Sunday Service with Communion for 26th April 2020
Our Communion Service for 26th April 2020. The service is designed to be used in conjunction with the order of service email earlier but also available to download here.
Watch the whole service on YouTube by following this link.
CALL TO WORSHIP
`Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12)
OPENING PRAYER
Gracious God, you are the truth that we seek, the light in our darkness, the love that transforms us. In this time of worship, draw us close to your Father heart in the power of the resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONFESSION
Let us then seek forgiveness for the sin
by which we have denied God’s claim upon us.
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.
OPENING SONG:
READING:
Acts 4:1-12 New English Translation (NET Bible)
The Arrest and Trial of Peter and John
4 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they seized them and put them in jail until the next day (for it was already evening). 4 But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.
5 On the next day, their rulers, elders, and experts in the law came together in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others who were members of the high priest’s family. 7 After making Peter and John stand in their midst, they began to inquire, “By what power or by what name[t] did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, replied, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man—by what means this man was healed— 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healthy. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.”
REFLECTION
EASTER WITNESSES (2)
You killed…but God raised
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Lord of life and conqueror of death, in these troubled times we cry out to you for our nation, our world. Give us compassion for those struggling at this time, the self-isolating, the sick, the vulnerable, the weary, the fearful, the dying.
We pray for your Church at this time, for our brothers and sisters in Christ near and far. We pray for Hankyu and his family in South Korea. We pray for Bishop Raj and his family in India, for Pastor Sam and the orphanage in India. We pray for our own church leaders here, for Bishop Graham, Julian Pursehouse, Beth Powney and Paul Whittle. We pray for our church responses to the pandemic, for individual and joint kindness shown to those in need.
We pray finally for ourselves. You are the God who meets us in the risen Christ and by the power of your Holy Spirit. See us safely through this time so we may gather together again to worship and praise your our risen saviour. Amen.
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:
THERE IS ONE NAME UNDER HEAVEN
THE ACT OF BREAKING OF BREAD
We come to this table not because we must, but because we may. We come not because we are strong, but because we are weak. We come not because we have perfect faith, but because we have questions and even doubts. But we come nonetheless because Jesus invites us to come and we will never be turned away.
The apostle Paul tells us of the institution of the Lord’s Supper: For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11: 23–26)
Lord, now send your Holy Spirit to bless these gifts before us and to bless us.
Eat this bread; it is the bread of life.
Drink this cup; it is the cup of blessing.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Gracious God, we praise you for what you have given and for what you have promised us here. You have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. You have fed us with the bread of life, and renewed us for your service.
Now we give ourselves to you; and ask that our daily living may be part of the life of your kingdom, and that our love may be your love reaching out into the life of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CLOSING SONG:
DISMISSAL:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.