We’re not able to meet together as church family today and for the coming weeks. Although, by necessity, we have to stay apart physically, we’re standing together to love, support and encourage one another. So, in around 75 different homes, we’ll sing the same songs, pray the same prayers and look together at John 20:1-18. There are some activities for those aged 14 or under to do and a bible talk from Richard for us to listen to.
For each person in your home, you’ll need a copy of this service sheet, a bible, print outs of the children’s sheets (if needed) and your computer or tablet to click on the links below. Please note that the songs are being played from YouTube, if one of the annoying adverts pop up, click on the ‘skip ad’ button.
Today’s service sheet can be downloaded here
Today’s resources for E Kids can be found here
The thinking behind the song choices is explained in italics
WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER
Watch the video of Richard’s welcome and intro by clicking here
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Our opening song tells of the first Easter morning as Mary went to the tomb where Jesus’s dead body had been laid.
SONG – listen by clicking here
See what a morning, gloriously bright,
with the dawning of hope in Jerusalem.
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
as the angels announce Christ is risen!
See God’s salvation plan,
wrought in love, borne in pain,
paid in sacrifice, fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
for he lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
See Mary weeping, ‘Where is he laid?’
as in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
it’s the master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
speaking life, stirring hope,
bringing peace to us,
will sound till he appears,
for He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!
One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
through the Spirit who clothes
faith with certainty,
honour and blessing, glory and praise to the King
crowned with power and authority!
And we are raised with him,
death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
and we shall reign with him,
for He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!
In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul sets out how sure we can be that Jesus really was raised from death. Read it out loud now..
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
In our next song, we sing about the death, resurrection and future return of Jesus and praise God for them:
SONG – listen by clicking here
O praise the name of the Lord our God
O praise His name forever more
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
I cast my mind to Calvary
Where Jesus bled and died for me.
I see His wounds, His hands, His feet.
My Saviour on that cursed tree
His body bound and drenched in tears
They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb.
The entrance sealed by heavy stone
Messiah still and all alone.
O praise the name…
Then on the third at break of dawn,
The Son of heaven rose again.
O trampled death where is your sting?
The angels roar for Christ the King!
He shall return in robes of white,
The blazing Son shall pierce the night.
And I will rise among the saints,
My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face.
PRAYERS
[Say aloud the prayers that are printed here on the sheet. If there’s more than one of you, you might like to take it in turns who says the prayer out loud. If it’s just you or you’re with people who aren’t able or confident in reading then say them all yourself!]
Father God, on this Easter Sunday, we thank you for the hope that the resurrection of Jesus brings. We pray for those of us who know that Jesus is risen from death: that you would give us real joy this morning. And we pray that you would make Jesus known to those who aren’t sure about him. Amen.
Father, we pray for those mourning the death of loved ones. Please would you comfort and help them. We pray for NHS staff on the frontline of caring for others. Please would you equip them in their work, strengthen them and protect them. We particularly pray for NHS staff and other key workers in our Emmanuel church family. We pray that they would know you with them in their work and that you would guide them in all that they do and shield them from illness. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
We pray for those with responsibility for making important decisions in the government of our country and across the world. Please would you guide them and give them great wisdom. We pray that this coronavirus would be contained and then eradicated. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
We pray for Christians celebrating the resurrection of Jesus across the world today. Particularly, we pray for Josh and Helen Chard, our mission partners serving you in Kenya. We pray that they would have much joy today and that they would be able to trust you for whatever the future holds. Amen.
In our next song, we’ll celebrate that “the tomb is gloriously empty”!
SONG – listen by clicking here
Jesus is Lord
the cry that echoes through creation;
resplendent power, eternal Word, our Rock.
The Son of God,
the King whose glory fills the heavens,
yet bids us come to taste this living Bread.
Jesus is Lord –
whose voice sustains the stars and planets,
yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown.
Jesus the Man,
who washed our feet, who bore our suffering
became a curse to bring salvation’s plan.
Jesus is Lord –
the tomb is gloriously empty!
Not even death could crush this King of love!
The price is paid,
the chains are loosed, and we’re forgiven,
and we can run into the arms of God.
‘Jesus is Lord’ –
a shout of joy, a cry of anguish,
as He returns, and every knee bows low.
Then every eye and every heart will see His glory,
the Judge of all will take His children home.
Watch the bible talk video for the reading and bible talk from Richard by clicking here
BIBLE READING
BIBLE READING
John 20:1-18
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
BIBLE TALK
Promise of Resurrection
Talk outline:
1. Jesus shows he is risen
2. Jesus promises us he’s gone to our Father
Our closing song celebrates that Jesus is risen from the dead and now lives for ever.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son.
Endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory,
risen, conquering Son.
Endless is the victory
thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for her Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;
life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors
through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
CLOSING PRAYER
Our closing prayer comes from the New Testament letter of Hebrews:
May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
That concludes our service. Why not make some video calls now to others in the church to encourage and support one another?
If you’re new to Emmanuel and would like to connect with us do contact us here.
Some material in this service is ©
Used by permission CCL Licence # 1102690