Preparing for worship
You’ll need a table, set with a piece of bread and a glass of wine or juice.
A cross.
A candle, lit on the table
We join, if possible at 10am, for worship for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Though each in our homes, we are together with all our sisters and brothers in the faith,
as we worship and give thanks. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Lord, we are your church: we come to worship you.
You give us your Word: we come to listen.
You inspire us with the Breath of Life: we come to be open.
You call us your family: we come to belong.
You touch us with your cleansing fire: we come for forgiveness
You give the gift of life: we come to receive.
You shower us with riches: we come to give thanks.
We are your church: we come to worship you.
We say the Song of the Name of the Lord, printed on the front of the pewsheet
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
After a moment of quiet reflection, we confess our sins to God with this prayer;
Generous God,
You entrusted us with your Word, but we did not keep it.
You lit a flame in our midst, but we have hidden it.
You called us to freedom but we still live in our fears
Generous God, forgive us.
Generous God,
you call us to be salt and light; but we have become bland and clouded.
You spread a table before us; but we squander your gifts.
You call us to the feast, But we make our excuses.
Generous God, forgive us.
THE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, the one who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all our failings.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
I will bless the Lord at all times
God’s praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the living God:
the humble will hear and be glad.
Living God, our loving parent; you cherish your creation and we praise you.
In earth, air, water, fire: in our life as your children, we praise you.
With our lips, with our lives, in all our diversity, made in your image, we praise you.
Because, in Jesus, you came to share our live, in our sorrow and joy, we praise you.
Because your Spirit is at work today: encouraging, enabling, surprising us, we praise you.
Poor as we are, you give us hope:
Salt of the earth, you give us meaning and purpose and we praise you. Amen.
THE COLLECT and the two readings for today are printed on the pewsheet
The first scripture reading. 1 Peter 3.13-22
At the end, there may be a short period of silence followed by this response:
For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
HYMN (said or sung)
Father, I place into your hands the things I cannot do,
Father, I place into your hands the things that I’ve been through
Father, I place into your hands the way that I should go,
for I know I always can trust you.
2 Father, I place into your hands my friends and family,
Father, I place into your hands the things that bother me,
Father, I place into your hands the person I would be,
for I know I always can trust you.
3 Father, we long to see your face, we long to hear your voice,
Father, we long to sing your praise and in your name rejoice.
Father we love to walk with you and in your presence rest,
for we know we always can trust you.
4 Father, I want to be with you and do the things you do,
Father, I want so speak the words that you are speaking too,
Father, I want to love all those that you will draw to you,
for I know that I am one with you.
THE GOSPEL John 14.15-21
The Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end for the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
REFLECTION (on the website, attached to the email, or printed for you at the end of these sheets)
EXPRESSION OF FAITH
Lord, You have always given bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor, today I believe.
Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak, today I believe.
Lord, You have always given peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart, today I believe.
Lord, You have always kept me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am, today I believe.
Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day;
and though my path may be hidden, today I believe.
Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine;
and though night is upon us, today I believe.
Lord, You have always spoken when time was ripe;
and even in silence now, today I believe.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Gracious Father, you have promised that you are near to us when we draw near to you; cleanse and purify our hearts as we bow before you and pray for health, safety, justice and peace throughout the world.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We pray for one another as we meet the trials and testing of our faith, and all the bewildering changes to our daily lives. In our sufferings, give us perseverance, in our confusion, wisdom, in our doubts, faith.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We prayer for our families, neighbours and friends, and for the community of faith at St Andrew’s. in our frustrations and longing for closeness, give us patience, in our new ways of being in touch with each other, give us love and humility. May we be quick to listen and slow to anger. Take from us all envy and malice, that we may be peacemakers who act with integrity and compassion.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We pray for those in need both near and far, and for those who seek to bring them help and hope. For all who provide healing and protection, shelter, clothing and daily bread for those who have nothing. In Christian Aid Week, we pray for a just society, and for insight to see those who are rich in faith, though poor in the eyes of the world.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We pray for our queen and government and for the leaders of nations with all the difficult decisions they have to make, which so greatly affect the lives of others. May justice prevail over tyranny, calm over anxiety, peace over conflict and love over hatred and fear.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We pray for those who are sick or in trouble, especially …….. For peace, reassurance and hope in their need, and for healing and renewal in their weakness.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
We rejoice in the fellowship we have with the household of faith throughout the world and with the saints in glory; we remember especially ………. May we, with them, come to know the fullness of the kingdom you promise to all who love you.
Merciful Father Accept these prayers for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
THE PEACE
Jesus came and stood amongst his disciples and said, “Peace be with you”, and they were filled with joy when they saw the Lord. Alleluia! The peace of the risen Lord be always with you.
and with all our sisters and brothers, near and far. Alleluia!
We share a sign of peace with all people of faith throughout the world, by clasping our hands together and bowing our heads saying the word “Shalom”, peace.
HYMN
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee:
though changest not, thy compassions they fail not,
as thou hast been thou for ever shall be.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided –
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide:
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
blessings all mine, with ten thousand besides!
SHARING THE FEAST
Gracious God, we welcome your presence with us. May the table at which we share, nourish our bodies, hearts and minds, and may our spirits be refreshed. As we live in the light of your presence, with us now and at all times and places. Amen.
We come to your table, Lord,
not because we are strong, but because we are weak.
We come not because any goodness of our own gives us the right to come,
but because we need your mercy and grace.
We come because you love us, and gave yourself for us.
Take and eat a piece of the bread. If you are with another, give the bread to each other. As you give and receive the bread, say this prayer:
As we break this bread, and as we share it, we thank you, God, that you give us this day our daily bread.
For the food which delights and nourishes us and for the companionship that sustains us as your people.
Drink a sip of the wine or juice. If you are with another, give the wine to each other. As you give and receive the wine, say this prayer:
We thank you for drink to quench our thirst and for the Living Water with which you surprise and enrich and transform our lives.
We give thanks for this feast at which all can share, though separated now. A foretaste of the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
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 forever. Amen.
HYMN (said or sung)
Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord:
unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me, the promise of his word;
in God my saviour shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out my soul the greatness of his name:
make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.
Tell out my soul the greatness of his might:
powers and dominions lay their glory by;
proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out my soul the glories of his word:
firm is his promise and his mercy sure.
Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore!
A Pilgrim Prayer
Lord Jesus,
you have opened the scriptures for us,
and made yourself known
in the breaking of bread.
Abide with us, we pray,
that we may walk with you
all the days of our life
and come at last to the glory of your kingdom
where you reign with the Father and the Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
BLESSING
God bless each of us as we travel on.
In our times of need may we find a table spread in the wilderness and companions on the road.
Blessed be all who have gathered round at their tables this morning.
May we know the fullness of your presence at every meal and in all our sharing.
DISMISSAL
May we, now and always, abide in the peace of Christ, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!