CALL TO WORSHIP AND OPENING PRAYER

The Lord is our light and our life:

Come, let us worship.

Give praise to the Father almighty,

to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord,

to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,

both now and for ever. Amen.

Alleluia!

Blessed are you, O Lord our God,

you are our life and salvation;

yours is the glory, this day and always.

     [words of gratitude and adoration may be said here]

Open our eyes to behold your presence

and strengthen our hands in doing your will;

that the world may rejoice and give you praise,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever!

PSALM, AND SCRIPTURE SONG

Psalm 6

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,

   or discipline me in your wrath. 
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
   O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. 
My soul also is struck with terror,
   while you, O Lord—how long? 

Turn, O Lord, save my life;
   deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love. 
For in death there is no remembrance of you;
   in Sheol who can give you praise? 

I am weary with my moaning;
   every night I flood my bed with tears;
   I drench my couch with my weeping. 
My eyes waste away because of grief;
   they grow weak because of all my foes. 

Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
   for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. 
The Lord has heard my supplication;
   the Lord accepts my prayer. 
All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;
   they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame.

Give praise to the Father almighty,

to his Son, Jesus Christ the Lord,

to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts;

both now and for ever. Amen.

A Song of Christ’s Goodness

[Anselm]

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you;

you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.

Often you weep over our sins and our pride,

tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.

You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds,

in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.

Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life;

by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;

through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear’

Your warmth gives life to the dead,

your touch makes sinners righteous.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us;

in your love and tenderness, remake us,

in your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness,

for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.

Give praise to the Father almighty,

to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord,

to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,

both now and for ever. Amen.

SHORT READING

Ephesians 2.13-18

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

a time for reflection on the scriptures …

… completed with:

God, be merciful, show me your ways.

Help me understand; show me your ways. [from Psalm 119]

CANTICLE OF THE SEASON

THE LORD’S PRAYER,

thanksgiving, petition, intercession

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.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

a time for personal prayer and intercession …

… you may include this ‘Prayer for the Earth’:

God of life, we thank you for the gifts of the land,

and pray your blessing upon the farmers

who make those gifts available to us.

We give thanks for those who respect the earth

and seek to maintain its natural balance.

We pray for a free and open market

for those who produce organic food.

… and sum up your own prayers with these responses:

Make your ways known upon the earth, Lord God;

your saving power among all peoples.

Renew your Church in holiness;

and help us to serve you with joy.

Guide the leaders of this and every nation;

that justice may prevail throughout the world.

Do not let the needy be forgotten;

nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Make us instruments of your peace;

and let your glory be over all the earth.

CONCLUDING PRAYER, AND ENDING