Welcome to this Service of Worship
Second Sunday of Easter
16 April 2023 at 10.45am
Led by Revd Helen Alexander
with the congregation in the sanctuary and online
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WELCOME! This congregation is part of the Church of Scotland: we are
Reformed in our understanding of Christian faith, Presbyterian in how we
form our community, and a member of the worldwide family of the
Christian Church. Whether you are in regular attendance at worship or this
is one of your first visits, you are very welcome as part of this community
and today’s service of worship. God bless you. If you would like to keep in
touch, please complete the Connection Card on the back page or email
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH
GATHERS TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Organ Voluntary
Welcome
The Grace
Preparatory Silence for Worship
Introit: Up! Up! my heart with Gladness
Words: G W Daisley (1877-1939)
Music: J S Bach (1685-1750)
Up! Up! My heart with gladness, sing what was done today,
How bitter was our sadness! What joy now lights our way!
My Saviour low was laid, But as to mourn we stayed,
His grave bonds did he rend, and to the skies ascend.
He brings us to the portal which leads to heaven’s fold
Whereon these words immortal stand all inscribed in gold:
‘Who lacked with me renown, he wears in heaven the crown.
Who chose with me to die, he sits with me on high
Call to Worship
Minister: Let all people sing praises to God.
All: We shall sing to the glory of God
Whose wonders we tell upon earth.
Minister: Come, see what the Lord has done:
All: For the Lord gives life to all people,
And hope to the ends of the earth.
Hymn 415 - This joyful Eastertide
(t. Vruechten)
Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is
the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Hymn 425 - The Saviour died, but rose again
(t. St Andrew)
Reading 1 Peter 1: 3 - 9
Read by Alan Paterson (NT p. 231)
A Living Hope 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance
that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5
who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a
little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness
of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is
tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour
when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you have not seen[b] him, you
love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him
and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving
the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Anthem The day draws on with golden light
Words: ‘Aurora lucis rutilat’ trans Alexander Lacey
Music: Edward Bairstow (1874 to 1946)
The day draws on with golden light,
glad songs go echoing through the height,
the broad earth lifts an answering cheer,
the deep makes moan with wailing fear.
For lo, he comes, the mighty King,
to take from death his power and sting,
to trample down his gloomy reign
and break the weary prisoner's chain.
Maker of all, to thee we pray,
fulfil in us thy joy today;
when death assaults, grant, Lord,
that we may share thy Paschal victory.
Reading St John 20: 19 – 31
Read by Alan Paterson (NT p. 112)
Jesus Appears to the Disciples 19 When it was evening on that day, the
first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had
met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them
and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his
hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21
Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so
I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to
them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
Jesus and Thomas 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the
twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told
him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of
the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my
hand in his side, I will not believe.’ 26 A week later his disciples were again
in the house, and Thomas was with them.
Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and
said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here
and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not
doubt but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29
Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed
are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
The Purpose of This Book 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the
presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these
are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Reader: For the Word of God revealed through Scripture.
ALL: Thanks be to God
Hymn 455 - I greet thee, who my sure redeemer art
(t. Chilton Foliat 597)
Sermon
Revd Helen Alexander
Hymn 414 - Come, ye, faithful raise the strain
(t. Ave Virgo Virginum)
Prayer for Others
Hymn 459 - Crown him with many crowns
(t. Diademata)
Closing Responses
Minister: Go in the peace of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All: We shall go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Benediction
Threefold Amen
Organ Voluntary
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THIS MORNING’S CHOIR MUSIC
The introit is a chorale by Bach BVW 441 ‘Auf, auf! mein Herz mit Freuden’
in a version for four parts. The simple but lively hymn tune has two verses.
Edward Bairstow was a Yorkshire man through and through and spent
much of his career as organist and choirmaster at York Minster. The
anthem is founded on a Church melody from Angers near Paris, set against
an inventive organ part. In the first stanza the ladies voice starts us off and
hand over to the men. The second is in four-part harmony except for an
empathic unison ‘to trample down the gloomy reign.’ An extended flowing
organ section leads to a quieter last verse.
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NEWS AND INTIMATIONS
1. OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea will be served in the Bill McDonald Hall
at the close of the Sunday services. Everyone is very welcome.
2. ANNUAL LEAVE AND PASTORAL COVER Our Minister, Sandy, will be
on annual leave from tomorrow, Monday 10 April, for two weeks until
Monday 24 April. The Sunday services on Sundays 16 and 23 April will be
led by Revd Helen Alexander, who was the locum in the vacancy a few
years back. Whilst Sandy is away, contact Anne Mulligan in relation to
pastoral issues. Revd Donald Scott from Priestfield has kindly agreed to
provide cover over these two weeks for any serious issues that arise.
3. CROSSREACH PERINATAL SERVICES. We are having a collection for
CrossReach PNS next week - Sunday 23 April. Please bring cash if you
would like to donate - gift aid envelopes will be available. We will also
provide details for those who prefer to donate online. Many thanks in
advance for your support.
4. ARRIVAL OF NEW CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT WORKER We’re
delighted to announce that Bettina Hather will be joining Mayfield
Salisbury as our new Children and Young Adult Worker, starting on 3 May.
Bettina will be employed initially until the end of 2023, up to the time of
the new union. She brings much experience and skill in Christian youth
work, and is currently employed in a similar role at Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse
Church of Scotland. We’re very much looking forward to her starting work
and getting to know everyone.
5. UPCOMING CONGREGATIONAL PILGRIMAGE WALKS All are welcome
for the next two walks on the Forth to FarneWay, which are:
• Monday 8 May 2023
Circular walk from Coldingham Priory, via St Abbs’ Lighthouse (c. 7miles)
• Saturday 10 June 2023
Beal Farm Cafe to Lindisfarne (approx. 5miles)
Please sign up for the May walk by emailing Pamela Molyneaux
friends at Traprain Parish Churches in East Lothian, and locally at Priestfield
and Craigmillar Park.
Additionally, the walking group at the Traprain Churches have a pilgrimage
walk from Athelstaneford Church to Prestonkirk Church (approx. 5 miles) in
the morning of Saturday 13 May, and have invited us to join. If you would
like to do so, please contact Pamela for more information or to register.
6. THURSDAY CLUB The Thursday Club resumes on 20 April at 2.00pm in
the Bill McDonald Hall. The club will be visited by a Ceilidh Band with
Gwyneth Young. Refreshments will follow and everyone is most welcome.
7. PASTORAL CARE - MATTERS Anne Mulligan is the principal contact
point for pastoral matters now that Kay has departed, until such time as a
replacement is appointed for Kay. The contact details remain the same as
before -
contact Anne if you have any pastoral issues or concerns and/or if you wish
anyone to be remembered in the confidential prayer chain or wish to be
added to the email circulation list.
8. VOLUNTEER SOUGHT Hugh Pollock is standing down as clerk to the
Hunter Bequest and the Agnes Crispin Trust. I understand the roles are not
onerous and involve periodic short meetings to support the trustees in the
management of the funds in line with their aims and the preparation and
management of the accounts. Hugh has undertaken these tasks for many
years and we very much appreciate his involvements. However, with his
departure we need someone willing to take on these roles. If you think
you can help please get in touch with Hugh to discuss in more detail what
is involved. As far as I am aware we are still to have any offer of help.
Many thanks.
10. GIVING – QR CODE Our Quick Response code is a handy way of
using your smart ‘phone or tablet’s QR app to link you to our Giving Page.
Once you have joined the Giving Page safeguards are still operative.
PLATES: Those who would have wished to use it may make use of the
offering plates situated in the vestibule and halls entrance, at the close of
the service. Regular and one-off donations are possible online at
www.give.net/20311853 (scan the QR code) or please contact our Freewill
Offerings Treasurer, Hugh Somerville on 0131 466 2446 or
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of service for next week: Thursday at 6.00pm
Next parish magazine Grapevine: Friday 28 April at 6.00pm
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916
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WELCOME! We are glad to see you worship with us today and hope to
see you again soon. We would love to get to know you better! Please
complete this form and place it in the offering plates at the doors or
pass to one of the Welcomers.
Name: ________________________________________________________
Contact: ______________________________________________________
I would like to receive from the church:
A phone call/email from the Minister/ Pastoral Assistant
Information on house groups and ways of getting involved
Weekly news emails Monthly parish magazines
www.mayfieldsalisbury.org
Scottish Charity Number SC000785
www.give.net/20311853