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 98

O sing to the Lord a new song,
   for he has done marvellous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
   have gained him victory. 
The Lord has made known his victory;
   he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
   to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
   the victory of our God. 

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
   break forth into joyous song and sing praises. 
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
   with the lyre and the sound of melody. 
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
   make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. 

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
   the world and those who live in it. 
Let the floods clap their hands;
   let the hills sing together for joy 
at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
   to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
   and the peoples with equity.

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 Creation

[from Song of the Three 35-65]

Bless the Lord of all created things,

he is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

Bless the Lord you heavens,

he is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

O let the earth bless the Lord; bless the Lord you mountains and hills,

bless the Lord all that grows in the ground,

he is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

Bless the Lord you springs, bless the Lord you seas and rivers,

bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters,

he is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

Bless the Lord all birds of the air, bless the Lord you beasts and cattle,

bless the Lord all people of the earth,

he is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

O People of God bless the Lord; bless the Lord you priests of the Lord,

bless the Lord you servants of the Lord,

he is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit,

bless the Lord you that are holy and humble inheart,

bless the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit:

God, who is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.  Amen.

SHORT READING

John 9.1-5

As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’

a time for reflection on the scriptures …

… completed with:

Lord, your love fills the earth; teach me your laws.

I pray from my heart, teach me your laws. [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’:

Generous God,

we offer thankful hearts for easy access to safe drinking water,

sufficient to meet our needs.

We remember those who lack clean water supplies,

and those who walk for miles to fetch water for their families.

Bless the work of the engineers and development agencies

who seek to make a difference.

… 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