Holy Communion - 30th March 2008 - MS Black Watch

Christ is alive -
Christ is alive indeed!
God is alive -
New birth is given.
Hope is alive -
a new age is dawning.
Love is alive -
death cannot harm us.
The church is alive -
God's Spirit is within us!

At this Eastertide God calls us to be people of new life.

We meet surprise and wonder in a garden, in an upper room, on a lakeside.

Let us greet the living Christ who is here amongst us.

God of renewed presence,
at this Easter-tide we know that with you all things are possible.
May the Good News of Easter fill our lives and make our hearts glad.
Amen

HYMN: God, whose love is all around us

God, you showed the disciples that the death of Jesus
was not the end of the story but a new beginning.

Come to us in this time of worship, and fill us with faith, hope, and love.

Easter takes us by surprise,
awakening us to the doubt and despair that have been rooted in our lives.

Come to us, God, like fresh water, softening the soil of a parched and weary land.

Come to us, God, with life-giving power.
Free us from resentment, reluctance, and reserve.
Remind us that in your forgiveness we are free.
Forgiven, may we be forgiving.
In the name of Christ we pray.
Amen.

Blessed be the name of God.

As life bursts forth from the darkness of earth's soil,
so Christ bursts the darkness of despair.


Sadness ends, hope abounds, joy springs forth.

Strength is found to face every tomorrow;
God's wholeness brings healing to all.


The world and all that is in it glows with the glory of God.

We are a forgiven people.
Thanks be to God!

HYMN: Long before the world is waking

Reading: John 21: 1-14

Reflection

Creator of mists and mystery,
you roll away the stones to open us to your life,
to let your story shine out to all your world.
Give us hope, living God -
hope in our hands to open doors,
hope in our eyes to see possibilities,
hope in our hearts to live by faith,
for you can roll away stones.
Amen

God, you are the source of all our hope.
When we confront despair that deadens,
you come alive!

When we refuse to bend to injustice,
you come alive!

When we choose to bear pain to keep our conscience clear,
you come alive!

We have felt the sustaining power of your presence, living God;
the peace and grace you give.

Holy One, we give you our thanks and praise.
Amen

HYMN: Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult

Unrecognised Christ, Mary's mistaken gardener,
call out our names so that we may recognise you.

O Christ, be present in the midst of your disciples.

Unrecognised Christ, appearing unknown to disciples on the road to Emmaus,
set our hearts on fire with love for you.

O Christ, be present in the midst of your disciples.

Unrecognised Christ, caring for your disciples in a meal on the shore of the sea,
make yourself known to us in all acts of hospitality and sharing.

O Christ, be present in the midst of your disciples.

Unrecognised Christ, lifting hands of blessing on all humankind,
grant that our prayers and praises may be gathered into yours
on behalf of your whole world.

O Christ, be present in the midst of your disciples.

We remember an earlier meal, in an upper room,
where Jesus ate Passover with his friends.

As we join together now around God's table,
we remember that Christ is with us here.


Jesus took bread and gave thanks.
He broke it and shared it with his disciples, saying,
"Take this and eat it;
This is my body, given for you.
Whenever you do this, think of me."

Then Jesus took a cup of wine, gave thanks, and shared it with his friends.
He said,
"This cup, poured out for you,
is God's promise of life.
Whenever you drink this, think of me."

God, send your Spirit upon us, that we and these gifts, touched by your Spirit, may be signs of life and love to one another, and through us, to your world.
Amen

As this bread is broken, we remember the brokenness within ourselves, and pray that we may be made whole as we enter into the life of Christ.
Come, for all is now ready.

The Sharing of bread & wine

O Christ,
alive and at large in the world, help us to follow and find you today
in the people we meet, in the places we visit,
in the conversations we have and wherever we spend our time.
Walk with us on our daily journey into life enriched by your presence.
Amen

HYMN: The risen Christ, who walks on wounded feet

From this Easter festival,
we go forth to live resurrection:
with the blessing of God who makes us,
with the blessing of Christ who makes us free,
with the blessing of God's Spirit who makes us one.


Christ is alive!
Alleluia!



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