大象传媒

Please note:

This script cannot exactly reflect the transmission, as it was prepared before the service was broadcast. It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors that were corrected before the radio broadcast.

It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world, and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons, or to reflect current events.

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Radio 4 Opening Announcement:

大象传媒 Radio 4.听 And now, to celebrate Easter morning, Pastor Tani Omideyi and his Love and Joy Gospel Choir join Canon Myles Davies for a Sunrise service from Liverpool鈥檚 Anglican Cathedral.听 It begins from the top of the tower.

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1 听Myles - Opening Introduction听 recorded on top of the Cathedral Tower

Good morning. Looking from the top of the tower of Liverpool Cathedral, the city below is just returning to daylight in this early hour on Easter morning. The river is almost still just now, and the streets below are quiet and peaceful, but very soon we look forward to welcoming many worshippers and visitors who will come to join us to celebrate the joy of Easter Day.

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Of course, this weekend, as well as our celebration of Easter, the life of Nelson Mandela and the people of South Africa are very much in our hearts and minds.听 We give thanks for the long and influential life of Nelson Mandela and pray that the example he鈥檚 set, not only his country but to the world, will be a beacon of light into the future.

We are glad to welcome you to Liverpool this morning, and invite you to come inside the Lady Chapel, the first part of Giles Gilbert Scott鈥檚 great building where the people of Liverpool have gathered for worship for more than a hundred years.

2听 Thine Be The Glory Hymn

3 听听听听 Myles - Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, by your rising from the grave you have broken the power of death to give new life to all people: at the dawn of Easter Day bring the light of your presence to the darkness of the world, that we may be the bearers of your love, which brings life out of death, and hope from despair. We ask this in your name.

All听 Amen

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4 听听听听 Myles - Introduction of Pastor Tani

Here in the Lady Chapel, I am joined by Pastor Dr Tani Omideyi who leads and trains the Love and Joy Gospel Choir at a centre in Anfield which promotes new initiatives in the community for the gospel arts. Shortly, Tani will lead us as we reflect on the mystery of the Resurrection. But first we hear part of St Luke鈥檚 account of the Easter Story, which took place not at dawn, but on the evening of the first Easter Day.

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5听听听听听 Katherine Wikeley - First Reading Luke 24. 13 - 27

13听Two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[] from Jerusalem. 14听They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15听As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16听but they were kept from recognizing him.

17听He asked them, 鈥淲hat are you discussing together as you walk along?鈥�

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18听One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, 鈥淎re you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?鈥�

19听鈥淲hat things?鈥� he asked.

鈥淎bout Jesus of Nazareth,鈥� they replied. 鈥淗e was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20听The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21听but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22听In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23听but didn鈥檛 find his body. 听25听He said to them, 鈥淗ow foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26听Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?鈥� 27听And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

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6听 He is Lord (Arranged by Tani Omideyi)

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7听 Tani - Reflection 1 鈥� He walks with us along life鈥檚 narrow way (Tani)

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Cleopas and his disciple colleague were utterly confused. They had taken a huge risk in following Jesus, and somehow things did not appear to be going according to plan.听 They had seen their master die a horrible ignominious death, reserved for criminals.听 He was supposed to be the Messiah, the one to bring them freedom from their oppressors. Then the rumours were flying around, that he was alive! In the grip of their conversation, Jesus joins them and walks along with them, listening to them, seeking to bring them understanding, clarity; giving them answers. Many of us, including Christian people, sometimes find ourselves in those challenging periods of confusion, perplexity, thinking that 鈥榖ut things were not supposed to turn out this way鈥�.听 Even Pope Benedict, in his statement before he retired, said that he wondered at times if Christ was asleep.听 The message of Easter is that not only is Jesus alive, but He would often walk along side us in those troubled periods, speaking to us and encouraging us. As a young Christian many years ago, I learnt a chorus I have never forgotten 鈥楬e lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today, he walks with me and talks with me along life鈥檚 narrow way鈥�.听 The challenge is for us to recognize that it is Jesus the Christ; to believe Him, to be warmed in our hearts and renewed in our strength as the two disciples were. Look out for the risen Christ; He is closer than we think.

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8听 ROSE OF SHARON听听 (Tani Omideyi)

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9 Myles - Prayer

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We praise you and bless you, our risen Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, for you are with us , even when our eyes are closed to your companionship. Walk this day alongside the disconsolate and despairing, open their eyes to your gentle illumination, and let their hearts burn within them at your invisible presence. To you, Lord Jesus, walking by our side, be honour and glory, now and for ever.

All听听听 Amen.

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10 听Katherine Wikeley- Second Reading Luke 24. 28 - 32

28听As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29听But they urged him strongly, 鈥淪tay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.鈥� So he went in to stay with them.

30听When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31听Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32听They asked each other, 鈥淲ere not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?鈥�

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11听 Rock of Ages, Cleft for me (Music & arrangement by Tani Omideyi)

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12 Tani - Reflection 2 鈥� But they urged him strongly, 鈥榮tay with us鈥櫶�

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Last week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed to us what we already know, that things are not about to get better fast.听 A triple dip recession is now being talked about.听 Many families are already facing serious financial hardships, For many, food banks run by charities, supported widely by the Churches, will continue to provide vital lifelines.听 But could the church be much more than that?听 It took the breaking of bread for the two on the road to Emmaus to finally recognise the risen Christ. Can the risen Christ be seen as we too help each other? Can individuals and families so encounter him? If Christ could turn death around to life, then surely all things are possible in Him. But just as with the two, it needs a sincere invitation from us for Christ to come and 鈥榮tay with us鈥�.听 We have nothing to lose, but maybe everything to gain.听 Easter offers us that leap to faith! Christ is risen, hope is not lost; it鈥檚 a new day; Come Lord Jesus and 鈥榮tay with us鈥�.听 听听

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13听 Myles - Prayer 听

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Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father.

All听听听 Amen.

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14听 Myles - Blessing

May Christ, who out of defeat brings new hope and a new future, fill you with his new life; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

ALL听听 Amen.

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15 听Halleluiah, halleluiah

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Radio 4 Closing Announcement:

Canon Miles Davies and Pastor Tani Omideyi led that Sunrise service for Easter Day from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.听 The Love and Joy Gospel Choir were directed by Pastor Tani.听 The producer was Clair Jaquiss.

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