Passion Sunday Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Readings: Isaiah 43v16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3v4b-14; John 12v1-8. Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. A Word: In our readings today we hear about the way we fall short of what God expects of us. In Isaiah we hear about the time when God rescued his people from the Land of Egypt, at the time known as the Exodus. It recalls that after God opened the sea to let his people through that he permitted it to close again over the Egyptians who were pursuing his people, even though they had said they would let them leave. In John we hear that Judas has fallen away from his trust in Jesus because he was stealing, complaining about the anointing with precious oils and his readiness to betray Jesus. This is in the last week of Jesus’ life when Jesus was being fed and anointed by his friends in readiness for his death. In Philippians, we hear Paul sharing his background that even though he was a learned Israelite, he was also a persecutor of the Church. I believe that these readings remind us that we are a fallen people, a people so limited and weak and frail that we sin all too easily. However, this is not all that we hear for in Isaiah we hear about all the new things that God is doing as he cares for his chosen people in the wilderness of their lives. In the psalm, we hear a prayer that is asking for God to restore the fortunes of his people, just as he did in earlier times, a time that made them so glad that they rejoiced. In Philippians, Paul explains that because of Jesus he has gained so much because he is now counted as righteous by God. For Paul, this is a journey, the journey God is calling him onwards to, to join him in heaven because through the suffering he experiences for his faith, Paul feels as though he is sharing in the suffering of Christ. I believe that these readings are words of encouragement that none of us is lost to God, if we turn back to him. Let us Pray: Loving God, you are like a mother to us, helping to grow in the goodness and grace. We thank you that Jesus your son grew up in a human home before dying on the cross to draw all people to you. We ask you to be with us in times of happiness and to fortify us in times of despair. We ask you to give us the ability to sense your presence in good and bad times and to shower us with the power that repairs and rebuilds us. AmenThe Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they 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 them that trespass against us. Deliver us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. AmenPrayer of blessing: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.Thanks for joining us today.
Mothering SundayOpening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Readings: Exodus 2v1-10; Psalm 34v11-20 or 127v1-4; 2 Corinthians 1v3-7; Luke 2v33-35.A Word: Mothering Sunday has always been both a day of celebration for many and a sensitive and emotional day for some. By tradition its a day when we call to mind our Mother Church as well as give thanks for all those who "mother and nurture us". Take time to think about all those who have mothered and nurtured you. Then give thanks to God for them.Let us pray: Wherever you are this Sunday please call to mind those who are sick or anxious. Give thanks for everyone involved in delivering Health, Social Care and Education Services. Pray for adults and children caring for and nurturing children.The Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they 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 them that trespass against us. Deliver us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. AmenMothering Sunday Prayer: God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; 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. AMENPrayer of blessing: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen. Closing Note This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope.
Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Readings for Lent 3 - Exodus 17.1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5.1-11 ; John 4.5-42 A Word: The reading from Exodus shows how difficult and contrary we can become when we cannot get what we want or fail to get our own way. The reading also shows us that in all times we should trust that God will provide for us. Finally this reading shows us that when we work co-operatively together that great things can be achieved. The psalm calls us to worship and obey God and to stop being wayward because disobedience tests God’s patience. The letter to the Romans reminds us that we can do nothing to save ourselves because only God can save us. For even though we do not deserve it, God justifies us through faith. In the Gospel, we learn that Jesus seeks out all sorts of people to assist in his mission to save the world. People just like the Samaritan women who was believed to be unworthy and unsuitable to even speak with Jesus. Yet, she became a messenger for God amongst her own people. Calling them to come and meet Jesus and sharing her testimony with them. The Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they 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 them that trespass against us. Deliver us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen Prayer: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, make us perfect in your love and by your great mercy keep us in the same, so we may share in his glory; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, the true vine and the source of life, ever giving himself that the world may live. Amen Prayer of blessing: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen. Closing Note This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope.
Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Readings for Lent 2: Genesis 12.1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4.1-5,13-17; John 3.1-17 A word: In Genesis we hear God giving Abram instructions on what he is to do. Alongside the instructions, God promises that he will take care of Abram (who became Abraham) and bless all nations through him. The psalm echoes this promise by reminding us that God is always watching over and taking care of us. The letter to the Romans tells us that Abram’s willingness to do that which God asked of him was counted to him as righteousness. It also tells us that if we have the same faith as Abram, we will receive the same promises that God made to Abram. The gospel shares with us how God was fulfilling his promise through Jesus, who was lifted up so we can be saved. This is God’s message to us, for us to receive and for us to share with others.The Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they 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 them that trespass against us. Deliver us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen Prayer: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, make us perfect in your love and by your great mercy keep us in the same, so we may share in his glory; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, the true vine and the source of life, ever giving himself that the world may live. Amen Prayer of blessing: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen. Closing Note This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope.
