scripture readings
textweek resources
This is the Fifth Sunday of Easter (not the fourth Sunday after Easter).
• collect/opening prayer reflection for Easter 4 May 15 and week following
Please add hymns, prayers, ideas, resources in the comments.
Encourage consciousness of Easter being a season, not just a day – “attend” Easter is 50 days and invite your friends.
Exegesis of this Sunday’s readings
From WaiapuAcademy.org
Common Worship collect (CofE):
Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help
we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Roman Catholic collect/opening prayer:
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus,
semper in nobis paschale perfice sacramentum
ut quos sacro baptismate dignatus es renovare,
sub tuae protectionis auxilio multos fructus afferant,
et ad aeternae vitae gaudia pervenire concedas.
Almighty eternal God,
perfect in us always the paschal mystery,
so that they whom you deigned to renew by means of sacred baptism,
may under the aid of Your protection bear many fruits,
and that you will grant them to attain unto the joys of eternal life.
Almighty ever-living God,
constantly accomplish the paschal mystery within us,
that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism,
may, under your protective care, bear much fruit
and come to the joys of life eternal.
Through our Lord
God of unfailing mercy,
who redeemed us and adopted us as your children,
look upon us with tender love,
that we who believe in Christ may enjoy true freedom
and enter our promised inheritance.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Alternative Opening Prayer from ICEL 1998:
We have beheld your glory, O God,
in the face of Christ Jesus, your Son.
Enliven our faith, that through Christ we may put our trust in you.
Deepen our faith, that in Christ we may serve you.
Complete our faith, that one day we may live with you in that place which Christ prepares for us,
where he lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
