May the Lord be with us all.

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.

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;

He makes me down to lie

In pastures green; He leadeth me

The quiet waters by.

Acts 2: 42-47

Let us pray:

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the day:

Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep: teach us to hear your voice and to follow your command, that all your people may be gathered into one flock, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

John 10: 1-10

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

While we are in lockdown we can only hear the voices of those we love and don’t live with through the phone or the internet, and yet we recognise their voices and know who they are. Jesus says of the sheep that they know his voice, and trust him enough to follow him. He is the good shepherd. We can trust in his promise to give us life, and to give it abundantly.

Prayers for the Church, the world, our community, families and friends, and all who are sick, suffering or bereaved, followed by the Lord’s prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and and be with us always. Amen.

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