He is Risen ~ by Joy Cowley (from the back)
HYMN: Thine Be the Glory
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. C/A
OPENING PRAYER
WELCOME AND NOTICES
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Jeremiah 31:1-6 John McKean
John 20:1-18 Jeannette Beaumont
HYMN: In the Morning Mary Came (Tune: Dix WOV 239)
In the morning Mary came
to the tomb where Jesus lay.
In amazement there she saw
that the stone was rolled away.
Alleluia! Death has died.
Christ arisen! Christ alive!
Mary failed to recognize
Jesus when she saw him then,
‘till he called her by her name
and she knew he lived again.
Alleluia! Death has died.
Christ arisen! Christ alive!
John and Peter straightaway
ran to see the empty tomb.
There they saw the grave clothes lie
and the sun dispel the gloom.
Resurrection! Death has died
Christ arisen! Christ alive!
Thomas yet did not believe
‘til he saw the Lord’s own wounds.
Then his faith he did proclaim
there inside the upper room.
Resurrection! Death has died
Christ arisen! Christ alive!
We, too, meet the risen Christ
as we live in love each day.
So to God we give all praise –
every day is Easter Day!
Alleluia! Death has died.
Christ arisen! Christ alive! (© unknown)
REFLECTION: Empty tomb, empty talk
AN AFFIRMATION
We believe in an Easter God
who creates and re-creates,
who gives abundant life, and is with us
through all that life may bring.
We believe in Christ of the Resurrection
who appeared to his disciples
and became present in a new way
to those who follow him.
We believe in the Spirit foretold by Jesus
who came with power and wonders,
who gives strength and courage
and empowers us to serve in his name. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
To the words, God hear us, please respond, God hear our prayer
THE OFFERING:
God with the dawning of this new day,
may we awake to new opportunities to love and serve you
and witness to the Christ who lives.
Use us, and our gifts, to your glory….
INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE
HYMN: We Are Called to Tell the Story (Regent Square, WOV 84) We are called to tell the story,
passing words of life along,
then to blend our voice with others
as we sing the sacred song.
Christ be known in all our singing,
filling all with songs of love.
We are called to teach the rhythm
of the dance that never ends,
then to move within the circle,
hand in hand with strangers, friends
Christ be known in all our dancing,
touching all with hands of love.
We are called to set the table,
blessing bread as Jesus blessed,
then to come with thirst and hunger,
needing care like all the rest,
Christ be known in all our sharing,
feeding all with signs of love.
May the One whose love is broader
than the measure of all space
give us words to sing the story,
move among us in this place.
Christ be known in all our living,
filling all with gifts of love. © GIA Publications (DITU)
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
It was a faint hope just three days ago.
Caught up in betrayal, condemnation and suffering we could hardly believe that today we would stand by your table celebrating new life.
It was a dark tomb they laid you in, and the stone was heavy,
yet today the rock has rolled and you live with us again.
Today we are a community planted in resurrection promise…..
COMMUNION: Please form a large circle around the church.
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION:
God, by your grace you have fed us.
By your love you have nurtured us.
By your Word you have taught us,
and by your Spirit you have empowered us.
Lead us now from here, to be your faithful people
for the sake of the risen Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
HYMN: Christ is Alive
Christ is alive, and the universe must celebrate,
and the stars and the suns shout on this Easter Day!
Christ is alive, and his family must celebrate
in a great alleluia,
a great alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Here is our hope: in the mystery of suffering
is the heartbeat of Love, Love that will not let go,
here is our hope, that in God we are not separate,
and we sing alleluia,
we sing alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Christ Spirit, dance through the dullness of humanity
to the music of God, God who has set us free!
You are the pulse of the new creation’s energy;
with a great alleluia,
a great alleluia
we praise the power that made the stone roll away.
© Shirley Murray (AA)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING has been called for Sunday 4th May following Morning Worship. A further update about the buildings and costings will be distributed prior to the meeting.
FIRESIDE will not be meeting on 22nd April. The next meeting is 27th May.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 23rd April: Meet 9.30am on corner of Rose & Lyttelton Streets. Coffee at 10.30 WET OR FINE at Apt 209 Cashmere View (new building on Rose St). We will be guests of Peggy & Ken Cree, and a koha towards church funds would be appreciated. June 332 8874.
CARING & SHARING Wednesday 23rd April 2pm in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. We will be celebrating St George’s Day with the Pearly King & Queen. All are welcome. Irene 332 7306.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 28th April 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.
WALTHAM COTTAGE – If you want to make a donation, brochures are available in the Church foyer. Have you made a response to Waltham Cottage’s projects? Phone Adrienne 942 2173 if you can help.
THE PARISH OFFICE HOURS are Wednesday & Thursday 9am-12noon & Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz, or pop in to 7 Wilsons Rd.
As the Office will be closed on Friday (Anzac Day) please ensure Anna has all notices by 9am Wednesday at the very latest.
If you require assistance with small fix-it jobs around the home, please contact the Office.
NEW READERS’ ROSTER will be available next Sunday. If you are planning to be away in May & June, please let Anna know immediately!!
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: This week’s Hub Report is on the wall in the Lounge.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 21st David; Saturday 26th Rob.