St. Mark’s

8am Worship

Our 8am Morning Worship follows the rhythm of the Christian year with its rich tapestry of themes and images. It is our hope and prayer that through our worship you will meet with God and that God will meet with you. May he minister to your deepest needs and may Christ be your light.

Advent – Advent Sunday to Christmas Eve

Christmas – Christmas Day to 5th January

Epiphany – 6th January to 2nd February

Mission – Third Sunday before Lent to Shrove Tuesday

Lent – Ash Wednesday to the Eve of Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Sunrise

Easter – Easter Day to the Eve of Ascension Day

Ascenstiontide – Ascension Day to the Eve of Pentecost

Pentecost

Trinity – Trinity Sunday to the 2nd Sunday before Advent

All Saints – 1st November, or any Saint’s Day

Christ the King – The Sunday next before Advent

Advent

The name ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin for ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. During this season we look forward to Christ’s coming among us and we ponder the great mysteries of the ultimate summing up of all things in and through Him.

A voice of one calling, ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord! Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’ (Isaiah 40:3)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

We have come together
in the name of Christ
to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word,
to pray for the needs of the world,
and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Opening Responses

O Lord, open our lips:
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God make speed to save us:
O Lord make haste to help us.
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

Prayer of Preparation

Faithful one, whose word is life:
come with saving power to free our praise,
inspire our prayer and shape our lives
for the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Confession

Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts.
In his light, let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.

Silence is kept.

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

Father,
we have sinned against heaven and against you.
We are not worthy to be called your children.
We turn to you again. Have mercy on us,
bring us back to yourself as those who were once dead
but now have life through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Absolution

May Almighty God, who sent his son into the world to save sinners, bring us his pardon and peace, now and for ever.
Amen.

Collect

Almighty God,
Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ
came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever,
Amen.

First Reading(s)

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading

Hear the gospel according to n
Glory to you O Lord

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Address

Affirmation of Faith

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.

Prayers

Let us pray for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

Prayers are offered.

In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father, to trust your love,
to serve your purpose and to praise your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Awaiting his coming in glory, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Father, you made the world and love your creation.
You gave your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour.
His dying and rising have set us free from sin and death.
And so we gladly thank you,
with saints and angels praising you, and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and as we obey his command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that broken bread and wine outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

Dear Friends,
receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
with faith and thanksgiving.
Remember that he gave himself for you.
Remember that he died for you,
and allow him to feed and nourish
your body, mind, and spirit.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us with the
body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him 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.

The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

Blessed be the Lord 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 in his sight 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.

Prayer of St Columba

Be, O Lord,
a bright flame before me,
a guiding star above me,
a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me,
this day and for ever.
Amen.

Blessing

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself,
the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service,
the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts;
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

In joyful expectation of his coming, we pray, saying: Maranatha!
Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Christmas

We celebrate not only the infant’s birth in Bethlehem but also the hope for all time given to us by the ‘becoming flesh’ of God’s Son.

Hymn or Music

Opening Sentence – Luke 2:10-11

‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us prepare our hearts for worship:

We have come together in the name of Christ
to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word,
to pray for the needs of the world,
and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Opening Responses

Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.

Hymn or Music

Prayer of Preparation

We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.

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.
Amen.

Invitation to Confession

As we kneel with the shepherds before the new born Christ child, we open our hearts in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Lord of grace and truth,
we confess our unworthiness
to stand in your presence as your children.
We have sinned:
Forgive us and heal us.
The Virgin Mary accepted your call
to be the mother of Jesus.
Forgive our disobedience to your will.
We have sinned:
Forgive us and heal us.
Your Son our Saviour was
born in poverty in a manger.
Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
We have sinned:
Forgive us and heal us.
The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem.
Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision.
We have sinned:
Forgive us and heal us.
The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King.
Forgive our reluctance to seek you.
We have sinned:
Forgive us and heal us.

Absolution

May God who loved the world so much
that he sent his Son to be our Saviour,
forgive us our sins
and make us holy to serve him in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Collect

Let us gather our prayers in the words of the Collect:

Almighty God,
you have given us your only begotten Son
to take our nature upon him
and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin;
grant that we, who have been born again
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Psalm or First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Hymn or Music

Affirmation of Faith

Let us affirm our faith together:

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

- For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)

- For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)

- For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)

- For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)

- For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

Let us gather our prayers:

Son of God, Child of Mary,
born in the stable in Bethlehem,
be born again in us this day,
that through us the world
may know the wonder of your love.
Amen.

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, as our Saviour has 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 for ever.
Amen.

Hymn or Music

Prayer before Communion

Let us prepare to share in communion together:

Come, Holy Spirit
and bless us as we meet together in unity.
As we eat and drink this holy meal,
may we be reminded of your unconditional love for us,
and may our eyes be opened
to recognise Jesus in each other.
We ask this prayer in his name
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.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

We praise you, heavenly Father,
for your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks.
He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way after supper,
he took the cup, and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying,
“Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.”

We praise and thank you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As we obey your command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that this bread and wine may be for us
the body and blood of your precious Son.
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.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God for this meal:

Lord, be with us
through the fellowship of this eucharist.
May the bread and companionship we share
nourish our hearts and minds,
and with our spirits refreshed,
may we live our lives to your praise and glory,
now and forever.
Amen.

The Song of Mary (Magnificat)

We join in Mary’s song together:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
to remember his promise of mercy,
The promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.

Prayer

Let us dedicate ourselves to proclaim the gospel and be witnesses to God’s love:

Son of Mary, Son of God,
we have joined the worship of the angels;
may we never lose that heavenly vision.
Like the shepherds,
we have rejoiced at the news of your birth;
help us to proclaim that message in word and deed,
to your praise and glory.
Amen.

Hymn or Music

Blessing

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ-child
be ours this Christmas;
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ, Amen.

Hymn or Music

Epiphany

The weeks of Epiphany deepen our understanding of the Incarnation – God living among as a human being – as we celebrate the ‘epiphany’ or ‘showing’ of Jesus’ divine glory to the world.

“We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Opening Responses

O Lord, open our lips:
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

O God make speed to save us:
O Lord make haste to help us.

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

Prayer of Preparation

Let us prepare our hearts and minds to meet with God:

Faithful one, whose word is life:
come with saving power to free our praise,
inspire our prayer, and shape our lives
for the kingdom of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

As we kneel with the Magi before the new born Christ child,
we open our hearts in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Let us return to the Lord our God and say:

Father,
we have sinned against heaven and against you.
We are not worthy to be called your children.
We turn to you again.
Have mercy on us,
bring us back to yourself
as those who were once dead
but now have life through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Collect

Let us gather our prayers and pray:

O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we,
who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face:
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

First Reading(s)

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading

Hear the gospel according to n
Glory to you O Lord

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Address

Affirmation of Faith

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?
We believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the church.
This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

Prayers are offered.

We pray together:

Holy God,
Make us transparent with your light
and use our prayers to bring light to others.
Amen.

Jesus taught us to call God our Father, so in faith and trust 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 for ever.
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.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

The Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
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.

Prayer

Let us commit to sharing the gospel and being witnesses to Christ’s love:

God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life:
fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us
the light of your glory may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Blessing

May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in our hearts and fill our lives with his joy and peace;
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Let us go in peace to love and serve our Lord.
In the name of Christ, Amen.

Mission

During this time, we focus on the ways
in which Christ empowers us by his grace
to share the Gospel with others
and join in with his on-going mission in the world.
It allows a time of reflection between the celebrations
surrounding Jesus’ birth and the
challenging themes of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.

Opening Sentence

Jesus said, “You did not choose me but I chose you
and appointed you so that you may go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.”
(John 15:16a)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Opening Responses

O Lord, open our lips:
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

O God make speed to save us:
O Lord make haste to help us.

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

Confession

The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.
As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith,
we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy.

Silence is kept.

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

Father,
we have sinned against heaven and against you.
We are not worthy to be called your children.
We turn to you again.
Have mercy on us,
and bring us back to yourself
as those who were once dead
but now have life through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Absolution

May the Lord enrich us with his grace,
and nourish us with his blessing:
may the Lord defend us in trouble
and keep us from all evil;
may the Lord accept our prayers
and absolve us from our offences,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.

Collect

Let us gather our prayers together:

Almighty God,
who called your Church to witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Affirmation of Faith

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.

Prayers of Intercession

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

- For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)

- For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)

- For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)

- For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)

- For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

Let us pray:

O Lord,
to be turned from you is to fall,
to turn to you is to rise,
and to stand in your presence is to live for ever.
Grant us in all our duties your help,
in all our perplexities your guidance,
in all our dangers your protection,
and in all our sorrows your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Seeking the salvation of the world, as our Saviour has 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 for ever.
Amen.

Prayer before Communion

Let us prepare to share in communion together:

As we eat and drink this holy meal,
may we be reminded of your unconditional love for us,
and may our eyes be opened
to recognise Jesus in each other.
We ask this prayer in his name
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.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

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.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God for this meal:

May the bread and companionship we share
nourish our hearts and minds,
and with our spirits refreshed,
may we live our lives to your praise and glory,
now and forever.
Amen.

A Song of the Anointing of the Spirit (Isaiah 61:1-4, 11)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me:
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring good news to the poor:
and to bind up the broken-hearted.
To proclaim liberty to the captives:
and the recovery of sight to the blind.
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour:
a day of recompense from our God.
To comfort all who mourn:
to give them the oil of gladness instead of mourning.
They shall be called oaks of righteousness:
planted by God for his glory.
They shall rebuild the ancient ruins:
and restore what has long laid waste.
For as the earth brings forth shoots and makes new things grow:
the Lord will make integrity and praise spring up before all nations.

Prayer

Let us dedicate ourselves to the service of God:

Eternal God, giver of life and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Blessing

May the Father whose glory fills the heavens,
cleanse us by his holiness and send us to proclaim his word.
Amen.

May the Son, who has ascended to the heights,
pour upon us the riches of his grace.
Amen.

May the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
equip us and strengthen us in our ministry.
Amen.

And may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ, Amen.

Mission

Opening Sentence

Jesus said, “You did not choose me but I chose you
and appointed you so that you may go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.”
(John 15:16a)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Opening Responses

O Lord, open our lips:
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

O God make speed to save us:
O Lord make haste to help us.

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

Confession

The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.
As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith,
we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy.

Silence is kept.

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

Absolution

Collect

Let us gather our prayers together:

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Affirmation of Faith

Let us declare our faith in God.

Prayers of Intercession

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

- For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)

- For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)

- For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)

- For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)

- For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

Let us pray:

Seeking the salvation of the world, as our Saviour has 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 for ever.
Amen.

Prayer before Communion

Let us prepare to share in communion together:

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

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.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God for this meal:

May the bread and companionship we share
nourish our hearts and minds,
and with our spirits refreshed,
may we live our lives to your praise and glory,
now and forever.
Amen.

A Song of the Anointing of the Spirit (Isaiah 61:1-4, 11)

Prayer

Let us dedicate ourselves to the service of God:

Blessing

May the Father whose glory fills the heavens,
cleanse us by his holiness and send us to proclaim his word.
Amen.

May the Son, who has ascended to the heights,
pour upon us the riches of his grace.
Amen.

May the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
equip us and strengthen us in our ministry.
Amen.

And may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ, Amen.

Lent

Lent is the time of preparation for Easter when we focus on penitence, reflection and spiritual growth. Around the tenth century Lent came to be linked with Christ’s forty days in the wilderness. Therefore it is a time when a renewal of commitment and simple worship are appropriate.

Opening Sentence (Psalm 51:17)

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, you God, will not despise.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Opening Responses

Prayer of Preparation

Lord, direct our thoughts and teach us to pray.
Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Confession

Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against him.

Silence is kept.

Let us admit to God the sin which always confronts us:

Lord God
we have sinned against you;
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing
and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us
and restore to us the joy of your salvation
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

May almighty God,
who sent his Son into the world to save sinners,
bring us his pardon and peace, now and for ever.
Amen.

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of those who are penitent;
create and make in us new and contrite hearts,
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness
may receive from you, the God of all mercy
perfect remission and forgiveness
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord
who is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Affirmation of Faith

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Though he was divine
he did not cling to equality with God
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself
and was obedient to death
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow
and every voice proclaim
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father
Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

Prayers are offered.

Let us gather our prayers together:

Remind us often Lord
when we are feeling proud, arrogant, beyond reproach,
pleased with ourselves and self-sufficient in our ways,
that for such as us you walked a road
that took you to a cruel cross,
and rose again to show us
where we might look for rescue.
Amen.

We sum up our prayers in the words that Jesus taught his disciples:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

A Song of Humility (Hosea 6: 1-6)

Come, let us return to the Lord who has torn us and will heal us.
God has stricken us and will bind up our wounds.
After two days, he will revive us,
and on the third day will raise us up,
that we may live in his presence.
Let us strive to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the sunrise.
He will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.
‘O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you?
How shall I deal with you, O Judah?’
Your love for me is like the morning mist,
like the dew that goes early away.
‘Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets,
and my judgement goes forth as the light.
For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice,
and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
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.

Prayer

God of compassion
through your Son Jesus Christ
you have reconciled your people to yourself.
As we follow his example of prayer and fasting
may we obey you with willing hearts
and serve one another in holy love
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Blessing

May Christ give us grace to grow in holiness
to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow him
and may the blessing of God Almighty
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ, Amen.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and the start of our journey with Christ through the final days of his life. Today we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Opening Sentence – Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem.
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

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.

Opening Responses

Confession

God shows his love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Let us then show our love for him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
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 grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.
Amen.

Absolution

May Almighty God, who sent his Son into the world to save sinners, bring us his pardon and peace, now and for ever.
Amen.

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example
of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Affirmation of Faith

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.

Prayers

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:
Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

- For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)

- For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)

- For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)

- For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)

- For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

True and humble king,
hailed by the crowd as Messiah:
grant us the faith to know you and love you,
that we may be found beside you
on the way of the cross,
which is the path of glory.
Amen.

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him 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.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

A Song of Joy (Jubilate)

O be joyful in the Lord all the earth; serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
Know that the Lord is God; it is he that has made us and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting,
and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation.
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.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
You humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation;
give us the mind to follow you
and to proclaim you as Lord and King,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Blessing

May the Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
bring us by faith to his eternal life.
Amen.
May Christ, who accepted the cup of sacrifice in obedience to the Father’s will,
keep us steadfast as we walk with him the way of the cross.
Amen.
May the Spirit, who strengthens us to suffer with Christ
that we may share his glory, set our minds on life and peace.
Amen.
And may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Let us go in peace to love and serve our Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen

Maundy Thursday

Derived from the Latin word ‘mandatum’ meaning ‘commandment’, Maundy refers to the commands which Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice.

Instrumental Music

Opening Sentence – John 6:35

‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me
will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Opening Responses

Hymn 1

Confession

God shows his love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Let us then show our love for him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

Absolution

May Almighty God, who sent his Son into the world to save sinners, bring us his pardon and peace, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect

God our Father,
you have invited us to share in the supper
which your Son gave to his church
to proclaim his death until he comes:
may he nourish us by his presence
and unite us in his love;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Glory to God in the Highest (Gloria in Excelsis)

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.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Hymn 2

Prayers

Let us pray in quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world.
Lord, meet us in the quiet. And hear our prayer.

- For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)

- For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)

- For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)

- For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)

- For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us that what we do for the
least of our brothers and sisters we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others
as you were the servant of all,
and gave up your life and died for us,
but are alive and reign, now and for ever.
Amen.

Trusting in the compassion of God, 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 for ever.
Amen.

Hymn 3

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

The Distribution

Hymn 4

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

Saviour of the World

Jesus, Saviour of the world, come to us in your mercy:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech you.
By your cross and your life laid down, you set your people free:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech you.
When they were ready to perish, you saved your disciples:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech you.
In the greatness of your mercy loose us from our chains:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech you.
Make yourself known as our Saviour and mighty deliverer:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech you.
Come now and dwell with us, Lord Christ Jesus:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech you.
And when you come in your glory, make us one with you: that we may share the life of your kingdom.

Prayer

God our Father,
your Son Jesus Christ was obedient
to the end and drank the cup prepared for him;
may we who share his table watch with him
through the night of suffering and be faithful.
Amen.

The Dismissal

When the disciples had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus prayed to the Father, ‘if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me’. He said to his disciples, ‘how is it that you were not able to keep watch with me for one hour? The hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the power of sinners’.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Christ was obedient unto death. Go in peace.

Instrumental Music

Good Friday

On this most solemn day, we reflect on the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Silence is therefore an integral part of our worship.

Instrumental Music

Opening Sentence – Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

We have come together in the name of Christto offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Opening Responses

We meet in the presence of God, who knows our needs, hears our cries, feels our pain and heals our wounds. Amen.

Confession

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Let us then show our love for him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have failed you, as did your first disciples, and so we ask for your mercy and your help.
Our selfishness betrays you: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
We fail to share the pain of your suffering: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
We run away from those who abuse you: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
We are afraid of being known to belong to you: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.

Absolution

May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.

Collect

Almighty Father,
look with mercy on this your family,
for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content
to be betrayed and given up into the hands
of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross;
who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Psalm 22:1-21

The Reading of the Passion

John 19:1-16: Jesus is sentenced to be crucified

Reflection

John 19:17-27: The crucifixion of Jesus

Reflection

John 19:28-37: The death of Jesus

Reflection

Affirmation of Faith (Philippians 2:6-11)

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself and was obedient to death,
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

- For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)

- For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)

- For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)

- For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)

- For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

Instrumental Music

Eternal God,
in the cross of Jesus we see
the cost of our sin and the depth of your love:
in humble hope and fear may we place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Standing at the foot of the cross, 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 for ever.
Amen.

The Good Friday Anthem

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ was manifested in the body, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed in throughout the world, glorified in high heaven.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Prayer – St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)

Thanks be to you,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.

Hymn or Music

Blessing

We believe that by his dying Christ destroyed death for ever.
Amen.
We have been crucified with Christ and live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved us and gave himself for us.
Amen.
May he send us out to glory in his cross, and live no longer for ourselves
but for him, who died and was raised to life for us.
Amen.
And may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Instrumental Music

Easter Sunrise Worship

Opening Sentence – John 20:19

Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
He has given us new life and hope by raising Jesus from the dead.

We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Opening Responses

Almighty God, your Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence. Give us new hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Confession

Christ died to sin once for all, and now he lives to God. Let us renew our resolve to have done with all that is evil and confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord, we come to you in sorrow for our sins, and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.
We have lived by our own strength, and not by the power of your resurrection. In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.
We have lived by the light of our own eyes, as faithless and not believing. In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.
We have lived for this world alone, and doubted our home in heaven. In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.

Absolution

May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins, and restore us in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Collect

Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.
Amen.

Prayers

God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains of death and hell: fill your church with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Rejoicing in God’s new creation, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

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.

A Song of Praise (The Exsultet)

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendour,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
At this sacred time all evil is dispelled,
guilt is washed away, and peace restored.
So we are reconciled to God.
Alleluia! Amen!

Prayer

God of our salvation,
you have restored us to life,
you have brought us back again into your love
by the triumphant death and resurrection of Christ.
Continue to heal us, as we go to
live and work in the power of your Spirit,
to your praise and glory.
Amen.

Blessing

Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has given us new life and hope.
He has raised Jesus from the dead.

May God the Father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen us to walk with him in his risen life; and may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.

Easter

On this day and for forty days until the eve of Ascension Day, the church celebrates the glorious resurrection of Christ with joyful alleluias!

Instrumental Music

Opening Sentence – John 20:19

Jesus came and stood among them and said,
‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
He has given us new life and hope by raising Jesus from the dead.

We have come together in the name of Christ
to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word,
to pray for the needs of the world,
and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.

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.

Opening Responses

Almighty God, your Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence. Give us new hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Confession

Christ died to sin once for all, and now he lives to God. Let us renew our resolve to have done with all that is evil and confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord, we come to you in sorrow for our sins, and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength, and not by the power of your resurrection.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.
We have lived by the light of our own eyes, as faithless and not believing.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.
We have lived for this world alone, and doubted our home in heaven.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.

Absolution

May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins, and restore us in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Collect

Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour,
glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Affirmation of Faith (Philippians 2:6-11)

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Prayers

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet. And hear our prayer.

Prayers are offered.

God of glory, by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rejoicing in God’s new creation, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.

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.

Father, you made the world and love your creation. You gave your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. His dying and rising have set us free from sin and death. And so we gladly thank you, with saints and angels praising you, and saying:

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.

We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.

Jesus Christ is Lord:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with all the saints to feast at your table in heaven. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever.
Amen.

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

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.

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.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him 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.

A Song of Praise (The Exsultet)

Prayer

God of our salvation,
you have restored us to life,
you have brought us back again into your love
by the triumphant death and resurrection of Christ.
Continue to heal us, as we go to live and work in the power of your Spirit,
to your praise and glory. Amen.

Blessing

Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has given us new life and hope. He has raised Jesus from the dead.

Go in the peace of Christ, alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.

Instrumental Music

Ascensiontide

Ascension(tide) is the season when we remember that the disciples let go of Jesus so that he can be present to all people at all times. He commissioned the disciples to continue his work and promised the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Welcome and Opening Responses

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Prayer of Preparation

We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Almighty God,
your Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence.
Give us new hearts and constant wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Confession

Seeing we have a great high priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, and make our confession to our heavenly Father.

Silence is kept.

O King enthroned on high,
filling the earth with your glory:
holy is your name, Lord God almighty.
In our sinfulness we cry to you
to take our guilt away,
and to cleanse our lips to speak your word,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Absolution

May almighty God, who in Jesus Christ has given us a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, forgive us our sins, open our eyes to God’s truth, strengthen us to do God’s will and give us the joy of his kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Hear the gospel according to n
Glory to you O Lord

After the reading:

This is the gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Address

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Risen Christ,
you have raised our human nature
to the throne of heaven:
help us to seek and serve you,
that we may join you at the Father’s side,
where you reign with the Spirit in glory,
now and forever.
Amen.

Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray as the Saviour taught us:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

A Song of God’s Splendour (Psalm 96)

Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord and bless his name;
tell out his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations
and his wonders among all peoples.
Honour and majesty are before him;
power and splendour are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples;
ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name;
bring offerings and come into his courts.
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
let the whole earth tremble before him.
Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king.
With righteousness he will judge the world and the peoples with his truth.
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.

Dismissal Prayer

Almighty God,
who raised Jesus from the dead
and exalted him to your right hand on high:
may we know your resurrection power in our daily lives
and look with hope to that day when
we shall see you face to face and share in your glory,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Blessing

May Christ our King make us faithful and strong to do his will,
that we may reign with him in glory;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

At Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, and as we open ourselves up to his living presence, forms us into the likeness of Christ.

Opening Sentence – Joel 2:28-29

I will pour out my Spirit on all people; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Prayer of Preparation

We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Faithful God,
who fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending your Holy Spirit,
and made known to every race and nation
the way of eternal life;
open our lips by your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of your glory,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Confession

The Spirit of the Lord fills the world and knows our every word and deed. Let us then open ourselves to the Lord and confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

You raise the dead to life in the Spirit:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the broken in heart:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
You make one by your Spirit the torn and divided:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Absolution

May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.

Collect

God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Hear the gospel according to n
Glory to you O Lord

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Address

Affirmation of Faith

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers

Prayers are followed by:

God of power,
may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
may the gifts of your Spirit equip us
to serve and worship you,
now and always.
Amen.

Being made one by the power of the Spirit, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

A Song of God’s Children (Romans 8)

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death.
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God;
for we have received the Spirit that enables us to cry, ‘Abba, Father’.
The Spirit himself bears witness that we are children of God and if God’s children, then heirs of God;
If heirs of God, then fellow-heirs with Christ;
since we suffer with him now, that we may be glorified with him.
These sufferings that we now endure are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed.
For the creation waits with eager longing
for the revealing of the children of God.
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.

Dismissal Prayer

Almighty God,
we thank you for the gift of your holy word.
May it be a lantern to our feet,
a light upon our paths,
and a strength to our lives.
Take us and use us to love and serve
all people in the power of the Holy Spirit
and in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, through the power of the Holy Spirit; and may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.

Filled with the Spirit’s power, go in the light and peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Life of Christ

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Prayer of Preparation

We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

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.
Amen.

Confession

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Silence is kept.

O King enthroned on high,
filling the earth with your glory:
holy is your name, Lord God almighty.
In our sinfulness we cry to you to take our guilt away,
and to cleanse our lips to speak your word,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Absolution

May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour, forgive us our sins and make us holy to serve him in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect

Let us gather our prayers together:

Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever.
Amen.

First Reading(s)

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading

Hear the gospel according to n
Glory to you O Lord

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Address

Affirmation of Faith

Let us declare our faith in God the Holy Trinity:

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.

Prayers

Prayers of intercession.

Almighty and eternal God,
you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:
hold us firm in this faith,
that we may know you in all your ways
and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,
who are three Persons yet one God,
now and for ever.
Amen.

Jesus taught us to call God our Father, so in faith and trust 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 for ever.
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.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

A Song of Joy (Psalm 100)

O be joyful in the Lord, all the earth;
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
Know that the Lord is God;
it is he that has made us and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is gracious;
his steadfast love is everlasting,
and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation.
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.

Dismissal Prayer

Let us commit ourselves to the service of God:

Almighty God,
We thank you for the gift of your holy word.
May it be a lantern to our feet,
a light upon our paths,
and a strength to our lives.
Take us and use us to love and serve all people
in the power of the Holy Spirit
and in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Blessing

May the peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep our hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

We remember that we are part of the communion of saints stretching across time and space. Our prayers are caught up in the great outpouring of praise and worship of the whole people of God.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Rejoice, people of God, praise the Lord! Let us keep the feast in honour of all God’s saints, in whose victory the angels rejoice and glorify the Son of God.

Prayer of Preparation

We stand before the throne of God with countless crowds from every nation and race, tribe and language.
Blessing, glory, and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honour,
power and might
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen.

Confession

Christ calls us to share the heavenly banquet of his love with all the saints in earth and heaven. Knowing our unworthiness and sin, let us ask from him both mercy and forgiveness:

Silence is kept.

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;
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.

Absolution

May the Father of all mercies, cleanse us from our sins, and restore us in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Collect

We thank you, O God,
for the saints of all ages;
for those who kept the lamp of faith
burning in times of darkness;
for the great souls who saw visions
of larger truth and dared to declare it;
for the multitude of quiet and gracious
people whose presence has purified
and sanctified the world;
and for those we knew and loved,
who are now in the fuller light of life with you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

First Reading(s)

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading

Hear the gospel according to n
Glory to you O Lord

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Affirmation of Faith

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Prayers

Let us pray for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

Prayers are offered.

We give you thanks for the
whole company of your saints in glory,
with whom in fellowship
we join our prayers and praises;
by your grace may we, like them,
be made perfect in your love.
Amen.

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

A Song of the Church (Te Deum)

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as the Lord; all creation worships you, the Father everlasting. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose the virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Amen.

Dismissal Prayer

Keep us, Father,
in this community of faith,
the Church of your Son Jesus Christ,
and help us to confess him as Messiah and Lord
in all we say and do.
We ask this in his name.
Amen.

Blessing

May Christ who makes saints of sinners, who has transformed those we remember today, raise and strengthen us, that we may transform the world; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Christ the King

The Church year, which begins with the hope of the coming Messiah, now ends with the proclamation of his universal sovereignty. Christ the King returns us to the Advent theme of judgement, with which the cycle once more begins.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Rejoice, people of God, praise the Lord! Let us keep the feast in honour of all God’s saints, in whose victory the angels rejoice and glorify the Son of God.

Prayer of Preparation

Loving God,
You have taught us that the power of the heart
is greater than the power of wealth and might.
Hear us as we pray for the fulfilment of your reign.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our King;
to him be glory and power for ever.
Amen.

Confession

Jesus says, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’. So let us turn away from sin and turn to Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

O King enthroned on high,
filling the earth with your glory:
holy is your name, Lord God almighty.
In our sinfulness we cry to you to take our guilt away,
and to cleanse our lips to speak your word,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Absolution

Collect

God the Father,
help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and to follow in his service,
whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory.
Amen.

First Reading(s)

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading

Hear the gospel according to n
Glory to you O Lord

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Address

Affirmation of Faith

Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?
We believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the church.
This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

Prayers are offered.

Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended
to the throne of heaven that he might
rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order
to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the words our Saviour taught us:

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.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

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.

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Distribution

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

A Song of the King’s Glory (Psalm 24)

The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it,
the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.
For he has founded it upon the seas
and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord,
or who can rise up in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,
who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie;
They shall receive a blessing from the Lord,
a just reward from the God of their salvation.
Such is the company of those who seek him,
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
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.

Dismissal Prayer

Loving God,
you have taught us that the power of the heart
is greater than the power of wealth and might.
Hear us as we pray for the fulfilment of your reign.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our King;
to him be glory and power for ever.
Amen.

Blessing

May Christ the King make us faithful and strong to do his will, that we may reign with him in glory; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ, Amen