Sunday Orders of Service
Eastertide Spiritual CommunionThird Sunday of Easter – 26th April, 2020
Preparation: You may wish to find a space for prayer in front of a cross, a candle, or a special place.
The Lord be with you All: and also with you.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. All: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
HymnI know that my Redeemer lives Link to organ music
I know that my Redeemer lives!
He lives, to bless me with his love;
He lives, and grants me daily breath;
He lives, all glory to his name; I know that my Redeemer lives!
Prayer of Preparation
Almighty God,
Prayers of Penitence
Christ our Passover lamb
Like Mary at the empty tomb, All: Lord, have mercy.
Like the disciples behind locked doors, All: Christ, have mercy.
Like Thomas in the upper room, All: Lord, have mercy.
Gloria in Excelsis
All: Glory to God in the highest,
The Collect
Let us pray that we may walk the risen life of Christ in glory.
A period of silent prayer is kept. ​​​​​​​ Almighty Father,
The Liturgy of the Word
New Testament ReadingActs 2:14a, 36-41 Peter Addresses the CrowdBut Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. The First ConvertsNow when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
At the end: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
Gradual HymnAbide with me
Link to organ music
Abide with me, fast falls the even-tide;
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
I need thy presence ev’ry passing hour;
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless;
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
Gospel ReadingLuke 24.13-35 ​​​​​​​ Alleluia, alleluia. All: Alleluia.
​​​​​​​ Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. All: Glory to you, O Lord.
The Walk to EmmausNow on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
At the end: This is the Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, O Christ.
ReflectionLuke 24. 13-35 Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus
This Resurrection appearance encompasses almost every possible emotion; sorrow, suspense, bewilderment, astonishment, excitement, joy and more besides. It is also a model for a great deal of what being a Christian is all about – the slow, sad dismay at the failure of human hopes, the turning to someone who might or might not be able to help, the discovery that in scripture there lies an explanation for all that troubles us and, most of all, the realization that it is Jesus who walks alongside us even when we do not recognise him. This describes the experience of many Christians on their journey of faith. This particular resurrection account contains huge symbolism. Think of the very first “meal” recorded in the Bible; “The woman took some fruit and ate it and she gave some to her husband and he ate it, then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” (Genesis 3.6-7). This tale was told again and again as the beginning of the woes that had come upon the human race. Death itself was traced to that moment of rebellion. Now Luke, echoing that story, describes the first meal of the new creation; “He took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they recognised him” (Luke 24 v 31). So the vanquisher of death has prevailed. There are further truths to be gleaned as well. Think of the courtesy of Jesus in this story; Luke tells us “As they approached the village, he acted as if he was going further” Jesus did not force himself upon them but awaited their invitation to come in. God has given us the greatest and most perilous gift of free choice. We can use it to invite Jesus to come alongside us or to allow him to pass on. The story also tells us how Jesus was known to them in the breaking of bread. This is often taken to mean that we recognise Jesus most fully in the service of Holy Communion. It is far more than that: It was at an ordinary meal in an ordinary house, when an ordinary loaf was being divided that Jesus was recognised. As we are currently prevented from sharing in Holy Communion what a powerful message that is! Jesus is not only the host in his church but he is also the guest in every home. Finally, we read of the two disciples who, when they did finally recognise Jesus, wanted to share the news with such enthusiasm and joy. It was a seven mile journey back to Jerusalem but nothing could stop them immediately returning to tell the others. When we return to gathering in person may we celebrate, with that same enthusiasm and joy, the presence of the living Lord among us.
With every Blessing and the assurance of my prayers,
Fr Christopher
Affirmation of Faith
All: We believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist. ​​​​​​​ We believe and trust in God the Son, ​​​​​​​ We believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, This is the faith of the Church. ​​​​​​​ This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Prayers of IntercessionPray for the needs of the world, for our local communities, our loved-ones and our friends.
At the end:
All: Merciful Father,
The Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father, who art in heaven,
HymnJesus lives, thy terrors now
Link to organ music
Jesus lives! thy terrors now
Jesus lives! henceforth is death Alleluia.
Jesus lives! for us he died; Alleluia.
Jesus lives! our hearts know well Alleluia.
Jesus lives! to him the throne Alleluia.
Closing Prayer ​​​​​​​ Living God, All: Amen.
Virtual Blessing All: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
God the Father, All: Amen.
God the Son, All: Amen.
God the Holy Spirit, All: Amen.
And may the blessing of God almighty, All: Amen.
VoluntaryFantasia BWV542 by J. S. Bach |
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