Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter from all in Leesfield Parish. Our Church services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.00 am at St Thomas'.
If you're not able to be with us in person, you can find worship resources here on this page, and we'll be sharing other services on our facebook page - facebook.com/leesfieldparish as they become available.
Our first hymn this morning is "Jesus Christ is Risen Today"
The Gospel for Easter Sunday
Luke 24:1-12The Resurrection
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee 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 looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
Reflection
For six months before He was delivered over to be crucified, Jesus repeatedly taught His disciples that He would be crucified, buried and rise again after three days. Yet here we learn how perplexed and astonished the women were to find the tomb empty when they went to the tomb to anoint his body. So too, we are told that the disciples and the rest of the people with them did not believe them when they recounted their experience and the encounter with the angels.
Of course, we must remember what a tumultuous week the disciples have just been through - from Jesus’ triumphant arrival into Jerusalem, his encounters at the temple and the horrific concluding events of Thursday and Friday. Their Lord was dead and they were in probably fearful for their own lives too. They were bemused and reeling from all of this and no doubt in deep mourning as well. So, even though Jesus had repeatedly forewarned them of what was to come, they still did not immediately accept and understand what had come to pass.
The question posed by the angels to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and the other women has the enlightening answer within it: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?” That is the fundamental point, not only is Jesus not in the tomb, He is Living! He has been raised from the dead and is with the living – so what is the point of looking for him with the dead?
That is the really wonderful good news story for us all – The heart of the Easter message and our faith. Jesus is with us, with the living today, offering new life to us; because those who believe in Him will share in his resurrection and rise with him in glory. Isn’t that something absolutely tremendous to look forward on this Easter morning? Like Mary and the other women, let us all with a joyful heart, do our bit to share the wonderful news that Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!Happy Easter!Paul
Here is an Easter reflection from the Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester
Our second hymn is "From Heaven You Came (Servant King)"
Our Prayers
Almighty Father,
We give you thanks for sending your son, Jesus
to die for our sins,
and that you raised him in glory as a message
to transform our lives
and give us hope in your glorious Kingdom
Thank you for the joy of Easter and our risen Lord
Who gave his life so that we could have life.
Amen
This morning's final hymn is "Thine be the Glory"
Notices
There will be no Tuesday morning service of Holy Communion at St Thomas' this week, but Worship for all Generations will be at St Agnes' at 6.30 pm on Wednesday.
Next Sunday, 24th April, is our Annual Parochial Church Meeting, where we elect our Churchwardens and PCC members for the coming year. This takes place immediately after a Parish Eucharist, so there will only be one service in the parish on that day - 10 am at St Thomas' Church.
