Opening responses

I will light a light in the name of the Maker
who lit the world, and breathed the breath of life for me

A candle is lit

Alleluia

I will light a light in the name of the Son
who saved the world, and stretched out his hand to me

A candle is lit

Alleluia

I will light a light in the name of the Spirit
who encompasses the world and blessed my soul with yearning

A candle is lit

Alleluia

Lamentation

The Father is always present
Forgive us for not reflecting your faithfulness

The son is always self-giving
Forgive us for living for ourselves

The Spirit is always leading us on
Forgive us for holding back

Spirit of the crucified and risen Christ
shine into our hearts and kindle in us
the fire of your love.
Christ is the light of the world.
A light that no darkness will quench.
Amen

There is real wisdom, Lord, in the saying
'It is always Springtime in the heart that loves God.'
Springtime is a season of optimism and hope,
and the Christian lives a faith centred on hope.
Winter, with its cold and dark days has gone,
just as Good Friday has passed to Easter and beyond.
We live a resurrection life
reflected in the new life springing up around us.
Thank you, Lord, for the hope that you bring,
the renewal that you bring,
both to this world and to our hearts and lives. Amen

This Easter season in particular, we ponder these words from Lutheran pastor
Nadia Bolz-Weber:

“My Easter request is this: Help us remember that resurrection isn’t reversal, that as we return to life, we are carrying our own wounds from loss and isolation. But we are also emerging with new beauty and new wisdom. We are not who we were. But we do get to discover who we are.”

Hymn: See What a Morning

Psalm 142

With my voice I cry to the Lord;
with my voice I make supplication to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
When my spirit is faint,
 you know my way.

In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
Look on my right hand and see—
there is no one who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for me.

I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Give heed to my cry,
for I am brought very low.

Save me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.
 Bring me out of prison,
so that I may give thanks to your name.
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.

Reading: St Luke Chapter 16: 19-end

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.”  He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’

Reflection: Revd Alison

Hymn: Now the Green Blade Riseth

Prayer

O God beyond us, lead us forward to prayO God beside us, teach us gently to pray
O God within us, still our hearts to pray

God kindle in my heart within
a flame of love to my neighbour,
to my foe, to my friend, to my kindred all,
from the lowliest thing that lives,
to the Name that is highest of all.

A prayer attributed to St Fursey:

May the yoke of the law of God be on our shoulders
May the coming of the Holy Spirit be upon our heads
May the sign of Christ be on our foreheads
May the hearing of the Holy Spirit be in our ears
May the smelling of the Holy Spirit be in our noses
May the vision that the people of Heaven have be in our eyes
May the speech of the people of Heaven be in our mouths
May the work of the Church of God be in our hands
May the good of God and of our neighbour be in our feet
May God be dwelling in our hearts
May we belong entirely to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Amen

O God beyond us, give us faith
O Christ beside us, give us peace
All: O Spirit within us, give us life

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Hymn: With Mary Let My Soul Rejoice

Closing Prayer:

God’s truth between me and all lies
God’s justice between me and all injustice
God’s strength between me and all defeat
God’s purpose between me and all wavering
God’s tenderness between me and all wounds
God’s love between me and all hate.

Deep peace of the setting sun
deep peace of the forgiving heart
deep peace of the loving Christ
be ours tonight and forever.

The love of the Risen Christ be with us as we sleep
the love that knows no bounds
the love of grace and joy
bring us to a new day that we can greet as a new birth.

Closing hymn: Peruvian Gloria