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 20:24-31. There are some activities for those aged 14 or under to do and a bible talk from Rich 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 Rich’s welcome and intro by clicking here
Last Sunday we celebrated the great news that Jesus is risen from the dead. We continue to think about that this week, and our first song reminds us that we are saved because of his triumph over the tomb.
SONG – listen by clicking here
We have heard a joyful sound: Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around, Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land
Climb the steeps and cross the waves
Onward! ‘tis our Lord’s command, Jesus saves!
He saves, he saves, Christ Jesus is alive.
His cross and grave become our victory cry!
He saves, he saves, be reconciled to God
Tell the nations Jesus saves.
Sing above the battle’s strife, Jesus saves!
By his death and endless life Jesus saves!
Sing it softly through the gloom
When the heart for mercy craves
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb, Jesus saves!
Give the winds a mighty voice, Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice, Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free
Highest hills and deepest caves
This our song of victory: Jesus saves!
BITESIZE 2
Click here to see what some of our children have been making as we celebrated Easter.
What happened at the first Easter? One of Jesus’ followers, Peter, gives his account in the book of Acts. Read the passage out loud, and as you read, you might want to note down everything Peter tells us about Jesus..
Acts 10:38-43
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and with power.
He went about doing good
and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.
And we are witnesses of all that he did
both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,
but God raised him on the third day
and caused him to appear, not to all the people
but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the
dead.
And he commanded us to preach to the people
and to testify that he is the one appointed by God
to be judge of the living and the dead.
To him all the prophets bear witness
that everyone who believes in him
receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Our next song reminds us of all that Jesus means to us because of his death and resurrection.
SONG – listen by clicking here
In Christ alone my hope is found,
he is my light, my strength, my song;
this cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all.
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone who took on flesh,
fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
scorned by the ones he came to save:
till on that cross as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied –
for every sin on him was laid;
here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground his body lay,
light of the world by darkness slain:
then bursting forth in glorious day
up from the grave He rose again!
And as he stands in victory
sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
for I am His and he is mine –
bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
this is the power of Christ in me;
from life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
can ever pluck me from his hand;
till He returns or calls me home
here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!
PRAYERS
[Our prayers today are based upon the Lord’s Prayer. Why not read that together first, and then read the prayers following 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!]
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Amen.
We thank you Father that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, you have become God and Father to all who believe in you. Thank you that we can call you ‘our’ Father and ‘our’ God. Father God we want your name to be honoured. We want more and more people to believe in you, so that they can call you Father and God as well. Please will you bring people in Bramcote this Easter to believe that Jesus really is risen from the dead. Amen.
Please will you help our mission partners Larry and Sinead Norman as they share this good news of Jesus death and resurrection to the people in Leipzig, Germany. Thank you for news of Sinead’s pregnancy. Please keep and protect her and the baby and keep them safe at this time. Please will you use their virtual services and one-to-ones to grow your kingdom. Amen.
Father we pray for ourselves. Thank you that you know our varied needs even before we ask you. Please provide for those of us who are struggling financially. Please give peace to those of us who are anxious. Please protect those of us who are vulnerable. Please comfort those of us who are sad or mourning or lonely. Thank you that you are a Father who cares and who has given us great hope and joy through Jesus’ resurrection. Amen.
We are sorry for the times when we doubt you. We are sorry for the times when we fail to trust you, and the promises you have made to us. Please forgive us. And help us to be patient with and forgive one another. Please help us to resist the temptation to stop trusting you when life is difficult, to get frustrated with one another, to turn to sin for comfort. Please protect us from the evil one at this time. Amen.
Thank you that you showed your power and glory in raising Jesus from the dead. Thank you that Jesus who rose is coming back. Thank you that we will share in his kingdom for ever. Help us to rejoice in this hope. In Jesus name, Amen.
In our next song we praise our risen King and Saviour who conquered the grave.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Everyone needs compassion
love that’s never failing: let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
the kindness of a Saviour, the hope of nations.
Saviour, he can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save.
Forever – author of salvation.
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as you find me,
all my fears and failures: fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
everything I believe in; now I surrender.
Shine your light and let the whole world see.
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King!
(repeat)
Watch the bible talk video for the reading and bible talk from Rich by clicking here
BIBLE READING
John 20:24-31
BIBLE TALK
Promise of Life
Talk outline:
1. Thomas saw the risen Lord Jesus
2. We can believe in the risen Lord Jesus
3. We can have life by believing in the risen Lord Jesus
Let’s respond to what God has been saying to us by praising God that Christ is risen!
SONG – listen by clicking here
How can it be, the one who died,
has borne our sin through sacrifice
to conquer every sting of death?
Sing, sing hallelujah.
For joy awakes as dawning light
when Christ’s disciples lift their eyes.
Alive He stands, their Friend and King;
Christ, Christ He is risen.
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Oh, sing hallelujah!
Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.
Where doubt and darkness once had been,
they saw Him and their hearts believed.
But blessed are those who have not seen,
yet sing hallelujah.
Once bound by fear now bold in faith,
they preached the truth and power of grace.
And pouring out their lives they gained
life, life everlasting.
Christ is risen…
The power that raised Him from the grave
now works in us to powerfully save.
He frees our hearts to live His grace;
Go tell of His goodness.
Christ is risen…
He’s alive, He’s alive! Heaven’s gates are opened wide.
He’s alive, He’s alive! Now in heaven glorified.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, help us to believe in Jesus’ resurrection. And may that belief make us joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Amen.
That concludes our service. Why not make some video calls now to others in the church to encourage and support one another?
Some material in this service is © Used by permission CCL Licence # 1102690