Easter Sunday 4 April 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
The Lord be with you … and also with you.
Call to Worship
Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Hymn #814 Morning has broken
Assurance of Pardon
All-knowing, all-powerful God, we confess that, even on this most holy day,
we struggle to believe in the victory over death shown in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We confess our dependence on you for life and for faith, hope, and love. We are thankful for your astonishing appearance to our ancestors and your presence throughout the ages among humanity. We pray all this in the name of Christ. Amen
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel. The rejected cornerstone has become your strength and your song. By God’s grace we are forgiven and set free to find new life in Christ.
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer For Illumination
Living God, you feed us with bread and with your Word. Give us undivided hearts and undistracted minds, so that we might walk in your truth and live in your light. Amen.
Readings
Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43; Mark 16
Isaiah 25:6-9
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Mark 16:1-8
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “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. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Hymn #64 Be still and know that I am God
Acts 10:34-43
Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
Hymn #78 This is the day
He has been raised
After the Sabbath, two women named Mary – Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome went to tend to the body of Jesus. We can imagine what they felt as they walked—their grief, anger, fear, disappointment. Yet their determination to care for him, even after death, led them to the tomb. According to Mark, the women had a complex relationship with the good news of resurrection. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, yet they went with spices believing he was dead. Their intention was rooted in deep devotion. Were they making peace with the death of a man and with the death of their hope of the Messiah?
Early that day, just as the sun rose over the hills, they arrived at the tomb. The normal patterns of life and death were not visible on that morning. Everything was changed. The tomb was open and a young man in a white robe told them not to be alarmed. He knew they were looking for Jesus and that he has risen.
He told them to go with a message for the other disciples, including Peter. William Barclay wrote, “How that message must have cheered Peter’s heart when he got it! He must have been tortured with the memory of his disloyalty, and suddenly there comes a message, a special message for him.” The message that Jesus would meet them in Galilee.
The women experienced such terror and amazement that they fell silent. They fled from the tomb and said nothing. What words could the women speak in those first few moments as they leave the tomb? It is a moment of holy awe, astonishment and wonder at the realization that the Messiah was resurrected and lived. Praise be to God.
Hymn #250 I danced in the morning
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To God
Quote: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
With compassion for our needs, the Risen One stands beside us, calling our names. Let us, with that same mercy, share our gifts and offerings to relieve the suffering of this world and to proclaim far and wide the good news of Jesus Christ.
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
O holy God, help us see you in those we do not expect to encounter. We pray for the strength to move through the fear in our hearts. With gratitude, we give you thanks for our sisters and brothers, our siblings in Christ, in every land. Guide them and keep them, open their eyes again and again to your blessings.
Holy God, you shower us with gifts so abundant we cannot take measure of them. You give us life itself. You nurture us and teach us to love one another. Bless the gifts offered in your name for those in need.
Great Creator, we pray for this planet, our home. We seek your guidance to heal what we have scarred and broken. May you embolden us to aid in the renewal of the Earth from north to south, from east to west.
With hope, we pray for the nations of the world, especially those places overwhelmed by the pandemic, war, and conflict. Bless those who provide care and protection during the time of COVID. Bless the peacemakers who work to bring justice to their communities.
Almighty God, guide us to the ways in which the hungry can be fed, the naked can be clothed, and the troubled can be comforted. May your angels watch over the vulnerable and sick and guide the caregivers.
God in your mercy, hear our prayers. Hear the prayers of all who have joined in our worship of you, whether spoken aloud or held in silence.
We remember those who saw our risen Lord and witnessed to his resurrection so that we might have faith. May their words and deeds inspire us to sing our “hallelujah!” again and again.
Passing from bondage to freedom, from death to life, we commend to you, faithful and loving God, all for whom we pray. There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, John, Rob, Courtney and Kyla. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Hymn #371 – Love divine, all loves excelling
This is the Lord’s table. All are invited and welcome to share in the feast which he has prepared. O taste and see that the Lord is good.
Affirmation of Faith
#539 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 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.
We are called to the table of Jesus Christ, who has prepared a banquet for everyone. All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith, All who seek wholeness and compassionate paths to peace and justice. All who walk in love and charity with your companions on the Way are called to gather around the Table. The Lord be with you and also with you
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God It is right to give our thanks and praise
Responsive Prayer
Blessed and holy are you, O God, creator of all things. In the beginning, you spoke… and at your word your Spirit moved over the waters, bringing order, light, and life out of chaos. You knit together our inward parts, made us in your image and breathed breath and life into us. When we turn away from you and our love fails, your love remains constant. We wander off and follow ways of sin and death. You call us from our scattered lives to repentance, unity, and peace. Therefore, with choirs of angels and archangels and with those of every time and place, we give you praise and glory
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest
Holy, mighty, and tender God, in time you sent word to Mary that she would conceive a son and call him Jesus. In him we saw your promises made flesh. Dwelling among us we heard and saw Good News: he preached reconciliation and the Kingdom of God, he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. In his suffering, death and resurrection, he delivered us from sin and death. He revealed your living and redeeming hope for all people. When he ascended into heaven, your Holy Spirit came to be our Counsellor and Comforter. In remembering Christ’s life, love, death, and resurrection, we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ was promised. Christ was born. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we share – across space and time – may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, world without end. O Holy One, we lift our voices with the words that Christ taught his disciples to pray,
Our Father who art in heaven, hallow’ed 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Words of Institution and Invitation
Jesus, in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. This do in remembrance of me.’ [eat]
Hymn #64 Be still and know that I am God
In the same way, he took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood: as often as you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me.’ [drink]
Hymn #64 Be still and know that I am God
We break this bread, the communion in Christ’s body once broken. We drink this cup, communion in Christ’s blood once shed. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Prayer After Communion
Eternal God, we thank you for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us and we praise you for breaking into the world. Send us out in peace for we have seen, have heard, and been fed by your grace. Keep us faithful and alert for signs of Christ’s coming and lead us to live lives marked by truth and light, in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Go out with joy to share the good news. Christ has risen! May the face of God shine upon you with beauty, blessing, & peace. Go with the grace of Jesus the Christ, the love of God, & the communion of the Holy Spirit this day & forever more. Amen
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
Paul’s claim about Christ Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15 is a creed: Christ died, was buried, was raised, and appeared to many disciples and finally to Paul, who writes, “by the grace of God I am what I am” (v. 10). If you were to say those words of yourself, what would it mean that everything about you—all you are and have done—is “by the grace of God”? Where is God’s grace evident in your life today?
Morning Prayer
Heavenly God, our Father, I am full of thanks for a night of rest and for this new day and all that now awaits me. I go forward toward encounters with family and friends, work and play, and all that will bring me into contact with strangers, certain that you are with me. Lead and guide me in the way of a resurrected life. Help me to see the risen Lord today; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Holy God, our Mother, you are my comfort at the end as at the beginning of each day. You pull me toward the goodness you desire for me. I give you thanks for all that has come my way this day,and I ask your enveloping power to watch over me this night. Give rest to all your people. Wherever there is pain and struggle, may your holy angels bring peace; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Holy One, you come to us with power beyond all knowing. You lift all things out of the dust, you breathe love into every cell, you call us into communion with you, and you claim victory over death. Blessed be your holy name now and forever. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
Acts 4:32–35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1–2:2; John 20:19–31
623 Holy, holy, holy Words: traditional Music: F Schubert
Refrain: Holy, holy, holy, God almighty, Lord!
Holy, holy, holy, everywhere adored!
God without beginning, God eternal One
reigns and rules forever all beneath the sun [Refrain]
Power and love and wonder circling round God’s throne
Praise our God most holy, Lord of Life alone [Refrain]
814 Morning has broken
Morning has broken, like the first morning; Blackbird has spoken like the first bird; Praise for the singing, praise for the morning, Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.
Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, Like the first dewfall on the first grass; Praise for the sweetness, praise for the morning, Sprung in completeness where his feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight; mine is the morning; Born of the one light Eden saw play; Praise with elation; praise every morning God’s re-creation of the new day!
64 Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God. 3x
I am the Lord that healeth thee. 3x
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust. 3x
78 This is the day
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.
Open to us, open to us the gates of God, the gates of God; we will go in, we will go in and praise the Lord, and praise the Lord.
Open to us the gates of God; we will go in and praise the Lord.
Open to us, open to us the gates of God.
You are our God, you are our God; we will praise your name, we will praise your name;
we will give thanks, we will give thanks for your faithfulness, for your faithfulness.
You are our God, we will praise your name; we will give thanks for your faithfulness.
You are our God, you are our God; we will praise your name.
250 I danced in the morning
I danced in the morning when the world was begun, And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth; At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain: Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he, and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, But they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; They came with me and the dance went on. Refrain
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame: The holy people said it was a shame. They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, And they left me there on a cross to die. Refrain
I danced on a Friday and the sky turned black; It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried my body, and they thought I’d gone, But I am the dance, and I still go on. Refrain
They cut me down and I leap up high; I am the life that’ll never, never die; I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. Refrain
371 Love divine, all loves excelling
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, oh breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest;
take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver, let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return and never, never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.