Worship
19 April 2026
Margaret Smith’s Reflection
I must admit that one of the phrases that annoys me is that of the modern habit of people talking about the journey they have been on to appear on a programme. No they didn’t catch a bus, they mean that they have been training or polishing up their talents so that they can achieve their ambition or that they have a story of hardships overcome.
But there are real journeys that people go on . The Bible is full of people travelling from one part of a country to another, not often as we do just to go on holiday but with a purpose ,Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlem, A man called Saul travelled to Damascus, and today we read of two people who were going to Emmaus and fell into conversation with a stranger. We are not told why they were taking this road, but we are told that they were disciples coming from Jerusalem, so it is probable that they were there when Jesus was crucified.
They did not recognise the man they walked with but were eager to tell him of all that had happened in Jerusalem. They said that after the crucifixion some of the women had gone to the tomb and found it empty and had been told by angels that he had risen. Just as they did not recognise their companion neither did, they accept the resurrection, although they had been among the followers of Jesus and had heard him speak. When he taught them how the prophecies had been fulfilled, they were caught up in the story although they must have been familiar with the history of their nation. It was getting dark and they invited their fellow traveller to stay with them. It was only when He broke bread and blessed it that they realised that Jesus was with them and forgetting their tiredness they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that they had seen the Lord.
Today travelling has become far easier than it was in Biblical times. Think of your grandparents or if you are young your great-grandparents. How far from home did they travel? When we were in Millau in the South of France, we met elderly people who had never seen the sea which was about 30 miles away. Today people talk of going on holiday to the furthest parts of the world with less excitement than your grandparents had when they went on the annual Sunday school or works trip to the seaside. (Actually, these days with all the holdups and new restrictions a trip to the seaside can sound much more tempting!) However, the difference between our journeys for pleasure and those undertaken by those we read about lies not only in the difficulties they had to overcome to get to their destinations, but in the results of those journeys. When we come back, we bring cases of dirty washing and some memories, but when we read about the journeys written about in the Gospels we learn that each of them ended in an event that not only changed the lives of the people involved, but changed the lives of people as yet unborn. Mary at the end of her journey gave birth to the Messiah , Paul lost his sight and received faith, a faith for which after spreading the news of Jesus throughout the known world cost him his life, ,and the two disciples regained that faith they had lost and rushed back to Jerusalem to proclaim the good news.
Should we go on a journey? A journey to find out what our faith means to us. Like the two disciples we know all about faith. We’ve all heard the Bible stories. We all know what God promised us, but do we really accept it? Do we know when we pray that our prayers will be answered, or because we do not get the answer we want do we give up? Like the two disciples when heartbreak overwhelms us do we doubt? The disciples knew Him in the practical act of the breaking of the bread. Do we feel that we can only have faith if we can see a physical sign, or do we remember what Jesus said to Thomas in last week’s Gospel “ Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed?” Can we realise that God can appear to us in many forms? Can we recognise Him in the faces of our friends, or even more difficult to recognise in the faces of those we don’t like? Do we join him at His table? Do we follow His commandments to live the life he wants us to live? Yes we all have a journey to take. A journey that is a lot more important than appearing on “I’m a celebrity!” (With or without travelling on a bus!)
I must admit that one of the phrases that annoys me is that of the modern habit of people talking about the journey they have been on to appear on a programme. No they didn’t catch a bus, they mean that they have been training or polishing up their talents so that they can achieve their ambition or that they have a story of hardships overcome.
But there are real journeys that people go on . The Bible is full of people travelling from one part of a country to another, not often as we do just to go on holiday but with a purpose ,Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlem, A man called Saul travelled to Damascus, and today we read of two people who were going to Emmaus and fell into conversation with a stranger. We are not told why they were taking this road, but we are told that they were disciples coming from Jerusalem, so it is probable that they were there when Jesus was crucified.
They did not recognise the man they walked with but were eager to tell him of all that had happened in Jerusalem. They said that after the crucifixion some of the women had gone to the tomb and found it empty and had been told by angels that he had risen. Just as they did not recognise their companion neither did, they accept the resurrection, although they had been among the followers of Jesus and had heard him speak. When he taught them how the prophecies had been fulfilled, they were caught up in the story although they must have been familiar with the history of their nation. It was getting dark and they invited their fellow traveller to stay with them. It was only when He broke bread and blessed it that they realised that Jesus was with them and forgetting their tiredness they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that they had seen the Lord.
Today travelling has become far easier than it was in Biblical times. Think of your grandparents or if you are young your great-grandparents. How far from home did they travel? When we were in Millau in the South of France, we met elderly people who had never seen the sea which was about 30 miles away. Today people talk of going on holiday to the furthest parts of the world with less excitement than your grandparents had when they went on the annual Sunday school or works trip to the seaside. (Actually, these days with all the holdups and new restrictions a trip to the seaside can sound much more tempting!) However, the difference between our journeys for pleasure and those undertaken by those we read about lies not only in the difficulties they had to overcome to get to their destinations, but in the results of those journeys. When we come back, we bring cases of dirty washing and some memories, but when we read about the journeys written about in the Gospels we learn that each of them ended in an event that not only changed the lives of the people involved, but changed the lives of people as yet unborn. Mary at the end of her journey gave birth to the Messiah , Paul lost his sight and received faith, a faith for which after spreading the news of Jesus throughout the known world cost him his life, ,and the two disciples regained that faith they had lost and rushed back to Jerusalem to proclaim the good news.
Should we go on a journey? A journey to find out what our faith means to us. Like the two disciples we know all about faith. We’ve all heard the Bible stories. We all know what God promised us, but do we really accept it? Do we know when we pray that our prayers will be answered, or because we do not get the answer we want do we give up? Like the two disciples when heartbreak overwhelms us do we doubt? The disciples knew Him in the practical act of the breaking of the bread. Do we feel that we can only have faith if we can see a physical sign, or do we remember what Jesus said to Thomas in last week’s Gospel “ Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed?” Can we realise that God can appear to us in many forms? Can we recognise Him in the faces of our friends, or even more difficult to recognise in the faces of those we don’t like? Do we join him at His table? Do we follow His commandments to live the life he wants us to live? Yes we all have a journey to take. A journey that is a lot more important than appearing on “I’m a celebrity!” (With or without travelling on a bus!)
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.
