Text: Luke 24: 13-35

We gather as people on a journey.
We believe and we have doubts,
We are imperfect humans,
yet still beloved by God.

Love and grace. Hope and faith.
These are at the core of the one we call God. 
We yearn for a deeper understanding,
and new perspectives,

Though we have our faith
and we have our doubt, we are here.
Speak to us, God!
Continue creating us!
Inspire our hearts.
Enlighten our minds.
Guide our actions.
 
What would it be like to go from a place of sadness, of being downcast and broken-hearted, to a place of jubilation and a place of joy, euphoria and excitement? From believing someone is dead, to knowing that He is alive?
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Mark considers this in the sermon for this week, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/IlpO58Jdu4c

Texts: Luke 24: 1-12; 1 Corinthians 15: 19-26

Remember what Jesus said about dying and rising. Jesus had been repeating this message for an extended period from the point he ‘set his face towards Jerusalem’ in Luke 9:51. Yet, in the face of his undeniable death, the disciples forgot.

In the face of this dark, sad, anxious place for them, we wonder…

There are several theories that have been posited to “explain away” the miracle of Christ rising from the dead, and Hamish explores some of them in his sermon, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/V7M99F3YCRM

God of all, we come to proclaim your greatness,
to sing of your might, to declare your majesty,
and to rejoice in all that you have done. 
You are a God of love and mercy, and we praise you. 
We come to hear again of your great acts across history,
your wonderful deeds amongst your people,
all you have accomplished in Christ. 
You are a God of love and mercy, and we Praise you. 
We come to lift up our hearts to lift up our voices
and to celebrate again the Gospel.
You are a God of love and mercy, and we praise you. 
But as we bring our praise so also we bring our confession. 
Merciful God, forgive us now for being distracted by the allures of the world.
Like the rich young ruler, we have sought to gain the world at the great cost of losing our soul.
Lord, forgive us. 
You are a God of love and mercy, and we praise you. 
We have forgotten you are always ready to forgive and renew us,
and consequently have burdened ourselves with feelings of guilt and despair.
You are a God of love and mercy, and we praise you. Amen. 
 
The service for today focusses on questions we find in the scriptures, and in particular on those in the Gospels. With singing, music and poetry, the congregation and choir will respond to those questions.

Mark has recorded some of the reflections he will be sharing, and you can watch that here: https://youtu.be/0XLwgsHtWg0