Gathering:
‘Christ is risen!’ ‘He is risen indeed, hallelujah!’
Hymn / Song / Music:
Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Charles Wesley
Reading:
Matthew 28 v8-9 ‘So the woman hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings!’ He said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him’.
Something To Reflect On:
An artist has redesigned the logos of global companies or organisations to reflect the time we are in. Take a look. Some are funny others serious about what we are experiencing at the moment. We recognise them because there is something familiar about the design yet they are also changed. The Bible reading for today is the account of the first people, woman, to discover the empty tomb of Jesus. They recognised the tomb but saw it was empty. There was something of their original situation but they had also changed. They still had fear because Jesus had died but also had joy.
They had joy in seeing that what Jesus had said would come true; He would come back, He would do what the Old Testament said and that by overcoming death he proved he was God. What was their response when they saw him? Worship. Over the next few weeks, our lives will change as the effects of the coronavirus continue to have am impact. We can choose how we respond to our circumstances, just like the woman.
A Question To Think About:
How did the woman worship Jesus? What does this show us about what they thought of Jesus?
Why do you think the woman worshiped Jesus? What is your response to Jesus’ empty tomb today?
Prayers:
The Lord’s Prayer.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that the tomb was empty, proving that Jesus had overcome death.
We ask that you would guide us in the coming weeks as we move from our situation into a new phase.
We particularly ask you would give joy, comfort and peace to those who are moving into uncertain times at home, at school and in work.
Amen
Sending Out:
God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains of death and hell: fill your Church with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen