Easter Sunday 4 April 2021 “Hope reborn, love that lives” Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman Music: The Affinity String Quartet, Bruno Siketa (Trumpet) & Rhys Boak (Organ) Cantor: Jesika Clark Welcome to St Michael’s St Michael’s is a vibrant, progressive, inclusive church with a long tradition of nurturing the spiritual well-being of the human person and working for the common good in society. We are proud of our independent spirit; seeking continually to discover new ways to understand faith and to demonstrate it in our lives, and in the heart of the city. As part of the Uniting Church in Australia, St Michael’s is committed to involvement in social and national affairs. We hold foundational Christian values of the importance of every human being, the need for integrity in public life and concern for the welfare of the whole human race irrespective of race, creed, gender, sexuality, status or age. Office Bearers Church Council Chair: Laura Beckett Deanery III: Contact and Care Treasurer: Ian Cox Dean: Lyndell O’Brien Secretary: Maree McDonald Deputy Dean: Joy Arnot Deanery I: Household Deanery IV: Programs Dean: Peter Anderson Dean: Lorraine Woolley Deputy Dean: Jack Morgan Deputy Dean: Val Gill Deanery II: Church Services Culture of Safety Contact Person Dean: Graeme Adamson (Keeping Children Safe) Deputy Dean: Albert Phillips Val Gill Organist & Manager of Music Rhys Boak St Michael’s Uniting Church Office ♥ Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors! ♥ 2 ♥"# Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors! ♥"# While the coronavirus pandemic continues, Sunday Gatherings will be offered Online and at the Church. Links for the Online Gathering http://www.stmichaels.org.au/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist/SundayatStMichaels Meditations Mark Harris, 20th century “Is the resurrection real? If we believe in a creative power that shatters the icy tomb of winter with the life-giving miracle of spring, we have seen a resurrection. If we believe in a creative power which moves tens and then tens of thousands of people to cry against the injustices of society, enabling the downfall of hatred and prejudice, then we have created a resurrection. If we believe in a creative power within each human breast which enables us to break the bonds of personal pain and know the hope of new tomorrows, then we have experienced a resurrection.” Arundhati Roy, 21st century “Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” Willa Cather, Death Comes for the Archbishop, 20th century “Miracles… seem to me to rest not so much upon… healing power coming suddenly near us from afar but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that, for a moment, our eyes can see and our ears can hear what is there around us always.” Mary Gordon, 21st century “For me the meaning of the Resurrection is the possibility of possibility. The great perhaps. Perhaps: the open-endedness that gives the lie to death. That opens up the story.”“For me the meaning of the Resurrection is the possibility of possibility. The great perhaps. Perhaps: the open-endedness that gives the lie to death. That opens up the story.” Frederick Buechner, 20th century “It has always struck me as remarkable that when the writers of the four Gospels come to the most important part of the story they have to tell, they tell it in whispers. The part I mean, of course, is the part about the resurrection.” Easter Morning by James Janknegt 3 ONLINE GATHERING NOTES Cantors Jesika Clark, Christopher Watson & Georgia Wilkinson Musicians Georgia Wilkinson (Soprano), The Nuovo Quartet & Rhys Boak (Harpsichord & Organ) Music for Reflection “Rejoice Greatly” from “Messiah” - G.F. Handel (1685-1759) Georgia Wilkinson( Soprano), The Nuovo Quartet & Rhys Boak (Harpsichord) Postlude Toccata in D major – Marcel Lanquetuit (1894-1985) Rhys Boak (Organ) Liturgy Variations On some Sundays, there may be an additional reading or hymn included in the service that is held at the church. Next Sunday @ St Michael’s Online Second Sunday of Easter – 11 April “Touch and See” Rev Dr Margaret Mayman Music: Dr elyane Laussade (Piano), The Nuovo Quartet led by Susannah Ng & Rhys Boak (Organ) 4 GATHERING AS PEOPLE OF EARTH AND SPIRIT The candles are lit. The chimes call the hour of worship. The people stand, as they are able, as the Bible is carried in. Processional Acknowledgement of Country & Welcome Rev Dr Margaret Mayman Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, wherever you have come from, wherever you are going to; whatever you believe, whatever you do not believe; you are welcome here. The Spirit of God has long dwelled with the First Peoples of this ancient land. We acknowledge the traditional owners of this place; recognising that land was taken from them without consent, treaty or compensation. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, and pay respect to their elders. We stand with them in their quest for justice and recognition. Gathering Words We look with uncertainty beyond the old choices for clear-cut answers to a softer, more permeable aliveness which is every moment at the brink of death; for something new is being born in us if we but let it. We stand at a new doorway, awaiting that which comes… daring us to be human creatures, vulnerable to the beauty and fragility of existence, learning to love. Hymn Jesus Christ is risen today Cantor: Jesika Clark 5 Jesus Christ is risen today: Alleluia! Let the joyful people say: Alleluia! Christ has shared our earthly life: Alleluia! Conquered death to end our strife: Alleluia! Pow'rs of death have had their day: Alleluia! earthly rulers have no sway: Alleluia! Nothing more to fear have we: Alleluia! Those who trust in Christ are free: Alleluia! Sharing in Christ's death, we rise: Alleluia! Soar like eagles to the skies: Alleluia! Finding mercy, we forgive; Alleluia! Off'ring up our lives, we live: Alleluia! Glory be to God on high: Alleluia! Let the whole creation cry: Alleluia! Let the name of Christ be sung: Alleluia! Ev'ry-where, by ev'ry tongue: Alleluia! Words: Ruth C. Duck (1947-) Tune: Easter Hymn and Alleluias Later form of melody from 'Lyra Davidica', 1708 LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE Aware that the power of resurrection has forever changed who we are, and given us the courage to boldly proclaim a living faith. Today we celebrate: new life, new joy, new possibilities. We give thanks for the Spirit of Life visible in Jesus, visible in us, visible in people in all walks of life. The candle is lit On this glad morning we celebrate that the powers of despair and destruction do not have the final word. That new life breaks out. That love is stronger than death. That nothing can stop the life, hope, vision, and love of Easter people. The radiance of the Easter flowers remind us that new life, new beginnings, are possible, come summer sun or winter chill. The easter candle reminds us that the violence has not overwhelmed us, that the flame of the Risen Christ can still rekindle the embers in us all. Sacred Energy, in whom we live and move and have our being, today we proclaim that death cannot will not have the final word. Love breaks out: healing, creating, embracing; inviting us to build a community of equals where all are valued, honoured and cherished. Amen. 6 “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.” Mark 16:6 The God of freedom is overcoming captivity. God is hope overcoming despair. God is love overcoming hate. We raise our eyes to see the sacred source of life and love as the new day dawns. Amen. Prayer of Awareness JESUS’ PRAYER God, you are life for us, Holy be your name. Your new day come, Your will be done On earth as in your vision. Give us this day our bread for the morrow; And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Strengthen us in the time of test, And deliver us from evil. For the power and the splendour and the fulfilment are yours, Now and forever. Amen. Sharing a Sign of Peace May the Peace of Divine Presence be with you this Easter Day! And also with you. LISTENING FOR WORDS OF SPIRIT Gospel: Mark 16: 1-8 Rev Clare Brockett For faith seeking understanding, We give thanks. Music for Reflection “The Morning Star” – Graeme Koehne (b. 1956) This work is inspired by the historical event of the blind J.S. Bach receiving his eyesight back shortly before death, and on seeing the morning star then writing a cantata in gratitude. Above all, it is a piece about hope and about gratitude. It was written by the celebrated contemporary Adelaide based composer, Graham Koehne. The Affinity String Quartet 7 Contemporary reading “I am sorry I ran from you,” by Annie Dillard I am sorry I ran from you. I am still running, running from that knowledge, that eye, that love from which there is no refuge. For you meant only love, and I felt only fear, and pain. So once in Israel love came to us incarnate, stood in the doorway between two worlds, and we were all afraid. For the word that was in the beginning, For the word that invites and inspired, For the word embodied in us. We give thanks. Reflection “Hope reborn, love that lives” Music for Reflection Divertimento in D Major K136, Allegro - W.A.