C h u r c h e s T o g e t h e r i n W i r k s w o r t h a n d D i s t r i c t
A Virtual Gathering at the Stardisc - Easter Day 2020
Opening Acclamation
Look at the photograph* and imagine standing there, in the first light of dawn, overlooking Wirksworth, in the place designed as a Temple to all faiths and to none, joining our voices with Christians all over the world, as we proclaim:
Christ is risen, Alleluia
The Lord is risen
He is risen indeed
It is Easter and we celebrate life:
The trumpets of the angels,
The singing of the springtime birds
And the alleluias of the church
All say: the Lord is risen
He is risen indeed
It is Easter and we celebrate hope:
If Christ has been raised
Anything is achievable
And no good thing is impossible
Because the Lord is risen
He is risen indeed. Amen
* taken on Palm Sunday 2020 by Lorraine Jennens and used with her permission
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Music The Easter Hymn by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty
‘See what a morning, gloriously bright’
Reading Matthew 28 vs 1-10
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
The Sounds of Resurrection
Listen to the sounds of earth’s resurrection
As a solitary blackbird heralds the dawn,
Calling his fellows to sing out a chorus
In glad celebration of light and love reborn.
The Sun has risen, let us greet the day. Alleluia!
Listen to the sounds of Christ’s resurrection,
As the earth trembles, and the stone is rolled away,
As women take courage to tell their good news,
No longer fearful of what anyone might say.
Christ has risen, the stone is rolled away. Alleluia!
Listen to the sounds of faith’s resurrection,
In the thud of racing heartbeats, and running feet;
In word tumbling over word in their eagerness
To announce love’s vindication and death’s defeat.
Christ has risen, he has given us the victory. Alleluia!
Celebrate today the sounds of resurrection,
In earl morning worship and breaking of bread.
Sing with thanksgiving the church’s dawn chorus,
‘Christ is alive! He has risen from the dead.’
Christ is alive! He has risen from the dead. Alleluia!
(Jean Mortimer and Graham Cook in 'Exceeding our Limits' URC Prayer Handbook 1991)
Easter Day Affirmation of faith
We believe in the power of Christ
To overcome all deaths,
Death in us and deaths all over the world
We believe in life which rises in freedom
And carries us in grace
Towards joy beyond our imagining,
Calling our spirit to soar in freedom
With wings of hope
Borne high in the wonder of Easter Day.
The gift of life will never be taken from us,
The costly life of God will be our company
For ever and ever.
(Dorothy McRae-McMahon in 'Liturgies for High Days')
Sharing our concerns
Living Lord, you came to one
who was overwhelmed by grief,
and said, ‘Why are you weeping?’
We pray for all who are sorrowful
and experiencing the pain of loss:
Especially all separated from family and friends,
Mourning the death of loved ones
Living Lord, you came to those
who were fearful and without hope
and said, ‘Peace be with you’.
We pray for all who face anxiety
and dejection:
Especially all who live in fear in these strange days,
all who face danger as key workers,
all who are bewildered and lost
Living Lord, you came to one
who had denied you
and said, ‘Feed my sheep’.
We pray for all who have
little confidence in their own ability
to serve you faithfully:
Especially ministers and priests, care workers,
politicians, all who are learning to do their jobs differently.
(adapted from Order of Baptist Ministry Daily Office for Sunday and Easter )
Closing Prayer
A familiar figure on a distant shore,
A familiar action at a kitchen table,
A presence in the midst of doubt,
O risen Christ
You come to surprise us and delight us.
You open wide the door to joy,
Hopeful, we worship you,
Hesitant, we adore
(Kate Mcllhagga from 'The Green Heart of the Snowdrop')
Benediction
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
The love of God
And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
Rest and remain with us, and with all who we love,
this day and for ever more.
Amen