Easter Sunday 12 April 2020

Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman

Music: Georgia Wilkinson (Soprano & Cantor), Christopher Watson (Cantor) & Rhys Boak (Organ)

2

Welcome to St Michael’s

StMichael’sisauniquechurch.Weareproudofourindependentspirit;seekingcontinuallytodiscovernewwaystounderstandfaithandtodemonstrateitinourlives,andintheheartofthecity.

AspartoftheUnitingChurchinAustralia,StMichael’siscommittedtoinvolvementinsocialandnationalaffairs.WeholdfoundationalChristianvaluesoftheimportanceofeveryhumanbeing,theneedforintegrityinpubliclifeandconcernforthewelfareofthewholehumanraceirrespectiveofrace,creed,gender,sexuality,statusorage.

Office Bearers

ChairofCongregation:IanSmithChurchCouncilChair:LauraBeckett

Treasurer:IanCoxSecretary:MareeMcDonald

DeaneryI:HouseholdDean:PeterAnderson

DeputyDean:JackMorgan

DeaneryII:ChurchServicesDean:GraemeAdamson

DeputyDean:AlbertPhillips

DeaneryIII:ContactandCareDean:LyndellO’BrienDeputyDean:JoyArnot

DeaneryIV:ProgramsDean:LorraineWoolleyDeputyDean:ValGill

CultureofSafetyContactPerson

(KeepingChildrenSafe)ValGill

Organist&ManagerofMusicRhysBoak

St Michael’s Uniting Church Office

3

MEDITATIONS StMichael’sisavibrant,progressive,inclusivechurchwithalongtraditionofnurturingthespiritualwell-beingofthehumanpersonandworkingforthecommongoodinsociety.

♥Ourbuildingsmaybeclosed,butourheartsareopen.♥DuringtheCOVID-19viruspandemic,weareofferingSundayGatheringsonline–ReflectionsbyourministerRevDrMargaretMayman;biblicalandcontemporaryreadingsfromcongregationmembers;beautifulmusicbyorganist,RhysBoakandguestmusicians;andprayersforthesechallengingtimes.

AvideoofthisservicewillbeavailableonthewebsiteandYouTubeonSunday.http://www.stmichaels.org.au/videos

Is the resurrection real?

“Istheresurrectionreal?Ifwebelieveinacreativepowerthatshatterstheicytombofwinterwiththelife-givingmiracleofspring,wehaveseenaresurrection.Ifwebelieveinacreativepowerwhichmovestensandthentensofthousandsofpeopletocryagainsttheinjusticesofsociety,enablingthedownfallofhatredandprejudice,thenwehavecreatedaresurrection.Ifwebelieveinacreativepowerwithineachhumanbreastwhichenablesustobreakthebondsofpersonalpainandknowthehopeofnewtomorrows,thenwehaveexperiencedaresurrection.” MarkHarris

“Hapunan(dinner)”byEmanuelGaribay,ThePhilippines.UsedforEaster@StMichael’swiththeartist’spermission.

4

GATHERING AS PEOPLE OF EARTH AND SPIRIT

WELCOME & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY REV DR MARGARET MAYMAN WelcometoStMichaelsUnitingChurch.Iamgladtowelcomeyou,whereveryouare,tothisonlineEasterSundayservice.Whereveryouhavecomefrom,whereveryouaregoingto;whateveryoubelieve,whateveryoudonotbelieve;youarewelcomehere.

WeacknowledgetheWurundjeripeopleoftheKulinNation,andotherFirstPeoplesonwhoselandthoseparticipatinginthisgatheringlive.Wehonourtheirelderspastandpresentandtheiryouthwhocarryhopeforthefuture.

DuringtheCOVID-19pandemic,wecannotgatherinphysicalproximitytooneanother.IknowthatmembersofStMichaels’aremissingthecommunityandfamiliarityofthisplace.Butinthelossofthat,werecognisetheprivilegeinbeingabletocreatethisonlineserviceandtoshareitwithotherswhoareseekingformeaningandsolaceinthisstrangeandchallengingtime.Ifyouarejoiningusfromanothercongregationortradition,wearegladyouarehereonthisEasterDay.

Inoursearchformeaning,forwaystolivewellascreatorsofcompassionandpeace,forwaystokeepourselvesandotherssafe;theSpiritiswithinus,betweenus,andbeyondus,nudgingusbeyondthenecessityofsocialdistancingintothegraceofspaciousconnecting,inwhichloveandcompassionareshared.

WejourneyfromGoodFridaytoEasterDay…fromdespairtohope……fromalienationtocommunion.

GATHERING WORDS Welookwithuncertaintybeyondtheoldchoicesforclear-cutanswerstoasofter,morepermeablealivenesswhichiseverymomentatthebrinkofdeath;forsomethingnewisbeingborninusifwebutletit.Westandatanewdoorway,awaitingthatwhichcomes…daringustobehumancreatures,vulnerabletothebeautyandfragilityofexistence,learningtolove.

Basedonthepoem“Welookwithuncertainty”byAnneHillman

5

PRAYER OF AWARENESS Inthismomentwearegatheredwelcominglove’sreturnOurheartsareliftedWeopenoureyesWewelcomelove

ThetombisemptythestonelaidbackThewombisfullThestonescryoutforjoy

RisenOne,walkamongusspeakyourwordsofpeacereleaseusfromourfearshealusfromourwoundsReleaseusfromourbetrayals,ourdenialsoflove,sothatwemayparticipateinthefullnessoflife.

Atimeofsilenceforpersonalprayers.Holydancer,yousoarfromthegravewithcosmicrhythm,wipingearth’stearsinheraldingthedawnHoldourhandsinthedanceofjustice.Weaveourstepsintospiralsofhopefulness.Amen.

GATHERING HYMN CHRISTOPHER WATSON

JesusChristisrisentoday:Alleluia!Letthejoyfulpeoplesay:Alleluia!Christhassharedourearthlylife:Alleluia!Conquereddeathtoendourstrife:Alleluia!

Pow'rsofdeathhavehadtheirday:Alleluia!Earthlyrulershavenosway:Alleluia!Nothingmoretofearhavewe:Alleluia!ThosewhotrustinChristarefree:Alleluia!

SharinginChrist'sdeath,werise:Alleluia!Soarlikeeaglestotheskies:Alleluia!Findingmercy,weforgive;Alleluia!Off'ringupourlives,welive:Alleluia!

GlorybetoGodonhigh:Alleluia!Letthewholecreationcry:Alleluia!LetthenameofChristbesung:Alleluia!Ev'ry-where,byev'rytongue:Alleluia!

Words:RuthC.Duck(1947-)Tune:EasterHymnandAlleluias

Laterformofmelodyfrom'LyraDavidica',1708

6

EASTER AFFIRMATION

Alleluia,Christourlife,youarealive.

Inthebeautyoftheearthintherhythmoftheseasonsinthemysteryoftimeandspace—Alleluia!Christourlife,youarealive.

Inthetendernessoftouchintheheartbeatofintimacyintheinsightsofsolitude—Alleluia!Christourlife,youarealive.

Inthecreativepossibilityinthemostordinaryconversationthedreariesttaskthemostthreateningevent—Alleluia!Christourlife,youarealive.

Toofferre-creationtoeveryunhealedhurttoeverydeadenedplacetoeverydamagedheart—Alleluia!Christourlife,youarealive.

YousetbeforeusagreatchoiceThereforewechooselife.Therhythmofresurrectionsoars

andsurgesthroughthewholecreation.

MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Allegro(Alleluia)from‘ExsultateJubliate’K.165-W.A.Mozart(1756-1791)arr.RhysBoakThishighlycelebrated,muchloved,andoftenperformedmotetwaswrittenintheyear1773.ItwaswrittenfortheItaliancastratoVenanzioRauzziniandcomposed,andfirstperformedwhileMozartwasstayinginMilan.GeorgiaWilkinson(soprano)&RhysBoak(organ)

SHARING A SIGN OF PEACE MaythepeaceofDivinePresencebewithyou!Andalsowithyou!

Peopleareinvitedtosendpeacefulthoughtstomembersofourcommunity.

7

LISTENING FOR WORDS OF SPIRIT

GOSPEL: JOHN 20: 1-18 NEIL BLOOD

Earlyonthefirstdayoftheweek,whileitwasstilldark,MaryofMagdalacametothetombandsawthatthestonehadbeenremovedfromthetomb.SosheranandwenttoSimonPeterandtheotherdisciple,theonewhomJesusloved,andsaidtothem,“TheyhavetakentheRabbioutofthetomb,andwedonotknowwheretheyhavelaidJesus.”ThenPeterandtheotherdisciplesetoutandwenttowardthetomb.Thetwowererunningtogether,buttheotherdiscipleoutranPeterandreachedthetombfirst.Hebentdowntolookinandsawthelinenwrappingslyingthere,buthedidnotgoin.ThenSimonPetercame,followinghim,andwentintothetomb.Hesawthelinenwrappingslyingthere,andthecloththathadbeenonJesus’head,notlyingwiththelinenwrappingsbutrolledupinaplacebyitself.Thentheotherdisciple,whoreachedthetombfirst,alsowentin,andhesawandbelieved;forasyettheydidnotunderstandthescripture,thathemustrisefromthedead.Thenthedisciplesreturnedtotheirhomes.ButMarystoodweepingoutsidethetomb.Asshewept,shebentovertolookintothetomb;andshesawtwoangelsindazzlingrobes,sittingwherethebodyofJesushadbeenlying,oneattheheadandtheotheratthefeet.Theysaidtoher,“Woman,whyareyouweeping?“Shesaidtothem,“TheyhavetakenawaymyRabbi,andIdonotknowwheretheyhavelaidhim.”Whenshehadsaidthis,sheturnedaroundandsawJesusstandingthere,butshedidnotknowthatitwasJesus.Jesussaidtoher,“Woman,whyareyouweeping?Whomareyoulookingfor?”Supposinghimtobethegardener,shesaidtohim,“Sir,ifyouhavecarriedhimaway,tellmewhereyouhavelaidhim,andIwilltakehimaway.”Jesussaidtoher,“Mary!”SheturnedandsaidtohiminHebrew,“Rabbouni!”(whichmeansTeacher).Jesussaidtoher,“Donotholdontome,becauseIhavenotyetascendedtoAbbaGod.Butgotomysistersandbrothersandsaytothem,‘IamascendingtomyAbbaandyourAbba,tomyGodandyourGod.’”MaryMagdalenewentandannouncedtothedisciples,“IhaveseentheTeacher.”Thenshetoldthemwhatthesaviourhadsaidtoher.

FortheWordthatwasinthebeginning,FortheWordthatinvitesandinspires,FortheWordembodiedinJesus.

Wegivethanks.

CONTEMPORARY READING NEIL BLOOD

“Lifebeforedeath”byDorotheeSoelle.

TheResurrectioncannotbediscussedinisolation,asifithadnothingtodowiththecross.AsifJesuswould,inanycase,evenifhehaddiedofoldage,havegottenthebenefitofthiswonderdrug.Ifwekeepbeforeoureyeswhatthispuzzlingphrase“resurrectedfromthedead”says,thenthereality“cross”belongstoit:whoeverlivesinlovehastoreckonwithcontempt,abuse,discrimination,evenwithdeath.Inthisotherwayofliving,theResurrectionisalreadyvisiblelongbeforedeath.Jesusbelievedaboveall-andforall-inalifebeforedeath.TheResurrection,thesparkoflife,wasalreadyinhim.AndonlybecauseofthisGod-in-himweretheyunabletokillhim.Itsimplydidnotfunction.

FortheSacreddiscoveredinwordsofwisdom,FortheSacredmadeknownamongus,FortheSacreddwellingwithinus,wegivethanks.

8

REFLECTION REV DR MARGARET MAYMAN “For a world reborn”

RESPONDING IN LOVE

HYMN GEORGIA WILKINSON

Nowthegreenbladerisesfromtheburiedgrain,Wheatthatinthedarkearth,manydayshaslain;Lovelivesagain;thatwiththedeadhasbeen:Loveiscomeagain,likewheatthatspringsupgreen.

Inthegravetheylaidhim,LovewhomPowerhadslain,Thinkingthatnever,hewouldwakeagain,Laidintheearth,likegrainthatsleepsunseen:Loveiscomeagain,likewheatthatspringsupgreen.

ForthLifecameatEaster,liketherisengrain,Christwhoforthreedays,inthegravehadlain;Nowfromthedead,theRisenOneisseen:Loveiscomeagain,likewheatthatspringsupgreen.

Whenourheartsaresaddened,grievingorinpain,Byyourtouchyoucallus,backtolifeagain;Fieldsofourhearts,thatdeadandbarehavebeen:Loveiscomeagain,likewheatthatspringsupgreen.

Words:JohnMacleodCampbellCrum(1872-1958alt).Tune:NoëlNouvelet

Frenchtraditionalcarolmelodyharm.theIonaCommunity

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Ourprayersofthanksgivingandsolidarity…

RisenChrist,LivingChrista,asyoudwellwithusopenoureyestoseetheneedsofyourworld,openourearstohearthecriesofthepoorofthesufferingthemarginalized.

Whenwedonotrecogniseyouinthosewemeet,calltousbynameaswewalkbesidethem.

Showusrenewedlifeinunexpectedplaces,whenweareblindedbyourassumptionsandlimitedbyourhumanvision.

Weprayforallwhocannotimagineresurrectionbecausetheirownlivesarefraughtwithviolenceandoppression,sorrowandgrief.

9

Weprayforourworldinthegripofpandemic,forpeoplewhoaregravelyillandforthosewhogrievethedeathsoftheonestheyloved.Wearegratefulbeyondwordsforpeoplewhocontinuetoworkinhealthcare,agedcare,andotheressentialservicesriskingtheirownhealthforthecareofothers.

Whenthetimeofpandemicpasses,encourageustorememberwhatwehavelearnedaboutwhatistrulyofvalueinlife.MoveustowalkinpartnershipwithcreationseekingtheliberationofyourpeopleknowingthatyourSpiritwillaccompanyus.

Reassureusandrenewusaswerecommittolivesofservicelivedwithoutreservation,embracingyourpassionforjusticeandpeace.

RisenChrist,livingChrista,onthisEasterDaymayourworldchangebecauseofyourlifeinus.

Mayourprayersstaywithusintheseasonofresurrectionandstirustomakerealourdreamsforaworldreborn.Amen.

HYMN GEORGIA WILKINSON

WeareanEasterpeople,oursisanEasterfaith,theyeastisrisinginourhearts,ourwinehasvintagetaste.Christisrisen,Christisrisen,riseninourlives.

WeareanEasterpeople,oursisanEasterfaith,ourtearsarefreedtoflowandhealourshatteredhopesandhearts.Christisrisen,Christisrisen,riseninourlives.

WeareanEasterpeople,oursisanEasterfaith,ourfearshavedied,werisetodream,tolove,todance,tolive.Christisrisen,Christisrisen,riseninourlives.

Words:Bill(WL)WallaceTune:Alive,AlisonCarey

10

SENDING AND BLESSING

BLESSING Go…tolivefullytolovewastefullytobeallthatyoucanbe.

Go...withtheloveofDivinePresenceenfoldingyou,thepeaceofJesusChristwithinyou,andthebreathoftheHolySpiritinspiringyourlife.

Amen.

POSTLUDE Toccata-JosephJongen(1873-1953)Therearemanywonderfulandmemorabletoccatasfortheorgan.TheseincludeworksbysuchluminariesasBach,Widor,Frescobaldiandmanyothers.ThistoccatabythegreatBelgianvirtuoso,JosephJongen,wascompletedinitsfinalforminFebruary1953onlymonthsbeforethecomposer’sdeath.Itusesextremelyrichandcolourfulharmonyaswellasexploringthefullpoweroftheorgan.Itisregardedasoneofthemosttechnicallydifficultworksintherepertory,andassuchisseldomperformedandremainslittleknown.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gatheringwordsbasedonthepoem“Welookwithuncertainty”byAnneHillman,inAwakeningtheEnergiesofLove.www.annehillman.net.EasterAffirmationbyKathyGalloway,inCelebratingWomen,edHannahWard,JenniferWildandJanetMorley.(London:SPCK,1995).“Lifebeforedeath”byDorotheeSoelleisanexcerptfromTheologyforSceptics(London:Mowbray,1995).

Hymnsareprintedandstreamedwithpermission.ChurchCopyrightLicense(CCL):261070andChurchStreamingLicense(CSL):569311

GUEST MUSICIAN Georgia Wilkinson Withover14yearsofexperienceperforming,GeorgiaWilkinsonismakinganameforherselfasoneofAustralia’smostversatileyoungsopranos.SincebeginningherclassicalvoicetrainingattheVictorianCollegeoftheArtsSecondarySchool,Georgiahasprogressivelybuiltherrepertoireofoperaticandmusicaltheatrecredits.CompaniesshehasworkedwithincludeVictorianOpera,LeftBauerProductions,GippslandOpera,WeimarLyricOperaStudio(Germany)andGertrudeOpera.GeorgiahashadthepleasureofperformingalongsidesomeofAustralia’smostcelebratedandillustriousartists,includingYvonneKenny,MarinaPrior,DavidHobson,SylviePaladino,RoyBest,Kahmahl,andJamesMorrison.ShealsoworksregularlywithTeddyTahuRhodes.

11

Inadditiontoopera,Georgiahasalsotakenonmanymusicaltheatreroles.TheseincludetherolesofChristineinPhantomoftheOpera,BelleinBeautyandtheBeast,andMariainWestSideStory.Forherimpressivemusicaltheatreperformances,GeorgiahasbeenrecognisedwithaGuildAwardandfourLyrebirdAwards.GeorgiagraduatedfromtheUniversityofMelbourne’sConservatoriumofMusicwithaBachelorofMusicandhasstudiedoperaabroadinItaly,Germany,theUnitedKingdomandtheUnitedStates.Georgia’sstudiesinLondonandNewYork,whereshehadtheopportunitytolearnfromsomeoftheworld’smostrenownedvocalcoaches,weresupportedbygrantsfromtheIanPotterFoundationandtheAustraliaCouncilfortheArts.Throughheroperaticcareer,Georgiahasreceivedvariousawards,including‘OperaScholaroftheYear’throughtheillustriousOperaScholarsAustraliaprogramandfirstplaceintheRingwoodAriaCompetition.ShewastheyoungestOperaScholaroftheYearandRobertSalzerVoiceAwardee.Georgia’scareerhighlightsof2018includedbeingapartofVictorianOpera’s2018YoungArtistprogram,performinginGertrudeOpera’sYarraValleyOperaFestival,performingonherfirstBravoCruise:RadienceoftheSeas,andbeingfeaturedinSydney’sCarolsintheDomaininDecember2018(televisedonChannelSeven)asoneofAustralia’sfinestupcomingoperasingers.2019hasseenGeorgiaperforminVictorianOpera’sParsifal,becomeayoungartistwithGertrudeOpera,starinher5thOperabytheLakes,performatSydneyTownHall,presentthetitleroleinVictorianOpera'sAliceThroughtheOperaGlass,andperformatOperaUndertheStarsinBroome.ShewillsoonbesteppingontothestageofHamerHallforthefirsttimeinConcertWork'sproductionofJekyllandHydestarringAnthonyWarlow,beforetakingpartinOperaAustralia'sproductionofTurandot.OnOctober23rd,GeorgiawonAustralia'sprestigiousHeraldSunAriacompetition.

NOTICES

CONTACT AND CARE TEAM

ThemembersoftheContactandCareTeamareavailabletotalkwith,orassistpeople,whoareexperiencingdifficulttimesduringtheCOVID-19pandemic(orforanyotherreason).IfyouwouldliketospeakwithamemberofContactandCare,pleasecontacttheofficeandleaveyourphonenumberoremailaddress.Allmattersremainconfidential.LyndellO’Brien-DeanofContactandCareJoyArnot-DeputyDean

PRAYER TREE

Weareasmallgroupofcaringpeople,committedtosharingtheload,withthosegoingthroughdifficulttimes.Wehavewelcomedthepositiveoutcome,experiencedbythosewhomwehavesupported.Allpersonalinformationistreatedwithrespectandconfidentiality.Ifyouwouldlikeyourownnameputonour'PrayerTree'pleasespeakwithCatherineJonesdirectly,orcontacttheStMichael'sofficeandaskforamessagetobeforwarded.Ifthisrequestinvolvesanotherperson,pleaseseektheirpermissionfirst.'Aprayermaybeawordlessinnerlonging,asuddenoutpouringoflove,acryinthedarknessforhelp,whenallseemslost.'(PaulGallico)CatherineJones,PrayerTreeLeader

12

PASTORAL CARE

StMichael’sminister,RevDrMargaretisavailableforpastoralcareconversationsbyphone.Pleasecalltheofficetoarrangethisoremailoffice@stmichaels.org.au

ST MICHAEL’S SOCIAL MEDIA

https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelsmelbourne/

https://www.youtube.com/user/StMichaelsChurch/videos

Podcast:www.soundcloud.com/stmichaelsunitingchurch

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

EASTER AND HOLY WEEK @ ST MICHAEL’S – ONLINE

“ResurrectionHopeforaWorldReborn”

Videosoftheserviceswillbepostedonourwebsite: https://stmichaels.org.au/the-church/gatherings-reflections/

PalmSunday5April10am MaundyThursday6pm GoodFriday9am EasterSunday12April

PROGRAMS & EVENTS atStMichael’sarepostponeduntilfurthernotice.THE MINGARY COUNSELLING SERVICEiscurrentlysuspended.Mingaryclientsarebeingcontactedtodetermineiftheyneedreferralstootherservices.DiscussionsareunderwaywiththeCairnmillerInstituteregardingtheongoingmanagementoftheMingaryInterns.Ifyourequirecounselling,pleasecontacttheofficeandwewillgetbacktoyouassoonaspossible.