With Mary Magdalene and all holy women, let us praise God and call upon him in prayer: Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

‘As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.’ (Psalm 42:1,2a)

Hymn: All my hope on God is founded...

Song of Solomon 3: 1-4; 2 Corinthians 5: 14-17

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Let us now confess our disobedience to him: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, whose Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of mind and body and called her to be a witness to his resurrection: forgive our sins and heal us by your grace, that we may serve you in the power of his risen life; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

John 20: 1,2,11-18

Please see the message from the minister.

Let us join in prayer, asking for God’s loving presence to be known to everyone:

Mary Magdalene was the first to greet your risen Son and carried the news of his triumph over death to the disciples. Strengthen us to be faithful witnesses to the gospel in the world and grant your grace to all who preach and teach the faith.

We pray for the world, for compassion and loving kindness to grow in people’s hearts.

We pray for our friends, families and neighbours as we continue to share God’s love.

We pray for people who are sick or suffering, that they will know God’s healing presence.

We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn.

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: O Jesus I have promised to serve you to the end...

May the love of our Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts: and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.