Fifth Sunday of Easter - 10 May 2020
Click here if you want to download the service sheet, or just follow from this page.
The Resurrection, by Ladislav Záborský (1921-2016)
We are 29 days into Eastertide - and continue to rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus. Today we hear Jesus comforting his disciples - ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled….I am the way, the truth and the life’. In these troubling times, Jesus is the one we can look to to guide us, providing reassurance, comfort and, where necessary, challenge.
To participate in our service today, you will need a Bible and a candle. If there is more than one of you, you can share out leading, and the readings; but it is perfectly possible to participate just on your own.
Light the candle to begin, and pray that Jesus will reveal himself to you as the way, the truth and the life this morning. Our service begins as it normally would at 9.30am. Please click on the link, and make the responses yourself. If you would like to sing along to the hymn the words are below.
Opening Hymn and Welcome
Welcome & Confession
Alleluia, alleluia!
hearts to heaven and voices raise:
sing to God a hymn of gladness,
sing to God a hymn of praise;
he who on the cross a victim
for the world's salvation bled
Jesus Christ, the king of glory,
now is risen from the dead.
Christ is risen, we are risen!
shed upon us heavenly grace,
rain and dew and gleams of glory
from the brightness of thy face;
that we, Lord, with hearts in heaven
here on earth my fruitful be,
and, by angel hands be gathered,
and be ever safe with thee.
Alleluia, alleluia!
glory be to God on high:
to the Father, and the Saviour
who has gained the victory;
Glory to the Holy Spirit,
fount of love and sanctity:
alleluia, alleluia,
to the Triune majesty.
Priest + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen
Priest The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Priest Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Confessing our sins
We have not always lived our lives as we might have done. We have done wrong and hurt others. Let’s seek God’s forgiveness. We pray together:
All: Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.
The priest gives the absolution, and we respond. Amen.
Praising God’s glory
We sing to praise God’s glory. Please join in with Jonathan
Glory be to God in heaven,
peace to those who love him well;
on the earth let all his people
speak his glace, his wonders tell:
Lord, we praise you for your glory,
mighty Father, heaven’s king;
hear our joyful adoration
and accept the thanks we bring.
Only Son of God the Father,
Lamb who takes our sin away,
now with him in triumph seated -
for your mercy, Lord, we pray:
Jesus Christ, most high and holy,
Saviour, you are God alone
in the glory of the Father
with the Spirit: Three-in-One!
The priest prays the Collect – the prayer for the day
Readings
Please read the first reading from your Bible, Acts 7.55-end. Then click on the Link for Mthr Cynthia to read the Gospel of the Day, John 14.1-14.
Homily
Please click on the link to hear Mthr Helen's homily for today
Creed
Let’s remind ourselves of the beliefs of the Christian faith
All
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Prayers
Ava and Martha are leading our intercessions today. Please click on this link to pray with them.
The Peace
If there is more than one of you taking part, then do share the peace. If you are on your own you might like to think of people you would be sharing the peace with if you were in church, and pray, ‘Peace be with Richard’, ‘Peace be with Sally’, or whoever it is!
The Eucharistic Prayer
We now come to the heart of the mass, the prayer of consecration. Please join in with singing or saying the responses. Click on this link. As the altar is prepared, we will hear Catherine singing This Joyful Eastertide.
Priest The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
Priest Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give thanks and praise.
The Acclamation:
Priest Great is the mystery of faith
All Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
The Sanctus and Benedictus (Sanctus means ‘holy’, Benedictus means ‘blessed’):
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
+Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Agnus Dei (which means ‘Lamb of God’)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, Grant us peace.
This is a prayer for you to say at the point at which you would be receiving the bread and wine. You are making a spiritual communion in place of a sacramental communion, as that is not possible at this time.
In union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated, I desire to offer you praise and thanksgiving. I present to you my soul and body with the earnest wish that I may always be united to you. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, and embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Let nothing ever separate you from me. May I live and die in your love. Amen.
Music
As we reflect on our spiritual communion, let’s hear again Jonathans rendition of Vaughan Williams The Call.
The Blessing and Regina Coeli
Please click on this link for the end of the service. If you would like to sing along with the Regina Coeli, please do! Regina coeli means ‘Queen of Heaven’ and is sung in Eastertide. In it we rejoice with Mary in the resurrection of her son Jesus.
All: Joy to thee, O Queen of Heaven. Allelulia!
He whom thou wast meet to bear. Alleluia!
As he promised hath arisen. Alleluia!
Pour for us to God thy prayer. Alleluia!
Pr: Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia!
All: For the Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
The priest prays the collect.
Jonathan’s closing voluntary is Mendelssohn Songs without words Opus 38 no 2