NEWCASTLE UNITED CHURCHApril 12, 2020 10:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday“As followers of Christ, we are called to be a worshipping and learning, receiving and giving community of

faith, hope and love.” – Newcastle United Church Mission Statement

Surely God is in this place. Help me notice.We Approach God

Lighting The Christ Candle

A Time of Centring – “Halle, Halle” #958(Words & Music Copyright WGRG, The Iona Community (Glasgow, Scotland))

Halle, halle, hallelujah!Halle, halle, hallelujah!Halle, halle, hallelujah!Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Call to Worship (Responsive)Christ is risen!He is risen indeed!Christ is risen!Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hymn of Praise “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” # 157Christ the Lord is risen today, hallelujah! all creation join to say; hallelujah!raise your joys and triumphs high; hallelujah!sing, O heavens, and earth reply: hallelujah!Lives again our glorious King: hallelujah!where, O death, is now your sting? Hallelujah!Once he died, our souls to save: hallelujah!where your victory, O grave? Hallelujah!

Prayer of Approach (Unison)We gather this morning with Hallelujahs on our tongues and in our hearts, Lord. We celebrate that our lives are changed when Jesus overcomes death. The promise of new life is real. The promise of new life has come to us. Thank you! Hallelujah and Amen.

Below is the service I have created for this Sunday. I have added the parts I would have done, so you can read them as well. I hope this is something you can use for

personal/family worship. I have left the time of 10:30 am as I encourage you to gather at that time Sunday, knowing that even though we are each in our own homes, we are all

worshiping together. If you are joining us online this week then please have this resource with you so you have the words to the responses and hymns at your fingertips in case you can’t see the screen.

Rev. Mary-JaneThe words provided for the hymns are done with permission under One License # A-727596.

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We Hear God’s Word

Hymn “This Is The Day That God Had Made” # 175(Music & Words copyright 1976 Hinshaw Music, Inc.)

This is the day that God has made! Rejoice! Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad! This is the day that God has made! Rejoice! Rejoice! Hallelujah!

Christ has conquered death at last, left the tomb that held him fast!Gone the sorrow, gone the night, dawns the morning clear and bright! RJesus lives who once was dead, lives forever, as he said! Risen now our Saviour, King; songs of gladness let us sing! R

A Time To Be ChildrenIf we were together today, I would have had a flower in the Story time box. The sanctuary would also have had lots of flowers in it. They would be colourful and smell lovely. I remember my first Easter at one church. They had a tradition of using Easter lilies and everyone could buy a lily to remember a loved one. This church had a fairly large congregation and almost everyone would buy at least one lily. That first Easter morning I could barely get through the flowers to stand at the pulpit! And when I took a deep breath, as I usually do, so I could start the service, the smell was so strong I started to cough. Not a great way to start my first Easter service with them. After that service we talked about what had happened and it was decided that maybe we shouldn’t have just Easter lilies, which have a very strong scent, but several different, and colourful types of flowers so it would be easier for everyone to breathe.But that experience made me wonder about why we use flowers as a symbol of Easter. There

are many stories about what makes Easter lilies special for Easter. But really, it isn’t just about having one type of flower. We just think there should be lots of flowers, almost like having a garden right inside our churches that morning. Well, the first Easter experiences of the risen Christ are said to have happened in a garden. And gardens are a great symbol of new life for us.Each spring our gardens and indoor plants begin to bloom again.

What appeared dead during the winter begins to get greener, to have buds start showing and to get early flowers sometimes. I know that I search the pathway leading up to my house each day at this time of year to see if there are any green shoots from the tulips and crocus bulbs that the previous owner of the house planted. I never remember where they put them, and it is always a welcome surprise and when I see that little bit of green.That’s what Easter is like. It is a reminder that new life comes again. When we think all hope is lost, we see a green shoot. Jesus’ followers thought it was all over, and then there was hope again as he was raised to new life. Easter gives us new life too. For it reminds us there is hope, there is always more. God is with us; we are not alone. God gives us a new start, again and again.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,

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and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Acts 10:34-43 Peter’s account of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Psalm 118 God is my strength and my song. VU p. 837 Pt. 1,2,3Sung Refrain – Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Let Israel now say: “God’s love endures for ever.”

Let the house of Aaron say:“God’s love endures for ever.”

Let those who fear God say:“God’s love endures for ever.” R

God is my strength and my song; God has become my salvation.There are shouts of joy and deliverance in the tents of

the righteous.The right hand of God does mighty things; the right hand of God raises up.

The right hand of God does mighty things.I shall not die, but live; and I shall proclaim what God has done.

God indeed punished me; but did not give me over to death. ROpen to me the gates of the temple, that I may enter and give thanks to God.

This is the gate of God; through it the righteous shall enter.I thank you for you have answered me; you have become my salvation.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

This is God’s doing, marvellous in our eyes.This is the day that God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! R

Matthew 28:1-10 The raising of Lazarus.This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn “The Day Of Resurrection” # 164The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad; the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God! From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky, our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory.Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth its song begin, the round world keep high triumph, and all that is therein;

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let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend, for Christ indeed is risen, our Joy that has no end.

Message During the season of Easter, we read from the Book of Acts rather than an Old Testament passage. I am not completely sure why the creators of the lectionary decided to do this, but I do know that if focuses us on completely on the story of the early church. It does not look back and what were prophecies of the Messiah to come, because we believe he came and with the first Easter, brought new life. How that resurrection on Easter morning affected the disciples and their story moving forward is what the Book of Acts tells us about. The stories are a bit out of sync for us because we know that until Pentecost (50 days from now) the disciples and other followers are in hiding. But the stories we read during the season of Easter show us how profoundly the resurrection affected their understanding of Jesus, his ministry, and their calling to follow him meant.Matthew’s version of the resurrection is the same, but different from the other gospels. Each

gospel writer tells the story in their own way. Just like each of us tell our stories in our own ways. So Matthew puts in the detail of an earthquake and a vision of an angel that causes even Roman soldiers to faint with fright. And yet, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who have come to the tomb that morning, do not faint, but with great excitement see and hear what the angel is telling them. When the angel directs them to go and tell the others that Jesus is raised, there is no questioning or fear from these women. They turn and head off to share the good news. They are to be the first apostles, the first to see, accept and share the great story of life

out of death that is the resurrection.But their experience in that garden is not yet over. They actually encounter the risen Lord. They throw themselves at his feet. They offer worship and he speaks to them. He asks them to be his witnesses. He gives them the message the others will need. He tells them not to be afraid. He tells them that he will be with them again and Galilee. He tells them not to be afraid. Why would he need to say such a thing? Haven’t they just seen a miracle? Wouldn’t seeing him have been enough to overcome fear from all that had happened in the last week? Maybe not. Why? Perhaps because despite the fact that he has been raised, and that the faith his followers placed in him has been proven, there is still something in the world to fear. While Jesus has been changed, given new life, his followers must still live in the same world. Jesus may have left the tomb, but the world is still the same. The Romans are still in charge. The message Jesus was sharing, which his disciples will continue to share, is still a dangerous one for those in power. Nothing has changed, except the hearts of those who believe. Being afraid of this new outlook in the midst of an old world full of dangers sounds just about right.Do we understand this fear a little bit better this year? When we all leave the places we have been in isolation, our tombs if you will, will the world be all that different? Will there still be crime, corruption, evil and fear? Yes. Will we be different? Will we appreciate the little things better, like seeing another human face to face with maybe the chance to give them a hug, or feeling the freedom that is ‘outside’? Of course. We will see this new beginning as new life. We will embrace and celebrate that new life in the midst of a world that is changed but not. The ‘Romans’ are still

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in power, but we are not the same subjects we were before the tomb was opened and God brought us out to say, “Don’t be afraid. Live the new life I give you.” Amen.

We Respond To God’s WordOffering InvitationMaking an offering is a radical act, in response to Jesus’ radical offering. But when we think of offering, is it just money? The money is vital but is a symbol, too, for intentional care, for daring to be inclusive, for daring to strive to reach beyond discrimination, sexism, racism, and homophobia. For Jesus did not follow what was popular, do what he was told to do; but rather, he lived with integrity, daring to question the authorities. May our discipleship, too, be more than following, but imitates Jesus’ offering by radically doing what is right and loving. We give… (written by David Lander, Gathering L/E 2020 p. 49. Used with permission.)

The Offertory (As we are not together, take a moment to think of all you can offer to God this week, even cooped up in your own home. Dedicate those things to God now.)

Hallelujah, hallelujah. Give thanks to the risen Christ;hallelujah, hallelujah! Give praise to God’s name.

(VU #179 Words & music copyright 1973 The Word of God Music)

Dedication Prayer (Unison)Loving and gracious God, in thankfulness for Christ’s life, death and resurrection which brought us fullness of life we offer these gifts. May they show others how new life is possible in their lives and the world. Amen.

Prayers of the People 

We eagerly thank you for bringing light and life through Christ through your unfailing, overriding providence.We eagerly thank you for the promise they we now share in the victory which Christ Jesus has won.We eagerly thank you                       that grace is stronger than evil,                        that mercy is larger than suffering,                        that  joy is greater than grief,                       and that love is mightier than death.Most loving God, we bring to you our concern and compassion for those whose lives are subject to acute sorrow, evil or disease.For those who over this Easter face an untimely, sudden death, we pray: Victims of war, terrorism, murder, and the carnage on our roads.For those who are enduring a lingering death: from cancer or aids, kidney or heart disease, from COVID-19 or because of inadequate hospital care and inadequate medical supplies. For those who care for the dying and the bereaved: family and friends, nurses and doctors, first responders, pastors, counsellors, and funeral directors.For those who are confronted by blatant evil, we pray: peacemakers and arbitrators, UN workers, peace keepers, aid agencies and prison chaplains.For those who are must deal with more insidious evil, we pray: teachers and ministers, psychiatrists, censorship boards, mothers and magistrates.For those who fight suffering, handicap and disease, we pray: hospitals and research facilities, ambulance staff, flying doctors, physiotherapists, community nurses and kindly neighbours.

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Hear now the prayers of our hearts…Living Christ comfort and redeem your people.Great living Lord of love and joy be also with each of us gathered here for this Easter service. You know our needs better than we do. You have answers that do not occur to us. Bless us we pray, that we may not get the answers we want but the help that will lead to your greater glory.All our joyful thanksgiving and loving praise we bring to you, holy Friend, loving Saviour, and glorious God of eternal Easter. Through Christ Jesus our risen Lord. Amen.(adapted from Bruce Prewer and used with permission.)

Closing Hymn “Thine Is The Glory” # 173 Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son: endless is the victory thou o’er death has won.Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave clothes where the body lay.

Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son: endless is the victory thou o’er death has won.

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life; life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife; make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love; bring us safe through Jordan to they home above. R

Commissioning and Benediction Hallelujah! Christ is risen!Go forth as Easter people.Go and tell the people you meet that Jesus the Christ is risen.And as you go…May the grace of Christ attend you,The love of God surround you, andThe Holy Spirit keep you, now and always. Amen.

Sung Blessing “Halle, Halle” # 958(Words & Music Copyright WGRG, The Iona Community (Glasgow, Scotland))

Halle, halle, hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah!Halle, halle, hallelujah!Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And online we end together (wait for me to get your mics unmuted)As the people say:Hallelujah and Amen!

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Newcastle United Church