Worship
April 11th 2021 Second Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 4. 32-35; Psalm 133; John 20. 19-31
The Gospel of Christ according to Saint John
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.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ
Readings: Acts 4. 32-35; Psalm 133; John 20. 19-31
The Gospel of Christ according to Saint John
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.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ
Easter Sunday is over. So, is that it? We have looked forward to it through the long days of Lent and now Easter has come; there are flowers in church and we can enjoy all the things we have given up (Chocolate for breakfast?). What is more - there has been some sun and the gardens are full of bright flowers.
So why do we feel a bit down? The Sunday after Easter is sometimes known as Low Sunday, and it’s easy to see why. Nothing seems to be happening. We have looked forward to the resurrection and it’s happened. So, what do we have to look forward to now?
It must have felt the same for Thomas. After all the excitement and danger of following Jesus through His ministry and especially through the last week in Jerusalem it was all over - Jesus had died. It must have been worse for him listening to the disciples trying to tell him that they had seen the risen Lord. He couldn’t believe it - not because he hadn’t listened to His preaching, but that something so wonderful, so unbelievable could not be true. He had shared the grief of the apostles as they had comforted each other huddled together in one room. They had all doubted the words of the women who had gone to the tomb; they had even found it difficult to accept the words of Peter and John, but now, while Thomas had been away from them, suddenly they were convinced. No wonder Thomas lashed out, and refused to believe, and for the whole of the next week he suffered as he waited. Then a week later Jesus came and stood among them and Thomas believed. Unlike Mary at the tomb, he didn’t need to touch Jesus - he knew that the risen Lord stood before him. For us Thomas is special because Jesus had a message for him that we could follow: that throughout the ages those who had not seen, but would still believe, would be blessed. Thomas speaks to the side of us that sometimes doubts and needs to be convinced.
So now we know. This isn’t it - Easter is not the end, only the beginning. If we listen, we can hear the voice of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” And where can we hear that voice? In the signs of hope that gradually things are getting back to normal; in the lives of people we have known who through their words and actions have made us see the part that God has played in their lives; and in our prayers when we can say “Lord I believe. Help thou my unbelief” - knowing that he will.
1 Alleluia, sing to Jesus!
his the sceptre, his the throne:
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hear the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood:
'Jesus out of every nation
has redeemed us by his blood!'
2 Alleluia! not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now:
Alleluia! he is near us;
faith believes, but knows not how.
Though the cloud from sight received him
when the forty days were o’er
shall our hearts forget his promise,
'I am with you evermore'?
3 Alleluia! bread of heaven,
here on earth our food, our stay:
Alleluia! here the sinful
come to you from day to day.
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
earth's redeemer, plead for me,
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.
4 Alleluia! King eternal,
you, the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth your footstool, heaven your throne:
you, within the veil have entered,
robed in flesh, our great high priest;
Thou on earth both priest and victim
in our eucharistic feast.
So why do we feel a bit down? The Sunday after Easter is sometimes known as Low Sunday, and it’s easy to see why. Nothing seems to be happening. We have looked forward to the resurrection and it’s happened. So, what do we have to look forward to now?
It must have felt the same for Thomas. After all the excitement and danger of following Jesus through His ministry and especially through the last week in Jerusalem it was all over - Jesus had died. It must have been worse for him listening to the disciples trying to tell him that they had seen the risen Lord. He couldn’t believe it - not because he hadn’t listened to His preaching, but that something so wonderful, so unbelievable could not be true. He had shared the grief of the apostles as they had comforted each other huddled together in one room. They had all doubted the words of the women who had gone to the tomb; they had even found it difficult to accept the words of Peter and John, but now, while Thomas had been away from them, suddenly they were convinced. No wonder Thomas lashed out, and refused to believe, and for the whole of the next week he suffered as he waited. Then a week later Jesus came and stood among them and Thomas believed. Unlike Mary at the tomb, he didn’t need to touch Jesus - he knew that the risen Lord stood before him. For us Thomas is special because Jesus had a message for him that we could follow: that throughout the ages those who had not seen, but would still believe, would be blessed. Thomas speaks to the side of us that sometimes doubts and needs to be convinced.
So now we know. This isn’t it - Easter is not the end, only the beginning. If we listen, we can hear the voice of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” And where can we hear that voice? In the signs of hope that gradually things are getting back to normal; in the lives of people we have known who through their words and actions have made us see the part that God has played in their lives; and in our prayers when we can say “Lord I believe. Help thou my unbelief” - knowing that he will.
1 Alleluia, sing to Jesus!
his the sceptre, his the throne:
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hear the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood:
'Jesus out of every nation
has redeemed us by his blood!'
2 Alleluia! not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now:
Alleluia! he is near us;
faith believes, but knows not how.
Though the cloud from sight received him
when the forty days were o’er
shall our hearts forget his promise,
'I am with you evermore'?
3 Alleluia! bread of heaven,
here on earth our food, our stay:
Alleluia! here the sinful
come to you from day to day.
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
earth's redeemer, plead for me,
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.
4 Alleluia! King eternal,
you, the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth your footstool, heaven your throne:
you, within the veil have entered,
robed in flesh, our great high priest;
Thou on earth both priest and victim
in our eucharistic feast.
Please use these prayers at home during the week
As we experience the joy of the Resurrection together with Christians around the world, we pray to our Father, who raised his Son to life that we might live for ever in him.
For the clergy and lay representatives in the Ministry Area Transition team
For Father Huw celebrating the Eucharist at St Peters during the interregnum, and for Father Bernard
That a new priest may be called to this parish to be our faithful pastor and serve the needs of this Community
For our PCC, Churchwardens and all lay people sharing in the responsibility of maintaining the worship and mission here
For the parishes still unable to open their Churches and for their parishioners
For our Community Hall and Garden and for those involved in the work to maintain and nurture it while we prepare for reopening to the public and the commencement of our new project.
For the healing of the world, remembering especially the people of Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia, Northern Ireland and all caught up in conflict
For nations in Europe and Africa working to suppress a third wave of the pandemic
For the Feeding Fairwater Project, helping those in need locally
For all our parishioners still shielding and unable to come to Church
For everyone ill in hospital or waiting testing results and those suffering long term effects of Covid
For all medical staff caring for patients with the virus
For those continuing to work on vaccines, and those organising and carrying out the vaccination programme
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED FOR OUR PRAYERS:
Fr John Slater Melba Giles Myra Jones Dorothy Marks
Heather Oliver Helen Dempster Pam Shields Richard Cole
Kathryn and Carl Fullstone Alma Thomas James Dale Wendy Williams
Robert James Josie Thompson Yvonne Barbara Rees
We pray for all who have recently died:
Muriel Hill, John Hughes
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
John Taylor, Susan Pengelly, Audrey Chapman, Emma Gameson, Vincent Henry Jones, Clifford Whiting,
Alfred Taylor, Mike Phillipou, Tony Atkins, Roger Dixon – priest, Lillian Anderson, Paul Daley, Michael Corcoran
As we experience the joy of the Resurrection together with Christians around the world, we pray to our Father, who raised his Son to life that we might live for ever in him.
For the clergy and lay representatives in the Ministry Area Transition team
For Father Huw celebrating the Eucharist at St Peters during the interregnum, and for Father Bernard
That a new priest may be called to this parish to be our faithful pastor and serve the needs of this Community
For our PCC, Churchwardens and all lay people sharing in the responsibility of maintaining the worship and mission here
For the parishes still unable to open their Churches and for their parishioners
For our Community Hall and Garden and for those involved in the work to maintain and nurture it while we prepare for reopening to the public and the commencement of our new project.
For the healing of the world, remembering especially the people of Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia, Northern Ireland and all caught up in conflict
For nations in Europe and Africa working to suppress a third wave of the pandemic
For the Feeding Fairwater Project, helping those in need locally
For all our parishioners still shielding and unable to come to Church
For everyone ill in hospital or waiting testing results and those suffering long term effects of Covid
For all medical staff caring for patients with the virus
For those continuing to work on vaccines, and those organising and carrying out the vaccination programme
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED FOR OUR PRAYERS:
Fr John Slater Melba Giles Myra Jones Dorothy Marks
Heather Oliver Helen Dempster Pam Shields Richard Cole
Kathryn and Carl Fullstone Alma Thomas James Dale Wendy Williams
Robert James Josie Thompson Yvonne Barbara Rees
We pray for all who have recently died:
Muriel Hill, John Hughes
We remember those whose anniversaries of death fall this week:
John Taylor, Susan Pengelly, Audrey Chapman, Emma Gameson, Vincent Henry Jones, Clifford Whiting,
Alfred Taylor, Mike Phillipou, Tony Atkins, Roger Dixon – priest, Lillian Anderson, Paul Daley, Michael Corcoran
A time of prayer and reflection for those who are unable to attend a funeral.
When someone we know and love dies, it is important to say ‘farewell’, to remember them and to honour a life that has meant a lot to us. The current circumstances mean that some people who would have wished to attend the funeral may be prevented from doing so. This short guide will help you to say your formal goodbyes at home.
As you read through this short act of worship and remembrance, mention the name of the person who has died where you see N…. You may like to light a candle, to place it near a photograph of the person you are thinking of and perhaps play a piece of music that meant a lot to them. Take a few moments to sit quietly. Think about those who are attending the funeral and hold them before God in the stillness of the moment.
Lighting the candle
You may say these words as you light a candle:
Jesus is the Light of the World. May his light, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Some words of comfort from the Bible
The eternal God is your refuge: and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’. (John 14:27)
Opening Prayer
Loving Jesus, you promised your disciples that you would be with them for ever. Help us to know that you are with us now in our sadness and our grief. When you faced the cross you told your disciples not to be anxious or afraid, because you were going before them. Trusting that N…. is safe in your love, help us to have faith and peace of mind. Be with us in these moments of reflection and surround us with your love and your peace, now and always. Amen.
Read Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
You might also like to read the following Bible passage Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 11:21-27
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’
Time to reflect
Now spend a few moments thinking about the readings and any words that particularly speak to you. Take a few moments to think about the person who has died. If you are with other people you may like to share your memories together. Think about what made that person special to you, the things you did with and for them – things they did for you. Think about what you might like to say to them if they were here now. There will be things that you will want to thank God for and things you might regret or feel sorry about. There is also the sadness of not being able to attend the funeral. You can offer all these thoughts to God. After some moments of stillness continue with these prayers:
God our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for N…, the years we shared with him/her, the good we saw in him/her, the love we received from him/her.
Now give us strength and courage to leave him/her in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In this prayer at “A. and B.” mention the names of those you know who may be attending the funeral.
O God, you brought us to birth, and in your arms we die. In your gentle compassion, look with tenderness on A. and B. as they gather today to mourn N., to give thanks for his/her life and entrust him/her to you. In our shared grief and shock contain and comfort us; embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let go into new life; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
The following prayer is used at the end of the funeral service to commend the person who has died to God’s love and care for ever. We conclude this short time of reflection with this special prayer:
God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust N… to your mercy in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and for ever. Amen.
Closing prayers
Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God’s love and help remain with us always and
may N… and all the faithful departed rest for ever in peace. Amen.
When someone we know and love dies, it is important to say ‘farewell’, to remember them and to honour a life that has meant a lot to us. The current circumstances mean that some people who would have wished to attend the funeral may be prevented from doing so. This short guide will help you to say your formal goodbyes at home.
As you read through this short act of worship and remembrance, mention the name of the person who has died where you see N…. You may like to light a candle, to place it near a photograph of the person you are thinking of and perhaps play a piece of music that meant a lot to them. Take a few moments to sit quietly. Think about those who are attending the funeral and hold them before God in the stillness of the moment.
Lighting the candle
You may say these words as you light a candle:
Jesus is the Light of the World. May his light, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Some words of comfort from the Bible
The eternal God is your refuge: and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’. (John 14:27)
Opening Prayer
Loving Jesus, you promised your disciples that you would be with them for ever. Help us to know that you are with us now in our sadness and our grief. When you faced the cross you told your disciples not to be anxious or afraid, because you were going before them. Trusting that N…. is safe in your love, help us to have faith and peace of mind. Be with us in these moments of reflection and surround us with your love and your peace, now and always. Amen.
Read Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
You might also like to read the following Bible passage Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 11:21-27
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’
Time to reflect
Now spend a few moments thinking about the readings and any words that particularly speak to you. Take a few moments to think about the person who has died. If you are with other people you may like to share your memories together. Think about what made that person special to you, the things you did with and for them – things they did for you. Think about what you might like to say to them if they were here now. There will be things that you will want to thank God for and things you might regret or feel sorry about. There is also the sadness of not being able to attend the funeral. You can offer all these thoughts to God. After some moments of stillness continue with these prayers:
God our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for N…, the years we shared with him/her, the good we saw in him/her, the love we received from him/her.
Now give us strength and courage to leave him/her in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In this prayer at “A. and B.” mention the names of those you know who may be attending the funeral.
O God, you brought us to birth, and in your arms we die. In your gentle compassion, look with tenderness on A. and B. as they gather today to mourn N., to give thanks for his/her life and entrust him/her to you. In our shared grief and shock contain and comfort us; embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let go into new life; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
The following prayer is used at the end of the funeral service to commend the person who has died to God’s love and care for ever. We conclude this short time of reflection with this special prayer:
God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust N… to your mercy in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and for ever. Amen.
Closing prayers
Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God’s love and help remain with us always and
may N… and all the faithful departed rest for ever in peace. Amen.
