Worship for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

GreetingWelcome in the name of Jesus. Peace be with you. Amen, and also with you!

Light a candle You might like to light a candle in your home as a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world, and the light of his love is always with us.

Easter AcclamationAlleluia. Christ is risen.He is risen indeed. Alleluia.Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.He has given us new life and hope.He has raised Jesus from the dead.God has claimed us as his own.He has brought us out of darkness.He has made us light to the world.Alleluia. Christ is risen.He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Gathering PrayerGracious God, we come before you, drawn by the power of your welcoming love.

We come with our sorrows and joys.We come with our expectations and apprehensions.We come with what we have done.We come as who we are. In your love we find peace and hope. Amen.

CollectGod our redeemer,you have delivered us from the power of darknessand brought us into the kingdom of your Son:grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,so by his continual presence in us he may raise usto eternal joy;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.Amen.

Song: So Glad

Confession (Saying Sorry to God)Trusting in God’s forgiveness, let us confess our failingsand acknowledge our part in the pain of the world:

God of love, we are sorry that at times our love for you falters; that we have wrong priorities; that we overlook your guidance.O God, forgive us.O God, renew us.

Loving Saviour, we are sorry that we disobey your commandments; that we fail to love; that we walk by on the other side.O God, forgive us.O God, renew us.

Spirit of truth, we are sorry that we disregard your presence; that our thoughts and feelings are unrighteous; that we follow the world’s way.O God, forgive us.O God, renew us.

May your presence abiding in us lead us in the right way, in the name of Jesus.

God’s forgiveness is declared

May the God of lovebring you back to himself,forgive you your sins,and assure you of his eternal lovein Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Bible Reading: John 14:15-21The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you love me, you will keep

my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’

Pause for thought

Song: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus

Woven Heart Prayers To take part in this morning’s prayer activity, you will need:

Coloured or patterned paper, onto which you have printed the template which you will find at the end of this order of service. The hearts work best if you print two copies of the template using different coloured or patterned paper or card.

Scissors Glue stick or Sellotape Ribbon or thread for hanging Something to write with

Lord’s PrayerLet us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught usOur Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be done;on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory,for ever and ever.Amen.

Statement of FaithLet us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.Though he was divine,he did not cling to equality with God,but made himself nothing.Taking the form of a slave,he was born in human likeness.He humbled himselfand was obedient to death,even the death of the cross.Therefore God has raised him on high,and given him the name above every name:that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bow,and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Song: In Christ Alone

Sending Out PrayerGo in peace to live in love, to show God’s love, to receive God’s love– everywhere, and at all times. Amen.

BlessingMay God keep you in all your days.May Christ shield you in all your ways.May the Spirit bring you healing and peaceMay God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from youand pour upon you blessing and light.

The DismissalHe is not here. He is risen.Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.In the name of Christ. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus,

You are here with meJesus, You are all I needI will follow where You lead meI will worship YouSo I’ll clap my hands and wave them in the airShout Your name so everyone can hear (JESUS)Jump as high as I can reachAnd dance around to show that I’m so glad thatYou love me(Repeat)I’m so glad You love me, JesusI’m so glad You love me, JesusI’m so glad You love meSo I’ll clap my hands and wave them in the airShout Your name so everyone can hear (JESUS)Jump as high as I can reachAnd dance around to show that I’m so glad thatYou love me(Repeat)

1 Alleluia, sing to Jesus!his the sceptre, his the throne:Alleluia! his the triumph,his the victory alone.Hear the songs of holy Zionthunder like a mighty flood:'Jesus out of every nationhas redeemed us by his blood!'

2 Alleluia! not as orphansare we left in sorrow now:Alleluia! he is near us;faith believes, nor questions how.Though the cloud from sight received himwhom the angels now adore,shall our hearts forget his promise,'I am with you evermore'?

3 Alleluia! bread of heaven,here on earth our food, our stay:Alleluia! here the sinfulcome to you from day to day.Intercessor, friend of sinners,earth's redeemer, plead for me,where the songs of all the sinlesssweep across the crystal sea.

4 Alleluia, sing to Jesus!his the sceptre, his the throne:Alleluia! his the triumph,his the victory alone.Hear the songs of holy Zionthunder like a mighty flood:'Jesus out of every nationhas redeemed us by his blood!'

In Christ alone my hope is found,He is my light, my strength, my songThis Cornerstone, this solid GroundFirm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peaceWhen fears are stilled, when strivings ceaseMy Comforter, my All in AllHere 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 saveTill on that cross as Jesus died,The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laidHere 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 dayUp from the grave He rose againAnd as He stands in victorySin'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 destinyNo power of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His handTill He returns or calls me homeHere in the power of Christ I'll stand.