14th April 2023
The LORD’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. Lamentations 3:22,23
You Lord, are the source of all that is good:
We praise you.
You call us to have compassion for your world:
May we strive to do your will.
You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives:
May we come together in peace.
A reading Peter 1: 3, 4a Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Response
Imagine the sun rising, the glowing disk that rises up over the horizon, spilling light out over the landscape. Imagine that that dawn is constantly breaking out above the horizon as the world travels around the sun.
Jesus, light of the world, bring hope to those who feel condemned to live in darkness. Empower us, your Easter people, to reassure and supported you those struggling with mental ill health, to create an inclusive and empathetic society. Bring hope to the people of Afghanistan especially women and girls whose lives are being foreclosed.
Jesus Lord of life, hear us.
Imagine now a spring of water bubbling and gurgling as it constantly overflows.
Jesus, fountain of living water, may you satisfy the thirst of all who seek justice. Empower us, your Easter people, to strive for justice – for those fleeing war and persecution, for those who face intolerance and exclusion, for those seeking just wages and fair trading practices. We pray for peace in Jerusalem, in Israel and in the occupied territories.
Jesus Lord of life, hear us.
Imagine – smell – a new baked loaf of bread, with a crisp crust and soft crumb. Jesus bread of life, may you satisfy those who hunger for righteousness. Empower us, your Easter people, to aid those in need – challenging the systems that allows children to go hungry, that make people choose between heating and eating, that ignores the plight of those facing climate induced drought and starvation in the Horn of Africa
Jesus Lord of life, hear us.
Imagine new leaves unfolding on the tip of a branch, bluebells uncurling underneath the trees, the first tentative steps of a new born lamb. Jesus, the way, the truth and the life, show us how to live in harmony with creation that all may live. Empower us, your Easter people, to treat the world with care, to treasure its biodiversity and to understand how to live simply that others may simply live.
Jesus Lord of life, hear us.
Imagine a new born baby, its vulnerability and its need for care. Jesus as we are born again in baptism into your one family, fill us with your love. Empower us, your Easter people, to care for all our brothers and sisters – those across the world, and those here in our local community. We pray for healing for all who ill …
Jesus Lord of life, hear us.
Imagine a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Imagine a chick breaking out of its shell. New life growing out of something past. Jesus, the resurrection, may you bring new life to all in whom their current life has come to an end.
As we remember those we love who no longer live in this world, bring comfort to all who mourn and grieve.
Jesus Lord of life, hear us.
The Grace
The Green Tau 