Fifth Sunday of Easter, 2026
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Easter 5, 3rd May 2026
Welcome sisters and brothers and peace be with you. MAY the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
In February this year Kim and I landed in Singapore … without my luggage. The airport was crowded, I was sent from one desk to another and after a long delay we eventually got to our hotel without luggage but with growing frustration knowing only that my luggage had never left New Zealand.
During the night I received a text message from someone at the airline apologising for the lost luggage but also telling me that this was the plan … they had found my bag, put it on another flight and would deliver it to the hotel the next day.
Something changed in me. The situation hadn’t improved. The lack of the bag and all its contents was still there. However, now I trusted that someone knew the way. I went to bed - not with all the answers, but with enough assurance to rest.
That moment - between confusion and trust - is exactly where we meet the disciples in today’s Gospel from John 14:1–14.
Jesus speaks on the night before His crucifixion. The room is heavy. The disciples sense something is wrong. Their world, built around Him, feels like it’s about to collapse.
And into that fear, Jesus says:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Jesus DOES NOT the reality of the situation. Instead, He invites them into trust, not in circumstances, but in Him.
He continues:
“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you.”
This is not just about heaven someday. It is about belonging. It is about knowing that no matter how uncertain the journey feels, there is a place already prepared, already waiting, already secured.
But then Thomas speaks up—and we should be grateful he does:
“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
Thomas gives voice to what all of us feel at times and it goes something like this, “I don’t understand the plan. I don’t see the path. I don’t know how to move forward.”
And Jesus responds with one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
NOT, “I will show you the way.” NOT, “I will give you directions.” BUT, “I am the way.”
This is Jesus telling us that faith is not about having a perfect map of life. It is about walking in relationship with the One who really does know the way. The One who really does have the plan. <PAUSE>
Human beings often want clarity and certainty before they move. Jesus offers Himself instead.
Think about how much of our anxiety comes from not knowing, What will happen next?
Will things work out? Am I making the right decision?
We want certainty. Jesus offers presence.
“I am the way.” Walk with me.
“I am the truth.” Trust me.
“I am the life.” Remain in me. <PAUSE>
Then Philip asks another question, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
It’s such an honest request - just show us God clearly, give us something visible, something undeniable.”
And Jesus replies, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
In other words, if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus:
His compassion,
His mercy,
His patience,
His willingness to suffer for love.
God is not distant or abstract. God has a face - and it is the face of Christ. <PAUSE>
And then Jesus says something that has always had the power to stop me in my tracks:
“Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and greater ones than these…”
To me, to you, Jesus is saying: “My life will continue through you.” YES … Jesus is saying: “My life will continue through you.”
The disciples, frightened and uncertain, are being told that they will carry forward His mission.
AND SO ARE WE !!! <PAUSE>
Which brings me back to my lost luggage.
I didn’t need every detail of the recovery. I needed someone I could trust - someone who knew the way and would not forget about me and on the greater scale of life - that is exactly what Jesus offers us.
Not a life free of delay or disruption. Not a guarantee that everything will go as we expect.
But deep promises:
“You are not alone.”
“I know the way.”
“I am with you.” <PAUSE>
So what does this mean for us, today?
It means that when our hearts are troubled, when life feels uncertain, when the future is uncertain and blurred by worry and doubt - WE ARE INVITED TO TRUST.
Not blindly, but in a relationship with Christ, trusting the One who says:
“I go to prepare a place for you.”
“I am the way.”
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
… and perhaps the most practical question is this:
“Where in our lives, right now, are we waiting for clarity, for certainty before we trust?”
Is it a decision, a relationship, a change of job, a change of location, a fear about the future?
Well - Jesus does not always answer those questions directly. Instead, He offers Himself.
THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR US.
Because when we walk with Him, we are already on the way, even if we cannot yet see the destination.
So, when you feel that familiar uncertainty rising, remember the voice of Christ speaking into your life:
“Stay near me.”
“Trust me.”
“I will come and get you.”
And in that trust, may your troubled heart find rest.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's sacrifice and goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Risen and reigning Lord, assure our troubled hearts that you have gone to prepare a place for us, so that where You are, we may be also. You alone are the way, the truth, and the life by whom the Father comes to us, so that through You, we have seen Him and know Him.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Risen and reigning Lord, how often are we like Thomas questioning Your Son Jesus Christ whilst thinking that we're on our own to work things out.
Help us to listen to Your promises, to receive Your assurances, to let You remove troubles from our hearts and may we always remember Your constant presence with us. We pray for all who strive to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Risen and reigning Lord, in this world which often seems filled with antagonism, division, mistrust and hatred - we pray for world peace in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We pray for countries, and particularly their elected leaders, to find diplomatic solutions that will bring harmony between nations.
We pray for wars to end.
We give thanks for Your promise that one day there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Until that day, we pray for your continued grace and goodness to overflow in this world so that humans can live alongside one another respectfully, allowing for mutual flourishing.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Risen and reigning Lord, we pray for our families and colleagues, friends and lovers, for neighbours and strangers; for those with whom we break bread at home, at work, in the community, and in our faith community; for all who grow, harvest and prepare the food we eat and for those who cook it and serve it.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Risen and reigning Lord, whose touch alone could heal the sick, hear our prayers for Your servants who are ill as we ask for Your help and mercy to restore them to health.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Risen and reigning Lord, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniversary we recall.
Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the faith community around us until we are reunited once more in that family house which is Your heavenly kingdom.
We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed sister and brother, May (UK), Thomas (Kenya), Mary-Beth (USA).
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.
Make us worthy of the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Risen and reigning Lord, we thank You for showing us the Way, in human terms that we find easier to understand and which helps us to recognise all the wonderful things in Your world for which we should be grateful.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
