Marsden Road Uniting Church 12 April 2020

Easter Sunday 12th April 2020

Marsden Road Uniting Church Carlingford

 

 

“A Candle can be lit and placed somewhere near where you are worshipping” signifying the light Jesus brought into the world. His unflinching defiance of the powerful and their evil intentions. But also His defiance of the evil we all commit when we cling to our selfish ways and the paths that lead to darkness. The candle signifies the other path to light

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

May our worship join with the voices of the First Peoples of this Land.

Call to Worship

Praise the Lord!

God has defeated death. Praise the Lord!

Peace be with us.

Opening prayer

Our Lord and our God, like doubting Thomas so long ago, it is sometimes difficult for us to believe in new life and Resurrection. We ask you to turn our doubts into vibrant faith. We have not seen but help us believe. Amen.

A Prayer of Confession

God of life and love, we rejoice in our own salvation, but find it hard to forgive those who have hurt us.You call us to seek the paths of peace and blessing, to be your face to everyone we meet, but it is easier sticking to well-travelled streets of anger and resentment...Forgive us, Holy One, when we hold on to what we have, rather than share your gifts with the world.

Declaration of Forgiveness

The One whom the prophets foretold, and of whom the Gospels testify, lives among us today. In the love of the Creator; in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.

Thanks, be to God!

The Service of the Word

The First Reading: Acts 10: 34-43 This ends so powerfully: All the prophets testify about him

That everyone who believes in him

The Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-10. He is risen!

Preaching of the Word –

Rev. John spoke of the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus. It was not anything like giving up chocolate or even eating like the people of Jesus’ day and giving the money saved to the work of God. No, it was bone crushing, muscle tearing pain. All because he would not turn aside from speaking the truth. That truth we all meet when we allow ourselves to be given into the hand of God and be remade in his way. That will cost us, but nothing like the price Jesus paid.

“We really don’t want to go there on Easter Sunday. We much prefer the shiny golden cross, the trumpets, the happy hymns in major keys, the heavily perfumed Easter lilies. We deserve this after all we’ve been through. Holy Week nearly drove us off the rails; worship can’t get more depressing than Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We need an upper! A shot in the arm! A win for the team!

But if resurrection is really about new life, then it is messy, stressful, and emotional...Of course, there is another side of new life. There are tears of deep joy and surprise, gratitude and wonder. How did this happen? How can this happen? The miracle of life continues to astound and confound us.

Peace be with us.