Our Services
Welcome to our worship for
the Third Sunday of Easter, 18th April
Call to Worship and Opening Prayers
Jesus says,
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.’
In worship, let us come to the one who offers peace and rest.
Against the noise of the world we cover our ears;
at distressing sights we close our eyes;
to confusing thoughts we close our minds;
amid the clamour of distress we close our hearts.
Loving God, your ears and eyes are ever open to our needs;
help us to worship with open hearts and minds,
that we may have open ears and eyes to see the work that you call us to do,
and open hands to do it.
Amen.
Call to Worship and Opening Prayers
Jesus says,
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.’
In worship, let us come to the one who offers peace and rest.
Against the noise of the world we cover our ears;
at distressing sights we close our eyes;
to confusing thoughts we close our minds;
amid the clamour of distress we close our hearts.
Loving God, your ears and eyes are ever open to our needs;
help us to worship with open hearts and minds,
that we may have open ears and eyes to see the work that you call us to do,
and open hands to do it.
Amen.
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 is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
The resurrection means Christ has brought us victory over sin and death.
So let us confess our sins, grateful for the forgiveness Christ has won.
Like Mary at the empty tomb, we fail to grasp the wonder of Your presence.
Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Like the disciples behind locked doors we are afraid to be seen as your followers.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Like Thomas in the upper room, we are slow to believe.
Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Readings for 18th April
First Reading: Zephaniah 3. 14-end
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
he Lord has taken away the judgements against you, he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors at that time.
And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.
Psalm 4 Response: It is you O Lord, who make me dwell in safety
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; you set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. R
How long will you nobles dishonour my glory; how long will you love vain things and seek after falsehood? But know that the Lord has shown me his marvellous kindness; when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. R
Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord. R
There are many that say, 'Who will show us any good?' Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us. R
You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their corn and wine and oil increase. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for it is you Lord, only, who make me dwell in safety. R
Second Reading: Acts 3. 12-19
Peter addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.’
Gospel Reading: Luke 24. 36b-48
While the eleven and their companions were talking about what they had heard, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
he Lord has taken away the judgements against you, he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors at that time.
And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.
Psalm 4 Response: It is you O Lord, who make me dwell in safety
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; you set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. R
How long will you nobles dishonour my glory; how long will you love vain things and seek after falsehood? But know that the Lord has shown me his marvellous kindness; when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. R
Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord. R
There are many that say, 'Who will show us any good?' Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us. R
You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their corn and wine and oil increase. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for it is you Lord, only, who make me dwell in safety. R
Second Reading: Acts 3. 12-19
Peter addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.’
Gospel Reading: Luke 24. 36b-48
While the eleven and their companions were talking about what they had heard, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’
Here are some thoughts on the readings this morning.
"Look at my hands and feet; see that it is I myself.
Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have"
(Luke 24:39)
Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have"
(Luke 24:39)
"From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us." So says the old Scottish prayer, and so perhaps say a good many of us, for we can easily feel uncomfortable and frightened by talk of spirits and ghosts and other strange things that we do not understand. And as we read today, the disciples were not made differently from us. When they saw Jesus appear among them, standing before them, very much alive, and they'd seen him die only days before, they were terrified. It must have been very confusing.
They had stood gathered about the two disciples from Emmaus who had walked and talked with the risen Christ, who had failed to recognise him in the fading light; but who had known instantly in the breaking of the bread. But all of them, when he came and stood amongst them, took fright. They thought he was a ghost. The Greeks saw reality in terms of concepts, of universal truths, but to the Jews, reality was particular and concrete. And so the resurrection was particular and concrete, not just a concept. Jesus really did come and stand with his disciples, risen from the dead. Thomas famously had need to touch in order to believe, and Christ understood that need. "A ghost", he said "does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have," and, for final confirmation of his physical reality, he asked for some food. They gave him a piece of fish and watched him eat it.
There is playfulness and humour in Jesus' words and actions, as he asks, "Why are you frightened? Never before seen a dead man eating?" The way Jesus teases them is part of what helps them to accept that it really is him, really alive.
This sense of Christ's reality, this absolute certainty that he had risen from the dead and was with them again, came from the strengthening and deepening understanding which was the gift of the Holy Spirit. Unless they were sure, how could they preach with conviction? The faith of those who came after them would be based on that certainty.
In the first reading, which jumps ahead of the Gospel story, we see Peter, in the new-found courage of the Pentecostal Spirit, reminding the Jews that they had disowned Jesus, the same Jesus whom he too had disowned before a serving maid. But now he knows, and we hear the confident affirmation of his faith - a faith that has transformed his life in every way. And 1 John 2:2 attests that this Christ is the sacrifice which has taken away our sins and that we too can know him if we keep his commandments.
What a marvellous promise is contained within these words! When Christ is revealed, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is. It reminds us too of who we are - we are children of God, with all the promises of inheritance that come with that status. As believers, we are not just acquaintances, not just friends, but children, members of the family: we are meant to be here; we belong.
We do not have to do anything different, or special. In our ordinary daily events, our walking and talking and working, if we do all these according to what we believe to be right, then Christ is risen and amongst us. He will live in our hearts, speak through our words, see with our eyes and reach out to others through the touch of our hands. The three years of his ministry are extended into the lives of all who believe in him, in whom God's love is coming into perfection.
It is an awesome thought to understand that people may see Christ in us, because of our status as children of God, because of our relationship with him. We have our part to play in the ever-extending family of God, in helping people to see that they too can be children of God, they too can find eternal life through Jesus. Let us be encouraged and awed as we contemplate some of the tremendous implications that come from a living faith in Christ.
They had stood gathered about the two disciples from Emmaus who had walked and talked with the risen Christ, who had failed to recognise him in the fading light; but who had known instantly in the breaking of the bread. But all of them, when he came and stood amongst them, took fright. They thought he was a ghost. The Greeks saw reality in terms of concepts, of universal truths, but to the Jews, reality was particular and concrete. And so the resurrection was particular and concrete, not just a concept. Jesus really did come and stand with his disciples, risen from the dead. Thomas famously had need to touch in order to believe, and Christ understood that need. "A ghost", he said "does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have," and, for final confirmation of his physical reality, he asked for some food. They gave him a piece of fish and watched him eat it.
There is playfulness and humour in Jesus' words and actions, as he asks, "Why are you frightened? Never before seen a dead man eating?" The way Jesus teases them is part of what helps them to accept that it really is him, really alive.
This sense of Christ's reality, this absolute certainty that he had risen from the dead and was with them again, came from the strengthening and deepening understanding which was the gift of the Holy Spirit. Unless they were sure, how could they preach with conviction? The faith of those who came after them would be based on that certainty.
In the first reading, which jumps ahead of the Gospel story, we see Peter, in the new-found courage of the Pentecostal Spirit, reminding the Jews that they had disowned Jesus, the same Jesus whom he too had disowned before a serving maid. But now he knows, and we hear the confident affirmation of his faith - a faith that has transformed his life in every way. And 1 John 2:2 attests that this Christ is the sacrifice which has taken away our sins and that we too can know him if we keep his commandments.
What a marvellous promise is contained within these words! When Christ is revealed, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is. It reminds us too of who we are - we are children of God, with all the promises of inheritance that come with that status. As believers, we are not just acquaintances, not just friends, but children, members of the family: we are meant to be here; we belong.
We do not have to do anything different, or special. In our ordinary daily events, our walking and talking and working, if we do all these according to what we believe to be right, then Christ is risen and amongst us. He will live in our hearts, speak through our words, see with our eyes and reach out to others through the touch of our hands. The three years of his ministry are extended into the lives of all who believe in him, in whom God's love is coming into perfection.
It is an awesome thought to understand that people may see Christ in us, because of our status as children of God, because of our relationship with him. We have our part to play in the ever-extending family of God, in helping people to see that they too can be children of God, they too can find eternal life through Jesus. Let us be encouraged and awed as we contemplate some of the tremendous implications that come from a living faith in Christ.
'Lost for Words' Redemptorist Publications
Prayers for Sunday 18th April
Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and the world was changed forever. Help us to keep faith with them, that our witness may be as bold, our love as deep, and joy and amazement as real as was theirs when he appeared to them.
Gracious God help us all to play an active part in the vision of the Deanery, ever focusing on Christ’s call to all of us to be witnesses and to make disciples of all mankind.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, you gave us a beautiful world to live in and to care for. We know that in many areas our stewardship has been a failure, yet through the victory of Jesus Christ, we know also that you can restore all things in glory; and so we pray for a change of heart and attitude, an awakening to a better way of living, and the courage to reject wrong principles. We especially pray for those suffering from the economic impact of the Coronavirus, in travel, and hospitality here in North Yorkshire.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray for our communities, that each of us might make use of our individual talents enabling each church group to flourish as a witness to the “One Body” of the church. Help us to spread the warmth of your love to everyone we meet.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we pray for those who do not share our Easter joy especially those living in the shadow of darkness and despair and for those whose illness narrows their view of the world. We especially pray for all those who have requested prayer and in the quietness of our hearts we raise before You those who we know who are also in need, including Angus MacDonald, Jane Sampson, Jo Bonham, Mike Faulkner and Nigel Greenfield
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniversary we recall. Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the church family around us until we are reunited once more in your heavenly kingdom. Including Trevor Schofield and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and those whose anniversary of death falls at this time, including Adelaide Haggie, Keith Moseley, David Callow, Vivien Bain, Dorothy Coutts, Ian Batchelor, Lillian Taplin and John Maxwell
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Faithful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, surround the Queen and the Royal Family with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness and strength to meet the days to come.
Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Gracious God help us all to play an active part in the vision of the Deanery, ever focusing on Christ’s call to all of us to be witnesses and to make disciples of all mankind.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, you gave us a beautiful world to live in and to care for. We know that in many areas our stewardship has been a failure, yet through the victory of Jesus Christ, we know also that you can restore all things in glory; and so we pray for a change of heart and attitude, an awakening to a better way of living, and the courage to reject wrong principles. We especially pray for those suffering from the economic impact of the Coronavirus, in travel, and hospitality here in North Yorkshire.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray for our communities, that each of us might make use of our individual talents enabling each church group to flourish as a witness to the “One Body” of the church. Help us to spread the warmth of your love to everyone we meet.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we pray for those who do not share our Easter joy especially those living in the shadow of darkness and despair and for those whose illness narrows their view of the world. We especially pray for all those who have requested prayer and in the quietness of our hearts we raise before You those who we know who are also in need, including Angus MacDonald, Jane Sampson, Jo Bonham, Mike Faulkner and Nigel Greenfield
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniversary we recall. Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the church family around us until we are reunited once more in your heavenly kingdom. Including Trevor Schofield and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and those whose anniversary of death falls at this time, including Adelaide Haggie, Keith Moseley, David Callow, Vivien Bain, Dorothy Coutts, Ian Batchelor, Lillian Taplin and John Maxwell
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Faithful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, surround the Queen and the Royal Family with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness and strength to meet the days to come.
Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Please pray for:-
the sick, and those who care for them, including Angus MacDonald, Jane Sampson, Jo Bonham, Mike Faulkner and Nigel Greenfield
those who have lit candles, and those for whom candles have been lit
those who have recently died including Trevor Schofield and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
those whose anniversary of death falls at this time Adelaide Haggie, Keith Moseley, David Callow, Vivien Bain, Dorothy Coutts, Ian Batchelor, Lillian Taplin and John Maxwell
Post Communion Prayer:
Living God, your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread:
open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in all his redeeming work;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Amen
Ending Prayers
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Peace be with you’ – they responded with turmoil.
Jesus said, ‘Have you anything to eat?’ – they served him fish.
Jesus opened their minds – they became his witnesses.
So, Lord, may we too find peace in your service,
with opened minds and hearts on fire.
Amen.
May we go with the blessing of God the Father,
to witness to Jesus the Son and be empowered by the Holy Spirit, today and always.
Amen.
Living God, your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread:
open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in all his redeeming work;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Amen
Ending Prayers
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Peace be with you’ – they responded with turmoil.
Jesus said, ‘Have you anything to eat?’ – they served him fish.
Jesus opened their minds – they became his witnesses.
So, Lord, may we too find peace in your service,
with opened minds and hearts on fire.
Amen.
May we go with the blessing of God the Father,
to witness to Jesus the Son and be empowered by the Holy Spirit, today and always.
Amen.
Church of England online service
Here is a link to the Church of England’s service, which comes from a different place each week.
Click here
Click here
CHURCH GIVING
A few people have asked how they can support the church financially whilst they can't do their normal weekly giving. We do still require your offerings of money! We have ongoing expenses and commitments and the coffers will inevitably drain a bit low! Please continue to use Pam’s letterbox to drop off church donations – either envelopes, cheques (made payable to PCC of Pickering Church) or other loose cash (In a sealed envelope marked for the Church). If you are unable to go outside, please ring, and we will see if there is an alternative way to collect.
Pam Robb at 16 Garden Way, Pickering, YO18 8BG. 07769 801708
WITH VERY MANY THANKS.
