Sunday 19th April 2020 (Second Sunday of Easter)
Most people think that Easter is over. Actually, we are only one week into 50 days of Easter celebration!
To follow this service, start at the top and move towards the bottom! If it helps to print off some of the liturgy, here is a file you can use:
Large print (4 sides of A4)
Regular size as a leaflet (if your printer permits, print it double-sided, short-edge-binding, to make a leaflet)
These words will be used for several weeks so do not throw them away!
Many people are using the Daily Bible readings (Morning and Evening) as found on our Prayer page. For several weeks we have been in the book of Exodus. Today’s service takes us deeper into the famous story of the crossing of the Red Sea.
Start of Service
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. [Colossians 3:1-4]
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!
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: ♦
so let us celebrate the feast,
not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: ♦
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Christ once raised from the dead dies no more: ♦
death has no more dominion over him.
In dying he died to sin once for all: ♦
in living he lives to God.
Count yourselves therefore as dead to sin: ♦
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ has been raised from the dead: ♦
the first fruits of those who sleep.
For as by man came death: ♦
by man has come also the resurrection of the dead;
for as in Adam all die: ♦
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
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.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Confession
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave
and crowned him Lord of all.
We confess that we have not bowed before him
or acknowledged his rule in our lives.
We have gone along with the way of the world
and failed to give him glory.
Forgive us and raise us from sin,
that we may be your faithful people,
obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who rules the world and is head of the church, his body. Amen.
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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning, new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness O Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
bible readings
Exodus 13:17 to 14:31
Read it in your Bible. Or read it online at Bible Gateway.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
This next song takes us into Psalm 4, asking God to shine his face upon us. For most of you this will be completely new. It is written as a song in which you listen to the verses but join in with the response… start watching and you will sing along in no time!
If you want a Gospel Reading as well, please read John 20:19-31 (here on Bible Gateway).
Next we have our sermon. If you have a Bible, turn back to Exodus 13-14. Take a moment to ask God to speak to you and show you more of Jesus.
A sermon from Exodus means it almost compulsory to sing “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”!
faith and prayer
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as the Lord;
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,
the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the King of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you. We praise your name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy,
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope: let us never be put to shame.
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 forever.
Amen.
Our final hymn is one we sung last week but it is still in the ‘relatively new’ category of hymns for St George’s, so we sing it again to enjoy the words and music, and take it to heart.
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,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
If you are not a regular member of St George’s but want to connect with us, please please contact us via this page. We have Evening Prayer using Zoom every day (except Saturdays) at 5pm and you are welcome to join us. Contact us for details. Our Prayer page gives you Bible readings and reflections for each day and so many of us are finding these such an encouragement.
Do you want to explore more of the Easter message?
Here are two videos to watch some time this week. They are two on our list of new songs to learn at St George’s. Start learning them now!