Sunday 26th April 2020 (Third Sunday of Easter)

Our series in Exodus continues - the great story of salvation that shows us God’s plan for our lives.

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 time when God provided ‘bread from heaven’ for his people.

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!

Note for those who are not perpetually online(!): When an ad appears on a YouTube video (i.e. a box appears during the video advertising something) you can simply click the X to make it disappear.

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 16

You could read it online at Bible Gateway. Or watch the video below. Thank you to those who took part in Evening Prayer on Friday for allowing me to use them in an experiment!

Remember you can click the square-ish icon at the bottom right hand of the video to make it go full-screen. That way you can read the words of the Bible passage yourself.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

This next hymn is Psalm 100: “All People That On Earth Do Dwell”. Hopefully it will not be long before we can use this tune when we sing The Doxology:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below.
Praise him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

For a Gospel Reading as well, please read John 21:1-14 (here on Bible Gateway).

Next we have our sermon. If you have a Bible, turn back to Exodus 16. Take a moment to ask God to speak to you and show you more of Jesus.

The following hymn seems to be a well-known classic in America, perhaps lesser-known here. We started to learn it at our last ‘Big Sing’ and perhaps you watched it last week.

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 that great stirring hymn, “Crown him with many crowns”. This version has some words that may be new to you. That’s the down-side. On the plus-side… well, this setting will not fail to lift your heart to Jesus!

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!

The next song is Psalm 134. We have tried this at The Big Sing as a three-part round. When done properly it sounds great. And, having learnt three lines, you have learnt a whole Psalm by heart! If you want sheet music click this link (to an external site).

Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
who by night stand in the house of the LORD!

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
and bless the LORD.

The LORD who made heav'n and earth
bless you from Zion!