​The joy of Easter is the discovery that because Jesus, though crucified, is alive again, there can be no doubt that this Man is indeed the Christ – the Messiah!

​Stf 293 All Heaven declares the Glory of the risen Lord

This Jesus who was crucified is the Christ!

Reading Acts 2: verses 14, 36-41
 14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

​Reflect prayerfully upon the words of Stf 274 Jesus Christ I think upon your sacrifice.

​Stf 353 Jesus is Lord, creation's voice proclaims it.

​The power and love of God may be revealed to humanity through creation, or through the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross, but something stops people seeing it, until some action, a radical offering of love opens our eyes.

Gospel Reading
On the Road to Emmaus13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Prayers – submitted by Lyn. Lord we praise you for every single act of good that is done, for every ounce of love that is shown, for every kind deed, act of grace and act of mercy.
Heavenly Father, look on us in your mercy. Our world is in such turmoil that we dread to switch on the news. Somewhere along the line we have made a mess of it. We pollute and defile it with our way of life, we ask your forgiveness. Help us to realise that you have provided lavish gifts for our use and not our abuse. Help us to understand that unless we are led by the Holy Spirit there will be no peace. Lord, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with us. Spirit of God hover over the chaos and bring from it life and hope; in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lords Prayer

​Stf 296 Christ has risen while earth slumbers

​At this very difficult, frustrating and worrying time for us all, it seems like an ideal moment to pause, ponder and reflect on three important words, Peace, Joy and Hope. 

​StF 693: Beauty for Brokenness

​Blessing
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.  Amen

​Matthew 28:1-10 – Fear and Joy!
Christ Jesus is risen!  He is risen indeed!
Matthew’s account of Easter morning adds joy to the women’s fear – the news from the angel and the meeting with Jesus fills their hearts with such mixed emotions!

​Hymn StF 313 - Thine be the glory

​Sermon

Prayer
Jesus you are our joy. No matter what happens to us your joy cannot be taken from those who love you. Forgive us for times when we forget that you overcame even death and have taken away all fear.

We thank you for the way the spread of your message of life and love has increased through the use of technology, not been diminished by the lockdown. Jesus you are the joy of the world!

We pray for all those who are fearful – those ill with COVID 19, and other dis-ease, their loved ones, and those who are caring for them, afraid of catching the virus or passing it to their families. We pray for a sense of peace and inner strength for all these who are afraid. Jesus you are the joy of the fearful.

As your friends, we pray that you will enable us too, to share the message of joy that you are alive– that you heal and save here and now. Jesus our joy, hear our prayer.
Amen

​Hymn StF 351 - In Christ alone my hope is found (if you’re worried by the phrase ‘wrath of God’ don’t be – wrath here means indignation, which is anger at injustice or wickedness)

​A blessing
Whatever today may hold, whatever tomorrow might bring, the future is secure, for Christ is with us, the same yesterday, today and for ever.
Amen

​James from Kingswood playing 'Meditation' on his saxophone​

​Before watching the video or reading the service sheet, get a stone and if you can, be in sight of a cross.

​Today is Palm Sunday and at Kingswood this would have been an interactive style of worship. In line with our usual practice, later in the service, you will have the option to choose a particular element to engage with. Palm Sunday, and the day when we would normally receive a palm cross see the video below for you to make a palm cross from paper.

​Hopefully you should have made a Palm Cross!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Hymn – 265 Ride on ride on in Majesty

​Opening prayer.
Lord of Palm Sunday,
as we listen again to the story of your entry into Jerusalem.
we give you thanks and praise
for your willingness to journey beyond the cheering to the cross for us
Breathe your love into our lives and enable us to love others, even as you have loved us.
In your mercy and grace, we receive your love.
Amen

A prayer of confession Based on Psalm 139.1-3
O Lord, you know each one of us. You know when we sit down and when we rise up; you know our thoughts and our deeds, nothing is hidden from your sight.
You are acquainted with all our ways.
Hear us, loving God, as we confess our weakness and failings.
Bring us into the light of your love as we seek for your forgiveness. May we know your mercy and grace in Jesus’ name.
Amen

​Readings. Philippians 2: 5-11 and Matthew 21: 1-11

​Your choice – now is the time for you to decide which element of the service to go to next - there are three choices:-

1. Questions to ponder
2. Reading one of todays reading in the lectio divina style
3. Reflection by John Staton from the Methodist Website.

 

1. Questions to ponder - Matthew 21: 1-11
   One writer recently suggested that peer pressure, jealousy, insecurity, fear, doubt, disillusionment, were just some of the emotions that came swirling together to change this crowd of joyful worshippers into a very different group of people by Good Friday.
   
   We may have experienced some of these emotions at some point in our lives.
   Given the current situation we find ourselves in I for one, find that at times I am experiencing a sense of fearfulness this being prompted by the ‘unknowns and what ifs’ of a future not being quite what I had anticipated.
   
   Do you ever find yourself experiencing any of these emotions in the light of our current time of isolation?
   
   What would you find helpful to alleviate or calm those emotions?
   
   As we try and support each other over these strange days please let Christine Liz or Jessica know if you have an idea that may be helpful for yourself or for others.

As we celebrate again this Palm Sunday let us be reminded of those truths that Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem brings:
As we celebrate again this Palm Sunday let us be reminded of those truths that Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem brings:

• Jesus is a king who brings us close to God - No other king can do that for us.
• Jesus is the kind of king who loves us - He loves and knows each one of us. No other king can do that.
• Jesus is a king who shows us the way. Throughout his life, by his words and actions, Jesus showed us the way to God and the way that God wants us to live. No other king can do that.
• Jesus is a king who died and rose again for each and everyone of us that he might walk with us and share with us in our most difficult times.

A king like Jesus deserves our love and praise. He deserves to be welcomed into each of our lives.
So, in a moment of quiet, let us, welcome him into our lives and as we do, know that he is with us whatever emotion we may be experiencing at this time. And remember God is love and in him we place our trust.

​2.Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a prayer method for reading and praying with the bible. Choose one of today’s readings. (See readings above).
There are four stages to reading the bible in this way and it will take approx. 20 mins – so find a comfortable place chose your reading and begin! We will read the passage three times.
Lectio (Read)
The first reading is an opportunity to get to know the scripture passage. Listen carefully for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. It’s important not to force things, but wait patiently for God to give gentle guidance.

Meditatio (Reflect)
The second reading of the same passage focuses further on the points that you become aware of during the first reading – perhaps just re-read a few verses to reflect carefully on where God has nudged you.

Then reflect on what God might be saying. Try not to analyse the passage. It’s easy to slip into “study mode” and think about interesting points rather than listening to what God might be saying.

Oratio (Respond)
After a third reading, it’s time to respond. We can respond in prayer or record your thoughts.

Contemplatio (Rest)
Spend a few minutes in silent contemplation. This isn’t a time of prayer or meditation — just sit quietly and allow God to work. If your mind starts to wander and dart here and there, bring it gently back to stillness again.

​Back together again
​Take your palm cross (either the one you have made – or a cut out cross shape or last years palm cross) and lets ask for God ‘s blessing
A prayer for the blessing of the cross.
Bless to me this palm cross, loving God.
May it help me to praise you from my heart today.
May it help me to understand how much it cost you to die for me.
As I live through this Holy Week and through the coming year
May it remind me that you have promised to be with me always
And that I have promised to follow you always.
Amen

​Intercessions.
Lord Jesus Christ, you came not as a king mighty in battle, but as the prince of peace, the promised deliverer, sent to heal and restore our broken world. So now we pray for peace and healing for all your creation.
We pray for all who long for your peace to reign in their lives – lives that are shattered by sadness, disappointment, illness or bereavement. Silence.
We pray for our families and friends, all our health care workers, all who care, our emergency services, that your peace will reign amongst them Silence
And for ourselves we ask that your peace that passes all our understanding will surround us each day today and in the coming days.
Lord Jesus Christ come again to our world and bring the unity healing and peace that only you can bring - In your name we pray.
Amen -

We say together the Lord’s prayer.

As we enter into this Holy week – let us commit ourselves again to follow our servant king – wherever this may lead us knowing that he has journeyed before us and will continue to journey with us.

​Blessing
​Lord of the journey, as you set your face towards Jerusalem,
we now set our faces towards the world for which you died.
May we know your presence wherever we are.
May we live in your name and your blessing.
Father Son and Holy Spirit, This day and for evermore
Amen

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