South Stormont Pastoral Charge

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” One of the marks of corrupt and oppressive power is that it always tries to silence the voices that speak the truth. This is because truth awakens something deep within us, reminding us of the dignity and worth that God has given to every human being. Truth stirs our hearts and reveals that we were created in the image of...

  *Gathering Hymn Welcome, Happy Morning (#161 VU | vs. 1&2) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: This is the day our God has made!   All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it. One: No matter if it is sunny or raining,   All: windy or calm. One: It is a gift to celebrate.   All: This is the day our God has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it! *Richard Bott, Gathering L/E 2025 . Page 44. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Christ Is Alive (#158 VU | vs. 1,3,5) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) God of resurrection, we confess that we have often feared human judgment more than we have trusted your call. Like the authorities who resisted the apostles, we have resisted truth when it challenged our comfort. We have remained silent when we should have spoken, and chosen safety over faithfulness. Forgive us, and remind us that your grace offers us a new beginning. By your Spirit, renew our courage to witnes...

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. ”Then they remembered his words and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and loo...

  *Gathering Hymn Welcome, Happy Morning (#161 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: This is the place of joy.   All: Christ is risen! One: This is the time of new hope.   All: Christ is risen! One: This is the way of freedom.   All: Christ is risen! One: Gathered with faithful friends,   All: Christ is risen! One: Everything is possible now.   All: Christ is risen! One: Christ is risen indeed.   All: Hallelujah! *David Sparks, Gathering L/E 2025 . Page 43. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn This Is the Day That God Has Made (#175 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Compassionate God, you have shown us through the risen Christ that love is stronger than death, and goodness is greater than evil. Still, we confess that we do not always live as Easter people. We forget the promise. We lose hope. We turn away from your love. Forgive us and lift us with the hope of resurr...

Today is Palm Sunday.  It is the day when we remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem. It is the beginning of Holy Week, a time for remembering, reflecting, and walking in Jesus’ way to the cross. When Jesus came near Jerusalem, many people celebrated his arrival. They laid their cloaks on the road and waved branches in the air, shouting, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" It was a beautiful scene, but this story is more than just a celebration. It invites us to look deeper, revealing that there are different ways of walking through this world. Biblical scholars suggest that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, would enter Jerusalem during Passover. He came from the west, in the direction of the Roman administrative centre, in a grand procession with chariots, soldiers, and golden eagles on poles. The air was filled with the sound of marching feet, creaking leather, clinking bridles, and the beat of drums, a powerful display of strength. Passover was a Jewish...

  *Gathering Hymn and Words Hosanna, Loud Hosanna(#123 VU) Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v.1 | #123 VU) Sing: Hosanna, loud hosanna the happy children sang; through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang: to Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises ,the simplest and the best.   One: We join with the crowd that eagerly awaited the coming of Jesus.   All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest! One: Fulfilling prophecy, Jesus entered the city riding humbly on a donkey. All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!   Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v.2 | #123 VU) Sing: From Olivet they followed 'mid an exultant crowd, the victory palm-branch waving, and singing clear and loud; the Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, content that little children should on his bidding wait.   One: Jesus’ followers were excited, filled with anticipation. Yet, w...