Today’s service continues our Easter witness series. Our reading is taken from Acts 8: 2 – 8 as we look at the scattering of the early church. The service is designed to be used in conjunction with the order of service emailed earlier but also available to download here.
Watch the whole service on YouTube by following this link.
Welcome and Call to worship
Today we continue our Easter Witness series and look at the persecution of the Apostles. It was the Apostle Paul who later wrote, `Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted’ (2 Timothy 3:12)
Opening song
Opening prayer
Almighty God, in view of your great mercy, we lay our lives down as a morning sacrifice. Choosing to die to self, we ask you to pour your mighty power through us, that Jesus may be revealed and your kingdom come in power, changing us and redeeming the world. Amen.
Confession
Have mercy on me, O God, in your constant love; in the fullness of your mercy blot out my offences. Wash away all my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Give me the joy of your help again and strengthen me with a willing spirit. Amen.
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore to all who truly repent this is his gracious word: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
Amen. Thanks be to God.
Reading Acts 8: 2-8
2 Some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was trying to destroy the church; entering one house after another, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word. 5 Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them. 6 The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the miraculous signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, were coming out of many who were possessed, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Prayers of intercession
Ascended Lord, we pray for the persecuted church scattered throughout the world, and ask for courage, endurance and hope.
Thy Kingdom Come
Come Holy Spirit
Ascended Lord, in this time between Ascension and Pentecost, we pray daily for five friends who’ve not yet responded to your love and mercy. We pray that your Spirit may be at work in them to open their eyes to your love and mercy.
Thy Kingdom Come
Come Holy Spirit
Ascended Lord, we pray you would equip us and inspire us to share the Good News with our friends, families, our communities and wherever we find ourselves, through word and action and with great joy.
Thy Kingdom Come
Come Holy Spirit
Being made one in the power of the Spirit, let us pray with confidence as we say together the Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Song before communion
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 indeed right and good, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give You thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ the King of glory.
Born of a woman, He came to the rescue of our human race. Dying for us,
He trampled death and conquered sin.
By the glory of His resurrection He opened the way to life eternal and by His ascension, gave us the sure hope that where He is we may also be.
Therefore the universe resounds with joy and with choirs of angels we sing for ever to your praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Lord, send your Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break may be for us the Body of Christ, and the cup we share may be for us the Blood of Christ. May we and all who share this food offer ourselves to live for you, and be welcomed at your eternal feast where all creation worships you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,
We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The Body of Christ keep you in eternal life.
The Blood of Christ keep you in eternal life.
Prayer after communion
As we wait in silence,
make us ready for Your coming Spirit.
As we listen to Your word,
make us ready for Your coming Spirit.
As we worship You in majesty,
make us ready for Your coming Spirit.
As we long for Your refreshing,
make us ready for Your coming Spirit.
As we long for Your renewing,
make us ready for Your coming Spirit.
As we long for Your equipping,
make us ready for Your coming Spirit.
As we long for Your empowering,
make us ready for Your coming Spirit.
Closing song
Blessing and dismissal
God the Father, who has given to His Son the name above every name, strengthen you to proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord.
God the Son, who is our great high priest passed into the heavens, plead for you at the right hand of the Father.
God the Holy Spirit, who pours out His abundant gifts upon the Church, make you faithful servants of Christ our King.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.