The Second Sunday after Trinity

Welcome to our written service, the Second Sunday after Trinity.  Today our liturgical colour is Green, showing growth and this explains our choice of featured image on this beautiful sunny, green day!

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, you have taught us
that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

 

The Readings

Ezekiel 17: 22-end
2 Corinthians 5: 6-10, 14-17
Mark 4: 26-34

 

The anthem

The anthem for today is: The spirit of the Lord – Edward Elgar (from the Apostles)

 

 

Prayers and Intercessions

Father God, by grace we come into your presence with thanksgiving for all that you have done for us and we bring before you our concerns and our burdens. Help us to put our trust in you and in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

Holy God we pray for the Church throughout the world and especially in places where religious faith is suppressed or where Christianity is an unwelcome minority. We give thanks for our church community in Haarlem and for the ministry of the visiting Chaplains during the Interregnum. We pray for our future Chaplain at this time of preparation. May the Church Council be granted wisdom and guidance when making decisions for our Chaplaincy.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

Creator God, we pray for those in our world who are affected by violence, conflict and terrorism, for innocent victims and their families caught up in conflicts not of their own making. We continue to pray for peace and goodwill towards all people.

We pray for our world leaders and for the Royal Families of Great Britain and The Netherlands. We also pray for our community leaders and those in public office dealing with the ongoing Pandemic. Help us to be aware of the part that we can play by acting carefully and unselfishly.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

Gracious God we pray for our children and young people as they near the end of another academic year. Be with those doing important examinations at school and university and those starting new lives in the world of work. Help us, through our Christian life to create a society where both young and old, gifted and less able feel valued and proud to be a part of society.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

Loving God we think of those in need in our own community and further afield; the elderly, the housebound and those in care homes, hospitals and hospices. We give thanks for all those who care for the sick within the family and for all our medical and voluntary services.
We remember those known to us personally who are in need of prayer.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

Father God we pray for those who face the pain of grief at the loss of a loved one. Help us to support all those who mourn, both with our prayers and with practical help. We remember those who have died and ask that those bereaved by their passing are aware of the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings so much hope.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

Everlasting Lord we ask you to lead us into the coming week. When we face hard decisions or difficult situations in our daily lives, may we know that you are with us.
Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

 

Circle us, Lord,
Circle us with the light of your presence, bright within this dark world,
Enable us to be overcomers of fear and temptation,
Enable us to be victors over sin and despair,
Enable us to become that which you would desire.
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation,
Circle us with the light of your presence.

Circle us, Lord,
Circle our family within the shelter of your outstretched arms,
Protect them in each moment of their daily lives,
Protect them in the decisions that they face,
Protect their homes and relationships.
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation,
Circle our families with the light of your presence.

Circle us, Lord,
Circle this nation with Advent love and hope,
Create a desire to listen to the Advent message,
Create a willingness to understand and respond,
Create a need to reach out to the Christ Child.
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation,
Circle our nation with the light of your presence.

Circle us, Lord,
Circle this world with the joy of your Salvation,
Where there is sickness and disease bring healing,
Where there is hunger and despair bring hope,
Where there is torture and oppression bring release.
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation,
Circle this world with the light of your presence.

John Birch faithandworship.com

 

The Hymn

The hymn is: NEH 205 Christ is made the sure foundation

 

Closing Prayers

Faithful Creator,
whose mercy never fails:
deepen our faithfulness to you
and to your living Word,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.