Today is the Third Sunday of Easter, when the Gospel reading is John’s account of the risen Jesus meeting with his disciples at the lakeside. They key to this narrative concerns the way in which the disciples eventually recognised Jesus for who he is.  Jesus was recognised in one of the very ordinary events of life, having breakfast. Yet this ordinary event takes on a new significance when Jesus takes the bread and gives it to them. Here after the resurrection is clear continuity with the way things were before the crucifixion. 
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of having breakfast. In today’s picture from their book, Bread, Aled and Sian are having their breakfast at home.  
 
 
 
Risen Lord, 
you made yourself known to the disciples  
by the Sea of Tiberias. 
Come among us now 
and make yourself known to us, 
as we share in your feast; 
for you are our God, 
now and for ever. 
Amen. 
 
Next week, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel reading is John’s account of Jesus’ relationship with his followers. Jesus is the good shepherd whose sheep hear and know his voice. The image to help us for next week’s theme is sheepdog. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  ​

Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, when the Gospel reading is John’s account of Jesus’ coming and standing among his disciples on the evening of Easter Day.  Thomas, who was not present when Jesus came, refused to believe without proper evidence.  A week later (the Sunday following Easter Day) Jesus came and stood among his disciples again.  This time Thomas was there and Jesus provided him with the evidence he needed.  Thomas saw and heard and touched the risen Jesus, and then he believed.  But Jesus said ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ 
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of hearing. In today’s picture from his book, The Windy Day, Teddy Horsley pricks up his ears to help him hear more clearly.  
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Risen Lord, 
you made yourself known to doubting Thomas. 
When we, too, are surrounded by doubts, 
help us to hear your voice; 
for you are alive and reign for ever. 
Amen. 
 
Next week, the Third Sunday of Easter, the Gospel reading is John’s account of the risen Jesus’ appearance at the lakeside where he cooked fish for the disciples on a charcoal fire.  The image to help us for next week’s theme is having breakfast. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

Today is Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection 
Christ is risen! 
Christ is risen, indeed, alleluia. 
The Gospel reading for today is Luke’s account of how the women (including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James) came to the tomb on the first Easter morning.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.  Then the two men in dazzling clothes spell out the implications of the empty tomb: ‘He is not here, but has risen.’  The empty tomb points to the Easter message of new life. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of the Easter Bunny. In today’s picture from his book, The Sunny Morning, Teddy Horsley runs after the rabbits hopping on the path, as he makes his way to the Easter Sunday service in his local church.  


Lord Jesus Christ, 
you are risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia! 
Bring us to share the new life of your Easter resurrection, 
that we may live with you for ever; 
for you are risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia! 
Amen. 


Next week, the Second Sunday of Easter, the Gospel reading is John’s account of Jesus’ coming and standing among his disciples on the evening of Easter Day. The image to help us for next week’s theme is hearing. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

Today is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday introduces us to the events of Holy Week, beginning with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Each of the three synoptic Gospels tells the story in a slightly different way, but the key idea remains the same.  Drawing on imagery from the Old Testament, the Gospel writers make it plain that Jesus is entering Jerusalem, riding on a colt, as Messiah.  Many local churches now capture the Palm Sunday theme by arranging a procession through the streets.  Some of these processions include a donkey. 
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of donkey. In popular  imagination the donkey becomes involved in two major journeys in Jesus’ life, carrying him to Bethlehem (the place of his birth) and to Jerusalem (the place of his death). In today’s picture from his book, Lights, Teddy Horsley is seen alongside the donkey in Bethlehem.  
Lord Jesus Christ, 
when you rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, 
you were greeted with shouts of praise. 
Yours is the glory, 
Yours is the kingdom, 
Yours is the praise, 
now and always. 
Amen. 
 
Next week, Easter Sunday, celebrates the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus. The image to help us for next week’s theme is the Easter Bunny. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  
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Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The fifth Sunday of Lent initiates Passiontide and prepares the people of God for the events of Holy Week when Jesus will be arrested and crucified.  During Passiontide, we approach the death of Jesus in confidence of the resurrection.  In John’s Gospel, when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, she prefigured his burial.  But all this was done in the very place where Lazarus had already been raised from the dead.  So, too, will Jesus be raised from the dead after his burial. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of cemetery. In today’s picture from their book, Cross, Aled and Sian are looking over the cemetery wall at the gravestones and memorials.  


Lord Jesus Christ, 
by your cross you teach us 
that death is the gateway to life. 
Bless and comfort all those who mourn, 
that they may hold fast your promise 
of life eternal; 
now and always. 
Amen. 


Next week, Palm Sunday, reminds us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a colt. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is donkey. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.