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 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; 
   he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   my whole life long.

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 God’s Reign

[Tobit 13.1-6]

Blessed be God, who lives for ever,

whose reign endures throughout all ages.

Declare God’s praise before the nations,

you who are the children of Israel.

For if our God has scattered you among them,

there too has he shown you his greatness.

Exalt him in the sight of the living,

because he is our God and our Father for ever.

Though God punishes you for your wickedness,

mercy will be shown to you all.

God will gather you from every nation,

from wherever you have been scattered.

See what the Lord has done for you

and give thanks with a loud voice.

Praise the Lord of righteousness

and exalt the King of the ages.

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

1 Peter 2.9-10

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 
Once you were not a people,
   but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
   but now you have received mercy.

a time for reflection on the scriptures …

… completed with:

Your word is for ever, Lord, fixed in the heavens.

Your faithfulness is eternal, fixed in the heavens. [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 all things, through the process of evolution

you have created a rich diversity of life on earth.

Help us to recognise and appreciate

the intricacy and variety of life in all its fullness.

Bless all teachers and scientists as they reveal to others,

young and old alike, the wonders of creation.

… 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