Opening Prayer

Easter is the season of new life and so we give thanks for our new life in Christ Jesus.

Bring us once again into Your presence through Your indwelling Spirit that comforts and sustains us throughout our lives.

May we find the quiet centre of Your love today as we renew our love through our worship of You. Amen.

Children’s Time

You will never be alone

Confession & Words of Assurance

Loving God,

We are weary. As each week passes with no end in sight, we are tired and long for the days when we could freely meet with friends and hug our families.

Lord, it is hard to pray for those in need, especially when our own needs feel so pressing. It’s even harder to know how to take action in Your world when we have to remain at home.

Help us find the words, even if they are written by others and don’t sound like the words of our hearts. Show us how to welcome You into our lives and to know that faith is not always about doing. Guide us in quiet meditation over scripture, so we can come to a deeper relationship with You.

Fill us, Lord, and prepare us for the day when we can rise and make a difference in a way we recognize. Remind us that the love we are sharing for Your creation is quiet love that will never leave us nor forsake us.

Nature has given us this time to listen for God’s still, small voice. Hear the gift of love that is eternal, calling us to be the People of God.

Scripture

The Holy Spirit is Promised

John 14:¹⁵ Jesus said to his disciples:

If you love me, you will do as I command. ¹⁶ Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help^[b] you and always be with you. ¹⁷ The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.

¹⁸ I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. ¹⁹ In a little while the people of this world won’t be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. ²⁰ Then you will know that I am one with the Father. You will know that you are one with me, and I am one with you. ²¹ If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like.

Sermon

Performed by Margaret Whisselle

Prayers of the People

 (taken from the World Vision prayers for the pandemic)

(Please add your prayers aloud and in the comment Our faith in humanity mirrors our faith in You.section below)

Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses. 

Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.

God of love, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job.

Holy Spirit, as families adjust to everyone being home as businesses and schools close, we ask that You guide people in their new realities. Give spouses grace for each other. Prompt worn-out parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Help children find creative ways to experience the beauty of all You have created and continue learning.

God, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly — with each other and with the public — and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection.

Gathering all these prayers into one, we offer the prayer tradition has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heave, hallowed be Thy name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Benediction & Commission

As you stay in your space

We are promised to never be alone. Even by ourselves we have the Spirit with us in all that we do.

In life, in death, in life beyond death, we are not alone.

Thanks be to God.