Sunday 3rd May 2020 (Fourth Sunday of Easter)

Our series in Exodus continues - the great story of salvation that shows us God’s plan for our lives. Today we think about the glory that is Jesus our Great High Priest.

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

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [Hebrews 4:14-16]

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 28

You could read it online at Bible Gateway. Or watch the video below.

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.

Those with a listening ear may have heard Colin Keates play this tune on the organ a few Sundays before lock-down started. Lyrics are shown below - or you can click on settings (the cog wheel, bottom right of the video) and turn on “Subtitles/CC”. Chose the “English” option (not the “auto-generated”).

His Mercy Is More - Lyrics

What love could remember no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

(Chorus)
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many,
His mercy is more

What patience would wait as we constantly roam
What Father, so tender, is calling us home
He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

What riches of kindness he lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

For a Gospel Reading as well, please read John 21:15-25 (here on Bible Gateway).

Next we have our sermon. If you have a Bible, turn back to Exodus 28. Take a moment to ask God to speak to you and show you more of Jesus. I am reminded of that quote from Mark Twain: “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote you a long one!” The sermon is a bit longer than planned but the subject - the High Priesthood of Jesus - is rich and wonderful!

The following hymn was referenced in the sermon. One of the best hymns about the High Priesthood of Jesus.

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 speaks of the invitation to come 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.

Find out more about hope during the coronavirus pandemic.

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!