A Celebration of the Risen Christ in Scripture & Song by Ken Bible

 

 

 

Acknowledgement for the First Peoples

 

We acknowledge this land that God has created and blessed. We pay our respects to the Wallumettagal people of the Eora Nation, the first inhabitants of this place. We honour their custodianship of the land on which we gather today and its surrounding waters, and offer our respect to their Elders, past, present, and emerging.

 

 

Scene 001

 

Isabella:      

 

God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16, NIV)

 

Friends,

we have gathered here to worship our Lord

and Risen Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

As we begin, let’s read together.

Let’s proclaim this truth with

boldness and joy:

 

All:     Jesus, You are the Son of the Living God!

(Matthew 16:16, para.)

 

 

HYMN

# 361 The day of resurrection! (ELLACOMBE)

 

1

The day of resurrection!

earth, tell it out abroad;

the passover of gladness,

the passover God:

from death to life eternal,

from earth up to the sky,

our Christ has brought us over

with hymns of victory.

 

2

Our hearts be pure from evil

tat we may see aright

the Lord in rays eternal

of resurrection light;

and listening to his greeting

may hear, so calm and strong,

his own ‘All hail’ and, hearing,

may raise the victors’ song.

 

3

Now let the heavens be joyful

and earth her song repeat,

the whole world shout in triumph

her living Lord to greet;

let all things seen and unseen

their notes of gladness blend,

for Christ the Lord has risen,

our joy that has no end.

 

 

Scene 002

 

All:     Jesus, You humbled Yourself for us.

You made Yourself a servant.

(Philippians 2:5-8, para.)

 

Minister:

 

God says, “Look, here is my servant. He is the One I have chosen, and I delight in Him! I will put my own Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to all the nations.”

 

“He won’t act like other conquerors. He won’t shout or call attention to Himself or rally an army in the streets. He will be so gentle that He wouldn’t tear a bent blade of grass or extinguish a smoldering candle.”

 

“Yet He will not fade, and He will not fail and He will not grow discouraged until He has established My justice throughout all peoples. The farthest corners of the earth will put their hope in Him.”

(Isaiah 42:1-4, para.)

 

 

Easter Action Song

Colin Buchanan “He Died on the Cross”

 

 

Scene 003

 

All:     Jesus, You are the Word of God.

You are God’s expression of love for us.

(John 1:14, para.)

 

Minister:

 

One of the most fascinating things about Jesus is the way He talked to people, especially individuals, one on one. He talked with lawyers and criminals, religious leaders, fishermen, tax collectors, soldiers, and children. He spoke with women, even when it was against the social conventions of His day.

 

He always spoke to these people with personal respect—respect for the independence and dignity of the individual.

 

He never pushed anybody. He spoke with understanding, consideration, and patience. He took time. He provided reason. And He always spoke face-to-face, not looking over their shoulders or talking over their heads. He didn’t “hammer” or “preach at” individuals. He was never harsh or condemning … at least not with the humble.

 

He was not rejected by the unrespectable people of His day. He was attracted to them, genuinely drawn to them...not to a class of people, but to individual persons. In our imagination, He would have asked and called each one by their name.

 

He loved them just where they were, as they were, but He cared too much to abandon them there. He drew them on, drew them in, toward the simple truth and toward a life-giving trust in himself.

 

That’s still the way He comes to us—individually, personally, with kindness and respect and genuine love.

 

(From “The Way He Speaks”, from the pocketsize evangelistic book, Knowing God,

© 1993, 1996, 1998 by Ken Bible, c/o LNWbooks.com.)

 

Scene 004

 

All:     Jesus, You are our Healer.

You came to touch us and make us whole.

(Isaiah 53:5, para.)

 

Rosemary Brook:

 

As Jesus was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

 

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

 

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him— and he was a Samaritan.

 

Jesus said to him, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well.”

(Luke 17:12-16, 19, NIV adapted)

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE                 Rosemary Brook

 

 

For part of our prayer today, I’ve drawn on Candles in the Dark: Faith, hope and love in a time of pandemic (2020)- a new book by Rowan Williams, a former Archbishop of Canterbury and Cambridge professor.

 

Gracious and most loving heavenly Father,

 

We thank you that you love us all the time; that Jesus loved being surrounded by children and young people and blessing them; and that he showed us how we should love you – and each other.

 

On this Easter morning, we see with fresh eyes, that you our loving Father have disrupted this world in the most creative way: that your Son Jesus is truly alive again-and for all time – and with the life from You that floods the entire universe.

 

The Cross and the empty tomb is a new beginning for all of us. We see how passionately and unceasingly you love us. And can transform us….

 

We know our identity is to stand with Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. This is where we belong.

And as Rowan Williams says, Standing in the Truth is like standing in a waterfall: the life of God is around us, soaking and overwhelming us. We can’t grab it and hold onto it, we can’t contain it…. it is the world held eternally in the life of the Father, the Word and the Spirit. Help us Heavenly Father to remember this as we seek to refine our purpose through you.

 

And we thank you that from that first Easter morning, for the first time, a world-wide community became possible, gathered around the Cross and the Resurrection. We need time just to realise the stunning newness of this possibility; this gift; your gift of the Church.

 

And so we pray earnestly for your church today.

 

In our world cycle of prayer, we remember the Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia.

We give thanks for:

• the beauty and rich histories of these diverse areas
• those who kept both the people and their faith alive during years of repression
• those pursuing peace and reconciliation between the different ethnic and religious groups; and
• the resurgence of an ecumenical church in recent years.

 

We pray for:

• ongoing healing from deep and painful memories
• and the nurturing and sustaining of peaceful co-existence in the Balkans.

 

We remember Christians who are facing dreadful persecution in so many countries because of their faith. We pray for their safety and continued courage - and the work of Open Doors Australia in providing much needed unobtrusive support in many overseas situations.

 

Nearby, we thank you for our friends in the Life Congregational Church (aka Hunters Hill Congregational Church) and for their devotion, care and support for many in Hunters Hill.

 

Continue to bless our dear Minister Seung Jae, Grace and their family; other dear ministers, gifted lay preachers and others with leadership responsibilities in our church – and our thoughtful and loving congregation. We were so blessed to have their enthusiasm for a Growing Young approach to support young people and their families further deepen their faith now and into the future. We ask your blessing on this fresh approach and on everyone involved.

Bless our friends who cannot be with us today – and those who are going through challenging circumstances. Comfort them through your deep love; bring them peace and ease their anxieties.

 

There are so many people and really important issues to pray for.  Really important issues. Nudge us to make more time this week for some deep prayers from our hearts.

In closing, an Easter prayer from one of Robyn’s favourites -Bruce Prewer:

 

Baptized By the Morning

Risen Lord Jesus, as the rising sun
baptizes trees and shrubs
in rippling light, let us be baptized
by Your resurrection light.

May we trust in You above all other goals,
seek You in all things,
find You in every situation,
meet You among all people,
know You over everything -
and love You with adoration

beyond
beyond
beyond all telling."

Bruce Prewer

 

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

 

Scene 005

 

All:     Jesus, You are King, the promised Messiah!

We welcome You with praise!

  

Margaret Treble:

 

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

 

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

 

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

 

“Hosanna in the highest!”

 

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked,

 

“Who is this?”

(Matthew 21:1-3, 6-10, NIV)

 

 

EASTER SONG

Who is this man? (Londonderry Air)

 

Verse 1

Who is this man,

who gathered people to him,

and touched their lives

along each dusty way; 

who spoke to all

with passion and with peacefulness

and valued all their ordinary days?

 

Who is this man,

who, at the long day’s ending,

would draw apart

to wait on God and pray,

and, in that mystery

that knows no ending,

would find God’s wisdom

and would know God’s words to say?

 

Verse 2

Who is this man,

who gave to women dignity

in partnership

of worth and equal grace, 

who listened to

the stories that they told him

and honoured all,

whatever was their place?

 

Who let them choose

to come and join his company,

and learned with them

God’s love for every race,

who showed to each

the courage of their nature

to care and tend each lonely

and each suffering face.

 

Verse 3

Who is this man,

who spoke to men of gentleness

and showed them all

the children at this side;

who taught of love

and justice for all people

and took a towel

and washed away their pride?

 

In him they saw

the strength of truth and mercy,

and how he trusted

God to be his guide,

knew how he led them

through misunderstanding,

and then forgave them

when they ran away to hide.

 

Verse 4

Who is this man

who calls us now to follow,

a shadow presence

asking us to be 

companions on the way

through this life’s journey,

to live in truth,

to set our tired world free?

 

So let us find each other

now in partnership

with ears to hear

and eyes awake to see,

that we might grow

in grace and understanding

and walk beside that man

who comes from Galilee.

 Word: Mary Pearson

 

 

Communion

 

 

 

Scene 006

 

All:     Jesus, You are the Lamb of God.

You laid down your life

as a sacrifice for us.

(John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7b, para.)

 

HYMN

538 Feed us now, Bread of life

 

 

1

Feed us now, Bread of life

in this holy meal;

let us know your love anew:

we hunger for you.

Feed us now, Bread of life,

come and live within;

let your peace be ours today,

Lord Jesus, we pray.

 

2

Piece of bread, cup of wine:

Lord, this food is good:

love and mercy come to us –

your promise we trust.

Piece of bread, cup of wine:

who can understand

how his mercy works in these?

Yet, Lord, we believe.

 

3

God is here, O so near,

nearer than our thoughts.

Stay with us where’er we go;

Lord, help us to grow.

God is here, O so near,

in this heaven’s meal.

May we always feed on you –

on the bread that is true.

 

Scene 007

 

Minister:     

 

Beloved in Christ!

 

We, the people of God here at Boronia Park Uniting Church

have formed a Christ community

on the Wallumettagal land of Eora nation.

 

We are from Asia and the Pacific Islands.

We are from America, Europe and Africa.

And we are here today to feast at the heavenly banquet of the Lord.

 

Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.

Let us therefore celebrate the feast.

 

Alleluia!

 

Hands on congregation

 

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,

gathered here,

 

Hands over elements

 

and on these gifts of bread and wine.

 

Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,

that we may be for the world the body of Christ,

redeemed by his blood.

 

Hands out to congregation

 

By your Spirit make us one with Christ,

one with each other,

and one in ministry to all the world,

until Christ comes in final victory

and we feast at his heavenly meal.

 

Through your Son Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit in your holy church,

all honour and glory is yours, Almighty Father,

now and for ever.

 

All:     Amen.

 

 

BREAK THE BREAD

 

Presider:     

 

The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ

 

The cup we take is a sharing in the blood of Christ.

 

The gifts of God for the people of God

 

All:     The body of Christ.

 

 

HOLY COMMUNION

 

Presider:     

 

In today’s Communion,

I and the elders are going to serve bread and cup

to you as you are seated.

Once you receive them, eat and drink with your faithful prayer.

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

            Our Father in heaven,

            hallowed be your name,

            your kingdom come,

            your will be done,

            on earth as in heaven.

 

            Give us today our daily bread.

 

            Forgive us our sins,

            as we forgive those who sin against us.

 

            Save us from the time of trial

            and deliver us from evil.

 

            For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

            now and forever. Amen.

 

 

Scene 008

 

All:     Jesus, You are the Resurrection and the Life.

You were dead, and now You are alive forevermore.

(John 11:25; Revelation 1:18, para.)

 

Daniel Yeon:

 

The Resurrection

 

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

 

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

 

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

(Matthew 28:1-6, NLT)

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

All:     Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

Scene 009

 

All:     Jesus, because You live, we will live also.

(John 14:19, para.)

 

  

Robyn Harvey:

 

We were…buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

 

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

(Romans 6:4-6, NIV)

 

SONG

Amazing Grace (My Chains are gone)

 

Verse 1

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

 

Verse 2

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

 

Chorus

My chains are gone I've been set free

My God my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love amazing grace

 

Verse 3

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

My chains are gone I've been set free …

(Sing chorus two times)

 

Verse 4

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God who called me here below

Will be forever mine

Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

 

CCLI Licence # 260394

Chris Tomlin | John Newton | Louie Giglio

 

EASTER BLESSING

 

Leader: 

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
in the power of his resurrection.

All:     Alleluia!

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you all.

All:     Amen.

 

Christ is risen!

All:     Christ is risen!

 

Christ is risen!

All:     He is risen indeed!

Alleluia, alleluia!

 

The congregation continue singing the chorus of My Chains Are Gone.