Easter Morning Worship at Home

St Matthias’ Church, Hanford Worshipping in your home on Easter Day 2020 

 

1. Prayer for Easter Day Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity.  Amen 

 

2. Bible reading: John 20:19-23 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’ 

 

Some questions to ponder a. What was the situation of the disciples before Jesus appeared?  Does this seem familiar to us? 

 

b. What does Jesus promise his disciples?   (See if you can spot seven things!) 

 

c. What is the world’s most pressing problem, and why? 

 

d. What does Jesus want his disciples (including us!) to do? 

 

e. How does this event make you thankful? 

 

(Shaun will preach on this at our online Sunday evening service, aiming to have a recording on the “Dial-in” by Monday morning: 01782 307075) 

 

3. Speaking to God in prayer Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.  In your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. 

O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind:  we humbly pray that it may please you to reveal your ways to all people and your saving power to all nations.   In particular we pray for your church that it may be guided and governed by your Spirit in such a way that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.   We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are in any way afflicted or distressed especially.... take time to mention individuals to the Lord. Be pleased, O Lord, to comfort and relieve them according to their various needs; give them patience in their sufferings, and a happy deliverance out of their afflictions; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

 

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness to us and all mankind. 

 

We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory. 

 

Give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies that our hearts may be sincerely thankful, so that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,  be all honour and glory, for ever and ever.  Amen. 

 

4. A song to sing When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. 

 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. 

 

See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? 

 

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. 

 

5. Closing prayer Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip us with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.