The Third Sunday before Advent

We welcome you to our written service this Third Sunday before Advent. Our written services offer prayers, the readings for today and carefully selected hymns and an anthem.

 

Opening Prayer

Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
Amen. 

 

Opening Hymn

NEH 431: O Thou who camest from above
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3UYybc7Xa0

 

The Readings

Jonah 3: 1-5,10
Hebrews 9: 24-end
Mark 1: 14-20

The Anthem

The Intercessions

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die”.
Everlasting God, open our eyes, that we might see you. Open our ears, that we may hear you. Open our mouths, that we might speak your praise.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Father, we pray for your church throughout the world, for sceptics and believers, for clergy high and low. For all those who seek God at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews, for all who search for life. We pray for the stillness to listen to the voice of the Spirit, to recognise what you have already done for us and to give you our endless thanks.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Dear Lord, in this troubled world with so much uncertainty, we need more than ever the humility to accept how inadequate we are without your guidance, and we pray to you for wisdom, faith and hope. We pray for those who lead us, Clergy, Politicians, and Educators: for the Army and Police who guard us. Please grant them good judgement and integrity as they face the many problems of modem life, not least the ongoing Pandemic.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Father, you have given us the living bread from heaven to be eaten with faith and love. At the hour of death take away all fear and fill our hearts with hope. God of the living and the dead raise up the faithful departed, and let us come with them into your heavenly glory.
(add names of the recently departed or on Anniversary list)

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Faithful God, you have promised to be with us and long ago sent your Spirit to live amongst us to guide us to a future of goodness and hope. As we travel into the week ahead seeking your truth and justice, help us to feel your presence and see your answers to the prayers we have made to you today.

Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen 

 

Final Hymn

 

Closing Prayers

God of peace,
whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom
and restored the broken to wholeness of life:
look with compassion on the anguish of the world,
and by your healing power
make whole both people and nations;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

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