Holy Communion

Holy Communion - 4th April 2021 at 10.30am Easter Sunday Welcome & Notices Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia! who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

Opening responses This is the day when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life. Throughout the world Christians celebrate the awesome power of God. As we hear his word and proclaim all that God has done, we can be confident that we shall share his victory over death and live with him for ever. Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has given us new life and hope. He has raised Jesus from the dead. God has claimed us as his own He has brought us out of darkness. He has made us light to the world. Alleluia. Christ is risen He is risen indeed. Alleluia. Opening prayer Faithful one, whose word is life: come with saving power to free our praise, inspire our prayer and shape our lives for the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1

Opening song: Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain, wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain; Love lives again, that with the dead has been; Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid him, Love by hatred slain, thinking that never He would wake again, laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen: Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain, He that for three days in the grave had lain; quick from the dead, my risen Lord is seen: Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain, Thy touch can call us back to life again; fields of our hearts, that dead and bare have been: Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green. John Macleod Campbell Crum Copyright © 1928 OUP

Confession Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord, we come to you in sorrow for our sins, and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength, and not by the power of your resurrection. In your mercy, forgive us. Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes, as faithless and not believing. In your mercy, forgive us. Lord, hear us and help us.

2 We have lived for this world alone, and doubted our home in heaven. In your mercy, forgive us. Lord, hear us and help us.

May the God of love and power forgive us and free us from our sins, heal and strengthen us by his Spirit, and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading: Isaiah 12.2-6 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Second Reading: John 20:1-18 The Resurrection of Jesus 1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 3 Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God. Music for Reflection: Chanson de Matin’ by Edward Elgar for violin & piano, played by Sylvia & Liz

Sermon: Nick Mwandia Today is Easter Sunday! We have heard the glad news of resurrection in the reading. We rejoice because the empty tomb. He is risen, Jesus is alive! In the gospel story the first Easter Sunday is of special significance and we’ll be reflecting on this. Here is a question to start us reflecting. Can you remember a time when you responded to hearing God’s voice calling you? ...... You may or may not, but we see one example of this in the experience of Mary Magdalene. Mary was from Magdala, a fishing town on the shore of Sea of Galilee. She was probably relatively wealthy. Luke 8.2-3 says seven demons had been driven out of her and she was deeply grateful for physical and mental healing. She was one of the women who traveled with Jesus and supported his ministry "out of her resources" and so was very close to him. Easter Sunday is about encountering God in the risen Jesus Mary had seen lives changed, bodies healed, and eyes opened. On Friday, a few days before, she saw Jesus crucified, nails driven into his hands and feet and a sword pierce his side. And Mary had stood at the foot of the cross, helpless and heartbroken. Later she is the first of Jesus’ followers to come to tomb after death.

4 So here we are, the first day of a new week. Our passage tells us that on that day Mary went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. The tomb was empty! She runs and tells Peter and John, who come and see. Mary stays at the tomb after the disciples have gone away, crying and inconsolable. Distressed at Jesus’ death, she grieves for him. And now the body of her Lord Jesus has been stolen. She wants to know where he is. She had not thought it would end this way. It’s same for us when stumble through periods of darkness. We have all had days a bit like that; when we stand with our dreams in shambles; when our world seems to have fallen apart. As Mary discovers, it’s easy to believe while everything is right in our world. But it’s very difficult to believe while it is dark. Nevertheless, Jesus is there, whether we can see him or not. God’s plan for our lives is still moving forward, even when we cannot see a way forward, if only we believe. And praise be to God, all was not as it seemed to Mary. We know why the tomb is empty, but Mary didn’t know at first. Two angels appear, sitting inside the tomb. When they ask why she is crying, she tells them, they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him (v13) And, Mary turns, and there stands Jesus! He speaks to her, also asking why she weeps. She responds, not realizing who it is, assuming it is the gardener. With Jesus raised from the dead everything is different. Jesus has gone to the cross and overcome death and sin. He now stands in front of her the Risen Lord. And at first Mary doesn't know, she doesn't understand. In a beautiful exchange, Jesus calls her by name. He speaks her name ‘Mary ’. The same name he had spoken to her so many times. The name he spoke to her when he cast out her demons. On hearing her name spoken by Jesus, Mary Magdalene instantly knows it was him. She wants to reach out and grab hold of him just as she had always been able to. As it turns out, Mary was the first person to recognize the risen Lord. She has been called the first apostle; the apostle to the apostles. She was the first to testify to Jesus's resurrection. She was the first to bring the news that the tomb was empty. She was the first bearer of the good news – he is risen! What’s your name? You know it…The people close to you speak your name. And you recognize and respond to them when they say your name, just as Mary did. "Rabboni ," she says and reaches out to touch him. But she cannot. "Do not cling to me …"; " Do not touch me," he says. It was the time for something more than the physical touch. It was time for her to cling to him with the hands of faith. Jesus wants to draw her closer. Jesus wants to draw us all closer. Jesus is here to restore relationship with God. This is what God does. He draws close to us because we can’t do it on our own. Our sin prevents us from drawing ourselves close to him. We cannot draw near to God through our earthly efforts. He is the one who opens the way to himself, as Saviour. 5 Even now he draws close to us in his Word. Jesus is very near. He is no less near to us because we can't touch him. But he is not just near each of us. He calls us to open our spiritual eyes to see and our spiritual ears to the power of his resurrection. That by trusting his words, by believing in him we have his presence. We can see him, hear him, we feel his touch. And we can experience the power that he has shared to us. The work that Jesus accomplished in defeating death is the heart of the gospel. It is God’s special gift to the entire world. It reveals the extent of God’s love, his stepping into the world for the sake of all. It reveals the power and blessings that believers may receive through faith. Easter Sunday is a moment of new creation. Easter Sunday is about the power of the resurrection A new power becomes available to believers after Jesus’ resurrection. Let’s think first about what might have been if this was not the case. There is much that would have remained impossible if the tomb had held Jesus there. The Christian faith would not have existed if Jesus had not risen. If Jesus Christ had not risen from the grave … we as individuals would not be able to receive forgiveness of sins If Jesus Christ had not risen … we would not be able to receive cleansing and be made acceptable in God’s sight If Jesus Christ had not risen … we would not have available to us the promise of new life with God If Jesus Christ had not risen … we would not be able to enter into God’s kingdom We find that our lives as believers are blessed because of Christ’s resurrection power. I’ll remind us of four of the many positive blessings of the resurrection. Firstly, Colossians 2.12-13 tells us that those who believe have been brought into fullness. When you accept personally what Jesus has done, then God says of you, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. Secondly, because of the resurrection, you can overcome fear in your life. Hebrews 2:15 tells us that Jesus destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and he has brought freedom to those who were held in slavery by the fear of death. We read that he disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. Thirdly, because of the resurrection, we who believe can rejoice in being part of the same victory. 1 Corinthians 13.55-56 tells us that Death has been swallowed up in victory and that the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

6 Fourthly, because of the resurrection, believers have power to accomplish all that he calls them to do. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know this power and God desires the same for us. Ephesians 1.19-20 says that God’s incomparably great power for us who believe is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms And there is so much more power and blessing that comes with Christ’s resurrection. In many ways the New Testament is a chronicle of the blessing and power of the resurrection lived out and taught for our benefit. And so as I finish, I’ll ask again. What’s your name? You know it…The people close to you speak your name. And you recognize and respond to them when they say your name, just as Mary did. The voice of Jesus and the voice of God are one. And God knows your name! If you are a Christian, you have heard him call, just as surely as if he called you audibly. And if you are not yet a believer the promise of new life is still available today. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and if we believe his Easter victory then he regards us his sheep. John 10.3-4 says that He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. Easter Sunday is also a day of renewing promises. Recalling that moment when God called us by our name. And we joined his family. When God speaks to us he also challenges us to respond to him. To trust him for life and all that concerns us. The tomb is empty. The Son had risen. Jesus is alive! Death had been defeated. It no longer has the last word. It did not for Mary and does not for us. The way to the Father is open. To God be the glory.

Creed As we stand, let’s affirm our faith with the words of the Apostles Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe 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, 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 to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 7 the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Intercessions In joy and hope let us pray to the Father. That our risen Saviour may fill us 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 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. 8

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. Collect for Easter Sunday

God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains of death and hell: fill your Church with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Offertory Hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. jIsaac Watts (1674 – 1748). 9

Offertory Prayer Eucharistic Prayer (E): The Lord is here His Spirit is with us. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, almighty and eternal Father, and in these days of Easter to celebrate with joyful hearts the memory of your wonderful works. For by the mystery of his passion Jesus Christ, your risen Son, has conquered the powers of death and hell and restored in men and women the image of your glory. He has placed them once more in paradise and opened to them the gate of life eternal. And so, in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound with gladness, while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation sing for ever the hymn of your glory: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son. 10 On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory. Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again. Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with all the saints to feast at your table in heaven. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer As our Saviour taught us, so we pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

11 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. Breaking of Bread We break this bread to share in the body of Christ Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Prayer of Humble Access We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. Giving of Communion Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. 12 Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Songs during Communion: Let us break bread together, we are one. Let us break bread together, we are one. We are one as we stand with our face to the risen Son, O Lord, have mercy on us.

Let us drink wine together, we are one, Let us drink wine together, we are one. We are one as we stand with our face to the risen Son, O Lord, have mercy on us.

Let us praise God together, we are one, Let us praise God together, we are one, on our knees. We are one as we stand with our face to the risen Son, O Lord, have mercy on us. Arrangement Copyright 1991 Thankyou Music

My peace I give unto you; It's a peace that the world cannot give It's a peace that the world cannot understand Peace to know, peace to live My peace I give unto you

My joy I give unto you; It's a joy that the world cannot give It's a joy that the world cannot understand Joy to know, joy to live My joy I give unto you

My love I give unto you;

Prayer after Communion God of Life, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection have delivered us from the power of our enemy: grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Final Hymn: Easter jubilation fills the streets and towns, celebrations have begun. Hear the music and the dancing now, join the laughter and the fun!

Oh, raise a joyful shout! Clap your hands and dance, let your feelings out. Oh, hear what it’s about: Christ, the Lord has come to set us free.

Put aside your sorrows, wipe your tears away, for a better time will come. There’s a promise of a better day, join the laughter and the fun!

Oh, raise a joyful shout! Clap your hands and dance, let your feelings out. Oh, hear what it’s about: Christ, the Lord has come to set us free.

14 La, la, la, la, la, etc.

Oh, raise a joyful shout! Clap your hands and dance, let your feelings out. Oh, hear what it’s about: Christ, the Lord has come to set us free.

Easter jubilation fills the streets and towns, celebrations have begun. Hear the music and the dancing now, join the laughter and the fun!

Oh, raise a joyful shout! Clap your hands and dance, let your feelings out. Oh, hear what it’s about: Christ, the Lord has come to set us free! Hoy! Mark and Helen Johnson © out of the Ark Music

The Peace The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. The peace of the risen Christ be always with you and also with you. Alleluia. Let us offer one another a wave as a sign of peace, with the greeting ‘Christ is risen’ Blessing God the Son, who in bursting from the grave has won a glorious victory, give you joy as you share the Easter faith. Amen . and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always Amen .

‘Easter hymn’ from ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ by Mascagni – arr. for violin & piano by Sylvia & Liz