Dear friends,
“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." (1 Peter 1:3–4)
Our warmest greetings to you at this Eastertime. Over the coming days, although we can’t meet in person, we can unite in prayer. With so much to pray for, I particularly pray that the riches of hope and mercy found in our risen Lord would be found by many over the coming days.
Below in this email are some resources for using on Maundy Thursday.
On Good Friday, you are invited to join in a live service via ‘Zoom’ at 10am. You can join us on a computer or by dialling in on any phone line. If you would like to be sent a link to join us, please get in touch.
On Saturday I will send some resources to celebrate Easter Sunday. For families you will want to gather some A4 paper and scissors to join in with the talk.
As ever if you need assistance with any practical needs or errands, I am happy to arrange and coordinate people with offers of help in the church family, so please get in touch.
I hope you find these an encouragement in the riches of grace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Maundy Thursday Resources
Hymn
Brothers and sisters, let's join together in singing of our wonderful Lord who sealed our pardon by his blood. Hallelujah! What a saviour!
Readings
Our readings lead us through the events of Jesus' last evening with his disciples. As we read, here are some questions to help us reflect and apply God's word to our hearts.
Read John 13:1-17
Reflect on Jesus as the one who serves his people
Read John 13:18-30
Reflect on Jesus as the one betrayed by his own
Read John 13:31-14:14
Reflect on Jesus as the one who keeps his people safe
Prayers
Please turn in prayer in response to what you have read, for yourself, your friends and family, our church, our community, nation and world.
The Collect for Peace
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that, by thee, we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
The Collect for Aid against all Perils
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Conclusion
As we conclude, we can join together in this reminder of God's never-failing grace.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.