WELCOME as the bells ring out to invite you to worship.
Andrew Henthorn, from the choir, has provided this description of the day.
The 2nd Sunday of Easter is known as ‘Low Sunday’ in various churches. One
thought being the low attendance for this Sunday because people traditionally
spent so much time in church during Holy Week and Easter day that they
wanted a rest. The other thought was that people felt ‘flat’ and ‘low’ after the
excitement of Easter (or stuffed with Easter chocolate).
This day has also been known as ‘White Sunday’. Again traditionally Easter
was the time for conversions to Christianity and baptisms took place. Those
baptised dressed in white. Then this Sunday was their 1st Sunday attending
church as baptised and dressed in white to celebrate.
Yet another name was ‘The Octave of Easter’. Nothing to do with music. But it
is the 8th Day of Easter. Beginning on Easter Sunday with the following days
known as Easter Week and finishing the following Sunday being the 8th day.
In the Lectionary, Eastertide continues to be the theme for seven weeks,
giving us good time to think of the risen Christ, and his appearances to his
disciples and others.
In a moment, we shall sing our first hymn - “Alleluia, alleluia, sing to Jesus.”
by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, c. 1601–1602
2nd Sunday of Easter
(Low Sunday; White Sunday)
HYMN: Alleluia, Alleluia
PRAYER
Mighty God,
in whom we know the power of redemption,
you stand among us in the shadows of our time.
As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning
when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,
we will share in his resurrection,
redeemed and restored to the fullness of life
and forever freed to be your people. Amen.
Would we be counted among the doubters
hiding in the shadow cast by that cruel cross?
Or, when challenged, like Peter openly deny you?
There are times, Lord when doubts assail
and the distance between us seems to increase.
There are times, Lord when sin has its hold,
like a barrier between us that will not move.
Who is there we can turn to when we feel so overwhelmed?
Who can roll away the stone and reveal the empty tomb?
No-one but you, Jesus, no-one but you!
THE LORD'S PRAYER
LESSON
John 20; 19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the
house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."
After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples
rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I
send you."
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the
Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of
any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them
when Jesus came.
So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the
nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them.
Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace
be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out
your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."
Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed
are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not
written in this book.
But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
REFLECTION
Hymn: Jesus is Lord
PRAYER
God, give us eyes to see the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty in every living thing -
And may we see in lacy leaves and every budding flower.
The Hand that rules the universe with gentleness and power -
And may this Easter grandeur that Spring lavishly imparts.
Awaken faded flowers of faith lying dormant in our hearts,
And give us ears to hear, dear God, the Springtime song of birds.
With messages more meaningful than man's often empty words
Telling harried human beings who are lost in dark despair -
'Be like us and do not worry for God has you in His care.
(Helen Steiner Rice)
The Lord calls us to draw close and examine the wounded hands and feet of the
Risen One and to know the depth of his love for us. Let us therefore approach
the throne of God in confidence as we pray for the whole people of God in Christ
Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Lord our Father, as Jesus entered the locked room to show his disciples the
beginning of a new world, so enter our hearts and move us to faith in Jesus as
the Risen One. Convince us of the reality and significance of the resurrection,
and free us from all manner of fears and phobias. Give us courage in the face of
death, knowing that this is the gateway to new resurrected life for those who trust
in Christ.
Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Be with your church throughout the world so that its preaching and works of love
may continue to testify to our Lord’s resurrection. Wherever your church is
faithless and lacking in courage to do the work that Jesus has given, visit it and
build it up with your Spirit. Be with all our pastors so that they may listen well and
then speak with Christ’s authority.
Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Bring peace to all parts of the earth. Wherever nations are at war and people are
divided, visit and bring true reconciliation. Especially protect all Christian people
in these nations, and help them to influence their country for the good of all.
Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Wherever homes are disrupted by anger and bitterness, and wherever
relationships are distorted and dulled, visit and bring peace and harmony.
Wherever young people are gathered in your name, visit and guide them with
your holy word and wisdom.
Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Visit and comfort the sick and suffering too, dear Lord. Heal and strengthen weak
bodies, calm and correct confused minds. We pray for those we know with
particular needs. Support them all with your great love and mercy, and be with
those known to us and whom we now name in our hearts…
Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we present these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is
risen from the dead, and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.
HYMN: My song is love unknown
THE BLESSING and BENEDICTION
Keep the Lord always before you.
If he is beside you, you cannot be shaken.
He will show you the path to life,
and in his presence you will discover unending joy.
And the Blessing of God who creates, and saves, and sustains,
be with you today and in all the days to come. Amen.