South Stormont Pastoral Charge

  *Gathering Hymn Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks (#179 VU | vs. 1&2) Welcome& Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: In our Easter joy, we find a God of new starts and fresh growth.   All: In our Easter grace, we find a God of renewal and transformation. One: In our Easter faith, we find a God to carry us from shadows and despair. All: In our Easter peace, we find a God to nurture us in hope and love. One: In our Easter lives, let us glorify God’s name, now and forevermore. *Gill Le Fevre. Gathering L/E 2024 , page 42. Opening Prayer (Unison) Dear Creator God, we are filled with trust in your guidance.   Nothing is possible without you.   Our life journeys continue with you at our sides. Fears are scarce and worries few when we trust your presence. Guide us to a place of comfort when we feel forsaken and alone. Inspire us with hope when we start believing that the world is becoming a bad place. Let our ...

Today is Easter, which is celebrated as the most important day in the church. We gather together every Sunday to worship because it is the day Jesus was resurrected. Jesus' resurrection shows how God's hope and love triumph over everything in the world. The meaning and importance of his resurrection were demonstrated through the actions of his disciples. When they met the risen Christ Jesus, they became faithful messengers who shared the Good News of his resurrection with the world. Today's first reading is from Peter's sermon in the Acts of the Apostles. As someone who experienced new life through Jesus’ resurrection, Peter declares, "God shows no partiality" (34). Given the times, this statement was surprising. The earliest followers were all Jews who believed that only Jews, as God's chosen people, could receive salvation. It was difficult for them to imagine that those outside their community could be saved. But after meeting the risen Jesus, Peter rea...

*Gathering Hymn Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks (#179 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Christ is risen! What a glorious day!   All: Christ is risen, indeed! Our lives are forever changed! One: New life is all around us. Stop and experience the beauty.   All: Where once there was death, now there is life! One: Christ is risen! All: Christ is risen, indeed! Hallelujah! *Laura J. Turnbull. Gathering L/E 2024 , page 36. Opening Prayer (Unison) We gather this holiest of days, Living God, to remember one moment in time that changed everything. Thousands of years ago, your Spirit burst out of the grave and placed into our hands the promise of resurrection. Through Jesus’ resurrection, you gifted us with freedom, not just from death, but from sin, fear, uncertainty, and loneliness. You moved and shattered the shadows of death. Today we rejoice! Even though we so often forget, today we remember. We remember you are her...

 In today’s Gospel text, the colt plays an important role in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. "Colt" is a term referring to the offspring of a horse or donkey. In many cases in the Bible, it means a young donkey, so it would be acceptable to use the term for a young donkey. I would like to invite us to reflect on today’s passage from the donkey's perspective. Let's call it Polos because "Polos" is the Greek word for "colt." Now, let’s dive into Polos' story. Polos is a little donkey who lives in a small town east of Jerusalem, near the Mount of Olives. He feels very happy now because it's spring. He loves the warm sunshine, and most importantly, he enjoys eating the soft and tender leaves. He was getting tired of chewing cold hay. Another reason this time of year is wonderful for him is because of Passover. It's one of the biggest festivals and brings lots of pilgrims to Jerusalem from all over the country. Sometimes, if he's lucky, Pol...

  *Gathering Hymn and Words  Hosanna, Loud Hosanna(#123 VU) Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v.1 | #123 VU) Sing: Hosanna, loud hosannathe happy children sang; through pillared court and templethe 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 crowdthat 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 cityriding 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 heavenrode on in lowly state, content that little childrenshould on his bidding wait.   One: Jesus’ followers were excited, filled w...