Lent 5.
Call to Worship
Celtic Psalm 130 Out of the depths do I cry to you (screen saying Psam 130)
Song: O for a Thousand tongues
Prayer of Adoration and Praise
Merciful God, we know that there are times when our attitudes and behaviour,
our words and deeds, can so distance us from you that our lives become arid
and life-less, lacking meaning and hope. But you breathe new hope into our
lives in Jesus and through the gift of your Spirit. The areas we thought were
dead spring into life and circumstances we believed were beyond redemption
suddenly take on a new light. Wounded hearts are healed of their resentment
and desire for revenge. Our vision expands to discern the signs of mercy and
love which are present when we set our minds on your holiness and on the
depth of your love for us. Love revealed so clearly in Jesus' persistence in
showing how the power of evil and even death can be overcome when lives are
linked with yours through him. We worship and adore you, O God, with
hearts filled with gratitude and praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Silent Confession: (Four pictures of hands on screens)
The Lords Prayer.
Notices and Offering
Bible Readings Ezekiel 37:1-14 Irena R
Song: Now the green blade riseth
Setting the Scene
(Pic Red Cross)
Mouth to mouth resuscitation - Ichvan - lifesaver; etc.
Ask about the experience, have you done this, how do you do it?- Especially how they felt when the person began to breathe on their own and they knew that the person being resuscitated was going to live.
People say it's like a miracle when the person begins to breathe again - did it feel like that with you. (Thanks)
As we heard, when people are physically saved by receiving a person's breath
or oxygen into their lungs, they are restored to being an active human person
again.
Our reading today from the Old Testament told how God can breathe 'new' life into even dry bones so that they have life. It's a story which says that God can bring to life what appears to be totally life-less. And God does that with us also - in one of our other readings today we hear that "the Spirit of God dwells in us". (Romans 8:9) So we are alive in a very special way - in ways that help us be more loving, more caring, more like Jesus. When we are alive in that special way - our hearts dance with joy - our next hymn
Song: Lord of the dance
(Children Go to Junior Church)
Bible Readings John 11: 1-45
Song:O Love, That Wilt Not Let Me Go
Sermon:
Two familiar stories - Ezekiel and the Valley of the dry bones and Jesus raising Lazarus - an old testament and a new testament reading - both with the central theme of resurrection life. One the raising of a whole community and the other an individual.
There have been lots of words already this morning, and shortly we shall embark on our Annual General meeting - with even more words. So I do not want to pontificate about the theology of resurrection and how these events took place - no amount of deep theology or raw science can truly explain these two events - they have now become matters of faith and believe, and we are left to ponder, reflect and pray about our own response.
Can these dead bones live – answer – NO! No really they can’t. They are bones – there is no life here.
Is there life in the tomb, where women weep and the stench of decay and death is growing stronger by the moment – answer No! Really No – there is no life here. There is only grief, despair, guilt, disappointment and anger. There is no hope.
Both these stories paint vivid pictures of desolation – both speak of our humanity and frailty, yet both are set up so that resurrection may become a reality.
Here we are - week five into our Lenten experience and we turn to the matter of resurrection. For Christians resurrection is not just for Easter Sunday, but for everyday. God constantly challenges us through his word to embrace resurrection - often we read stories of this nature in His word in both the Old and New Testament. He is the God who turns our morning into dancing, gives us beauty for ashes and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He makes in the wilderness - a pool of water, and in the dry land - springs of living water.
Here we see pictures of resurrection - new life, new beginnings, new opportunities. These things are part of the very nature of God. They always have been - still are, and always will be.
This morning what do we make of these two accounts of resurrection. What are the feelings and questions we are left with as we think about skeletons in a pit and smelly tombs. Feelings of doubt and suspicion? Question of science and nature? Our own experience and your unanswered prayers?
God's word reveals powerful themes of resurrection - against all the odds, contrary to all our laws of nature and history. Turning the tables on set ways of thinking and usual patterns of life. God comes regardless of all that - to bring new life to his people.
And he calls his church, the people of God, each one of us - to be a people of resurrection. People who believe in an all powerful God, who still comes to bring sight to the blind, freedom to the captives, healing to the sick, life to the dead. God now challenges us to be people of resurrection - to be committed to see signs of His resurrection in the here and now. People, who reveal Gods glory as we continually extend mercy, reveal grace, believe in justice, live a life of righteousness. For when we do other will catch a glimpse of Christ in us, and of the God, who breathes his breath into us, and shares his resurrection life through us.
My prayer this morning is that each of us will know God's breath within us, reviving us, and re-energising us to be people of resurrection hope, so that even when we journey through the valley of the shadow of death - we may know that our joy is always overflowing. Amen
Intercessions: (Music - This is the air I breathe)
In South Africa, where the bodies of two anti-apartheid activists have been exhumed. These men disappeared 17 years ago. Now they will be buried, again, by their families and loved ones.
Father - May there be a resurrection of your truth.
In Kosovo's and Sierra Leone where War crime trials are in progress.
Father - May there be a resurrection of your justice
Tens of thousands of Moroccans demonstrated in the capital, Rabat, calling for the release of 400 Moroccan soldiers still being held prisoners of war in Algeria.
Father - May there be a resurrection of your liberty
Niger cancelled a special ceremony to free about 7,000 slaves. The event was dropped after the government backtracked and said slavery did not exist in Niger.
Father - May there be a resurrection of your freedom.
The UK-led Commission for Africa has urged wealthy nations to double their aid to the continent, raising it by £30bn ($50bn) a year over the 10 years.
Father - we praise you for signs of resurrection life.
For the continuing generosity of people reaching out to help other in need.
Father - we praise you for signs of resurrection Joy.
Father may we be your resurrection people. Amen
Hymn: O breath of life, come sweeping through us
Benediction
May the breath of God give you life
May the compassion of Jesus Christ shape your life
May the power of the Holy Spirit stimulate your life