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KILLISKEY PARISH MORNING PRAYER FOR USE ON SUNDAY – 26 APRIL 2020 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

The Gathering of God’s People
THE GREETING Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

INTRODUCTION We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to seek the forgiveness of our sins, and to pray for the needs of the world, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

O Lord, open our lips, and our mouth will proclaim your praise.

Let us worship the Lord. All praise to his name.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation, to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt and led them to freedom in the promised land, so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son. May we, the first fruits of your new creation, rejoice in this new day you have made, and praise you for your mighty acts.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

Hymn of Praise: CH102 “Name of all majesty” Name of all majesty, fathomless mystery, King of the ages by angels adored; power and authority, splendour and dignity, bow to his mastery, Jesus is Lord!

Child of our destiny, God from eternity, love of the Father on sinners outpoured; see now what God has done sending his only Son, Christ the belovèd One, Jesus is Lord!

Saviour of Calvary, costliest victory, darkness defeated and Eden restored; born as a man to die, nailed to a cross on high, cold in the grave to lie, Jesus is Lord!

Source of all sovereignty, light, immortality, life everlasting and heaven assured; so with the ransomed, we praise him eternally, Christ in his majesty, Jesus is Lord!
Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926)

PENITENCE Christ died to sin once for all, and now he lives to God.  Romans 6: 10 Let us renew our resolve to have done with all that is evil  and confess our sins in penitence and faith.

O God, our loving Father in heaven, we confess that we have sinned against you; we have broken your commandments; we have often been selfish, and we have not loved you as we should. For these, and all our sins, forgive us, we pray: through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the Father of all mercies cleanse you from your sins, and restore you in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon our path.                    cf Psalm 119:105

O Lord, your word is everlasting: it stands firm for ever in the heavens.         cf Psalm 119: 89

Let us then receive the word of the Lord: so may the light of your presence shine into our hearts.

Proclaiming and Receiving the Word

Acts 2: 14, 36-41 ‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. After the reading silence may be kept.

The Psalm: Psalm 116 1 I am well pleased : that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer. 2 That he hath inclined his ear unto me : therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death compassed me round about : and the pains of hell gat hold upon me. 4 I found trouble and heaviness, and I called upon the Name of the Lord : O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous : yea, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserveth the simple : I was in misery and he helped me. 7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul : for the Lord hath rewarded thee. 8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death : mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the Lord : in the land of the living. 10 I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled : I said in my haste, All men are liars. 11 What reward shall I give unto the Lord : for all the benefits that he hath done unto me? 12 I will receive the cup of salvation : and call upon the Name of the Lord. 13 I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people : right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 14 Behold, O Lord, how that I am thy servant : I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast broken my bonds in sunder. 15 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving : and will call upon the Name of the Lord. 16 I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people : in the courts of the Lord’s house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning; is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.

The Second Reading: 1 Peter 1: 17-23 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.   After the reading silence may be kept.

Hymn before the Gospel: Thanks & Praise 6“All I once held dear”  All I once held dear, built my life upon, all this world reveres, and wars to own; all I once thought gain I have counted loss spent and worthless now compared to this

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You there is no greater thing You’re my all, You’re the best you’re my joy, my righteousness and I love You Lord.

Now my heart’s desire is to know You more, to be found in you and know as yours; to possess by faith what I could not earn, all-surpassing gift of righteousness:

Oh, to know the power of your risen life, and to know you in your sufferings; to become like you in your death, my Lord so with You to live and never die.
Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)

Luke 24: 13-35 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognising him.

He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’

‘What things?’ he asked.

 ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’

He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.

After the reading silence may be kept.
THE SERMON

COLLECT OF THE WORD O God,  your Son made himself known in the breaking of bread: open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work: who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Response to God’s Word

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 again 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.

Hymn of Faith: CH608 “Be still and know that I am God” Be still and know that I am God Be still and know that I am God Be still and know that I am God

I am the Lord that healeth thee, I am the Lord that healeth thee,   I am the Lord that healeth thee.

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,  In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.
Anon. v.1 based on Psalm 46: 10 v. 2 based on Matthew 8: 7 v. 3 based on Psalm 31: 1
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.  That our risen Saviour may fill us [and …] 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 help us 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.

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.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Almighty Father,  who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples  with the sight of the risen Lord:  Give us such knowledge of his presence with us,  that we may be strengthened  and sustained by his risen life  and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS ABOUT THE CURRENT CRISIS Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OTHER PRAYERS ……………………… Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer

THE LORD’S PRAYER Gathering our prayers and praises into one, we pray:   Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  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.

Closing Hymn: CH595 “Safe in the shadow of the Lord” Safe in the shadow of the Lord, beneath his hand and power, I trust in him, I trust in him, my fortress and my tower.

My hope is set on God alone, though Satan spreads his snare, I trust in him, I trust in him, to keep me in his care.

From fears and phantoms of the night, from foes about my way, I trust in him, I trust in him, by darkness as by day.

His holy angels keep my feet secure from every stone; I trust in him, I trust in him, and unafraid go on.

Strong in the everlasting Name, and in my Father’s care, I trust in him, I trust in him, who hears and answers prayer.

Safe in the shadow of the Lord, possessed by love divine, I trust in him, I trust in him, and meet his love with mine.

Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926) based on Psalm 91

Going out as God’s People

A THANKSGIVING Let us give thanks to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

For the love of our Father, the maker of all, the giver of all good things,  let us bless the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

For Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lived and worked among us,  let us bless the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

For his suffering and death on the cross and his resurrection to new life,  let us bless the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

For his rule over all things and his presence in the world,  let us bless the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

For the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who teaches us and guides us,  let us bless the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

 For the grace of the Spirit in the work of the Church and the life of the world,  let us bless the Lord.  Thanks be to God. Amen.   THE DISMISSAL Let us say together: Be with us Lord, as we go out into the world. May the lips that have sung your praise always speak the truth; may the ears which have heard your Word listen only to what is good and may our lives as well as our worship be always pleasing in your sight, for the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSING God the Father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, raise you up to walk with him in the newness of his risen life:  and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Killiskey Parish

Sunday 12th April 2020 @ 11.00am

Easter Sunday

The Gathering of God’s People

GREETING Christ is risen!  The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy we have been born again into a living hope  through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing  in the heavenly places.

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

INTRODUCTION This is the day when our Lord Jesus Christ was raised gloriously from the dead, crushing the power of sin and destroying the sting of death. Throughout the world Christians celebrate the mighty power of God as Christ calls us out of darkness to share in his marvellous light. May we, and all Christ’s people, shine as lights in the world to the glory of God the Father.

The Easter candle is lit, and the minister says: May the light of Christ, rising in glory banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.

The light of Christ. Thanks be to God.

CONFESSION Christ died to sin once for all, and now he lives to God. let us renew our resolve to have done with all that is evil and confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Romans 6: 10
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.

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 you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THANKSGIVING Christ has died;  Christ is risen;  Christ will come again.

The Risen Jesus was with the disciples. They were filled with joy when they realised that he was alive. The Risen Jesus is alive today and with us. Let us be full of joy as we say together:

The Risen Lord is alive and with us.

He is with us each and every day. The Risen Lord is alive and with us.

He is with us when we play. The Risen Lord is alive and with us.

He is with us when we work. The Risen Lord is alive and with us.

He is with us among those whom we love. The Risen Lord is alive and with us.

He is with us at school as we learn. The Risen Lord is alive and with us.

He is with us as we gather together in church. The Risen Lord is alive and with us.

May we, like the disciples, recognise that the Lord Jesus is with us always. Alleluia! Amen.

Christ has died;  Christ is risen;  Christ will come again.

 Hymn of Praise: 91 “He is Lord”(vs 1, 2 and 4) He is Lord, he is Lord; he is risen from the dead and he is Lord; Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

He is love, he is love; he has shown us by his cross that he is love; all his people sing with one shout of joy that Jesus Christ is love.

He is King, he is King; he will draw all nations to him, he is King; and the time shall be when the world shall sing that Jesus Christ is King.

TODAY’S PRAYER Almighty God,  through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ  you have overcome death  and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:  Grant that, as by your grace going before us  you put into our minds good desires,  so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect;  through Jesus Christ our risen Lord  who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,  one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Ministry of the Word

The First Reading:  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.’

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Psalm: Psalm 118: 1–2, 14–24 1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;• his mercy endures for ever. 2 Let Israel now proclaim,• ‘His mercy endures for ever.’ 14 The Lord is my strength and my song,• and he has become my salvation. 15 Joyful shouts of salvation• sound from the tents of the righteous: 16 ‘The right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds; the right hand of the Lord raises up;• the right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds.’ 17 I shall not die, but live• and declare the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord has punished me sorely,• but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,• that I may enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord;• the righteous shall enter through it. 21 will give thanks to you, for you have answered me• and have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected• has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing,• and it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made;• we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

The Second Reading:  Colossians 3: 1-4 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gradual Hymn: CH373“To God be the glory”  To God be the glory! great things he has done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son; who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give him the glory! Great things he has done!

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood! to every believer the promise of God; the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus forgiveness receives.

Great things he has taught us, great things he has done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.

The Gospel Acclamation Jesus Christ is risen from the dead: Alleluia! He has defeated the powers of death: Alleluia! Jesus turns our sorrow into dancing; Alleluia! He has the words of eternal life; Alleluia!

The Gospel: John 20: 1-18 Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ, according to St John chapter 20 beginning at verse 1 Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ

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. 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.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 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. 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.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ 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.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). 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.” ’ 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 Gospel of the risen Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

SERMON

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Christ died for our sins  in accordance with the Scriptures; he was buried; He was raised to life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; afterwards he appeared to his followers, and to all the apostles; this we have received, and this we believe. Amen.
1 Corinthians 15: 3-7

INTERCESSIONS We pray to Jesus who is present with us to eternity.

Jesus, light of the world, bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations … Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, bread of life, give food to the hungry … and nourish us all with your word. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, our way, our truth, our life, be with us and all who follow you in the way … Deepen our appreciation of your truth and fill us with your life. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep, recover the straggler, bind up the injured, strengthen the sick and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, the resurrection and the life, we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you … Raise us with them to eternal life. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us, accept our prayers, and be with us always. Amen.

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.
John 20: 19, 20
The peace of the risen Lord be always with you and also with you.

Offertory Hymn: CH288 “Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son” 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 her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.

No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life; life is nought 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. Celebrating at the Lord’s Table

AT THE PREPARATION OF THE TABLE Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ, our risen high priest; make yourself known in the breaking of bread. Amen.

THE TAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us therefore let us celebrate the feast.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING  – Prayer 2   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 our thanks and praise.

All glory and honour, thanks and praise be given to you at all times and in all places, Lord, holy Father, true and living God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 For he is your eternal Word through whom you have created all things from the beginning and formed us in your own image. In your great love you gave him to be made man for us and to share our common life.

In obedience to your will your Son our Saviour offered himself as a perfect sacrifice, and died on the cross for our redemption. Through him you have freed us from the slavery of sin and reconciled us to yourself, our God and Father.

For he is the true Passover Lamb who was offered for us and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death and by his rising to life  he has restored us to eternal life.

He is our great high priest whom you raised from death and exalted to your right hand on high where he ever lives to intercede for us.

Through him you have sent upon us your holy and life-giving Spirit and made us a royal priesthood called to serve you for ever.

Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Merciful Father, we thank you for these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine, and we pray that we who eat and drink them in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit in obedience to our Saviour Christ in remembrance of his death and passion may be partakers of his body and his blood, who on the night he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given you thanks he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
Take, eat. This is my body which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me.

After supper, he took the cup, and again giving you thanks he gave it to his disciples, saying, Drink from 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. Father, with this bread and this cup, we do as our Saviour has commanded: we celebrate the redemption he has won for us; we proclaim his perfect sacrifice, made once for all upon the cross, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and we look for his coming to fulfil all things according to your will.

Christ has died;  Christ is risen;  Christ will come again.

Renew us by your Holy Spirit, unite us in the body of your Son, and bring us with all your people into the joy of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom and in whom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of never-ending praise: Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever.  Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD Jesus says, I am the bread of life, whoever eats this bread will live for ever: Lord, our hearts hunger for you; give us this bread always.

THE GREAT SILENCE

When the minister has received communion, all keep silence for reflection.

The minister says Let us continue to reflect together.

Jesus is the bread of life. Whoever comes to him will never go hungry.

Whoever believes in him will never be thirsty.       cf. John 6: 35

Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven.

Whoever eats this bread will live for ever.      cf. John 6: 51

Jesus was alive and rose again through the will of his Father.

Those who feed on Jesus will live because of him and he will raise them up on the last day.      cf. John 6: 57, 40

Going Out as God’s People

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Living God,  for our redemption you gave your only-begotten Son  to the death of the cross,  and by his glorious resurrection  you have delivered us from the power of our enemy.  Grant us so to die daily unto sin,  that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Benediction Hymn: 271 “Jesus Christ is risen today”  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,  unto Christ, our heavenly King,  who endured the cross and grave,  sinners to redeem and save.

But the pains which he endured,  our salvation have procured,  now above the sky he’s King,  where the angels ever sing.

DISMISSAL  God the Father, by whose love Christ was raised from the dead, open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life. Amen.

God the Son, who in bursting from the grave has won a glorious victory, give you joy as you share the Easter faith. Amen.

God the Holy Spirit, who filled the disciples with the life of the risen Lord, empower you and fill you with Christ’s peace. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

Go in the peace of the Risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!  Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Or Below:

GOOD FRIDAY MEDITATION

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

Preparation

SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE Surely he has borne our griefs  and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53: 4

OPENING PRAYER Merciful God, You gave your Son to suffer the shame of the cross. Save us from hardness of heart, That, seeing him who died for us, We may repent, confess our sins, And receive your overflowing love, In Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ministry of the Word  I JESUS IS CONDEMNED

Matthew 27: 11-14, 22-25, 26b Jesus stood before the Roman governor, who questioned him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked. “So you say,” answered Jesus. He said nothing in response to the accusations of the chief priests and elders. Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear all these things they accuse you of?” Jesus refused to answer a single word, with the result that the Governor was greatly surprised. “What shall I do with Jesus called the Messiah?” Pilate asked them. “Crucify him!” they all answered. Pilate asked, “What crime has he committed?” Then they started shouting at the top of their voices: “Crucify him!” When Pilate saw that it was no use to go on, but that a riot might break out, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am not responsible for the death of this man! This is your doing!” He had Jesus whipped, he handed him over to be crucified.

Meditation Why doesn’t Jesus say anything? Why doesn’t he proclaim who he is? Why doesn’t he confront the disbelief of the crowds and the arrogant cowardice of the powers that be?  But he says nothing. Surely there are others who will speak up for him? Where are the lepers who were healed? Where are the blind who can now see? Where are all the people who ate the bread and fish on the hillside? Where are those who followed Jesus so easily when they thought he would become King of the Jews?
Yet no one speaks. No voice in the crowd comes to Jesus’ defence.  Jesus stands alone. Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, the power of Rome. Weakness stands before strength. And yet, Pilate, the ruthless enforcer for the Empire is not really in control here. He cannot make Jesus confess. He cannot quiet the crowds.  For all his power, he cannot find the courage to do what is right.  So he does what is safe. He yields to the crowds for the sake of order.  Pilate washes his hands – a symbol of his lack of courage and strength and power – his lack of commitment to do what is right and just. The One who stands before governor in chains, bruised from the beatings, spit on his face, is the person with real strength. Pilate washes his hands and abandons Jesus,  but Jesus does not wash his hands of the Father’s will or of us.  He is determined to love you and me regardless of the cost.

Response God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all.        Romans 8:32

Prayer Lord Jesus,  we are ashamed to admit  how often we wash our hands of you.  Give us the courage to follow you, even when all others reject you.  Help us to be determined and firm in our conviction that following your will and showing love to all is more important than any other treasure that we have in this life. Grant that the way of the cross  may be for us the way of life and peace.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Silence

II JESUS IS CROWNED WITH THORNS AND MOCKED

Matthew 27: 27-31 Then Pilate’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s palace, and the whole company gathered around him. stripped off his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand; then they knelt before him and made fun of him. “Long live the King of the Jews!” they said. spat on him, and took the stick and hit him over the head. When they had finished making fun of him, they took the robe off and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

Meditation I cringe at the pain of the thorns.  But I am wounded far more deeply at the humiliation and degradation Jesus suffered.   Stripped naked for all to stare at. A crown of thorns thrust on his head. A stick in his hand and a scarlet robe on his shoulders. Soldiers bowing in mockery – spitting, hitting and whipping. How cruel people can be towards their fellow human beings. We hear of men, women and children suffering and dying at the hands of others, even those who claim to love them. How unkind can we be to the people around us? We like to think that we are ready to follow Jesus who offers us peace and love. But are we? Are we willing to let love and peace control us and lead us to live as people who truly want to serve others, even though it may not always be easy or convenient? There in Pilate’s courtyard we see a true servant. He was willing to endure anything, no complaints, no protesting his innocence, no cursing, simply accepting the cross for us. Enduring all things for us. The thorns, the whip, the mockery, the nails, the cruel death – he did it all for us.  He loves us even though it is our sin that caused him so much pain.

Response Because of our sins he was wounded,  beaten because of the evil we did.          Isaiah 53: 5

Prayer Thank you, Jesus,  for allowing yourself to be tried and condemned and scourged.  For the joy of bringing salvation to all people  and because of your great love for us,  you endured the shame and pain. Amen.

Silence

III SIMON CARRIES THE CROSS

Luke 23: 26 The soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Meditation I can only imagine the awful weight of the cross Jesus carried.  It is not just the weight of beams of wood that pressed down on him;  it is also the weight of the burden that he carried for those whom he loved.  He came to offer them life, and yet they return only death. So we see Jesus fall from the crushing weight of pain and grief. His physical strength is failing.

The soldiers must have recognized this as well,  because they forced a man from the crowd  to help Jesus carry the cross the rest of the way  to the place where he will be crucified. Simon from Cyrene was just a bystander  passing through on his way into town from the countryside. And yet he bears the weight of the cross to save Jesus’ strength. I would like to think that if I had been there  I would have rushed from the crowd and volunteered to carry that cross for Jesus. But would I have had the courage to face the Roman soldiers  and risk being forced to walk with Jesus and his cross? Would I have really been so eager to share his cross  or would I have tried to be invisible in the crowd? When the soldiers were looking around for someone to press into service,  would I have looked away and pretended not to notice what was happening? It’s easy to pretend not to see the needs, the grief, and the suffering around me every day. It’s easy to pretend not to hear the cries for help  that come in many forms from those among whom I walk every day. It is easy to convince myself that I am too busy,  or too tired,  or have too much on my plate already  to get involved in the lives of others. There are simply too many who need too much. And yet, I remember something that Jesus said,  something about taking up my own cross and following him.  Jesus said something about becoming a servant of all,  of putting myself last and others first. Is this what it means to be a servant? Is Jesus showing me what it means to be that kind of servant?  Is this man from Cyrene modelling for me the path of discipleship?

Response Those who do not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciples.                                            Luke 14:27

Prayer Heavenly Father,  your Son came not to be served,  but to serve.  Forgive us for becoming so preoccupied with ourselves  that we have become deaf and blind to the grief and suffering of those around us.  Constantly remind us that we cannot love you  without loving others as well.  Help us to always remember that to be a follower of yours  means that we share in the burdens of others.  Lord, show us someone whose cross we may help carry. Amen.

Silence

IV JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Luke 23: 27-31 A large crowd of people followed him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem! Don’t cry for me, but for yourselves and your children. For the days are coming when people will say, “How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!’ Then will be the time when people will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!’ and to the hills, “Hide us!’ For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Meditation As Jesus struggles along the road toward that awful place of death,  a group of women among the crowd following Jesus  were crying, wailing, already grieving Jesus approaching death. So now, as Jesus bears the most unimaginable pain of body and heart, he shows incredible love and mercy.   He is about to die and is suffering unbelievable pain,  and yet he is more concerned with others  than with his own suffering and impending death. He stops to speak with them; to warn them of the pain and suffering  that they and the whole nation of Israel will experience  because of their rejection of their Messiah. Do I ever stop in the midst of my own troubles like you did Lord Jesus to express concern and to care for others?  Am I so caught up in living out my own life  that I lose sight of what is happening in the lives of those around me?

Response Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.        Psalm 126: 5

Prayer Lord Jesus Christ,  forgive me for not fully embracing your sacrifice for me,  for not living every moment of my life in a way that glorifies you  and tells others that you are my Lord and Saviour.  Forgive me for being so caught up in my own troubles  and my own busyness of life  that I forget to stop and encourage and care for others.  Help me to never lose sight of who you are,  what you have done for me,  and how that means I should act toward others who are around me. Amen.

Silence

V JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS CLOTHES

John 19: 23-25 After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier. They also took the robe, which was made of one piece of woven cloth without any seams in it. The soldiers said to one another, “Let’s not tear it; let’s throw dice to see who will get it.” This happened in order to make the scripture come true: “They divided my clothes among themselves and gambled for my robe.” And this is what the soldiers did.

Meditation Jesus is forced to suffer the worst of human indignity.  He stands alone as the soldiers strip from him the last thing  that he possesses, and play games to see who will claim it. They thought Jesus was no different to the hundreds of other criminals they crucify.  Yet…he is. He is completely different. Just yesterday, Jesus removed his cloak and laid it aside to wash his disciples’ feet.  Now he’s allowing others to strip off his clothes. He could have stopped it, stopped their gambling, stopped them stripping him.  He could have stopped it all with a breath, with a word! Yet, he doesn’t.  He allows them to publicly disgrace and ridicule him.  He is left with nothing, nothing, not even human decency. He gave away everything to be utterly humiliated, stripped naked, for us?  For me and you?  Why?  We have nothing of worth to give him.  We can’t pay him back for this.  Where is our gratitude for this?  Why does he allow himself to be so humiliated –  because of his total commitment to you and me. He lays aside everything for us.

Response People stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.         Psalm 22: 17b-18

Prayer Father, we thank you that Jesus willingly allowed himself to be humiliated  because of his deep commitment to each of us. He stretched out his arms of love  on the hard wood of the cross  so that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace.  So clothe us in your Spirit that we,  reaching forth our hands in love,  may bring those who do not know you  to the knowledge and love of Jesus and all that he endured for us;  for the honour of your name. Amen.

 Silence

VI JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

Mark 15: 25-32 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. notice of the accusation against him said: “The King of the Jews.” They also crucified two bandits with Jesus, one on his right and the other on his left. passing by shook their heads and hurled insults at Jesus: “Aha! You were going to tear down the Temple and build it back up in three days! come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the Law made fun of Jesus, saying to one another, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! Let us see the Messiah, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him!”

Meditation The last awful step in the journey of death is about to be taken.  Jesus is laid on the ground, his arms spread out,  so his wrists are on the ends of the cross bar.  A spike is driven through each of his wrist bones.  The pain is excruciating.  Jesus’ body is hoisted into place,  its weight pressing on his rib cage and lungs,  making it almost impossible to breathe.  A spike is driven through his feet.  With painful effort the condemned can push up on the spike in his feet to catch his breath,  but to do so only prolongs the agony. I want to rage at the injustice of this; the cruelty of the Romans; the hypocrisy of the High Priest and religious leaders; the cowardice of the disciples; the treachery of Judas; the fickleness of the crowds;  Don’t they remember that Jesus only spoke of love and even of loving our enemies?   How could they be so cruel to the most perfect human who had ever lived? And yet, would we have done differently? Are the guilty ones those who were actually there that day and condemned him and hammered in the nails? Or is it human sin that drives in the nails? .  I want to pretend that I had no part in Jesus’ indignity and death.  But I was there.  Jesus, you are here, dying, because of my sin.  I was there. It was I who drove the nails.

Response He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.                      Isaiah 53: 5

Prayer Lord, remind us of the deathly cost of sin.  Forgive us for those things we have done  that are displeasing to you.  Forgive us for not allowing you to deal with the darkness  that we harbour in the hidden recesses of our hearts.  Forgive us for fooling ourselves into believing  that we are more righteous than we are,  that we are better than others,  and that we have no need to repent. Forgive us for those things we should have done,  but found excuses not to do.  Give us grace to humble ourselves before you,  so that our sins may be laid bare  and we may know your forgiveness.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Silence
VII JESUS DIES

Mark 15: 33-34, 37-39 At noon the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours. three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, “My God, my God, why did you abandon me?” a loud cry Jesus died. The curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The army officer who was standing there in front of the cross saw how Jesus had died. “This man was really the Son of God!” he said.

Meditation It is dark in the middle of the day.  It seems that the heavens and the earth are grieving,  telling us that something is horribly wrong. Jesus, I hear you cry out in lament from the Psalms  and know that it is the cry of human pain and desolation.  Everyone has forsaken you, but there is one who still hears your prayer – one you address as my God. The earth shakes. The curtain in the temple is torn right down the middle.  The Holy of Holies is exposed for all to see.  What does it mean?  Who are you?  There is even a Roman who thinks that you are the son of God.  But you are dead. It’s too late. What have we done? Is there any hope? Yet you never stopped loving us even in death.  You died because of human sin, because of us.  Sin is never the final word. God can redeem the worst that human beings can do. But this? What can come of this?  What can God do with such a final ending?  We hope, and wait . . . ..

 Response He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross!                                             Philippians 2: 8b

Prayer O God, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ,  to suffer death on the cross for our redemption,  and to deliver us from the power of the enemy  by his glorious resurrection.  May we die to sin each day,  so that we may live forever with him  who died and rose again for us,  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Silence

VIII JESUS IS BURIED

Matthew 27: 57-60 When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea arrived; his name was Joseph, and he also was a disciple of Jesus. He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate gave orders for the body to be given to Joseph. So Joseph took it, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Meditation Like every human being,  Jesus was born with nothing and dies naked and alone. The hysterical clamour of the passion is now quiet.  His bruised and blood stained body,  marked with the wounds of nails and spear,  is hastily washed and wrapped in a clean linen shroud and laid in the coldness of the stone tomb.  Now an anonymous corpse, seemingly like any other,  he is buried as he was born, in obscurity –  no funeral procession, no elaborate mourning. Vaguely the words of promise and resurrection,  spoken to the disciples in these last days,  stir in their memories, and puzzle them,  as they try to piece together what Christ’s death has meant. However, we know how the story ends. We know that this is not the final ‘Amen’ over Jesus of Nazareth. In just a few short hours,  he will emerge from the cold dark tomb victorious over sin and death. His agony has been worth it.

Response You will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your Holy One see decay.              Psalm 16: 10

Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,  you rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day,  and so sanctified the grave  to be a bed of hope for your people.  Lead us to sorrow for our sins,  which were the cause of your suffering and death,  and grant that when our bodies lie in the dust  we may rise and live with you.  Amen.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

LITANY FOR GOOD FRIDAY
O crucified Jesus, Son of the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, eternal Word of God, we worship you.

O crucified Jesus,  holy temple of God, dwelling place of the Most High, gate of heaven, burning flame of love, we worship you.

O crucified Jesus, sanctuary of justice and love, full of kindness, source of all faithfulness, we worship you.

O crucified Jesus, ruler of every heart, in you are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, in you dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, we worship you.

Jesus, lamb of God, have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us. Jesu, redeemer of the world, grant us peace.
COLLECT Almighty Father,  look with mercy on this your family  for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed  and given up into the hands of sinners  and to suffer death upon the cross;  who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit,  one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven:  hallowed 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.  And lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

DISMISSAL

CLOSING PRAYER Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have won for us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

BLESSING Christ draw us to himself and grant that we find in His cross  a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope,  and the assurance of sins forgiven:  and the blessing of God Almighty,  the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,  be with us and remain with us always. Amen.

Silence is kept

WICKLOW & KILLISKEY

MAUNDY THURSDAY DEVOTIONAL AND FELLOWSHIP MEAL

The early Christians used to regularly share meals together. In Acts 2 vs 46 and 47 we read: “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.”

The current coronavirus crisis prevents us from gathering in our church communities  as we normally would to mark the events of Holy Week. However, it does not stop us praying in our homes, giving thanks, and preparing spiritually for the great celebration of Easter.

Tonight’s devotional takes place in the context of a  meal shared  ‘virtually’  at  a  distance  between  households.

A candle is lit.

The Gathering of God’s People

Greeting The Lord be with you and also with you.

God of our days and years, we set this time apart for you. Form us in the likeness of Christ so that our lives may glorify you. Amen.

Tonight we recall  Jesus’  final  meal  with  his disciples  before his arrest and  crucifixion.  As  we do this, we also recall and honour  the roots of our Christian faith in the history of the people of Israel. Jesus gathered with his friends to celebrate the Passover, the festival which marked the deliverance of God’s people from slavery in Egypt.

The Collect for Purity Almighty God,  to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,  and from whom no secrets are hidden; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts  by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you,  and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Penitence Lord God, you sent your Son to reconcile us to yourself and to one another. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, through you we put to death the sins of the body – and live. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. The Collect of the Day Almighty God,  at the Last Supper your Son Jesus Christ  washed the disciples’ feet  and commanded them to love one another.  Give us humility and obedience to be servants of others  as he was the servant of all;  who gave up his life and died for us,  yet is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,  one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Hymn: CH525 “Let there be love shared among us” (sung twice) Let there be love shared among us, let there be love in our eyes, may now your love sweep this nation, cause us, O Lord, to arise; give us a fresh understanding of brotherly love that is real, let there be love shared among us, let there be love.
David Mowbray (b. 1938)

Listening to God’s Word

Exodus 12:1-14, 17, The story of the first Passover The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household  is too small for a whole lamb,  it shall join its closest neighbour  in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number  of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth  day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night,  and I will strike down every firstborn  in the land of Egypt,  both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout  your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual  ordinance…  You  shall observe the festival of unleavened bread, for on this very day I brought your companies out of the  land  of  Egypt: you  shall observe  this  day throughout   your  generations  as a perpetual ordinance.

The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and  I will praise him, my father’s God, and  I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2)
Exodus 14:13-20, Crossing the Red Sea …Moses said to the  people, ‘Do not  be afraid, stand firm, and  see  the  deliverance that  the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and  you have only to keep  still.’ Then the  Lord said  to Moses,  ‘Why do you cry out  to me? Tell the  Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and  his chariot drivers.’ The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front  of them and took its place behind  them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and  I will praise him, my father’s God, and  I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2)

Bible Responsory, Deuteronomy  6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

At the  time of Jesus’ baptism, his cousin John, a prophet, declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God who  takes  away the  sin of the  world  (John 1:29). Jesus’ identity as  the  ‘Lamb of God’ takes  on  a special meaning in the context  of the Passover festival. Even as they gather to celebrate the festival, Jesus is aware that the time has come to complete his work of sacrifice and salvation.

Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29, Jesus and his Disciples Celebrate the Passover Meal On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus,  saying,  ‘Where  do  you  want  us  to  make  the  preparations for you to eat  the  Passover?’  He said, ‘Go into the  city to a certain man, and  say  to  him,  “The  Teacher  says,  My time  is  near;  I will  keep  the Passover at  your  house with  my disciples.”  ’   So the  disciples  did  as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the  Passover meal… While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the  disciples, and  said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he took  a cup, and  after  giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when  I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’

Worthy is the Lamb, to receive honour and glory and blessing. (cf Revelation 5:12)

John 13:1-17, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all
things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water  into a basin and  began to wash  the  disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said  to him, ‘Lord, are  you going to wash  my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not  know now what  I am doing, but later you  will understand.’  Peter said  to  him, ‘You will never  wash  my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash  you, you have  no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not  my feet only but also my hands and  my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has  bathed does not need to wash, except for the  feet, but  is entirely clean. And you are  clean, though not  all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are  clean.’ After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to  them, ‘Do  you  know  what  I  have  done to  you? You  call  me  Teacher  and  Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash  one  another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their  master, nor  are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.’

Worthy is the Lamb, to receive honour and glory and blessing. (cf Revelation 5:12)

Hymn: CH530 “Ubi caritas et amor” (vs 1,3 and 6) 1Ubi caritas et amor, Ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Your love, O Jesus Christ, has gathered us together.

Let us love one another as God has loved us.

The love of Jesus Christ will never have an end.
Taizé Community

Reflection

Affirmation of Faith We have  listened  again  this  night  to  the  story  of God’s  love  for his people and his gift to us in Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, and so we re-affirm our faith:

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world? I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed mankind? I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit who gives life to the people of God? I believe and trust in him.

This is the faith of the Church.  This is our faith. We believe and trust in One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

1 Translation: Where charity (i.e., ‘loving-kindness’) and love are found, God himself is there.

 Prayers

Loving Father, we give you thanks, for you are our rescuer.  Blessed be God for ever.

We give thanks for the gift of Christ, whose body was given for us and whose blood was shed for us. Blessed be God for ever.

We give thanks that we may know the empowering presence of the Spirit this night and always.  Blessed be God for ever.

We give thanks for the example of Christ as servant and who leads us in the way of servanthood.  Blessed be God for ever.

In silence or aloud we offer prayers for the needs of the world, for our community and our loved ones…

The Lord’s Prayer Gathering our prayers and praises into one, we are bold to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven:  hallowed 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.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God of compassion, through your Son Jesus Christ you have reconciled your people to yourself. As we follow his example, may we obey you with willing hearts and serve one another in holy love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fellowship Meal

Hymn: CH428 “Let us break bread together” 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 rising Son, O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together, we are one;  let us drink wine together, we are one.

 Let us praise God together, we are one; let us praise God together, we are one.
based on a North American traditional folk hymn

Grace Generous God, we give you thanks for the gifts of food and fellowship we are about to share.  Blessed be God for ever.  Amen.