Pray : Lord God, Heavenly Father, we praise you on this very special day – A glorious day– because it is Easter Day – the day when Jesus was raised from the dead – the day when he was shown to be Christ the risen Lord! No matter what circumstances cause us pain we can’t help but praise you, as we celebrate the victory of your Son.  On this day he rose from dead, showing that he had conquered sin and death, proving that love triumphs over all the darkness in the world. Thank you that 2000 years on, we are able to join with you and together with all your people to give thanks for the miracle of faith, not just Jesus being alive,  but that you loved us so much that you sent your Son to die for us, so that we might not die but live in fellowship with you and with one another forever. Thank you that your Holy Spirit is here, to make the events that first Easter real to us.  Thank you that your Spirit works in our hearts, gives us a faith that is real and alive for our daily lives now. It’s not a dead faith but a living one for Jesus is alive, he is here, he is risen and we are glad. We don’t deserve this –we’ve messed up and let you down but make everything right –forgive us and give us a new beginning for Jesus’ sake. Open our hearts and help us to see Jesus, to know his love and to respond in faith. Deepen our love for him and for one another and help us to delight in it and live to love and serve him. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen One.   Amen.

Thought- A New Beginning, a New Hope conjures up in my mind the opening scene of Star Wars films, the writing on the plaque moving slowly into space accompanied by some pretty rousing music. But the Easter story is no science fiction fable or fairytale. It is real, true and wonderful. Easter is a new beginning, and offers us as well as the first disciples real hope. The good news began on the Friday when Jesus died on the cross for the salvation of the world (and us!), but it wasn’t recognised until the Sunday. Most of the men were hiding inside fearful they might be arrested. Some of the women went down to the tomb complete the funeral preparations. They were shocked to find the tomb empty and Jesus’ body missing. Shocked too to be told that Jesus had risen. And later, firstly in ones and twos and then in larger groups Jesus was to appear to his followers – risen on the third day, as he had told them. There was a new beginning for them – God’s Spirit changed them and gave them hope in place of their fear – and they went out into the streets proclaiming Jesus as risen Lord and Saviour. Before long the news of Jesus’ forgiveness and new life had spread all across the Mediterranean and down through the years the message has been passed on to us. We too can have a new beginning (if we haven’t already met Jesus) – the good news is for us and we can know his love in our hearts for ever – yes – and he can equip us to play our part in offering a new beginning, a new hope to others. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Pray: Lord, thank you that we can join in praising you as our risen Lord and Saviour – thank you that you are still alive and today is the beginning of the rest of our lives with you and for you. In some ways, this Easter Day, 2023 we have got more in common with the women who went down to the tomb to see to a body and came away full of excitement because they had met with the risen Lord. Thank you for the energy and excitement of the Easter story, for new life, lives totally changed, of love defeating evil. Help us to take it in, to let that glorious message give us a new beginning, to love and hope and joy. Heavenly Father, Easter isn’t really about bunnies, bonnets or even eggs (though they are supposed to be a sign of the stone being rolled away). It’s about Jesus. Help us to respond to the real Easter story and to rise to the challenges it offers. Help us to welcome the good news of the risen Saviour and to follow him, to share in his mission to bring the good news of salvation to everyone. Heavenly Father, we pray today for all those who still need to hear the good news of Jesus, the full story. Prepare hearts, open minds and grant opportunities to hear and to accept the good news of Jesus – his love and forgiveness. Be with those whose hearts are heavy today: the bereaved, troubled, worried, those who are low (themselves or because of loved ones). Be with those whose circumstances are tough – whatever the cause. You have promised to be with us always and you really can help us in times of trouble. Please be near to those for whom we pray. In our prayer walk this week we remember today those who live or work in Whinfield Way. Hear us in silence as we touch on all those in need whatever their circumstances and wherever in the world they are – near or far. SILENCE. Lord, help us young and old, to know the power of the risen Jesus this Easter Day and to share in the new beginning that it offers. Keep us close to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, deepen our love for him and for one another and give us the will and the strength to share in telling out and living out the wonderful news of Easter – of a risen Saviour and a real future and hope in him. Amen.

Blessing - May the Lord bless you. Amen.