Christ is Risen!! Alleluia!!

As we are not able to gather in church this year, this liturgy is offered to you as a way of celebrating Easter at home- either on your own or with your family. If you can, find a small bowl of water and a candle (and matches) before you begin your worship. We will be worshipping together at 10am on Easter Day. You may say any of the words yourself– if you are worshipping with others, you may want to share the words out.

GATHERING
Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega. All time belongs to him, and all ages;
To him be glory and power through every age for ever and ever. Amen
 
OPENING WORDS AND RESPONSES
This is the day when our Lord Jesus Christ was raised gloriously from the dead, crushing the power of sin and destroying the sting of death. Throughout the world, Christians celebrate the mighty power of God as Christ calls us out of the darkness to share his marvellous light. May we, and all Christ’s people, shine as lights in the world to the glory of God the Father.
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Rise up and live!
Life springing forth from death is offered to the world.
Thanks be to you, O Christ!
Christ is risen, alive in overflowing grace.
Thanks be to you, O Christ!
Christ is risen, alive in the determined survival of good.
Thanks be to you, O Christ! Death is overcome forever!

HYMN
You can find the music to sing along to at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6sj9ljVsfk
1. Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3. But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!!

CONFESSION
Living God, even as we announce your rising, we confess that we often fail to live in the light of your victory.
When doubts beset us as we look at the world around us:
Forgive us and help us
When we choose to stay with our own deaths rather than accepting your gift of life:
Forgive us and help us
When we hold on to guilt and fear, instead of embracing love for you and one another:
Forgive us and help us

May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins and restore us in his image, to the praise and glory of his name, though our risen Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

READING: John 20.1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. ² So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” ³ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷ and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; ⁹ for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples returned to their homes.
¹¹ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; ¹² and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. ¹³ They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” ¹⁴ When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

REFLECTION
At this time, many of us find ourselves, like Mary, weeping. Because we cannot be at church, because we cannot be with our loved ones, because friends have fallen sick or died with nobody who loves them able to be near them. Like us, Mary is alone in the garden. Our grief is real- just as Mary’s grief was real.

Jesus had risen from the dead, but Mary didn’t know that.  It was only when Jesus, in the middle of her real loss, confusion and grief, called her by name that she saw and believed and understood. The resurrection does not undo our pain, but it does transform it. The risen Christ rises in glory with his wounds. We should never pretend or imagine that our faith involves a denial of the reality of suffering and pain- that would be to insult those whose suffering is a daily and hourly fact. But it does illuminate those experiences and change them. In the same way that the warmth of the sun turns ice into running water. In the same way that music gives a silent space meaning.

When we hear the voice of Jesus calling us- and He does call each and every one of us- we hear a voice of such love, tenderness and consolation that we are able to bear the hardest things. Jesus always calls us into life, and hope, and love. He comes to find us in our grief, just as he went to find Mary in the garden.

When we truly turn our hearts and mind towards him, we find joy and comfort and strength which is not our own, but which fires, upholds us, strengthens and guides us.

Jesus gathers with us today, even though we are scattered. He calls you today, by name. What word of comfort or encouragement is he bringing you? What word of hope? Listen, be still, listen closely for the word of love whispered into your heart. Listen as He calls your name.

RESPONSE: you will need your water and your candle here. It is traditional on Easter Day to renew our baptismal vows. As you say these words, dip your finger in the water and make the sign of the cross on your forehead.   In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. Will you, today, renew your commitment to follow that call?   Do you turn to Christ as Saviour? I turn to Christ Do you submit to Christ as Lord? I submit to Christ Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life? I come to Christ.   Light your candle: We receive your light, Lord Jesus Christ. Deliver us from the powers of darkness, restore in us the image of your glory, and lead us in light and obedience to your call.   AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We believe in the power of Christ to overcome all deaths, deaths in us and deaths in the world. We believe in life which rises in freedom and carries us in joy towards grace beyond our imagining, calling our spirits to soar in freedom with wings of hope, borne high in the wonder of Easter Day We believe that the gift of life will never be taken from us; the costly gift of the life of God will be ours for ever and ever. Amen   INTERCESSIONS Let us pray to Jesus Christ our Saviour, who is with us always.   Jesus, light of the world, bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations, and particularly to our nation at this time of trial and fear. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.   Jesus, bread of life, as we remember those who are hungry, we pray that all may be fed, in body and soul. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.   Jesus, our way, our truth, our life, be with us and all who seek to follow you. Inspire the leaders of our nations and our churches with compassion, wisdom, grace and hope. Deepen our appreciation of your truth and fill us with your life. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.   Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep, recover the straggler, bind up the injured, the grieving and the broken, strengthen the sick and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.   Jesus, the resurrection and the life, we give you thanks for all those who have died and gone before us, setting us an example of faithfulness and goodness. Grant us, with them the eternal life to which you are raised on high. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us, accept our prayers, and be with us always. Amen.   THE LORD’S PRAYER 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. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

HYMN – You can find music to sing along to at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXzmjNE-yLA   1.Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;     endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won;     angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,     kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay. Refrain: Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son, Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won. 2. Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;     Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;     let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;     for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting. Refrain: Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son, Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won. 3. No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;     life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;     make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:     bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. Refrain: Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son, Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.   BLESSING May God the Father, by whose love Christ was raised from the dead, open to us who believe the gates of everlasting life. May God the Son, who in bursting the grave has won a glorious victory, give us joy as we share the Easter faith. May God the Holy Spirit, whom the risen Lord breathed into his disciples, empower us and fill us with Christ’s peace. And the blessing of the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest on us and all those we love and pray for, here and now, always and everywhere. Amen

Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Please pray for: Healing: Blake, Sam Evans, Reuben, Margaret, David, Don, Karl, Hugh, Sarah, Elsie, Lesley, Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn.   The lately departed: Cyril Albone, Brian Johnson, Mark Ramm, and those whose anniversary falls at this time.   Community prayers: Clewer Green School, the head teacher Martin Tinsley and all the pupils, staff and governors.   Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live in Clewer Park, Mill Lane, White Lilies Island, Clewer Court Road, Swan Terrace, Petworth Court and the Boatyard Flats.   Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and the People of the Land of the Holy One. Pray for the Churches in Mishamikoweesh (Canada), Western Louisiana, Ife (Nigeria), Ife East (Nigeria),  Mississippi, Western Massachusetts, Ifo (Nigeria), Missouri, Western Mexico (Mexico), Mityana (Uganda), Western Michigan, Western New York,  Mombasa (Kenya), Western Newfoundland (Canada), Western North Carolina,  Monmouth (Wales), Western Tanganyika (Tanzania), and Igbomina (Nigeria).   Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe.

Church Finances- message from Andrew With the suspension of church services our income is likely to fall and, while some of our costs will be reduced, others will be incurred whether we are “open for business” or not. In the light of this suspension of services you might like to consider continuing your regular giving by paying directly to our bank account, the details of which are: HSBC Bank, High Street, Windsor Sort Code: 40-47-37 Account number: 11373366  Account name: PCC St Andrews Church

Symbols of hope and happiness – I would like to set you all a creative challenge. How about knitting or crocheting symbols of hope and happiness, flowers, hearts, crosses, doves etc. Any colours and size. Then when we are able to gather, we can join them all together to make an altar frontal or a banner, in celebration of faith, hope and love. Let me know if you’d like to join in. Revd Rosie Pictures can be posted to the St Andrews Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com Self Isolation Choir – The Self Isolation Choir has been specially formed in response to the global impact of the Coronavirus. Singers from around the world can join and take part in the events and activities organised by the choir in their own home. The first event will be singing Handel’s Messiah. https://www.choraline.com/self-isolation-choir Sunday Morning – Please consider ringing bells outside on your doorstep, and singing ‘Jesus Christ is risen today’ on Sunday morning. Rectors Board – You may remember that we hoped to have the Rectors board, with the newly added names, back up again by Easter. In fact it was put back up just before we closed the Church a few weeks ago. Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the cost of the inscription work. And thanks to Vikki for arranging the carving and getting it back on the wall.