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 62

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
   from him comes my salvation. 
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall never be shaken. 

How long will you assail a person,
   will you batter your victim, all of you,
   as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 
Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.
   They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
   but inwardly they curse.

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
   for my hope is from him. 
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 
On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 

Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your heart before him;
   God is a refuge for us.

Those of low estate are but a breath,
   those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
   they are together lighter than a breath. 
Put no confidence in extortion,
   and set no vain hopes on robbery;
   if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 

Once God has spoken;
   twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God, 
   and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
   according to their work.

A Song of Lamentation

[Lamentations 1.12, 16.3-19, 22-28 ,31-33]

Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?

Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,

which was brought upon me,

which the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.

For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears,

for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage.

Remember my affliction and my bitterness,

the wormwood and the gall!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning,

great is your faithfulness.

‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,

‘therefore I will hope in him.’

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul that seeks him.

It is good that we should wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good to bear the yoke in our youth,

to sit alone in silence when it is laid upon us.

For the Lord will not reject for ever.

Though he causes grief, he will have compassion,

according to the abundance of his steadfast love,

for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

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:

Isaiah 52.13-15

See, my servant shall prosper;
   he shall be exalted and lifted up,
   and shall be very high. 
Just as there were many who were astonished at him
   —so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance,
   and his form beyond that of mortals— 
so he shall startle many nations;
   kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
   and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.

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':

God, we give you thanks

for the gift of life from the dust of the ground,

and for the new life that rises from the dust of death.

As all things hold together in Christ,

who died on the cross and rose to new life,

may we and all creation

be released from decay and renewed in his image.

 … 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