Childrens' Activities Moses and the Red Sea-the Exodus

THE EXODUS

Introduction

In our studying of the Old Testament, we have got to the most well-known story of Moses. This is the story of how Moses led the people away from Pharaoh, away from slavery and out of Egypt. But there was just one problem- a huge stretch of water lay between them and freedom. What would happen now- how would God help them?

Watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q88TGKPDTvs

Moses and the Exodus for Big Kids

Moses. The name of the hero who saved Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians was Moses. After the 10 plagues, the final plague was too much for the Egyptians to bear. Pharaoh told Moses to take these people away and leave the land of Egypt. They celebrated the first Passover together in their homes before they left.

Goshen. The Israelites were slaves in the land of Goshen, and it was here that the people of Israel multiplied so rapidly that Pharaoh issued an order to start destroying them. God called Moses as the deliverer and he led them out of Goshen and out of the hands of Pharaoh.

The Exodus. The Hebrews were finally given the command to leave Egypt, and they celebrated the Passover in their homes in the land of Goshen. At that point they journeyed into the wilderness of Egypt and came to the Red Sea. There were 600,000 men and also women and children. God appeared to them in the form of a large cloud like a tornado during the day, and a pillar of fire by night.

The Parting of the Red Sea. Pharaoh decided that it was too humiliating to allow the Hebrews to overpower him. He gathered his army and commanded his chariots to slaughter the Hebrews. The Israelites found themselves with nowhere to go, they cried out to Moses and he raised his staff and suddenly the waters of the Red Sea parted. It was a miracle that the giant sea separated in the Israelites crossed the entire sea on dry land. Pharaoh's chariots chased after the Israelites into the dry land and the sea had parted. Immediately the waters came back on them and destroyed them all.

The Sinai Wilderness. the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry land and made it to the other side, but this was just the beginning because now they had entered the great and terrible wilderness, a place God would again test them for 40 years.

The study of Moses is very important in the study of the Bible, let's pray:

Dear Jesus, we thank you for Moses, he was a man who was dedicated to you, and your Word calls him the humblest man on the face of the earth. Thank you Lord that you protect your people, and thank you that there are courageous people who are not afraid to stand with you when there's trouble. Help us to be strong. We love you. In Jesus name? Amen! (Taken from https://www.kidsbiblemaps.com/moses-exodus.html#:~:text=Moses%20and%20the%20Exodus%20for%20Little%20Kids.%20This,let%20the%20people%20go%20and%20they%20remained%20slaves.)

Craft Activity

Parting of the Red Sea

You will need:

1 x piece of blue paper cut like this

1 x sea- bed like this

And some people figures… like these.

1.Colour in your river bed- you can colour in the fish or stick on some new ones.

2. Cut up your blue paper and glue your “waves” either side of the river bed.

3. Colour your people in ( you can make these how you like- you could glue on “clothes” instead of colouring made from sweet wrappers or bits of tissue or old wrapping paper).

4.Then stick them in a line walking through the waves.

And For the word- searchers among us… go to

https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/1426443/

this is interactive!

Sunday Sept 13th Holy Communion

Moses’ Story – Part 4: The Red Sea Rescue

We meet in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Hymn: Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqX9J7HNdM&feature=youtu.be

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

We Say Sorry to God

God our Father,

we come to you in sorrow for our sins.

For turning away from you,

and ignoring your will for our lives;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For behaving just as we wish,

without thinking of you;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For failing you by what we do,

and think and say;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For letting ourselves be drawn away from you

by temptations in the world about us;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

For living as if we were ashamed

to belong to your Son;

Father, forgive us:

save us and help us.

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Collect

Merciful God,

your Son came to save us

and bore our sins on the cross:

may we trust in your mercy

and know your love,

rejoicing in the righteousness

that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Song: God forgave my sin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vhMfCJzXqk

Reading Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkru9sTnurU

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 14.19-31 read by Margaret

19 The angel of God, who had been in front of the army of Israel, moved and went to the rear. The pillar of cloud also moved until it was 20 between the Egyptians and the Israelites. The cloud made it dark for the Egyptians, but gave light to the people of Israel, and so the armies could not come near each other all night.

21 Moses held out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind. It blew all night and turned the sea into dry land. The water was divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides. 23 The Egyptians pursued them and went after them into the sea with all their horses, chariots, and drivers. 24 Just before dawn the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. 25 He made the wheels of their chariots get stuck, so that they moved with great difficulty. The Egyptians said, “The Lord is fighting for the Israelites against us. Let's get out of here!”

26 The Lord said to Moses, “Hold out your hand over the sea, and the water will come back over the Egyptians and their chariots and drivers.” 27 So Moses held out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the water returned to its normal level. The Egyptians tried to escape from the water, but the Lord threw them into the sea. 28 The water returned and covered the chariots, the drivers, and all the Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea; not one of them was left. 29 But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides.

30 On that day the Lord saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians, and the Israelites saw them lying dead on the seashore. 31 When the Israelites saw the great power with which the Lord had defeated the Egyptians, they stood in awe of the Lord; and they had faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Song: Freedom is coming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt9Y7q3zv30

Gospel Reading Matthew 18:21-35 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant read by John C

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?”

22 “No, not seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times seven, 23 because the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who decided to check on his servants' accounts. 24 He had just begun to do so when one of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 The servant did not have enough to pay his debt, so the king ordered him to be sold as a slave, with his wife and his children and all that he had, in order to pay the debt. 26 The servant fell on his knees before the king. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay you everything!’ 27 The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go.

28 “Then the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he said. 29 His fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!’ 30 But he refused; instead, he had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were very upset and went to the king and told him everything. 32 So he called the servant in. ‘You worthless slave!’ he said. ‘I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. 33 You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.’ 34 The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount.”

35 And Jesus concluded, “That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Sermon: Moses’ Story Part 4: The Red Sea Rescue

We are on an epic journey- through the life of Moses! And Moses is now about to embark on his greatest adventure. Just to recap- Moses was born to an Israelite family when the Pharoah or king of Egypt wanted to destroy all of them. Moses miraculously is rescued and brought up in the Pharaoh’s palace. But he gets into trouble as a young man and runs away. Years later God speaks to him and sends him back to Pharaoh to demand that the Israelites are set free to go to their own land. Last week, we heard the story of the Passover- the final plague that God sends on the Egyptians and Pharaoh lets all the Israelites go.

In the middle of the night, a vast number of Israelites escape, led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. But Pharaoh then changes his mind and chases after them. The Israelites were terrified and complained to Moses- and God promises to lead them through the Red Sea… it’s the start of a long winding journey through the wilderness to their own land….

So today, we hear how the supernatural cloud and fiery pillar move between the Israelites and the Egyptians to keep them apart.

Moses raises his staff, stretches his hand out over the water- a great wind blows and drives back the water. The Israelites step out and cross the sea on dry-ish land. The Egyptians follow but their chariots get clogged in the mud. They panic and start to run back. The sea returns and the whole army is swept away.

The Israelites make it to the other side and recognise what God has done for them.

This is an important story – The Exodus:

Moses’ and the Israelites’ escape from Egypt is central to the history of God’s people. It’s called the Exodus- and a whole book of the bible is named after it!

It appears in the Psalms- Ps 106, 136; in the prophets Is 51:9 etc…Paul refers to it in Acts 13. Old Testament and New Testament writers refer back to this event again and again. Why does it matter so much?

God rescues

It’s important as it tells how a multitude of escaped slaves become a great nation. From the start of this escape, it’s God who rescues. The people are trapped between an enemy’s army and some part of the Red Sea. They cannot save themselves. God alone rescues them. God acts when there is no other way out, no other hope.

It is a miracle- God’s action alone, God’s power, God’s rescue. Only God can do this.

God brings new life

And when this story is repeated or referred to in other parts of the Bible, it tells us that God does the impossible and brings new life.

When Isaiah speaks (in poetic language) about God bringing new life in creation, Isaiah also speaks about the escape from Egypt. Both bring new life. In the New Testament, Paul links the Exodus (and the escape through the waters of the sea to a new life of freedom on the other side) to Christians having a new (spiritual) life with God once they have passed through the waters of baptism.

Here, God’s people start on the next part of their journey from slavery to being free people.

The Natural World and the Supernatural Combine

There’s a great debate about where exactly this extraordinary event took place and what really happened.

It seems that some historians and bible scholars agree that Israelites had to cross some part of the Red Sea where it has two thin branches reaching up to the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s likely that it was a shallow, marshy area full of reeds. The wind in the night blew so that the waters retreated. The artists like to show this as enormous walls of water on each side of a dry path. But perhaps it was much more like the combination of the tide ebbing out and a strong wind in the right direction was enough for the Israelites on foot to get across the marshes- whereas as the tide came back in and the wind fell, the heavy warhorses and chariots indeed got stuck on the soft muddy bottom.

There is no contradiction between a natural explanation and a supernatural act. God uses the natural forces in this world to bring about his higher purposes. And Moses’ outstretched arm matters- not because his arm has a special power, but because its done in obedience to God.

And all this was done to show what God is like. The panicking Egyptians recognised that this is God’s power; the fearful Israelites recognise eventually too- once it all over. Even when they had doubted both God and Moses at the start!

Israel has faith

It’s clear from the Exodus story, that the people aren’t full of faith- at least not all of the time. God doesn’t act because they are faithful or worthy- in fact the reverse. As soon as they’re out of Egypt, they turn on Moses – weren’t there any graves in Egypt? Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness?

But, they do respond in faith. They do follow Moses (at least for the moment), they do step out in faith across the dangerous divided sea, they do get to the other side and respond by believing in Moses and what God has done through him.

But Israel forgets

The tragedy again and again with God’s people is that they forget. They experience God’s amazing rescue, they see the sea parted, they see the end of the Egyptian army, they believe in God and then, they forget.

The pattern is repeated again and again through the history of the Old Testament and through the prophets.

The people are rescued but they still have to keep walking by faith through new challenges. They are free but they’re not at the end of the journey. There’s a long way to go.

So what about us?

God rescues:

God rescued the Israelites from slavery by other nation to the freedom of their own land. God rescues us from the bondage of sin. We are trapped by our own human nature to be less than perfect; we cannot make ourselves right with God. God rescues us from the slavery of sin and death and brings us into new life with him.

It’s not dependent on our actions – God rescues us by his grace. We understand that this is what Jesus does in dying for us on the cross. It’s his initiative, his sacrifice, his actions that make the difference, not what we have done.

God brings new life:

God doesn’t rescue people and then leave them to get on with life on their own. Just as God continued to lead his people, God rescues us and then sends his Holy Spirit to live in us. We are always being changed. In the Old Testament, God’s presence was seen in the cloud by day and the fire by night. They are symbols, physical reminders of his presence. We have God’s Holy Spirit alive in us.

We have faith?

We have to live out that new life.

This great story has been the inspiration for many great campaigns for change. It’s the story that inspired thousands on thousands of Afro-American slaves that they could and should be free. This story drove so many to rescue them, change law, and bring freedom.

The rescue and new life God brings each individual is seemlessly joined to their responsibility to live that out. God rescues us, we have his Holy Spirit, we are sent out to love our neighbours and to tell then of God’s love. There is no conflict between these aims!

The social reformers past and present are driven by their faith in the God who rescued them to rescue others. Literally rescue them from injustice or poverty or any other kind of need – and to tell everyone that they need to be rescued from sin and death.

Harriet Tubman- anti-slavery campaigner. “The Moses of her people”

We should not forget

We might wonder how the Israelites managed it. How could they possibly forget what happened? How could they miss the point? The next chapter in Exodus is full of triumph and celebration- a great song of praise to God. But by chapter 16 they’re back to their old ways.

They are moaning again: Why did we ever leave Egypt- it was so much better there! They hadn’t got to their promised land yet. The going got tough, they wandered in the wilderness.

Moses led them, God spoke to them… and yet they still managed to forget.

So for us, we are also on a journey.

We are rescued; Jesus has died for us, come back to life and sends his Holy Spirit to empower us to live for him. We choose to follow God and become Christians- a once for ever decision.

But we also have to choose to follow day by day. We are sure that we belong to God now but we still live in the mess and suffering of this world. We’re not home yet! Heaven waits for us.

So how can we help each other remember what God has done for us?

How can we support each other to be the people God has rescued- who then go onto to rescue others?

The Creed

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith,

and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us

with power from on high.

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Prayers: Led by John F

Our Heavenly Father, your name is awesome.

You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

You are the biggest and the most powerful.

Yet you love to hear us sing and praise your glorious name

Help us to worship you this morning in sincere praise and thanksgiving.

O Lord hear our prayer,

And let our cry come unto you.

Lord, as you protected and saved your chosen people, the Israelites, from the Egyptians, so we ask that you will protect and care for us during these difficult and trying times. We pray for our Church.

Oh, how we pray that we could all join together to praise your name in our church

We give grateful thanks that, through the gifts you have given to people, we can worship through the internet.

We pray for our worldwide church, we pray for our Bishops, Christopher and John, our Clergy Buff and Julie.

We give thanks for their continued faithfulness, proclaiming you Gospel to us and caring for us during this pandemic

O Lord hear our prayer,

And let our cry come unto you.

We give you grateful thanks for all the blessings of this life, especially for the Blessing of your Son, for his obedience and sacrifice for us to be given eternal life.

We pray for our community, help us to proclaim your Gospel in our words and deeds in Stoke Aldermoor.

We pray especially for our Foodbank, for those who support us and those who need feeding.

Let us bring before God any particular projects that we feel will enhance your Kingdom here on earth.

O Lord hear our prayer,

And let our cry come unto you.

We pray for all those who are sick and need the touch of you healing hands.

We give thanks for all those who care for the sick and especially the NHS and Carers.

We pray that all people will realise how deadly this virus, Covid 19, is and that they will endeavour not only to protect themselves but also those around them.

Please Father keep us safe from this deadly disease.

O Lord hear our prayer,

And let our cry come unto you.

We pray for all those who have died, we give thanks for their lives and we ask that you send down the Holy Spirit to comfort all those who mourn. We also give thanks for all those who will be remembered today

In a moment of quiet let us bring the people that we know and remember before God.

O Lord hear our prayer,

And let our cry come unto you.

Finally, as you protected the Israelites from the Egyptians, protect, bless and keep us safe this coming week, be with us in all thoughts, our words and in our actions and that they may they be carried out in your name and to your praise and glory.

We ask all this in Jesus’ name

Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ . Amen

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Song: Bless the Lord O My Soul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxocnIaN0A

Holy Communion

https://youtu.be/fHVmDKTUAmg

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation;

in your love you made us for yourself.

When we turned away

you did not reject us,

but came to meet us in your Son.

You embraced us as your children

and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.

In Christ you shared our life

that we might live in him and he in us.

He opened his arms of love upon the cross

and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.

On the night he was betrayed,

at supper with his friends

he took bread, and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to them, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his body is the bread of life.

At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,

he gave you thanks, and said:

Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his blood is shed for all.

As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,

send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine

may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.

As we eat and drink these holy gifts

make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.

With your whole Church throughout the world

we offer you this sacrifice of praise

and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

We continue with the words of The Lord's Prayer:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen

We break this bread

to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

God’s holy gifts

for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy,

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

The Blessing

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Song: Rescuer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u2DFGKeARY

The Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.

Moses and the Passover

Welcome to our Service of Holy Communion

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83556211775?pwd=dXp6NE9nMW1lTTNVUmdYa2dBVElHQT09

Meeting ID: 835 5621 1775

Passcode: 489409

Moses’ Story – Part 3

We meet in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Song: Sing wherever I go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmkVyBkDQME

Opening Prayer

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

We Say Sorry to God

God our Father,

we come to you in sorrow for our sins.

For turning away from you,

and ignoring your will for our lives;

Father, forgive us:

All save us and help us.

For behaving just as we wish,

without thinking of you;

Father, forgive us:

All save us and help us.

For failing you by what we do,

and think and say;

Father, forgive us:

All save us and help us.

For letting ourselves be drawn away from you

by temptations in the world about us;

Father, forgive us:

All save us and help us.

For living as if we were ashamed

to belong to your Son;

Father, forgive us:

All save us and help us.

The Absolution (Julie)

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Collect

Almighty God,

you search us and know us:

may we rely on you in strength

and rest on you in weakness,

now and in all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Song: Way maker

https://youtu.be/29IxnsqOkmQ

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 12:1-14

The First Passover -read by Jennie

12 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbour in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it.

5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.

11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

14 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Song: Our God is a great big God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hi8jW1qYsw

Gospel Reading Matt 18:15-20 read by Sandile

Reproving Another Who Sins

15 “If another member of the church[a] sins against you go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.[c]

16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Sermon: Moses and the Passover

Today we have even more of the story of Moses. And this is one of the greatest yet, saddest ones. All these past events have been leading up to God’s deliverance of the Israelite people from their slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh. In today’s reading we have the last of the 10 plagues and it is the most drastic and devastating. It is only after this plague that Pharaoh will let the Israelites go- this plague touches him personally.

It is The Passover of the Lord.

Enjoy this unusual retelling of the story to music…

Passover Rhapsody

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRWNrk7FxG4

And today’s reading is all about the preparation for the Passover- the being ready to go at a moments notice. They are to keep their sandals on and tuck their cloaks into their belts. They are to eat unleavened bread- no time for it to rise.

After the Passover, such was the scale of the disaster that Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron in the middle of the night and ordered them all to go, to leave Egypt there and then.

And this was not a small group of people. The Israelites have been slaves for over 400 years in Egypt. The numbers of the Israelites that God saved that night was about 600, 000 men as well as their wives and children. This seems an extraordinary number but a recent post on face book showed some interesting maths

When we think about the last part of this post, the love stories, the difficulties, the hope in the future and the sadness that has led to this moment, it sums up well the extraordinary journey the Israelites have come on. Abraham’s descendants have surely come on a long way since the time of Isaac.

And the number of times God has saved them- has rescued their relationship with him, has kept his side of the covenant challenges our definition of patience.

What I find more challenging is the human cost- the cost of innocent blood shed for Israel’s release.

The only way the Israelites were spared was because they put the blood of the sacrificed lamb across their door lintels and down the sides of the doorframe.

This event of the Passover, is remembered throughout the generations by Jewish people. And this story is re-told in the symbolism of the Seder or Passover meal itself. Further on in this same chapter of Exodus, God commands the Israelites to remember this event as a yearly celebration-passed on throughout history, which is known to day simply as the Passover.

I wonder how many remember when we did this with Morris…and we set the fire alarms off in the portacabin after we lit a candle right at the start!

There is also a cup of salty water that the green herbs are dipped into to represent the tears shed by the Israelites under Egyptian slavery. There is also Matza bread to remind them that there was no time to prove the dough. One significant aspect of the Seder meal is the four cups of wine, which each represent the four promises from God for deliverance in Exodus 6:6-7: “I will bring out,” “I will deliver,” “I will redeem,” and “I will take.”

There is no doubt now that Moses is the leader, and it is his role to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to freedom. Their biggest challenge of crossing the Red sea is still to come.. but for now Moses is leading them away from Pharaoh and towards the Promised Land.

So what does this say about God?

God keeps his promises even if we do not!

God is forgiving-when we come with a truly sorrowful heart

God calls people in their weakness because then it becomes God’s strength.

God is for us whatever the cost…

This deliverance in the OT can be seen again in the NT

It is this meal- the Passover, That Jesus came together with his friends the disciples, to celebrate on Maundy Thursday.

When Jesus celebrated this meal- a whole new meaning was given to the sacrificial lamb- the Lamb of God. The Israelites were saved from the wrath of God by the blood of a lamb spread across the wooden lintel of their door.

We have been saved by the blood of the sacrificial Lamb of God- Jesus, whose blood was shed on a wooden cross- whose life was given to save us and reconcile us with God. The bread shared became the body of Christ broken for us, and the wine the blood of the new covenant with God, shed for us and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

What does it say about us?

Our OT readings have led us on an extraordinary journey with the birth of this new nation God’s chosen people. But these extraordinary events have been brought about by ordinary people- people with a great number of faults doubts, fear and pride being just a few.

We as humanity have always had our faults and weaknesses. From Abraham to Moses, I wonder which of these leaders has really resonated with you and why? Is it their strength or weakness that you have picked up on. On the positive side..

Is it Abraham for his courage to leave all he knew and follow God.

Is it Isaac who never questioned that he might be the sacrifice for God- he just had total faith and trust in him.

Is it Jacob who wrestled with God all night. Jacob who was to become the founder of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Is it Joseph who kept the faith throughout all his hardships.

And Moses-

the one who felt he couldn’t speak to Pharaoh because he wouldn’t have the words and who came through as one of the greatest leaders/prophets who led a nation out of slavery as part of the most extraordinary God story of the OT.

I wonder what weaknesses you have that God could use and equally what are your strengths? If the stories of these ordinary people have told you anything, it is that God calls us just as we are BUT DOESN’T LEAVE US THAT WAY!

While you mull over these questions, listen to the thoughts of our young people on some of these founding members of the faith- From Wilson and Tadiwa's bible study group…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_el06gWiGw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBo7PUVQ574

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewDv-GqNGqc

The Creed

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith,

and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us

with power from on high.

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Prayers: Led by Margaret and Sam…

Merciful Father

accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Song: Every Praise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlJIMgh6Oec

Holy Communion (Julie)

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Almighty God, good Father to us all,

your face is turned towards your world.

In love you gave us Jesus your Son

to rescue us from sin and death.

Your Word goes out to call us home

to the city where angels sing your praise.

We join with them in heaven's song

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full of your glory

Hosanna in the highest

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest

Father of all, we give you thanks

for every gift that comes from heaven.

To the darkness Jesus came as your light.

With signs of faith and words of hope

he touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean.

This is his story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

The crowds came out to see your Son,

yet at the end they turned on him.

On the night he was betrayed

he came to table with his friends

to celebrate the freedom of your people.

This is his story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus blessed you, Father, for the food;

he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said:

This is my body, given for you all.

Jesus then gave thanks for the wine;

he took the cup, gave it and said:

This is my blood, shed for you all

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in remembrance of me.

This is our story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup

we celebrate the cross

on which he died to set us free.

Defying death he rose again

and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world.

This is our story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Send your Spirit on us now

that by these gifts we may feed on Christ

with opened eyes and hearts on fire.

May we and all who share this food

offer ourselves to live for you

and be welcomed at your feast in heaven

where all creation worships you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

Blessing and honour and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s prayer

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many we are one body because we all share in one bread.

Jesus, Lamb of God

have mercy on us.

Jesus bearer of our sins,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

grant us peace.

Draw near with faith.

Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ

which he gave for you,

and his blood which he shed for you.

Eat and drink

in remembrance that he died for you,

and feed on him in your hearts

by faith with thanksgiving.

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

The Blessing

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Song: The Blessing (with signing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va048-XxFTI

The Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.