Opening Words

Before you begin you may wish to light a candle, make sure you are sitting comfortably and take a few deep breaths to still yourself. This week to remind you of your baptism, have a bowl of water in front of you as well!  

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 
He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of Penitence

In baptism we died with Christ, so that as Christ was raised from the dead, we might walk in newness of life.  Let us receive new life in him as we confess our sins in penitence and faith.                                                                   cf Romans 6.4

Take a moment to reflect on your life and our need of God's compassion and mercy.

God our Father, your gift of water brings life and freshness to the earth; in baptism it is a sign of the washing away of our sins and the gift of life eternal.  By this water, renew the living spring of your life within us, that we may be free from sin and filled with your saving health; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Touch your forehead with the water or sprinkle it on your head as you make the sign of the cross. 

May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect

You might like to pause for a moment and consider if there is one thing in particular for which you would to pray, or for which you would like to give thanks, and offer it to God.

Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings

Psalm 16

I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;

   I have no good apart from you.’

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,

   in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;

   their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out

   or take their names upon my lips. 

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

   you hold my lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

   I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

   in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me;

   because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

   my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol,

   or let your faithful one see the Pit. 

You show me the path of life.

   In your presence there is fullness of joy;

   in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

The Gospel according to St John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  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; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."  But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."  A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."   Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"  Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.  But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

This is the Gospel of the Lord  

Praise to you, O Christ!

Reflection

Prayer

Spend a few moments praying for the people you know and love, the needs of the world and for an end to the current Pandemic.

You may like to pray:

On this Second Sunday of Easter

Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father. Amen 

For hospital staff and medical researchers

Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the earth

We give thanks for your promise of salvation, to us and to every living creature. We praise you for the animals of the earth and for all domestic animals. We ask for your blessing on the animals in our care, giving thanks for their simplicity and companionship. Forgive us when we are careless and forgetful of your creatures. Amen

From our Prayer Cycle this week

pray for all residents of Newton Road, Denewell Avenue and Southlands 

For the sick

Jacqueline Pearson, David Bowers, David Barker, Angela Mckenzie, Eric Wright, Alan Trotter, Wilma Doig, Doreen Richardson, Maureen Harper and Dorothy Graham.

For those whose year's mind is this week 

Emily Cheatham, Kate Taylor, Ray Richardson, May Gladys Lumsdon, Mabel McNeill, George Lowrie, Jim Way, Dennis Mears, Eva Kelly, Rhoda Hill, Janet Anderson, William Pearson 

The Lord's Prayer

You might like to end your prayers with the Lord's Prayer  

The Conclusion

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia. 
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Wishing you peace and all good in this Eastertide!