Hymn Crown him with many crowns read by Sheena A & Steve J
Jam Club challenge? Find … a trainer? Physical exercise is essential; so too is mental & spiritual ‘exercise’! And so we gather for worship Candles at 7pm too, either actual or printed poster (download - given it’s light at 7pm BST!)
Bible reading John 9, 1-11 read by Mark N
1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no-one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 Having said this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." 10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. 11 He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."
Read Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
WRBC object #2 Previous member at WRBC, Vic Martin (he died 6 years ago, but would have been 100 this year!) took some of the old organ pipes (pre-digital organ, installed 1997), & fashioned them into crosses.
Puzzle project challenge for you - can you turn a piece of tube into a cross? A use for all those finished toilet rolls?
Cross such a significant symbol, full of meaning and message, at the centre of our faith, and not least as we head towards Holy Week – the cross on which Jesus dies, to show us how much God loves us (nothing he will not do in love for us);and an empty cross, just as the tomb is empty, to show us that God’s love cannot be contained, restricted or locked down!
Prayers together On a Sunday – God is good! And on a Monday – God is good! Throughout the week – God is good! Gathering as church - God is good! Gathering online - God is good! In the morning - God is good! In the afternoon - God is good! In the evening - God is good! In the night-time - God is good When we can meet only online - God is good! Face to face through our screens - God is good! When we are well - God is good! When we fear illness for ourselves or for others - God is good! When others care for us, and look after us - God is good! When we can look after others, or just ourselves - God is good! Tell someone else today - God is good! Tell the world today - God is good! Remind yourself today - God is good! Celebrate the Lord in worship - God is good! God is good! - God is good! God is good! - God is good!
Amen!
Reflection Opening our eyes – having our eyes opened! - physically - socially - ‘culturally’ - also spiritually; “focus” on God from whom we cannot be separated (can you see it?), on the God of mercy and grace (can you see it?), the God of love, of joy, of peace (can you see it?). The cross as a visual aid, as we prepare to “survey ... where the young prince of glory died”. But the resurrection will reveal, will help us to see, the purposes of God. Anticipating one resurrection experience – “Unless I see ….”, says Thomas. Hymn words: Crown him the Lord of love, Who shows his hands and side... Jesus shows Thomas, but then promises: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Prayers for others led by Les Ebdon
Lord’s Prayer
Hymn I cannot tell … but this I know read by Ann N & Harold L
Psalm 137, 4 How can we sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land? About a people in exile, a people separated from their land, from their worship – yet maintaining their faith. Perhaps this is our post-Easter agenda, no doubt we will sing again too one day!
Blessing
