Sixth 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):
Come and listen, all you who love God, and I will tell you what he has done for me.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and 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 6, 10th 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>
Last week a young lady posted a simple online message :
“I have hundreds of followers online, but tonight I have never felt more alone.”
Within hours, thousands of people responded. Many admitted they felt exactly the same way. Surrounded by technology, connected constantly, yet inwardly isolated. We live in a world full of communication, yet many people still ache with loneliness.
And perhaps that is why the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are so powerful.
Jesus says to His disciples:
“I will not leave you orphaned.” “I will come to you.”
Those words were spoken at a moment of deep anxiety. The disciples sensed that something was changing. Jesus had begun speaking about His departure, His suffering, His death and their world was beginning to shake beneath them.
Jesus knows their fear.
He knows they are worried about what life will look like without His visible presence. He knows they are wondering whether they will be abandoned.
So He gives them a promise.
Not a promise that life will become easy.
Not a promise that suffering will disappear.
But a promise that they will NEVER be alone.
“I will ask the Father,” Jesus says, “and He will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”
That word “Advocate” can also mean Helper, Comforter, Companion, Counsellor. Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit — the living presence of God living within His people.
In other words, Jesus is saying:
“You may not see me with your eyes anymore, but my presence will remain with you.”
… and that changes everything. I say this because Christianity is not merely a set of beliefs. It is not merely moral instructions. It is not simply religion.
Christianity is life with the living Christ. <PAUSE>
The disciples would discover this sooner than any of them expected. After the crucifixion they were frightened, confused, and hiding behind locked doors. However after Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit, these same fearful people became courageous witnesses.
What changed?
They discovered they were no longer alone.
The Spirit of Christ was within them.
And the same is true for us today.
There are moments in life when we feel abandoned.
Perhaps it is grief after losing someone we love.
Perhaps it is the collapse of a relationship.
Perhaps it is illness, anxiety, depression, or uncertainty about the future.
Perhaps it is simply the quiet loneliness that can creep into even the busiest lives, and yes -
There are moments when God seems distant.
Yet Jesus says:
“I will not leave you orphaned.”
Notice that word “orphaned” that I believe Jesus chose VERY carefully.
An orphan is someone left without protection, without guidance, without belonging.
Jesus says to us: “That is not who you are.”
In Christ, we are not abandoned children. We are beloved sons and daughters of God.
And the Holy Spirit within us continually reminds us of that truth. <PAUSE>
The Spirit is not always obvious to outward eyes, but we learn to recognise The Spirit’s work over time.
Like the wind — invisible, yet unmistakably real.
You cannot see the wind itself, but you can see trees bending, leaves moving, clouds shifting.
And you may not physically see the Holy Spirit, but you can see lives transformed.
You can see bitterness replaced by mercy.
Hatred replaced by compassion.
Fear replaced by hope.
THAT is the work of the Spirit. <PAUSE>
In an often lonely, divided and confusing world, we as Christians are called to become signs of God’s presence, via The Holy Spirit with us we :
Have a listening ear.
We speak a compassionate word.
We share a meal with someone struggling.
We visit to someone who has been forgotten.
We refuse to give up on other people.
The Holy Spirit in us works through ordinary acts of love. <PAUSE>
This is part of our calling as Christians - to become visible reminders of the invisible presence of God.
To be people through whom others encounter kindness, mercy, encouragement, and hope.
Christ is alive. The Spirit is present. Despair never has the final word.
No matter how dark the night may seem, we are not abandoned.
No matter how uncertain the future appears, we are not orphaned.
The risen Christ still comes to His people.
And perhaps today someone here needs to hear exactly that.
You are not forgotten.
You are not alone.
God has not abandoned you.
The Holy Spirit is nearer than you realise.
Christ walks with you even now.
And because He lives, you also shall live.
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:
Gracious God, You are anything but unknown to us for You made us, and we know that You will never leave us but that You are always with us. So, from around the world, we come together topray with one voice, proclaiming Your presence to all the earth.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Holy God we pray for our faith communities throughout the world, for sceptics and believers, for leaders and followers. For all those who seek God at home, at work, in the streets, and for all who search for life.
We pray for the stillness to listen to the voice of the Spirit and to recognise what our personal relationship with You has done for us.
<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
Creator God, we pray for kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents, for bosses and wardens; for leaders and trend-setters. For those who set the targets at home, at work, and in the streets. For all who wield power and influence, that they may be guided by the Spirit of Truth.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray for family and colleagues, friends and lovers, for neighbours and strangers, For those with whom we break bread at home, at work, and in our community.
We also raise before you, 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
Loving God, we pray for the sick and troubled, for the fearful and alone, for those in pain at home, at work and in the streets. We pray that all who suffer, may feel the Spirit's healing presence.
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
Merciful God, we pray for those kept fresh in our memory and for those long forgotten. For all who ever took the breath of life at home, at work and in the streets. We pray for mercy and forgiveness for the dead and those who mourn them, may they find rest in the Spirit’s embrace and we commend them to your keeping for ever.
We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed sister Margarita (Mexico).
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
God of heaven and earth, companion in life, Spirit of truth, to You alone we turn our eyes and lift our hearts. Help us as we go out into the world to keep your commandments and to love one another as you love us.
(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.
