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Apr 21, 2021

Welcome to our APCM Service




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We meet in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.


Opening Prayer


Heavenly Father,

pour down your Spirit upon us and your whole church.

Grant us a new vision of your glory,

a new experience of your power,

a new faithfulness to your word,

a new consecration to your service,

that through our renewed witness your holy name may be glorified

and your kingdom advanced

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


Vestry Meeting

  1. Election of Clerk Melisa Waithera

  2. Previous Minutes

  3. Appointment of Churchwardens Antoinette Nyandwi Pauline Machokoto



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.


Saying Sorry to God:


Father God you have promised to hear us when we call to you.

Lord, we confess our sins

Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.


For the times when we have hurt others through the words we have said,

Lord we confess our sins.

Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.


For the times when our actions have been harmful and not loving,

Lord we confess our sins.

Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.


For the times when we have forgotten you and ignored your commands,

Lord we confess our sins.

Keep your promise and forgive us, we pray.


May the God of grace,

who loves all that he has made,

and in Christ welcomes home all who come to him,

heal your brokenness,

forgive you your sins

and return you to a life of justice, mercy and simplicity.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.




Annual Parish Church Meeting

Apologies

Minutes of APCM for 2019 on Oct 2020 and matters arising


Reports

Electoral Roll report

Our current electoral roll is 33, the same as last year. Of those, 22 live inside the parish and 11 live outside the parish.


Secretary’s report of PCC activities


Finance

(appointment of independent external examiner)







Elections to:


Electoral Roll Officer : John Franks


PCC: Keith Gibson

Welcomers (sidespeople) John Franks and Rob Tebbatts



Bible Reading Acts 4:5-12

5 The next day the Jewish leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law gathered in Jerusalem. 6 They met with the High Priest Annas and with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the others who belonged to the High Priest's family. 7 They made the apostles stand before them and asked them, “How did you do this? What power do you have or whose name did you use?”

8 Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: 9 if we are being questioned today about the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed, 10 then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth—whom you crucified and whom God raised from death. 11 Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says,

‘The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.’

12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.”


This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God



Bible Reading: John 10:11-18


11 “I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. 12 When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. 14-15 I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. 16 There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become[a] one flock with one shepherd.

17 “The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do.”


Minister’s report:


Firstly we need to look back and say “Thank you”

Thank you to God for everything that we received. In what has been a very difficult year, there are still many things to thank God for.

I wonder if we could stop right now and just shout out what some of them are to each other?






We need to say “thank you” to everyone who makes all the things happen that we do as part of our church’s ministry.

So there are formal “thank yous" in the report (available on line or in the building) but please let’s just stop and give ourselves a huge round of applause.

Foodbank, youth club, children’s groups, Stay and Play and GLU; all the work that goes into running a church whether it’s PCC or admin (thank you to Stacy); cleaning or repairing our buildings; supporting and welcoming each other.


We are a team and a family together here and everyone’s contribution is valued.



These things are all part of our overarching vision- that we grow as a multicultural church where we experience God’s love.


where we experience God’s love,

express his love in action

and share his love with the people of

Stoke Aldermoor, New Century Park

and beyond!



There are some very obvious challenges up ahead.

We are still living with COVID and need to work out how to meet together safely, continue to learn, support and worship together.

We’re taking steps in that direction – so restarting groups with restrictions and outside as much as possible.

We need to encourage outside groups who use our church to come back safely too- as we depend on their rent to make much of our ministry happen.

Whilst our new building is great- the portacabins are rapidly deteriorating and we need to get on with getting the redevelopment done.

All this is stuff to maintain who we are; returning us to what we’ve done in the past.


But the biggest challenge is to raise our eyes to the future.

When I look at our vision statement – it says we want to know God’s love, we want to grow (in numbers and maturity), share God’s love here in our community and far away as well.

Know, grow, share both near and far away.


How are we going to do that?

It’s the purpose of the PCC to work out the steps that we take as individuals and as a church. Today isn’t the day for planning those steps but to reflect on what our readings tell us about God’s purpose for us.



If we start with the gospel reading, we have the familiar picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. We know this picture- but we need to dwell on it again.

As we face up to the challenges of just getting back to where we were before- never mind looking to the future, we might feel overwhelmed or weary or excited!

So spending time with our Good Shepherd is so important. We’re not doing life on our own. We’re not “doing church” as just a community of people together.

We are led by our Good Shepherd who knows us, guides us, has rescued us from sin and death- because he was prepared to die for us.


Perhaps it very appropriate that we are in the Easter season. The first disciples celebrated that Jesus had come alive again but not yet been sent out with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. There was a period of time when they met together, learnt together, as they got ready for the work ahead.

I think we are probably in a recovery phase- a bit like that!

However, we do have a vision ahead of us.

Peter in the upper room probably had no idea what he would be doing weeks or months later but in our Acts reading we see what the transformed Peter and John looked like.

They weren’t hiding but were out in the public eye.

They weren’t afraid of the authorities but were speaking up when they were questioned.

They weren’t doubting but were seeing God work powerfully through them.

And they were sure that this was all because Jesus was alive and they were filled with the Spirit.



As we approach this next phase of recovery and restoration for St Catherine’s, I pray that we would catch this vision- God can do great things through us.


The Creed:

Let us declare our faith in God.


We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith,

and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us

with power from on high.

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.


Our Prayers Led by Julie


The Peace


The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.


Let us offer one another a sign of peace.


Song: Lord I lift your name on high https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COQ6cni_TG8


Holy Communion


The Lord is here

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.


It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation;

in your love you made us for yourself.

When we turned away you did not reject us,

but came to meet us in your Son.

You embraced us as your children

and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.

In Christ you shared our life

that we might live in him and he in us.

He opened his arms of love upon the cross

and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.


On the night he was betrayed,

at supper with his friends he took bread, and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to them, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his body is the bread of life.


At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,

he gave you thanks, and said:

Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins; do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him: his blood is shed for all.


As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,

send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine

may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.


As we eat and drink these holy gifts

make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.


With your whole Church throughout the world, we offer you this sacrifice of praise

and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.


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.


We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many we are one body because we all share in one bread.

Jesus, Lamb of God

have mercy on us.

Jesus bearer of our sins,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

grant us peace.

Draw near with faith.

Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ

which he gave for you,

and his blood which he shed for you.

Eat and drink

in remembrance that he died for you,

and feed on him in your hearts

by faith with thanksgiving.


Song during Communion

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen


The Blessing

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.


Notices

Birthdays

The Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.



Apr 16, 2021

Welcome to Easter Communion for Sunday April 18th

Updated: Apr 17, 2021


Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 835 5621 1775

Passcode: 489409

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

We meet in the name of the Father,

and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen

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.

Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed

for us.

Let us therefore rejoice by putting

away all malice and evil

and confessing our sins

with a sincere and true heart.

Like Mary at the empty tomb,

we fail to grasp the wonder of your presence.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Like the disciples behind locked doors,

we are afraid to be seen as your followers.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Like Thomas in the upper room,

we are slow to believe.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Hear God’s forgiveness over us


May Almighty God

have mercy upon you,

forgive you your sins,

and bring you to everlasting life.

Amen



The Collect

Risen Christ,

you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope:

strengthen us to proclaim your risen life

and fill us with your peace,

to the glory of God the Father. Amen

First Reading: Acts 3:12-19 Read by Sam

12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.

14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God




Gospel Reading: Luke 24:36b-48

Alleluia alleluia

I am the first and the last, says the Lord

I was dead

And behold I am alive for evermore.

Alleluia

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Glory to you O Lord

Jesus Appears to the Disciples read by Ally

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

This is the Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you O Christ

Sermon: Talk by Keith

SEEING IS BELIEVING …OR IS IT?


What we believe

Let us declare our faith

in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

Our Prayers

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 …

and at this time we especially pray for the soul of Prince Philip.

Lord raise us with all who have gone before, to eternal life.

Jesus, Lord of life,

in your mercy, hear us,

accept our prayers, and be with us always.

Amen.


The Peace

The Risen Christ came and stood among

his disciples and said,

Peace be with you.

The they were glad when they saw the Lord.

Alleluia

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Song: Song I am a new Creation-Makaton


Holy Communion

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

We give you thanks and praise

for the gospel we have received.

Christ died for our sins. Alleluia.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Death comes to all through Adam,

and sin reigns for a time.

New life without end comes through Christ,

and he reigns for ever. Alleluia.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Death, where is your victory?

Death, where is your sting?

Death is swallowed up in victory,

the victory you give us in Christ. Alleluia.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

We have been crucified with Christ,

and live his risen life,

to praise you for ever with angels and archangels saying.


Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full of your glory

Hosanna in the highest

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest

We praise and bless you, loving Father,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and as we obey his command,

send your Holy Spirit,

that broken bread and wine outpoured

may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you.

He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,

in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice

made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection

until he comes in glory.

Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Lord of all life,

help us to work together for that day

when your kingdom comes

and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people,

gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever.

Amen.

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.

We break this bread

to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

Jesus, Lamb of God,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

grant us peace.

Draw near with faith.

Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ

which he gave for you,

and his blood which he shed for you.

Eat and drink

in remembrance that he died for you,

and feed on him in your hearts

by faith with thanksgiving.


Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us

Alleluia! Let us keep the feast!

Song: Song You raise me up



Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

The Blessing

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

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now

And remain with you always.

Amen

Song I danced in the morning



Dismissal

We are raised to new life with Christ.

Go in his peace. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.


Apr 9, 2021

Sunday April 11th

Welcome to Holy Communion on Sunday 11th April!

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 835 5621 1775

Passcode: 489409



Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.



We meet in the name of the Father,

and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen



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.


Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed

for us.

Let us therefore rejoice by putting

away all malice and evil

and confessing our sins

with a sincere and true heart.


Almighty God, our heavenly Father

we have sinned against you,

through our own fault,

in thought, and word and deed and in what we have left undone.

We are heartily sorry

and repent of our sins.

For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,

forgive us all that is past;

and grant that we may serve you in newness of life

to the glory of your name.

Amen


May Almighty God

have mercy upon you,

forgive you your sins,

and bring you to everlasting life.

Amen



The Collect

God of glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen



First Reading: Acts 4:32-35

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all. 34 There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, 35 and turn it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people.


This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God




Gospel Reading John 20:19-30

19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!”

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!”

30 In his disciples' presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. 31 But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.




Sermon: Transformation



After the joy of Easter Sunday, our bible readings take us through what happened next. The resurrection wasn’t just an extraordinary event, defying the rules of nature. When Jesus came back to life, everything changed.

Our world is transformed.


The disciples are transformed.

I wonder if we can put ourselves in the disciples’ place. They were hiding, terrified that they would be found and killed, lost without Jesus as their leader; disappointed, let down- so many things. And then on the first Easter morning, Mary and the other women come running in with this mad story that the body has gone- and maybe Jesus is alive again. Peter and John go to check it out. They find an empty tomb- but… I’m sure at that moment none of it made any sense at all. I wonder what the conversation would have been for the next few hours? How did they cope? Dare they believe any of what some of them had seen?

And then Jesus turns up. Jesus addresses their fears. He reassures them. He shows them his hands and side. It’s really him. Not a ghost or a hallucination; Jesus is back from the dead.

I expect there were thousands of questions but what we hear is this. Jesus breathes on them, Jesus brings peace to frightened, dismayed, lost people. He brings peace.

And he brings a command and responsibility- not that they do too much about that just yet! Their transformation is amazing but it doesn’t happen in an instant. What Jesus gives to them is for them but not for them to keep for themselves alone.


• Frightened to Joy-filled

• Confused to Convinced

• Hiding to Sent out

• Spirit-filled and empowered.



Thomas is transformed

But what about Thomas? He wasn’t there? There are a few hints about Thomas in John’s gospel. He is the one, when Jesus goes back into danger (John 11:16 to raise Lazarus from the dead), who says that he is willing to go and die with Jesus. Impressive loyalty, if a bit pessimistic. Thomas also speaks up at the last supper (John 14:5) to express everyone doubts- we don’t know where you’re going so how can we know the way? Perhaps Thomas had just gone off on his own after the seeming disaster of Good Friday; he wasn’t about to be swayed by near hysterical accounts of Jesus come back to life again. He needed concrete evidence; he needed to see for himself.

And yet Jesus meets Thomas and shows his scars. Thomas falls down in recognition and worship. He wasn’t someone who wilfully disbelieved; he just wanted the evidence. So Jesus gives him what he needs- and Thomas responds with worship. The rumours are that Thomas went onto be a missionary- taking the encounter he had with Jesus to the furthest reaches on his world.


The Community is transformed.

From the outset, Jesus brings peace to his followers and he gives a command- as the Father has sent me, so I send you. And he sends them together. The peace he gave, the life he gives, was not for that one small group of followers. It was for all. And in Acts, we have the first community of new believers. They didn’t just grasp hold of a new idea or truth. The reality of Jesus’ new life changed them. The Holy Spirt transformed them, they became a new community- based on love, and mutual sharing so that no-one was in need. It was all founded on the experience of the resurrection. Because Jesus died, they were forgiven. Because he rose again, they received new life- and the Holy Spirit changed them. God does not speak to us as individuals for us to carry on with our individual lifes’ journeys- but to mould us together into a community. We follow Jesus together, share together support each other together.

And Joseph becomes Barnabas, what a wonderful nickname- the one who encourages!



And we are to be transformed.

After Jesus encourages Thomas and meets his needs- Jesus also brings a challenge to us. We do not have the privilege that Thomas had- of seeing Jesus in the flesh, but Jesus knows that. He brings us the challenge- we might not see him as Thomas did but we have Thomas’ evidence. We can know as certainly as Thomas did.

We can know for sure that we can believe too. We might not know every detail but we know enough to decide.

And this is not being forced to believe something that isn’t true or something unpleasant but necessary. This is an offer of life.



What we believe

Let us declare our faith

in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.


Our Prayers













In joy and hope we pray.


We pray to the Father.

Hear our prayer.


That our risen Saviour may fill us with the joy of his glorious and life-giving resurrection …


we pray to the Father.

Hear our prayer.

That isolated and persecuted churches may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter …


we pray to the Father.

Hear our prayer.


That God may grant us humility to be subject to one another in Christian love …


we pray to the Father.

Hear our prayer.

That he may provide for those who lack food, work, or shelter …


we pray to the Father.

Hear our prayer.


That by his power war and famine may cease through all the world …


we pray to the Father.

Hear our prayer.

That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick, the weak and the dying,

to comfort and strengthen them …


we pray to the Father.

Hear our prayer.

That 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.


The Peace

The Risen Christ came and stood among

his disciples and said,

Peace be with you.

The they were glad when they saw the Lord.

Alleluia

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.


Song: When I survey the wondrous cross

Holy Communion


The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.


Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.


Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.


And now we give you thanks

because through him you have given us eternal life and delivered us from the bondage of sin and the fear of death

into the glorious liberty of the children of God.


Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full of your glory

Hosanna in the highest

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest


We praise and bless you, loving Father,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and as we obey his command,

send your Holy Spirit,

that broken bread and wine outpoured

may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.


On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you.

He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.


When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.



So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,

in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice

made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection

until he comes in glory.


Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Lord of all life,

help us to work together for that day

when your kingdom comes

and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.


Look with favour on your people,

gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever.

Amen.


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.


We break this bread

to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.


Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us

Alleluia! Let us keep the feast!


Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen



Song: What a beautiful name https://youtu.be/r5L6QlAH3L4


Father of all,

we give you thanks and praise,

that when we were still far off

you met us in your Son and brought us home.

Dying and living, he declared your love,

gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.

May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;

we who drink his cup bring life to others;

we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,

so we and all your children shall be free,

and the whole earth live to praise your name;

through Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Blessing

God the Father, by whose glory

Christ was raised from the dead,

strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life;

and the blessing of God Almighty

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now

And remain with you always.

Amen



Dismissal

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He has given us new life and hope.

He has raised Jesus from the dead.

God has claimed us as his own.

He has brought us out of darkness.

He has made us light to the world.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.


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