Opening Prayer
Lord, speak to us, that we may hear your word.
Move among us, that we may behold your glory.
Receive our prayers, that we may learn to trust you.
Fill us with your Spirit, That we may live to your glory,
and share your love in our world. Amen.
In silence we seek the Spirit
Opening Sentences
“But now, thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine’” (Isa 43:1)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” (Psalm 27:8)
We Worship Together
Recognizing one another, we pray
May I(we), together with all who worship you now, know the Grace, mercy and peace that is your gift to us in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In Repentance & Faith
What God has prepared for those who love him, he has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything. Therefore, let us in penitence open our hearts to the Lord, who has prepared good things for those who love him.
Father, we gather with joy and thanksgiving for the life of Christ amongst us, but also in sorrow for our sins and failure to live in Him.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8–9
Help us now to trust in Jesus death for us and seek his risen life, turning again to you and confessing our sins in true repentance and faith.
Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought, in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed, and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us,
forgive us all that is past; and lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light. Amen.
Father of all mercies, according to your promise in Christ
cleanse me/us from our sins,
and restore me/us in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Thanksgiving & Joy
We respond to God’s grace
O God, our Father, we bless and praise your holy name.
You have blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places:
Either
You chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before you in love.
To the praise of your glorious grace, with which you have blessed us in Christ.
You predestined us for adoption to yourself as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of your will.
To the praise of your glorious grace, with which you have blessed us in the Christ.
In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of your grace, which you have lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.
To the praise of your glorious grace, with which you have blessed us in the Christ.
In Christ we have been … sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.
To the praise of your glorious grace, with which you have blessed us in the Christ.
O God, our Father, we bless and praise your holy name.
Or
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Hearing the Word of God
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)
First Reading
Psalm
Ending with
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen
Second Reading
Gospel Canticle
Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,
who has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets God promised of old
to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us,
To show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous before Him all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of all their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Third Reading (Gospel)
Responding to God’s Word
The Creed
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.
I/We believe in God the Father,
who created all things:
for by his will they were created
and have their being.
I/We believe in God the Son,
who was slain:
for with his blood,
he purchased us for God,
from every tribe and language,
from every people and nation.
I/We believe in God the Holy Spirit:
the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’
Even so come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Reflection
Prayers of Intercession
Prayers of Thanks, and Intercession follow.
Start with the Lord’s prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
- Take time to give thanks.
- Remember those who are praying with you and pray for the church; local and worldwide
- Pray for the world and its needs.
pray for those you know of in particular need
You can finish with the Collect for the Day
Collect
Conclusion
Dismissal
Almighty God, we thank you for calling us to be your own.
We thank you for the forgiveness, righteousness and life
that you have given us in Jesus Christ,
pouring your Spirit into our hearts.
Through Christ we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen.
With all God’s people I/we proclaim
That Jesus Christ is Lord
Blessing
The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, evermore. Amen
Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2000/2002