Hello Friends
Sunday 4th April 2021 is a special day for two reasons at least. Firstly it marks Easter Day and the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; A time when we can unite together and respond to the welcome news that “He is risen” with the exuberant reply of, “He is risen indeed”.
Then secondly, it marks the first day after this latest lockdown, of our return to physically worshipping together in our own church building in Waarden Road, Canvey Island once again. Hand gel is at the ready, chairs are socially distanced, service lengths have been trimmed and covid secure measures are in place. All that is missing is us, plus our face masks!!
I am therefore looking forward to sharing in church worship once again with you all. Our service tomorrow is being led by Local Preacher, Mr Paul Saunders, from our Hadleigh Church starting at 10.30am.
However, for the benefit of any church friends who are unable, or who have decided to “shield” for a little bit longer, I am appending below the order of service that Mr Paul Saunders will be following tomorrow.
In addition, for those who would normally follow the complete service link, I am including a YouTube link of the Easter Sunday Service prepared by my colleague Pastor Steve Mayo of our Wesley Church.
May God enrich and inspire our worship in Celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessings
Colin
Complete Service Link: https://youtu.be/qh8rhG19YEM
Canvey Island Methodist Church- 10.30am Sunday 4th April 2021
1) Notices and Welcome
2) Minister: Christ Is Risen,
Congregation: He Is Risen Indeed
3) 298 Christ the Lord is risen today Singing the faith
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Charles Wesley
4) Prayer and Lord’s Prayer. Mr Paul Saunders
5) 305 Low in the grave he lay Singing the faith
1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2 . Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]
3 . Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]
Robert Lowery
6) Isaiah 25:6-9. Sue S.
6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
9 In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
7) Mark 16:1-8. Cathy
Jesus Has Risen
16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.[a]
Read full chapter
Footnotes
Mark 16:8 Some manuscripts have the following ending between verses 8 and 9, and one manuscript has it after verse 8 (omitting verses 9-20): Then they quickly reported all these instructions to those around Peter. After this, Jesus himself also sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.
8) Prayer and Intercessions
Prayer book update 1/4/21
1. We have had the good news that Brenda is home from hospital. Brenda sends her thanks for our prayers and she is grateful for our support.
2. We have had news from Hilary. We prayed for her dear friend Al and her mum Sylvia. Sylvia passed away peacefully in her sleep a few nights ago. Please pray for Al as she will miss her mum so much. May knowing we are praying for her, bring her comfort.
3. We have had more sad news. Some of us remember Pat Warner, a lovely, lively lady who used to come to our church but moved away quite a few years ago to live near her family in Somerset. Mary has told us that sadly, Pat passed away this week. Please pray for her daughter Jill, Jill’s husband Dave and grandchildren Kerry and Lee.
4. Please remember Dee and Sally in your prayers. Dee, as she settles back into her home and Sally is going through the massive task of preparing to move soon.
5. Please pray for our church and church family as we come together again to worship in our lovely church once again on Sunday mornings. Please also think of those who may be feeling nervous about coming out after such a long time in lockdown.
Wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Easter.
Sue Sandling
9) 538 What a friend we have in Jesus Methodist Hymn Book
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
Joseph M Scriven
10) Sermon. Mr Paul Saunders
11) 736 In heavenly love abiding Singing the faith
In heav’nly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?
Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.
Green pastures are before me,
Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure,
My path to life is free;
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.
Anne L Waring
12) Offering and Prayer
13) Benediction
And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and forevermore. Amen.