EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE - JESUS CARRIED US ON HIS SHOULDERS

 

Today we relive the glorious events of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Saviour was crucified between two condemned, died and - after three days - rose again. How thankful are we to have such a great Messiah. 

Jesus Christ has conquered sin, death. and the devil. He has emptied hell. 

The Son of God loves us and works untiringly to bring each one safely into heaven. Alleluia!

Let us pray for all who have ever gone before, for all peoples now, and for all who will ever exist in the future until the Last Day: that they may attain everlasting life with our resurrected Saviour forever.

Let us remember that Jesus Christ literally carried each one of us on His Shoulders as He bore His Cross. Every step He took, He knew that if He did not reach the end of His journey, we would not be saved. Every weight of the wood upon His Shoulder told Him that if our sins were not washed away, we would be unable to enter Heaven. Every time He fell and the wood pressed heavily, He realised that each one of us depended on Him for an eternity of happiness.

What a warrior! What a King! What a Lord we hail as Son of God. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for carrying Your cross to the end. Thank You for bearing the weight of the sins of humankind upon Your Shoulders. Thank You for coming to earth to save us.

Priest: "The Easter Vigil begins in darkness. The darkness of the tomb is split open as the Light of the world resurrects and pours life-giving light to the whole world.

O God, grant that our hearts may be purified by your beloved Son Jesus Christ.

We offer You our love and praise in honour of so glorious a gift to our world,

Amen."

EASTER VIGIL READING

Mark 16 

The Resurrection

16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, 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 that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

BAPTISM

If you have been baptized, here quietly renew your promises to Jesus to continue practising holiness in your life, and to be faithful to Him. 

If you have been baptized, and fallen away from your faith, why then, just renew your baptismal promises and start all over again.

If you have never been baptized, why not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? 

He truly is the Son of God, and is waiting for you. Invite joy into your life and accept Him. Seek baptism.

Here is a chapel for accepting Jesus Christ into your life:

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.ie/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html

LITANY OF THE SAINTS

Priest: "Let us thank God for the holy men and women who have gone before us, showing that it is possible to reach the holiness God desires for us. Let us remember our holy ones."

Congregation: "We remember you, our holy family in heaven."

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.ie/2016/10/litany-of-saints.html

BLESSING OF THE WATER

If you do not have holy water, pour some water into a bowl. Sprinkle a little salt in it if you have some. Ask the Lord to bless the water and make it holy. Now you have your own holy water! 

The priest blesses the water, and sprinkles the congregation with it.

We remember that Jesus is the Water of Life and brings us to holiness through baptism.

WE NOW REJECT OUR ANCIENT ENEMY SATAN

Priest: "Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God's children?'

Congregation: "I do."

Priest: "Do you reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?"

Congregation: "I do."

Priest: "Do you reject satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?"

Congregation: "I do."

WORDS OF COMFORT

"After the crucifixion, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was very busy after He gave His Spirit back to God the Father. The gospels tell us how the earth shook with earthquake, rocks split. The veil in the Jerusalem Temple split in two. Tombs opened and many saints resurrected, went into the Holy City and appeared to many people. Jesus' sacrifice and death had won redemption and resurrection for humanity. What a great gift!

Thereafter, Jesus descended to the holding place of the dead.  He met with all who had passed from the time of our earliest ancestors. They were now freed from the grip of death, and the way of heaven was opened to humanity. The great King Jesus had faced satan, whose power was now vanquished.

After three days, the Power of God reanimated the dead human Body of the Son of God, Christ resurrected and appeared to many. These are wonderful occurrences. We are blessed to have access to Heaven, whereas before Christ died we were condemned through justice to live in eternal banishment from the Luminous Face of God.

Let us rejoice at our wondrous fate as the human children of God.

Do you wish to turn to God to bring areas of your life to be washed in the precious Blood of the Saviour? If so, perhaps you will find peace and comfort from visiting the Chapel of Repentance.

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html

If you wish to accept Jesus Christ in your life, visit the following prayer chapel,

http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html

THE EUCHARIST

Priest; "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take all you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you."
Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life."

Priest; "At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '

Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation."

[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer. Let us pray for all affected by the Coronavirus].

LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; "Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us."

Priest and Congregation;
'Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
One earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin 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."

PRAYER AND BLESSING

Priest; "Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ.
We rejoice in His Resurrection. This Easter the tomb is robbed of death, and is empty!
There is Light in the midst of our darkness!

We have been fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism.
We have been given renewed life in the Eucharist, and receive life from Jesus our Lord.
We ask for Your blessing as we go forth to witness to the world the truth that JESUS CHRIST IS THE RISEN SON OF GOD!"
Congregation; "Amen. ALLELUIA!"

With thanks to Youtube

HOLY SATURDAY SERVICE

 

HOLY SATURDAY SERVICE:

We remember Jesus lying dead in the tomb for three days. There appeared to be no hope. The long-awaited Messiah was dead.

Yet this is only how the situation seemed. In reality, Jesus had conquered death. 

Many occurrences took place after Jesus died on the cross. An earthquake took place, rocks split and the Veil in the Jerusalem Temple tore in two.

Jesus descended into the holding place of the dead, to release those imprisoned by death. Jesus' descent into hell as Triumphant King proclaimed His Victory over sin, death and the devil.

Satan realized that he had been outwitted by the Son of God Who had allowed Himself to be broken and crucified in order to destroy satan's kingdom.

Tombs broke open, and the saints inside were resurrected. They left their graves, and went into Jerusalem, where many people saw them. Jesus opened the way to Heaven for humankind.

Together let us pray a sinner's pray for God's Mercy:

"May God our King deign to grant us His Mercy, 

Behind our bluster may He perceive our pain,

Behind our shouting our weeping,

Behind our guilt our innocence,

Behind our ignorance our ache for wisdom,

Behind our drunkenness our thirst for forgiveness,

Behind our lovelessness our craving for affection,

Behind our impurity our pained self-reproach,

Behind our complacency the pangs of uncertainty,

Behind our pretence the sincerity we fear to show,

Behind our rejection our yearning for eternal redemption.

Behind our defiance the regret for our disobedience to our Redeemer.

May God compassionately console all those we have disappointed and heal all hearts we have broken,

May God graciously forgive us our every sin and transgression,

May God mercifully allow all of us together in heaven one day to sing His praises in His glorious Presence,

May God's Divine and infinite ocean of mercy for sinners be glorified forever. Amen."

Good Shepherd Church is holding Holy Saturday prayer vigil, as we remember that in the early hours of Sunday Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour triumphantly arose from the grave.

As we too shall one day.

We pray for

- an end for all wars

- for all who are suffering

- for end to torture and killing of humans and animals

- for peace to reign in the world

- for families to be healed and reunited

- for those who are seeking to find meaning in their lives

- for all babies whose lives are threatened in the womb, that their lives may be saved

Why not join us in prayer? If possible, attend or pray at all, of the following:

- Blessed Eucharist

- Prayer Service

- Holy Rosary

- Bible reading

Blessings on the culmination of your Lent, time of repentance and spiritual renewal.

Pray the Holy Rosary at the following link:

http://www.comepraytherosary.org/

Bible reading may be found at:

http://ebible.org/

With thanks to comepraytherosary.org and ebible.org

              

HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER VIGIL

HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE

Priest; "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

Congregation; "And also with you."

Priest; "Let us remember the sufferings of our Saviour this night."
Congregation; "Let us never forget the price He had paid for our deliverance."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foha_fUFRQk

ENTRANCE HYMN
Here at Your table

You who are humble, You who are gentle,
breath taking beauty, life giving touch.
We who are empty, we who are hungry,
frail and unworthy, needing so much.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.

Here where You serve us, 
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.

You who are humble, You who are gentle,
breath taking beauty, life giving touch.
We who are empty, we who are hungry,
frail and unworthy, needing so much.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.

Here where You serve us, 
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.

Here where You serve us, 
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.

Holy is He, and great is His glory,
Holy is He, and worthy of our praise.
I stand in His presence amazed,
And crown Him with worship and praise!
Holy is He, Holy is He,
Holy is He.

Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.

CONFESSION AND PARDON

Priest; "My brothers and sister, Christ shows us His love by becoming a humble servant. Let us draw near to God and confess our sin in the truth of God's Spirit."

Congregation; "Most merciful God, 
we confess that often our spirit has not been that of Christ. Where we have failed to love one another as He loves us, where we have pledged loyalty to Him with our lips
and then betrayed, deserted or denied Him.

Forgive us, we pray; and by Your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trial; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

SCRIPTURE LESSON

Matthew Chapter 26, verses 17 to 75

The Last Supper

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He 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.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The 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.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. ”Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

Peter Disowns Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Words of comfort; "On this holy night, we walk alongside Jesus as we remember the unbelievable victory He won over satan in securing our freedom from the tyranny of sin. The events of this Holy Week Thursday continue to reverberate over the world.

Let us confess our shortcomings to the Lord, and ask pardon for our sins. We remember how Jesus accepted the cup of suffering in reparation for the sins of the world. Only in the world to come will we truly realize the awesome scale of spiritual victory our Heavenly Warrior Prince won for us.

We remember how Jesus humbly prayed before the Father, sweating in fear of the impending events to the point of hematidrosis. Jesus was in so much terror and distress that capillary sweat gland blood vessels ruptured, exuding  blood. Yet He accepted the cup of suffering that He so feared. Jesus overcame His fear for sheer love of us, and pity of our fate if He did not confront satan's plans through the events of Holy Week.

The disciples, exhausted from the labor of walking from town to town and ministry, slept the sleep of the overextended. They did not realize the enormity of events which were moving forward and would soon embroil them in grief, remorse and sorrow. The aftermath of the heat of the day, together with recent stress, worry and the supper wine combined and they slept. Leaving the Son of God to sweat His fear out all alone.

Until the Father sent a special friend, one of the Angels in Heaven Who had always known how to speak to Jesus to bring comfort, wisdom and counsel. We do not know the name of the Angel - not on this side of eternity, at any rate - but we have cause to be deeply thankful to this holy being. He brought great comfort to a grown man who was so distraught that He wept.

At the Supper Jesus had instituted the Eucharist, the holy sacrament which infuses God's Divine Life into our human beings. Do we realize what an incredible gift this is? And freely given! Tonight, let us thank the Saviour for the supreme gift of His entire being, love and purification of our inner selves which the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ effects in us at communion. 

Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, humbly serving them. Let us always remember that the Lord and Master of the Universe of immeasurable Intellect, is not arrogant and proud. He is so humble that He wiped the sweat and dust from calloused feet. Let us likewise love to serve and assist all we meet, in the same humble spirit.

Tonight is the night we REMEMBER. We thank, praise, honor and worship the Lord our God Who brought us out of the Egypt of our banishment, and brought us back to the road which leads to Him.

What  a great destiny is ours! All we need do is accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, repent our sins, and try to lead good lives. The sacraments help to nourish and comfort us on our journey as we each carry our own personal cross on life's road, ready to lay it down when the time comes and we joyfully enter heaven."

HOLY EUCHARIST

Priest; "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take all of you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you."

Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life."

Priest; 'At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '

Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation.'

[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer]. 

LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; 'Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us.'
Priest and Congregation;
'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 sins,
As we forgive those who sin 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.'

PRAYER

Priest; 'Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ. We stay at Your Son's side tonight, as we ponder the mysteries of redemption. Our songs, prayer and thanks, the bowing down of our hearts before You are the ways we can show our gratitude for the immeasurable gift You gave us in Your Son.'

Congregation; 'Amen.'

Priest; 'And may the blessing of Almighty God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.

NOW WE SPEND TIME IN PRAYER AS 

WE REMEMBER THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS ON THIS HOLY NIGHT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkivkORaeJA

HYMN
Stay with me
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . 2x

Stay here, and keep watch with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray.

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . 6 x

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Not to give in to temptation.

The spirit is eager,
but the flesh is weak. . . 

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . .

My heart is nearly broken
with sorrow,
Remain here with Me,
Stay awake and pray. . .

Father, if it is possible,
let this Cup pass Me by. . .
Father, if it can not pass Me by
Without I drinking it. . .
Thy Will be done.

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . Repeat

With thanks to Youtube