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Churn Valley Church

Tel: 01285-655199
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3rd Sunday of Easter 2020 at 9.30am Reflections and prayers

Opening music

Played by Andrea Board, Organist for Cowley parish church

Praeambulum supra Jesu, Meine Freude (Jesus, priceless treasure) by Johann Krebs

 

Welcome

 

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All - and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ,
All – Let heaven and Earth rejoice.

 

A prayer of thanksgiving 

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As once you ransomed your people from Egypt

and led them to freedom in the promised land,

so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.

May we, the first fruits of your new creation,

rejoice in this new day you have made,

and praise you for your mighty acts.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All    Blessed be God for ever.

 

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

 

Silence is kept

 

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, 

so may the light of your presence, O God,

set our hearts on fire with love for you; 

now and forever, 

All - Amen

 

Word of God 

The Gospel according to St Luke 24: 13-35

 

The Walk to Emmaus

 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him. ’Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

 

 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

 

a time of silence

 

Reflection

 

Prayers

 

Today’s Collect

Almighty Father,

who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples

with the sight of the risen Lord:

give us such knowledge of his presence with us,

that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life

and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen

 

For hospital staff and medical researchers 

Gracious God, 

give skill, sympathy and resilience

to all who are caring for the sick, 

and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.

Strengthen them with your Spirit, 

that through their work many will be restored to health; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

All    Amen.

 

God our Creator and Redeemer

We join you in standing alongside all those who are suffering, 

whether in body, mind or spirit.

 

(silence for you to name anyone who comes to mind)

 

We long for them to receive your healing and comfort,

your strength for perseverance,

and your light to dispel their darkness. 

May your living Spirit envelope and sustain them.

All    Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer 

Our 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,

And the power, and the glory,

For ever and ever,

Amen

 

Closing Music

Played by Andrea Board, Organist for Cowley parish church

'La Rejouissance' by Handel

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