PRAISE

Christ was obedient, even unto death.

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.

We adore you, Christ, and we bless you,

because by your cross you have redeemed the world.

     words of gratitude and adoration may be said here

Strengthen us to take up our cross every day

and follow you in the way that leads to eternal life.

Blessed be God for ever!

    REFLECTION  

    The following psalm[s], and scripture song, are said:

Psalm 142

With my voice I cry to the Lord;
   with my voice I make supplication to the Lord. 
I pour out my complaint before him;
   I tell my trouble before him. 
When my spirit is faint,
   you know my way. 

In the path where I walk
   they have hidden a trap for me. 
Look on my right hand and see—
   there is no one who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
   no one cares for me. 

I cry to you, O Lord;
   I say, ‘You are my refuge,
   my portion in the land of the living.’ 
Give heed to my cry,
   for I am brought very low. 

Save me from my persecutors,
   for they are too strong for me. 
Bring me out of prison,
   so that I may give thanks to your name.
The righteous will surround me,
   for you will deal bountifully with me.

A Song of Desertion

[Jeremiah 14.17-21]

Let my eyes shed tears day and night,

let them never stop weeping;

for my people have been struck by a crushing blow,

by a very grievous wound.

In the country I see the bodies of those killed by war;

in the city I see people tortured by hunger.

The prophets and priests roam around the country

but they do not know what to do.

Have you completely rejected Judah?

Does your heart loathe Sion?

Why have you struck us down

without hope of a cure?

We were looking for peace, but no good came of it.

We were looking for healing, but we got terror.

Lord, we acknowledge our wickedness and the guilt of our ancestors,

we have indeed sinned against you.

For your name’s sake do not reject us or dishonour your glorious throne;

remember us and do not break your covenant with 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.

    A short reading from the Bible

Hebrews 2.9-10

but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

A time for reflection on the word of God …

… concluding with this responsory:

When I am lifted up from the earth,

I will draw all people to myself.

For this reason I have come to this hour.

I will draw all people to myself.

                                                John 12.32,37

    CANTICLE OF THE SEASON

    PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

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':

Generous God,

we thank you for the life-giving waters of the earth.

We give thanks for the rains that bring refreshment to the dry land

and succour to living things.

Help us to see your peace in the still waters,

and your power in the flood and the crashing wave,

your joy in the babbling brook,

and your timeless presence in the cascading waterfall.

… then sum up your prayers with these responses:

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance:

govern and uphold them now and always.

Day by day we bless you:

we praise your name for ever.

Keep us today, Lord, from all sin:

have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

Lord, show us your love and mercy:

for we have put our trust in you.

In you, Lord, is our hope:

let us never be put to shame.

    IN CONCLUSION