
hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own:
awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
those wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified;
no angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends his wondering eye
at mysteries so bright.
Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife,
for those he came to save:
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.
Crown him the Lord of years,
the Potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime:
all hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.
Matthew Bridges (1800-94)
and Godfrey Thring (1823-1903) altd.
based on Revelation 19: 12
A LESSON
from the Gospels
Luke 24: 36b-48
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
After the reading silence may be kept.
BENEDICTUS
The Song of Zechariah Luke 1: 68-79
1 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
2 And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us
in the house of his servant David;
3 As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets
which have been since the world began;
4 That we should be saved from our enemies,
and from the hands of all that hate us,
5 To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers,
and to remember his holy covenant;
6 To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham:
that he would give us,
7 That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies
might serve him without fear,
8 In holiness and righteousness before him
all the days of our life.
9 And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest,:
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
10 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people,
for the remission of their sins,
11 Through the tender mercy of our God
whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us,
12 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,: and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
is said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
O Lord, show thy mercy upon us
and grant us thy salvation.
O Lord, guide and defend our rulers
and mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Endue thy ministers with righteousness
and make thy chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save thy people
and bless thine inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.
O God, make clean our hearts within us
and take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
THE COLLECTS
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Almighty God,
who hast given thine only Son
to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin,
and also an ensample of godly life;
Give us grace that we may always
most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit,
and also daily endeavour ourselves
to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SECOND COLLECT For Peace
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE THIRD COLLECT For Grace
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SERMON
INTERCESSIONS
Risen Lord,
you reveal to us the radiance of the Father;
you bring us the peace that passes all understanding.
We rejoice in your presence and in the glory of your resurrection.
Strengthen our faith, O Lord Jesus,
that we may know you live in eternity
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
Father,
we give you thanks for the gift of eternal life.
May we know in our lives that the crucified one is alive and comes to us:
Turn our doubts and disbelief into awe and wonder,
Until we rejoice in the glory and presence of the risen Lord.
We pray for churches struggling at this time,
for those who have lost vision and grown cold in their love;
For Christians who have lost faith or entered into deep doubt,.
We pray that the Church may witness to your resurrection.
O God our defender,
answer us when we call.
We pray for all who seek to relieve hunger and suffering:
for those who seek to help people rise out of their troubles.
We remember the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
We pray for peace-keeping forces and all who work for the well-being of others.
We remember especially any whose lives are in danger.
O God our defender,
answer us when we call.
We give you thanks for those who have shared their food and faith with us,
for all who have sustained our bodies and our minds,
for those who have cared for the needs of our spirits.
We pray for those who have been deprived of love.
We pray for our homes and our neighbourhood.
O God our defender,
answer us when we call.
We pray for all who hunger for food, for shelter,
For love, for spiritual refreshment;
For the many who feel rejected or lonely:
For the ill who have no one to care for them,
For all finding it hard to cope on their own.
We bring to you friends and loved ones who are ill.
O God our defender,
answer us when we call.
We long for the day when we shall see Christ as he is in his glory.
We pray that, in your power, we may triumph over darkness and death
and share with the faithful in the light of your kingdom.
O God our defender,
answer us when we call.
Prayers
A Prayer for the President and all in authority
Almighty God, who rulest over the kingdoms of the world; We commend to thy merciful care the people of this land, that being guarded by thy providence, they may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of this State and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, that they may serve thy people faithfully to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Houses of the Oireachtas
Almighty God, source of all authority and wisdom: guide by your Spirit those who represent us in Dáil and Seanad. As representatives of the people keep them humble, as legislators make them compassionate, and as politicians defend their integrity. So may the proceedings of the Oireachtas serve the truth and promote the common good. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the servant Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Clergy and People
Almighty and everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels: Send down upon our Bishops and Clergy, and all People committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially, we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [* especially those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen.
Closing Hymn: CH485 “Rise up and serve the Lord!”
Rise up and serve the Lord!
Have done with lesser things;
give heart and soul and mind and strength
to serve the King of kings.
Rise up and serve the Lord!
His kingdom tarries long;
proclaim the day of truth and love
and end the night of wrong.
Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where his feet have trod;
and, quickened by the Spirit’s power,
rise up and serve your God!
William P Merrill (1867-1954) altd.
A General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, We thine unworthy servants Do give thee most humble and hearty thanks For all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation and all the blessings of this life: But above all, for thine inestimable love In the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; For the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, That our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, And that we show forth thy praise, Not only with our lips but in our lives; By giving up ourselves to thy service, And by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, To whom with thee and the Holy Spirit Be all honour and glory, World without end. Amen.
A Prayer of Saint Chrysostom
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13: 13
Evening prayer – 14th April 2021
Topic: Evening Prayer
Time: Apr 14, 2021 07:30 PM Etc/GMT-1
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EVENING PRAYER – Wednesday 14th April 2021
The Gathering of God’s People
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
and also with you.
Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word, to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
and to pray for the needs of the world, that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.
O Lord, open our lips, and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
Let us worship the Lord. All praise to his name.
Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation, to you be glory and praise for ever.
In the darkness of our sin you have shone in our hearts
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Open our eyes to acknowledge your presence, that freed from the misery of sin and shame
we may grow into your likeness from glory to glory.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.
Penitence
Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against him.
Daniel 9: 9
Let us then renounce our wilfulness and ask his mercy by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.
O God, our loving Father in heaven, we confess that we have sinned against you;
we have broken your commandments; we have often been selfish,
and we have not loved you as we should.
For these, and all our sins, forgive us, we pray: through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
All – May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins,
and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your word is a lantern to my feet, and a light upon our path. Psalm 119:105
O Lord, your word is everlasting, it stands firm for ever in the heavens. Psalm 119:89
Let us then receive the word of the Lord, so may the light of your presence shine into our hearts.
Proclaiming and Receiving the Word
Psalm 135: 1 – 14 Praise for God’s Goodness and Might
1 Alleluia, Praise the name of the Lord; give praise, you servants of the Lord,
2 you that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; make music to his name, for it is lovely.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself and Israel for his own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 The Lord does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the deeps.
7 He brings up the clouds from the ends of the earth; he makes lightning with the rain and brings the winds out of his treasuries,
8 He smote the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of man and beast,
9 he sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He smote many nations and slew mighty kings—
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 He gave their land as a heritage, a heritage for Israel his people,
13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, and shall be remembered through all generations,
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people, and have compassion on his servants.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading – A reading from Mark chapter 12 beginning at verse 18.
The Question about the Resurrection
18 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21 and the second married the widow and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. 23 In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.”
24 Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Sermon
Music – Spirit of God, unseen as the wind, gentle as is the dove.
Chorus – Spirit of God, unseen as the wind, gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe, show us the Saviour’s love!
- You spoke to us long, long ago, gave us the written word;
we read it still, needing its truth, through it God’s voice is heard. Chorus - Without your help we fail our Lord, we cannot live His way;
we need Your power, we need Your strength, following Christ each day. Chorus
The Apostles’ Creed
Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world?
I believe and trust in him
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ,who redeemed mankind?
I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God?
I believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church.
This is our faith, we believe and trust in One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Prayers of the People
Let us pray to God, who alone makes us dwell in safety:
For all who are in need of God’s healing balm at this time, those affected by the corona virus, through illness, isolation or anxiety, that they may find healing, relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
For those who are guiding our nation at this time, and shaping national policies for health and economics, that they may make wise decisions, in the interest of all in their care:
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
For doctors, nurses, medical researchers and all involved in the vaccine programme, that through their skill and insights many will be restored to health and loved ones,
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For the vulnerable and the fearful, for the gravely ill and the dying, for those who are in the raw stages of grief, that they may know your comfort and your peace:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
Silent Prayer – for those known to us who are in need of prayer at this time …..
Eyes of Jesus look upon them, Hands of Jesus hold them,
Arms of Jesus enfold them, Feet of Jesus guide them,
Heart of Jesus pour your love upon them. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer – Gathering our prayers and praises into one, we are bold to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven: hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Going Out as God’s People
A Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
For the love of our Father, the maker of all, the giver of all good things,
let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
For Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lived and worked among us,
let us bless the Lord Thanks be to God.
For the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who teaches us and guides us,
let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
For the grace of the Spirit in the work of the Church and the life of the world,
let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The Dismissal
We go into the world to walk in God’s light, to rejoice in God’s love and to reflect God’s glory.
The Blessing
Whoever you are, wherever you go, whatever your strengths, whatever your weaknesses,
God will be with you to hold, to heal, to guide and to bless.
Go then, in peace, assured of his love
And may the Almighty and Merciful Lord – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.
Morning Prayer Easter 2 11th April 2021
Topic: Morning Prayer Easter 2
Time: Apr 11, 2021 11:00 AM Dublin
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Killiskey Parish
Sunday 11th April 2021 @ 11.00am
The Second Sunday of Easter
SERVICE OF MORNING PRAYER
The Gathering of God’s People
GREETING
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Opening Hymn: CH338 “Jesus, stand among us”
Jesus, stand among us
in your risen power;
let this time of worship
be a hallowed hour.
Breathe your Holy Spirit
into every heart;
bid the fears and sorrows
from each soul depart.
Thus with quickened footsteps
we will go our way,
watching for the dawning
of the eternal day.
William Pennefather (1816-1873) altd.
based on John 20: 19-23
SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1: 3
INTRODUCTION
Beloved in Christ,
we come together to offer to Almighty God
our worship and praise and thanksgiving,
to confess our sins and to receive God’s forgiveness,
to hear his holy word proclaimed,
to bring before him our needs and the needs of the world,
and to pray that in the power of his Spirit
we may serve him and know the greatness of his love.
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
Let us confess our sins to God our Father.
Silence is kept.
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Proclaiming and Receiving the Word
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
The First Reading: Acts 4: 32-35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
After the reading silence may be kept.
Psalm: Psalm 133
1 Behold how good and pleasant it is ♦︎
to dwell together in unity.
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, ♦︎
running down upon the beard,
3 Even on Aaron’s beard, ♦︎
running down upon the collar of his clothing.
4 It is like the dew of Hermon ♦︎
running down upon the hills of Zion.
5 For there the Lord has promised his blessing: ♦︎
even life for evermore.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son♦︎
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, ♦︎
and shall be for ever. Amen.
The Second Reading: 1 John 1: 1 – 2: 2
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
After the reading silence may be kept.
Hymn before the Gospel: CH270“I know that my Redeemer lives”
I know that my Redeemer lives –
what joy the blessed assurance gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
he lives, my everlasting head.
He lives to bless me with his love;
he lives, to plead for me above,
he lives, my hungry soul to feed,
he lives, to help in time of need.
He lives, and grants me daily breath;
he lives, and I shall conquer death;
he lives, my mansion to prepare;
he lives, to lead me safely there.
He lives, all glory to his name;
he lives, my Saviour, still the same;
what joy the blessed assurance gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Samuel Medley (1738-99)
based on Job 19: 25
The Gospel: John 20: 19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
After the reading silence may be kept.
THE SERMON
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Hymn of Faith: CH613 “Eternal light, shine in my heart”
Eternal light, shine in my heart;
eternal hope, lift up my eyes:
eternal power, be my support;
eternal wisdom, make me wise.
Eternal life, raise me from death;
eternal brightness, make me see:
eternal Spirit, give me breath;
eternal Saviour, come to me:
Until by your most costly grace,
invited by your holy word,
at last I come before your face
to know you, my eternal God.
The Prayers of the People
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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.
Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
O Lord, guide and defend our rulers
and grant our government wisdom.
Let your ministers be clothed with righteousness
and let your servants shout for joy.
O Lord, save your people
and bless those whom you have chosen.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
O God, make clean our hearts within us
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
THE COLLECTS
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
Grant us so to put away the leaven
of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COLLECTS AT MORNING PRAYER
Go before us, Lord, in all our doings, with your most gracious favour,
and further us with your continual help;
that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you,
we may glorify your holy name,
and finally by your mercy attain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
in whom we live and move and have our being:
We humbly pray that your Holy Spirit may so guide and govern us
that in all the cares and occupations of our daily life,
we may never forget your presence
but may remember that we are always walking in your sight,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
INTERCESSIONS
Lord Jesus Christ,
there are times when life seems a mystery,
when we can make no sense of anything,
not even our faith,
when the events of life confuse and trouble us
so that our minds are in turmoil
and our confidence is destroyed.
Help us to know you are with us at such times.
Speak again your word of peace,
and may our souls find rest.
Remind us of the experience of your followers –
that first Easter –
how you come to them in their confusion –
each still reeling from the shock of your death,
struggling to come to terms with the suffering you had endured,
and the apparent triumph of evil over goodness –
and how you restored their faith,
rekindling their joy,
reviving their vision
and renewing their commitment.
Speak again your word of peace,
and may our souls find rest.
We thank you for your promise to be with us always,
to the end of the age,
and we rejoice that we experience the fulfilment of those words
through the living presence of the Holy Spirit.
Whatever storms may confront us,
whatever trials we may face,
we know that you will always be there,
meeting us in our confusion to quieten our hearts.
Speak again your word of peace,
and may our souls find rest.
We thank you that the day will come
When your victory will be complete
and your will accomplished –
a day when the puzzles that confound us will be resolved,
when the forces that conspire against your kingdom
will be overcome
and when harmony will be established among the nations –
a day when you will speak your word to all.
Speak again your word of peace,
and may our souls find rest.
Lord Jesus Christ,
meet with us when life and our faith is weak,
and grant the assurance that, despite appearances,
your purpose continues unchanged,
your strength remains undiminished
and your love is indestructible.
Speak again your word of peace,
and may our souls find rest.
We ask it in your name.
Amen.
Closing Hymn: CH669 “God sent his Son, they called him Jesus”
God sent his Son, they called Him Jesus;
he came to love, heal and forgive
he lived and died to buy my pardon,
an empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow;
because He lives, all fear is gone;
because I know he holds the future,
and life is worth the living just because he lives.
How sweet to hold a new-born baby
and feel the pride and joy it gives;
but greater still the calm assurance,
this child can face uncertain days because he lives.
And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final, war with pain;
and then as death gives way to vict’ry
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
Gloria Gaither (b. 1942)
and William J Gaither (b. 1936)
Going Out as God’s People
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the Holy Spirit
you may abound in hope. Amen. Romans 15: 13