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Fire & Light
A simple Vigil for Easter Saturday Night
You and your household are invited to celebrate your identity as Children of the Light, either indoors with candles or, weather permitting, outdoors around a fire pit, campfire or lantern.
You will need a torch for the readings.
Begin in darkness. Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
A fire/flame is lit
A reader speaks: This is the night we remember that our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life. We gather before a fire, united with all God’s waiting people throughout the world, giving thanks for the miracle of God’s forgiveness and grace, as we identify with the resurrection of Christ in our lives here on earth and for eternity. On this night we declare the victory of Christ over the powers of darkness which pervade our neighbourhood, nation and world. We proclaim God’s victory of Light over darkness, of life over death.
Optional:
· Sing or listen Within our darkest night (Taize)
· Reading: Psalm 27
· Prayer of confession and/or the Lord’s Prayer
Telling the Story to One Another if alone you could journal/call a friend at this time
As you sit around the fire/flame, what stories of Jesus from the Gospels, and from his interaction in your life come to mind? Or you may want to recap the events of Holy Week leading to the crucifixion and to wonder about how Jesus’ disciples coped with their grief and dashed hopes. Then remember the significance of your baptism and that your life and hope is in Christ. Take time to share your stories.
Reading Romans 6:1-11 (The Message)
A Candle is lit from the fire or first candle
· PRAY for your loved ones, community, state and nation, for our leaders and medical experts, PRAY FOR THE WHOLE WORLD as we face COVID19 – bringing them all into the LIGHT
· Each person can light a candle and hold it or place it before them
· SING a song/s about light and hope eg Shine Jesus Shine, or Pass It On (It only takes a Spark)
A benediction:
The light of Christ is in you, behind you, before you, till dawn breaks, and the Sun of Righteousness breaks forth all over the earth.
All: Alleluia! Amen!
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: In the Name of Christ; Amen.
Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devoura] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Confession: Heavenly Father,
For the times we think more of our ideas and words, and neglect your ways and promises;
For the times we trust in the good things you give us rather than in you;
For the times we step over the line you have told us not to cross: Father, forgive us.
For the times we turn our back on people in need, rather than help in the way we can;
For the times our pride and boasting get in the way of thankfulness and praise to you;
For the times we forget the kingdom harvest and forget about harvesting: Father, forgive us.
Romans 6:1-11 The Message (MSG)
6 1-3 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!
3-5 That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.
6-11 Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did.
Maundy Thursday 2020: Loving well.
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. John 13:1
Setting the scene
· Readings: Matthew 26 and John 13 – different family members could prepare ahead to read the different parts of the story – you could select only some parts of these chapters to read
· A bowl of water and towel, soap etc – set up a visual feature in a corner
· if you want to, aim for a Mediterranean style meal or a lamb-based dish for your evening meal today
· No matter what you are planning to eat, when you lay your dinner table, if there is room, also place a plate with bread in the centre of the table (flat bread like pitta or a wrap, or else a slice of bread or a roll etc) and a carafe/jug/bottle and/or a goblet/glass of wine/port/juice – alternatively set them aside to bring onto the table later
· You could also have a candle, cross, rosemary or other herbs, silver coins on your table
· Choose some background music or songs to sing or listen to at appropriate times
· If you are on your own tonight, be reminded of the unity you have in Christ with his people everywhere. May the Holy Spirit warm your heart and bless you through the bond of peace we share together.
Loving well: Serving one another
Read John 13:1-17 – go to your washroom and take turns to all thoroughly wash your hands, reminding one another that this simple task is a service to everyone in keeping us all healthy, especially at this time of risk with COVID19. Remember that Jesus came to serve us and help us. Picture Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Imagine the Servant King washing your hands for you now.
As you come to the table, have someone pray, giving thanks for the way you have served one another in preparations for the meal – cooking, setting the table, washing hands etc - or else say your usual table grace together.
Loving well: Eating together
Enjoy your meal together, take special note of the taste and aroma of the food. Enjoy the conversation and the blessing of being safe and well and enjoying this time in one another’s company. Picture the disciples eating, talking, laughing together with Jesus. Remind yourselves that Jesus is present with you now at the table, as you share your meal and his meal. Say the Lord’s Prayer together.
Draw your attention now to the bread and the wine. Read Matthew 26:17-30 and (optional) break the bread and serve one another, eating it together (remembering) the body of Christ given for you. Pour the wine/juice and drink, (remembering) Jesus’ blood shed for you. You can use the liturgy David provided if you prefer.
Loving well: care and compassion
You could now have a few moments of prayer for loved ones, the nation, and the whole world, as we all face the consequences of COVID19.
Then, if weather permits, you might go out into the garden with torches and read about Jesus’ anguish, prayer, and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane Matt 26:36-56. Play some music… Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for us and thank him for loving us so much.
Say the words of John 13:34-35: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Bless one another and return indoors to finish your meal.
For your own prayer and meditation tonight:
Reflect on the fact that the disciples all deserted Jesus and fled (Matt 26:56) but that Jesus will never abandon us (Matt 28:20). He is faithful and assures us of his loving presence with us. Take time to listen for his voice telling you how much he loves you……
Ask Jesus to show you how you may put love into practice this Easter and beyond. Seek his help to discover new ways of extending care and compassion to those in isolation or struggling with a society changed by restrictions at this difficult time.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1John 4:10-12
For a structured approach to prayer, a pattern to follow, or a framework from which to launch into your own prayers, you could try following the ancient rhythms of daily prayer, assured that others are praying simultaneously. Traditionally there were 3 major offices and 4 minor ones. But a simplified approach is to pray Morning Prayer between 6 and 9 am, Midday Prayer between 11.00am and 2.00pm and Evening Prayer between 5 and 8 pm.
You can pray with the Church at these times by using prayer books or simply praying the Lord’s Prayer, and then interceding for specific people and the world. Here are 3 prayers from the “Divine Hours” you could pray:
Morning: Lord God Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power that I may not fall into sin nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Midday: Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end.
Evening: Keep watch dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
You can pray Luther’s morning and evening prayer.
Morning:
Thank you, heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, for protecting me all night from harm and danger. Protect me today from all sin and evil, so that everything I do will please you. I put myself, and all I have into your hands. Send your holy angel to be with me, so that the devil will have no power over me. Amen.
Evening:
Thank you, heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, for being good to me and protecting me today. Forgive me all the wrong things I have done. Protect me tonight. I put myself and all I have into your hands. Send your holy angel to be with me, so that the devil will have no power over me. Amen.
Or a traditional prayer for peace.
Peace:
Lord God, from whom all holy desires, all good purposes, and all right works proceed: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give. Defend us from the fear of our enemies and set our hearts to obey your commandments, so that we may live on earth in rest and quietness. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Neh 8:10)
Although we are living in a time of worldwide crisis, let’s remember that the God we worship is full of love and compassion, faithful and unchanging, and with us in our suffering. His joy is our strength.
And in that strength, we can bring “a sacrifice of praise” – we can SING! even if we don’t feel like it.
We have seen people singing to one another from balconies in Italy. Let’s firstly sing praises to God! And through our joyful worship also be uplifted in our spirits and encourage others in our households. We can also be blessed as we realize we join in with other Christians around the world, united in the Holy Spirit, and accompanied by the angels in heaven, all praising God.
15 Our part, then, is this: to bring, through him (Jesus), a continual sacrifice of praise to God – that is, mouths that confess his name, and do so fruitfully. (Hebrews 13:15 NTE)
This is a time to sing and make music with heart and voice to God because he is good, and he is with us and for us. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:19b - 20)
Jesus produces love, peace and JOY within us as the fruit of his Spirit. They don’t originate in us and they are not dependant on the outward circumstances of our lives. So, come before the Lord our God, enter the “courts of his presence” as you lift up your voice in this time of trouble. SING!, sing in your home and your car, sing with your family, sing and praise God.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,a]
able to tread upon the heights.
Psalm 100 (NIV)
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are hisa];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Some song suggestions:
Hymn: The Hymn of Joy (words below)
Rend Collective song: Joy of the Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3gLeCiMJqI
Chorus: Rejoice in the Lord Always
The Hymn of Joy (Henry Van Dyke)
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory), Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee
Op'ning to the Sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
fill us with the light of day
All Thy works with joy surround Thee
Earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee
center of unbroken praise
Field and forest, vale and mountain
Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea
chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in Thee
Thou art giving and forgiving
ever blessing, ever blest
well-spring of the joy of living
ocean-depth of happy rest
Thou the Father, Christ our Brother—
all who live in love are Thine
Teach us how to love each other
lift us to the Joy Divine)
Mortals join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began
Father-love8 is reigning o'er us
brother-love binds man to man.9
Ever singing, march we onward
victors in the midst of strife
joyful music lifts us sunward
in the triumph song of life
Blessings!
5 Stations
Interactive worship at home for individuals and families
Prepare by setting up 5 “stations of blessing” in your home. You will need:
1. a bowl of water and towel,
2. bubble blowing mixture/homemade soapy mix,
3. a printed map or outline of Australia and/or the world,
4. bread, wine/juice, cup/s,
5. one or more written copies of the readings and blessings.
You can use this resource creatively or add your own prayers, readings, visuals, or music. One suggestion is to spend a few minutes at each station but there is no special order and families could do each activity together or individually.
Select all or some of the Bible readings included or choose some yourself. Enjoy this time with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead. God’s Blessings to you!
Water – He leads me beside the still water, he restores my soul.
Read Psalm 23. Sit and look at the water.
Be still and know that I am God (Ps 46:10).
Read Matthew 3:13-17. Immerse your hand in water. Consider your baptism.
Bubbles – Bless God! Read Psalm 150. Take the bubble mixture outside and blow bubbles! Let praise and thanksgiving to God well up within you and burst forth as bubbles of praise. Read the psalm out loud. Praise God! Sing a song!
Map – Bless others. Read John 14:13-14; Luke 18:1-8; James 5:16
Pray for a person, place or situation and stick a heart on the map as a sign of God’s blessing on them.
Bread & Wine – Make use of your 5 senses. Read Matthew 26:17-30. Then look at the bread and the colour of the wine. Touch the bread as you break it. Feel the cup in your hand. Hear the sound of bread tearing and of wine being poured out as you pour into the cup. Smell the aroma of the bread’s yeast and the fruity fullness of the wine. Taste and see that the Lord is good! Read Psalm 34:8; 1 Peter 2:2-3.
A Personal Blessing – Remember that God blesses you. Name others and speak the blessing over them, even if they are absent. Families can bless one another and/or lay hands on or anoint one another with oil. Pray for one another and say the Lord’s Prayer together. Read Mark 10:16; Num 6:24-27; 2 Cor 13:14.
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Matthew 3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Luke 18 The Parable of the Persistent Widow 1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " 6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Matthew 26:17-30 The Lord's Supper
17On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' " 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
22They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 25Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of theb] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." 30When they had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Psalm 34: 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Mark 10:16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Numbers 6:24-27
24 " ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '
27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Vision of the valley of dry bones
Ezekiel was a prophet to the people of Israel in exile in Babylon. They were as devoid of political hope and possibility for national restoration as the field of dead bones of the slain shown him by the Lord. God directed Ezekiel to breathe life into the people in exile with the promises of his word. The comparison is reminiscent of God breathing into the nostrils of the first man to make him a living creature. The change to a picture of future opened graves gives promise that in the future the nation will be returned to its 'own soil', namely in Jerusalem and Israel. They will know thereby that the Lord has spoken.
Romans 8:6-11 The Spirit lives in you
Christ has met the complete requirement of God's law which God had rightly demanded of all people. Believers in Christ have in this way been set free from the law of sin and death. Therefore no believing Christian can set his or her mind on the things of the 'flesh', ie sinful pleasures and evil which belong to the old sinful nature. Those things militate destructively against the Spirit's indwelling. Even though a Christian is still afflicted bodily by sin, yet the life of the Spirit imparts life, just as the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead.
John 11:1-45 The raising of Lazarus - Jesus’ last sign
The high point in this miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead is the revelation of Jesus as Son of God and the Messiah. The proof of this brought to a head the fanatical opposition of the religious leaders which resulted not long afterwards in his arrest, trial and execution in Jerusalem. While his full humanity is prominently evident in his emotional response to the grief of Mary, Martha and their friends, his divinity is manifested above all other considerations. He is seen to have foreknowledge of Lazarus's death and what he would do to glorify God. Jesus teaches clearly that there is everlasting life through believing in him. He proves this by raising a body already into the stage of decomposition.
As you'll be aware the government has for the time being put a stop to all worship in our churches.
This doesn't mean we stop worshiping - we just need to do it differently.
We'll provide some helps for worshipping in the "latest news' section
Let us know via email if you have any specific requests