Sixth Sunday of Easter, 2025
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):
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
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:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint John.
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Easter 6, 25th May 2025
Welcome friends and peace be with you.
MAY the words of my mouth and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
What WAS I doing in 1987? Sometimes I can’t remember what I had for breakfast … so I certainly struggle to answer that question because 38 years ago is a long time … and, 38 years is a long time to sit on your mat!
Every day on that mat is the same. Waiting. Watching. Hoping. Not much changes. Sitting on his mat has become a way of life for the man in today’s gospel. His life is stagnant. He’s convinced that life will bubble up outside of him, over there, in that magic pool of water. So he sits on his mat waiting, watching, and hoping that things will change.
There was a belief that this pool of water, called Beth-zatha, had healing properties and that it could change one’s life. It was said that every now and then an angel would stir the water, and the first one into the pool would be healed. The man in today’s gospel won’t get up off his mat until he sees the first bubble. He is living an “as soon as” life.
“AS SOON AS the water stirs, I will get up off my mat. AS SOON AS I get to the water my life will be better. AS SOON AS I get into the water my problems will be fixed.”.
However, the pool of Beth-zatha, and all things like it, are an illusion. They convince us that our life is nothing more than our circumstances. They deceive us into believing that life is to be found “outside ourselves”. So the illusion tricks us into living an “as soon as” life.
Most of us know what that is like. We say, “As soon as this or that happens everything will be better. I’ll be happy. My problems will go away. I’ll be satisfied. All will be well.”
These “ as soon as” illusions have a strong attraction for us humans. As soon as …
I graduate, get a job, get a better job; get married, get out of this relationship; I have more time, more money, a better house; He changes the way he acts, She apologies; I feel better, get a vacation, retire, move to country; I get over this grief and no longer feel sad; I lose weight, get fit … and so on, and so on!
The problem is there will always be another “as soon as”. Meanwhile life is put on hold. People sit on their mats, self-imprisoned in a rut by the circumstances of their lives.
The imprisonment is so great that when Jesus asks the man, “Do you want to be made well?” the man doesn’t even say, “Yes.” Instead he offers circumstances and excuses. “I have no one to put me in the water. When the water stirs others get there first.”
Now, I’m not suggesting that the circumstances of our lives are irrelevant or have no effect. That’s just not true. They do affect us, sometimes deeply. <PAUSE>
However, we are more than the circumstances of our life. Life is not to be found outside our various situations or circumstances but ACTUALLY WITHIN US. To believe something other than this is to live constantly looking for the next pool of Beth-zatha, the next illusion. Notice - Jesus does not help the man get into the water. Jesus comes to him on his mat, the same mat and situation the man so wants to escape, and Jesus speaks - actually, COMMANDS - words of life and resurrection. “Get up off your mat!” To quote Jesus a bit more accurately, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.”
Again, I say, notice - the man does not leave his mat behind. It goes with him. His circumstances are real. The difference is he now carries them. They no longer carry him.
The point is … Jesus doesn’t change our outer circumstances. HE CHANGES US. He calls us into a new way of being. When we stand and rise to that new life we discover the circumstances have somehow changed. That doesn’t necessarily make life easy or mean we no longer have to deal with the circumstances that life throws at us.
Yet, listen to the words of Jesus again “Get up, pick up your mat and walk.” We need to know that the commands of Jesus are NOT empty. The word of God is filled with the power of God. It will ensure that you CAN do what is commanding you to do.
So when Jesus says, get up, pick up your mat and walk the man’s dry bones, his muscles, get strong, fingers begin to move and he IS able to actually get up. He is able to roll up his mat. He hasn't walked in 38 years … now, he can!
When Jesus Is teaching and there are hungry people all around, they have a few loaves and some fish. Jesus took that food, blessed it, gave it to his disciples and commanded - go and feed the people. God’s command was followed by God’s power to multiply that food.
When Jesus woke up in that boat with the frightened disciples, he commanded the storm and it was still. God’s command followed by God’s power.
Standing outside that tomb, Jesus commands, “Lazarus, Come out!” and the dead man came out. God’s command followed by God’s power.
With God’s commands comes the power behind it - for you and for me. <PAUSE>
The question is, do we trust Christ at His word? Remember, Christ’s word comes with the power to enable us to answer God’s call, get off our mats, break out of our personal ruts and get moving anew, afresh. Jesus is saying get up, pick up your mat and walk, if you want to, I have you, I am with you, you are not doing this alone - but you have to trust my word.
This understanding and acceptance makes our circumstances more manageable and we engage them from a different place and position. The “as soon as” life is drained of its power over us. There is freedom where there was once imprisonment. The rut of stagnation gives way to new life, new creativity. Stagnant waters bubble with new life.
Thanks be to God that the tomb is still empty, and Jesus is calling us, shepherding us ….. to pick up our ‘mats’ and walk in a new life.
Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed! Alleluia. AMEN.
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 goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Everlasting God, You made the world and everything in it, we pray with one voice, proclaiming your presence to all the earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You and give thanks for all wonders of Your marvellous creation.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
We pray for the leaders of faith communities around the world, that they will be guided in their ministry by the influence of the Holy Spirit. We pray for the FaithaLight community around the world, help us to respect the beliefs of others even if we do not share them, to celebrate what we have in common and to accept our differences. Guide us all in our ministries as we live each day.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, we pray for governments and world leaders, for captains of industry and workers; for inventors and technicians, for entertainers and audiences. For all who are powerful, that they may be guided by the Spirit of Truth that Your way may be known upon earth, Your saving power among all nations. We continue to pray for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine and for peace in the Holy Land.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray for our family and colleagues, friends and lovers, for neighbours and strangers; For those with whom we break bread at home, at work, and in our communities; For all who grow, harvest and prepare the food we eat and for those who cook it and serve it; For all who share with the less fortunate through food-banks and charities.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, Your son Jesus asked the man at the pool “Do you want to be made well?” We pray for all those who have been ill for so long that it has become part of their life. Help them and those who care for them to see all the possibilities that life still holds despite their disabilities and to make the most of all the wonderful aids that are now available to help people lead enjoyable and fulfilled lives.
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 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.
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
Gracious God, as we go out into the world help us to work to make Your way become known upon earth and Your saving power among all nations.
(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.
