Order of service 20th of April 2025, “Hope, really?”
Welcome
Happy birthday Danielle
Call to worship Mark 16: 1 – 8
“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”
Opening prayer – Marguerite
Hymn Come now is the time to worship
Hymn O see what a morning
Cynthia
Reading Luke 24: 1 – 12
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” – Naomi
Thought – “Hope, really?”
Hymn Thine be the glory Collection taken during the hymn by Jonathan & Alison
Prayers of thanks – Jonathan
John 15: 9 – 17
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. – Sharon
Hymn It was finished on the cross
Lord’s Supper
We are going to share the Lord’s Supper together in a moment. This simple meal reminds us of the meal that Jesus shared with His friends the night before He was betrayed and hung on a cross. We share this meal because Jesus told us to do so when we gather together.
Paul wrote to his friends in Corinth to help them understand the Lord’s Supper. Here’s what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:23-27:
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
We will use Paul’s message to guide us as we take the Lord’s Supper together. But before we begin, we should think about who should share in this meal. You shouldn’t celebrate the Lord’s Supper just because you feel you have to or to fit in with everyone else. You should celebrate it if you love the Lord and want to love Him more – you don’t have to be perfect to take part.
So, let us celebrate the Lord’s Supper together this morning.
In verse 24, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” As you take the bread, remember that Jesus gave His body to be broken on the cross for you because He loves you. Think about how much Jesus loves you and find strength and hope to serve God today and every day.
In verse 25, Jesus takes the cup, gives thanks, and offers it to His disciples, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” When Jesus spoke of “His blood poured out for the new covenant,” He was saying His death on the cross would establish a new, grace-filled relationship with God. This new covenant is based on forgiveness, faith, and inner transformation, rather than on external rituals or sacrifices. Through His blood, we are given direct access to God, a renewed heart, and the promise of eternal life.
Before you come forward to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, take a moment to thank God for all that Jesus has done for you because He loves you.
When you are ready, come forward to get the bread and the wine and return to your seat. As you take the bread and wine, remember what they mean and give thanks for Jesus and His love for you.
People come forward to receive the bread and wine Andrew & Claire to distribute the elements.
Lord’s prayer – Alison
Share the peace
Hymn Living hope
Blessing
and keep you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
may the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
Grace – Jonathan
