Lectionary Easter 2 Year C

Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer The Australian Hymn Book)
64 The Lord is king lift up thy voice
141 O for a thousand tongues to sing
144 Ye servants of God
163 Crown him with many crowns
205 Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
277 Day of resurrection
280 Jesus Christ is risen today
281 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! / O sons and daughters, let us sing!
299 I know that my redeemer lives
306 By your kingly power, O risen Lord
322 O Breath of life, come sweeping through us
441 Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
302 This Joyful Eastertide

Sermon summary Easter 2 Year C

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Believing and Forgiving

There is today a serious distortion of the Christian doctrine of forgiveness; and sometimes it is completely rejected. It is commonly heard in discussions about whether what someone has done in the past should continue to be held against them. War and various kinds of violence against the person create strong feelings. The idea that the sinner must be humbled, or even humiliated, and that there must be a reversal of power relations in order for reconciliation to occur has some subtle appeal. The distortion comes from justifying the pursuit of power of one section of society over another.

The way of Jesus gains its effectiveness for us in weakness through the power that comes to us from his resurrection, and that is a different source from what we look for when seeking a reversal of power for our own sakes. The main difference is that the power comes not from within ourselves or from a sectional interest in society, but from him.

Jesus met with his disciples on the evening of the day when he rose from the dead. He gave them a promise of power and commissioned them to go out with a message of the forgiveness of sins [John 20:21-23; Luke 24:46-49]. When during his earthly ministry Jesus said to people "Your sins are forgiven," he was challenged by authorities who said "who but God has power to forgive sins." [Mark 2:5-11]. After the resurrection they saw Jesus as one raised up to share the glory of God. [Even literally: see Acts 7:55-60.] To believe that he has risen is to accept him as Lord [Romans 10:9 and see Philippians 2:5-11.] As Lord, he is God, the source of all legitimate power. The risen Lord restores the relationship between God and his people, and represents us before God [Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:24]. Christian belief is that trust in God, especially in his saving grace in Christ, strangely enables weakness to be triumphant [2 Corinthian 12:6-12], so that it is not necessary to take back power abused by others before we can forgive.

[RCL Resources Index]

Order of Service Easter 2 Year

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, ... and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

HYMN 306 By your kingly power, O risen Lord

PRAYER OF ADORATION

CONFESSION

Loving God, Lord of the Church, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed: we have not loved you with all our heart or served you with all our strength; we have been blind to the vision of a renewed world and deaf to your call to costly discipleship; we have been indifferent to the suffering of others and unwilling to forgive one another. In your mercy, Lord, pardon and restore us, that together in the ministry of Christ we may serve you with joy all the days of our life. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them...." -- John 20:21-23

By the authority of Jesus Christ I declare that God has mercy on you, pardons you and sets you free. Know that your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ our Saviour. God strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY Hymn 163 Crown him with many crowns [verses 1 and 4]

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME: Recognizing and following the risen Lord.
A word to the children

FIRST READING Acts 5:27-32 The apostles before the Jewish council

ANTHEM

PSALM 150

Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD! -- Psalms 150

EPISTLE Revelation 1:4-8 Grace from Jesus Christ, the first born of the dead
GOSPEL John 20:19-31 Jesus appeared to his disciples

HYMN 299 I know that my redeemer lives

SERMON

[Silence]

From the curse of war and the human sin that causes war; from pride that turns its back on you, and from unbelief that will not call you Lord;
O Lord, deliver us.
From hearing and believing propaganda, and speaking lies about other nations; from groundless suspicions and fears that stand in the way of reconciliation;
O Lord, deliver us.
From words and deeds that encourage discord, prejudice, and hatred; from everything that prevents the human family from fulfilling your promise of peace;
O Lord, deliver us.
God our Father, we pray for all your children on earth, of every nation and of every race;
That they may be strong to do your will.

[Silence]

COLLECT FOR THE DAY
THE LORD'S PRAYER

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN 144 Ye servants of God
WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

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