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 119.153-174

Look on my misery and rescue me,
   for I do not forget your law. 
Plead my cause and redeem me;
   give me life according to your promise. 
Salvation is far from the wicked,
   for they do not seek your statutes. 
Great is your mercy, O Lord;
   give me life according to your justice. 
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
   yet I do not swerve from your decrees. 
I look at the faithless with disgust,
   because they do not keep your commands. 
Consider how I love your precepts;
   preserve my life according to your steadfast love. 
The sum of your word is truth;
   and every one of your righteous ordinances endures for ever. 

Princes persecute me without cause,
   but my heart stands in awe of your words. 
I rejoice at your word
   like one who finds great spoil. 
I hate and abhor falsehood,
   but I love your law. 
Seven times a day I praise you
   for your righteous ordinances. 
Great peace have those who love your law;
   nothing can make them stumble. 
I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
   and I fulfil your commandments. 
My soul keeps your decrees;
   I love them exceedingly. 
I keep your precepts and decrees,
   for all my ways are before you. 

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
   give me understanding according to your word. 
Let my supplication come before you;
   deliver me according to your promise. 
My lips will pour forth praise,
   because you teach me your statutes. 
My tongue will sing of your promise,
   for all your commandments are right. 
Let your hand be ready to help me,
   for I have chosen your precepts. 
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
   and your law is my delight. 
Let me live that I may praise you,
   and let your ordinances help me. 
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant,
   for I do not forget your commandments.

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 Praise

[Revelation 4.11; 5:.9b-10, 13]

You are worthy

Our Lord and God,

to receive glory and

honour and power;

for you have created all things

and by your will they have their being.

You are worthy

O Lamb, for you were slain;

and by your blood you ransomed for God

saints from every tribe and language and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom

and priests serving our God,

and they will reign with you on earth.

To the One who sits on the throne

and to the Lamb

be blessing and honour and glory and might,

for ever and ever.  Amen.

SHORT READING

Mark 4.26-29

Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’

a time for reflection on the scriptures …

… completed with:

I treasure your ways more than great riches.

I delight in your rules, more than great riches. [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’:

Your Holy Spirit, Lord, like the wind,

sweeps over the face of the earth, giving life to the world.

We pray for those who seek to harness the power of the wind,

and for those concerned about the siting of wind turbines.

Grant wisdom and integrity to the people responsible

for forming opinions and making decisions.

… 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