Parish News

Topic: Morning Prayer Lent – 2

Time: Feb 7, 2021 11:00 AM Dublin

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The service leaflet is available here: Killiskey MP Lent -2 – 07-02-21

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Killiskey Parish
Sunday 7th February 2021 @ 11.00am
The Second Sunday before Lent

SERVICE OF MORNING PRAYER
The Gathering of God’s People

GREETING
The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Opening Hymn: CH638 “O for a heart to praise my God”
O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free;
a heart that’s cleansèd by the blood
so freely shed for me.
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my dear Redeemer’s throne;
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone;
a humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from him that dwells within;
a heart in every thought renewed,
and full of love divine;
perfect and right, and pure and good,
a copy, Lord, of thine.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
come quickly from above:
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new, best name of Love.
Charles Wesley (1707-88)
based on Psalm 51: 10; Ezekiel 36: 26

SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE
Jesus said: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11 : 28

INTRODUCTION
Beloved in Christ,
we come together to offer to Almighty God
our worship and praise and thanksgiving,
to confess our sins and to receive God’s forgiveness,
to hear his holy word proclaimed,
to bring before him our needs and the needs of the world,
and to pray that in the power of his Spirit
we may serve him and know the greatness of his love.
Let us confess our sins to God our Father.
Silence is kept.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Proclaiming and Receiving the Word
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.

The First Reading: Hosea 2: 14-20
Therefore, I will now persuade her,
and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her.
From there I will give her her vineyards,
and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she shall respond as in the days of her youth,
as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.
On that day, says the Lord, you will call me, ‘My husband’, and no longer will you call me, ‘My Baal’.
For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more.
I will make for you a covenant on that day with the wild animals, the birds of the air, and the creeping
things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you
lie down in safety. And I will take you for my wife for ever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness
and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall
know the Lord.

After the reading silence may be kept.
The Psalm: Psalm 103: 1-13, 22
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, ♦︎
and all that is within me bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, ♦︎
and forget not all his benefits;
3 Who forgives all your sins ♦︎
and heals all your infirmities;
4 Who redeems your life from the Pit ♦︎
and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;
5 Who satisfies you with good things, ♦︎
so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness ♦︎
and judgement for all who are oppressed.
7 He made his ways known to Moses ♦︎
and his works to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, ♦︎
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, ♦︎
neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, ♦︎
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, ♦︎
so great is his mercy upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, ♦︎
so far has he set our sins from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, ♦︎
so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him.
22 Bless the Lord, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; ♦︎
bless the Lord, O my soul.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son♦︎
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, ♦︎
and shall be for ever. Amen.

The Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3: 1-6
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Surely we do not need, as some do, letters of
recommendation to you or from you, do we? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be
known and read by all; and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ towards God. Not that we are competent of ourselves
to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be
ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
After the reading silence may be kept.

Hymn before the Gospel: CH218 “And can it be that I should gain”
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused his pain;
for me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above—
so free, so infinite His grace—
emptied Himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
Charles Wesley (1707-88)

The Gospel: Mark 2: 13-22
Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he
was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’
And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax-collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and
his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was
eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax-collectors and
sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but
those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, ‘Why do John’s
disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The
wedding-guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the
bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from
them, and then they will fast on that day.
‘No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new
from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine
will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh
wineskins.’
After the reading silence may be kept.

THE SERMON
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
O Lord, guide and defend our rulers
and grant our government wisdom.
Let your ministers be clothed with righteousness
and let your servants shout for joy.
O Lord, save your people
and bless those whom you have chosen.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
O God, make clean our hearts within us
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.

THE COLLECTS
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
Teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. Amen.

COLLECTS AT MORNING PRAYER
Go before us, Lord, in all our doings, with your most gracious favour,
and further us with your continual help;
that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you,
we may glorify your holy name,
and finally by your mercy attain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
in whom we live and move and have our being:
We humbly pray that your Holy Spirit may so guide and govern us
that in all the cares and occupations of our daily life,
we may never forget your presence
but may remember that we are always walking in your sight,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS
We continue to pray to the wise and loving God who, in the midst of the shifting sands of time,
guides and protects us.
For clergy and lay readers: that through their preaching people may hear the Gospel in its
freshness and purity. Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
For government leaders: that they may find inspiration in the Gospel to work for justice and
peace. Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
For those who have heard the Gospel but whose lives remain untouched by it. Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
For those who have lost some precious person in their lives: that they may know your
comforting. Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
For all gathered here remotely: that we may experience the joy of the Gospel. Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
For our own special needs. [Pause for private prayer]. Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Heavenly Father, look lovingly on our changing world and keep us safe amidst the uncertainties
that darken our days and cloud our nights. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Closing Hymn: CH94 “In the name of Jesus” (vs. 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8)
In the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him King of glory now;
’tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
Humbled for a season, to receive a name
from the lips of sinners unto whom he came;
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious when from death he passed.
Bore it up triumphant, with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures to the central height;
to the eternal Godhead, to the Father’s throne,
filled it with the glory of his triumph won.
In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your captain in temptation’s hour,
let his will enfold you in its light and power.
With his Father’s glory, Jesus comes again,
angel hosts attend him and announce his reign;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.
Caroline M Noel (1811-77) altd.
v1 based on Philippians 2: 10-11
Going Out as God’s People
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
To God, who by the power at work within us,
is able to do far more abundantly
than all we ask or think,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3: 20

Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.

Snowdrops nod their graceful heads and songbirds tentatively start
singing; this year, the onset of spring seems even more poignant than
usual, with the hope that it is a harbinger of better days to come. The huge
interest in nature during this pandemic is an illustration of the human need
to reconnect with the natural world. While many aspects of life as we knew
it disappeared, nature showed us its constancy, in some instances even
thriving as human impacts were reduced. This has provided a much needed balm for the souls of many. Less time spent rushing around
resulted in more time to notice the world around us. The challenge now is
for people to relate their new-found (for some) interest in the environment
to the biodiversity and climate change crisis that faces the world and to
adapt their lifestyles accordingly. US President Biden’s actions should
provide a huge boost for the environment; additionally, companies
worldwide have the opportunity to adopt less wasteful and less polluting
practices as green technology improves. We can all help by supporting
sustainably run companies and avoiding unsustainable ones; then market
forces will direct the latter to cleaner practices.

Revd Ken is assisting the Archbishop and the Diocesan Communications
officer, Lynn Glanville, in arranging a series of short Lenten Reflections
entitled “Walking with Jesus in the wilderness”. It is envisaged that
the Archbishop will commence the series on Ash Wednesday and Diocesan
Readers will give daily reflections for the weekdays of Lent up to and
including Maundy Thursday. These will be shown on the Diocesan YouTube
channel which may be found at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJQH1IpNHCI2ue7S782OlFw
n addition, the Archbishop will be giving a talk each Sunday in Lent. On
Good Friday, the plan is to have reflections from seven perspectives
entitled “Living with Jesus Christ in the city of Jerusalem” based on
the narrative of the Passion.
Please consider accessing these reflections as part of your Lenten
discipline.

The Hub will remain closed until restrictions are eased.

Lesley Rue organises the distribution of the Church Review. If you would
like your name to be added to the list of recipients, please let her know.
She is currently collecting the annual 2021 subscriptions of €40.

The Eco-congregation movement aims to encourage churches to celebrate
the gift of God’s creation, to recognise the interdependence of all creation,
and to care for it in their life and mission, and through the members’
personal lifestyles.
In Ireland, Eco-congregation has been developed in co-operation with the
four main churches, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Church
of Ireland. It offers three key components: Resources, designed to fit into
and enhance Church life and mission; Support, suggesting ways in which
churches may avail of local specialist help; and the Eco-congregation
award, affirming churches’ good environmental work and witness to the
local community.
Parishes are encouraged to increase their awareness of the deadly
challenge of climate change, and to develop projects and initiatives in
spiritual, practical and community focussed areas.
This is something in which all can be involved, to a greater or lesser extent
as they choose, but it is an important practical way in which to give thanks
to God for the wonders of His creation, and to make our Harvest
Thanksgiving a reality throughout the seasons.

Topic: Morning Prayer Epiphany 4

Time: Jan 31, 2021 11:00 AM Dublin

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The service leaflet is available here: Killiskey MP Sunday Epiphany 4 31-01-21

or below here:

KILLISKEY PARISH
MORNING PRAYER FOR USE ON SUNDAY – 31 JANUARY 2021
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

The Gathering of God’s People
THE GREETING
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all
and also with you.

SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124: 8

Opening Hymn: CH514 “We cannot measure how you heal”
We cannot measure how you heal
or answer every sufferer’s prayer,
yet we believe your grace responds
where faith and doubt unite to care.
Your hands, though bloodied on the cross,
survive to hold and heal and warn,
to carry all through death to life
and cradle children yet unborn.
The pain that will not go away,
the guilt that clings from things long past,
the fear of what the future holds,
are present as if meant to last.
But present too is love which tends
the hurt we never hoped to find,
the private agonies inside,
the memories that haunt the mind.
So some have come who need your help
and some have come to make amends,
as hands which shaped and saved the world
are present in the touch of friends.
Lord, let your Spirit meet us here
to mend the body, mind and soul,
to disentangle peace from pain,
and make your broken people whole.
John L Bell (b. 1949)
and Graham Maule (1958-2019)

INTRODUCTION
We have come together in the name of Christ
to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word,
to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
and to pray for the needs of the world,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.
O Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
Let us worship the Lord.
All praise to his name.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
king of the nations,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.
As the sun of righteousness dawns in our hearts
anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit
that we may witness to your gospel
and sing your praise in all the earth.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

PENITENCE
The grace of God has dawned upon the world
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who sacrificed himself for us to purify a people as his own.
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his promises
by confessing our sins in penitence.
O God, our loving Father in heaven,
we confess that we have sinned against you;
we have broken your commandments;
we have often been selfish,
and we have not loved you as we should.
For these, and all our sins, forgive us, we pray:
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse you from your sins,
and restore you in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
Your word is a lantern to my feet
and a light upon our path. cf Psalm 119:105
O Lord, your word is everlasting:
it stands firm for ever in the heavens. cf Psalm 119: 89
Let us then receive the word of the Lord:
so may the light of your presence shine into our hearts.
Proclaiming and Receiving the Word
The First Reading: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed
such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly
when you said: ‘If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will
die.’ Then the Lord replied to me: ‘They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a
prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who
shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet
shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other
gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—
that prophet shall die.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm: Psalm 111
1 I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart : secretly among the faithful, and in the
congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great : sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour : and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works; that they ought to be had in
remembrance.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him : he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works : that he may give them the heritage of the
heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgement : all his commandments are true.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever : and are done in truth and equity.
9 He sent redemption unto his people : he hath commanded his covenant for ever : holy and
reverend is his Name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom : a good understanding have all they that do
thereafter; the praise of it endureth for ever.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs
up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary
knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.
Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘no idol in the world really exists’, and that
‘there is no God but one.’ Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in
fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all
things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through
whom we exist.
It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols
until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak,
is defiled. ‘Food will not bring us close to God.’ We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if
we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak.
For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their
conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge
those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your
family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause
of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Hymn before the Gospel: Thanks & Praise 71 “Jesus Christ is waiting”
Jesus Christ is waiting,
waiting in the streets;
no one is his neighbour,
all alone he eats.
Listen, Lord Jesus,
I am lonely too.
Make me, friend or stranger,
fit to wait on you.
Jesus Christ is raging,
raging in the streets,
where injustice spirals
and real hope retreats.
Listen, Lord Jesus
I am angry too.
In the Kingdom’s causes
let me rage with you.
Jesus Christ is healing,
healing in the streets;
curing those who suffer,
touching those he greets.
Listen, Lord Jesus,
I have pity too.
Let my care be active,
healing, just like you.
Jesus Christ is dancing,
dancing in the streets,
where each sign of hatred
he, with love, defeats.
Listen, Lord Jesus,
I should triumph too.
Where good conquers evil
let me dance with you.
Jesus Christ is calling,
calling in the streets,
”Who will join my journey?
I will guide their feet.”
Listen, Lord Jesus,
let my fears be few.
Walk one step before me;
I will follow you.
John L Bell (b. 1949)
and Graham Maule (1958-2019)

The Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were
astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then
there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us,
Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus
rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into
convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on
asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean
spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of
Galilee.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

THE SERMON
COLLECT OF THE WORD
God of compassion,
you have shown us in Christ,
that your love is never ending:
enable us both to love you with all our heart
and to love one another as Christ loved us.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Response to God’s Word

THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us worship the Saviour with joy
and make our prayer to our heavenly Father.
The magi came from the east to worship your Son:
Father, grant to Christians everywhere
the spirit of adoration …
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.
The infant Christ received gifts of gold, incense and myrrh:
Father, accept the offering of our hearts and minds …
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.
The kingdoms of this world have become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ:
Father, grant an abundance of peace to your world …
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.
The Holy Family lived in exile and in the shadow of death:
Father, look in mercy on all who are poor and powerless,
and all who suffer …
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.
Your Son shared the life of his home and family at Nazareth:
Father, protect in your love our neighbours,
our families and this community of which we are part …
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.
Silence is kept.
Father, we rejoice in our fellowship
with the shepherds, the angels, the magi,
the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and all the faithful departed.
In your unfailing love for us and for all people,
hear and answer our prayers through your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Creator God,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
We pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, we are bold to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven:
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen.

Closing Hymn: CH513 “O Christ the Healer, we have come”
O Christ, the Healer, we have come
to pray for health, to plead for friends.
How can we fail to be restored,
when reached by love that never ends?
From every ailment flesh endures
our bodies clamour to be freed;
yet in our hearts we would confess
that wholeness is our deepest need.
How strong, O Lord, are our desires,
how weak our knowledge of ourselves!
Release in us those healing truths
unconscious pride resists or shelves.
In conflicts that destroy our health,
we diagnose the world’s disease;
our common life declares our ills:
is there no cure, O Christ, for these?
Grant that we all, made one in faith,
in your community may find
the wholeness that, enriching us,
shall reach and prosper humankind.
F Pratt Green (b. 1903)
Going out as God’s People

A THANKSGIVING
Blessed are you, Holy God,
creator, redeemer and life-giver;
you have spoken the world into being
and filled it with wonder and beauty.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for people of every language and culture
and for the rich variety you give to life.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for Jesus Christ our Saviour,
truly divine and truly human,
living and dying for us,
and going before us into heaven.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for your Spirit, the fire of love burning in our hearts,
bringing us to faith, and calling us to holiness
in the Church and in the world.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
We go into the world
to walk in God’s light,
to rejoice in God’s love
and to reflect God’s glory.

THE BLESSING
Christ the Son be manifest to you,
that your lives may be a light to the world:
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

THE DISMISSAL
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Topic: Evening Prayer Wednesday 27 January

Time: Jan 27, 2021 07:30 PM

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Wednesday 27 January 2021: Evening Prayer

SERVICE OF LIGHT
Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world,
The light no darkness can overcome.
Stay with us now, for it is evening,
And the day is almost over.
Let your light scatter the darkness,
And shine within your people here.

EVENING THANKSGIVING
May God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us sing our thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Creator of the universe,
from old you have led your people by night and day.
May the light of your Christ make our darkness bright,
for your Word and your presence are the light of our pathways,
and you are the light and life of all creation.

PENITENCE
Silence for meditation and private penitence
May our prayers come before you, O God, as incense,
and may your presence surround and fill us,
so that in union with all creation,
we might sing your praise and your love in our lives. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD
A PSALM
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, ♦︎
a very present help in trouble;
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, ♦︎
and though the mountains tremble in the heart of the sea;
Though the waters rage and swell, ♦︎
and though the mountains quake at the towering seas.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, ♦︎
the holy place of the dwelling of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her;
therefore shall she not be removed; ♦︎
God shall help her at the break of day.
The nations are in uproar and the kingdoms are shaken, ♦︎
but God utters his voice and the earth shall melt away.
The Lord of hosts is with us; ♦︎
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come and behold the works of the Lord, ♦︎
what destruction he has wrought upon the earth.
He makes wars to cease in all the world; ♦︎
he shatters the bow and snaps the spear
and burns the chariots in the fire.
‘Be still, and know that I am God; ♦︎
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.’
The Lord of hosts is with us; ♦︎
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Silence for meditation
Response
The light shines in the darkness…
and the darkness has not overcome it.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever. Amen.

A READING
Mark 3: 13-19a
He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed
twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to
have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);
James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of
Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of
Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot.
Silence for meditation
Response
The light shines in the darkness…
and the darkness has not overcome it.

ADDRESS
THE ANNUNCIATION Luke 1 : 26-28, 30-32, 38
An angel went from God to a town called Nazareth to a woman whose name was Mary. The angel said to her
“Rejoice, O highly favoured, for God is with you. You shall bear a child, and his name shall be Jesus, the
Chosen One of God Most High.” And Mary said, “I am the servant of my God, I live to do your will.”
MAGNIFICAT The Song of the Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 1 : 46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness· of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
who has looked with favour on his lowly servant;
from this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.
God has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
The Lord has shown strength· with his arm
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.
God has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel.
to remember the promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS
In peace, in peace, we pray to you:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For peace and salvation, we pray to you:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For peace between nations, for peace between peoples:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For us, who are gathered to worship and praise you:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all of your servants who live out your gospel:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all those who govern, that justice might guide them:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all who labour in service to others:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
Grant weather that nourishes all of creation:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
Keep watch on our loved ones and keep us from danger:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all the beloved who rest in your mercy:
God of mercy, hold us in love.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
Great and merciful God,
source and ground of all goodness and life,
give to your people the peace that passes all understanding,
and the will to live your gospel of mercy and justice,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
God, remember us in your love, and teach us to pray:
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
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

THE ENDING

BLESSING
Let us bless our God:
Praise and thanks to you.
May God, Creator, bless us and keep us,
may Christ be ever light for our lives,
may the Spirit of Love be our guide and path for all of our days.
Amen.