The Third Sunday of Lent

We welcome you to this written service for the Second Sunday of Lent. Here you can find today’s readings, prayers and music for worship at home. We begin this written service with a prayer for Ukraine.

 

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice,we pray for the people of Ukraine today.We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.We pray for those with power over war or peace,for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,that you would hold and protect them.We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  Amen

Archbishop Justin Welby
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

 

Opening Hymn

NEH 468 – Through the night of doubt and sorrow

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Opening Prayer

Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

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The Readings

Isaiah 55: 1-9
1 Corinthians 10: 1-13
Luke 13: 1-9

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The Psalm

Psalm 63 – O God, Thou art my God

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The Intercessions

Gracious Heavenly Father, as in the time of the prophet Isaiah, we find ourselves in a society with a great thirst for meaning and fulfilment in life. We give thanks that you have shown a pathway to satisfy that need in the life-giving messages of our faith. Enliven us, we pray, that by the example of how we live and relate to those searching for meaning around us, we may pass on this good news for the enrichment of their lives. May they reach out and taste the saving grace of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

As we offer our intercessions, in our deep anguish for their plight in the horrific conflict, we pray for the peoples of Ukraine and their homeland. In voices united with so many across the world, Lord, we pray to you for peace. We ask for a peace that stills the sounds of war, that removes constant fear and anxiety, that stops senseless destruction and suffering. We pray for a time for reflection, for a return to the regular elements of daily life, for a time when thoughts of anger, hate and retribution are replaced by kindness, love, forgiveness, and reconstruction.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We include in our pleas for peace the many other ongoing conflicts that have been side-lined from the news in recent weeks.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Look upon our political and governmental leaders, in this time of acute danger, so full of uncertainties and unknowns. Grant them clear-headed thinking, wisdom and restraint, that passing through a dark valley they may guide us back towards greener pastures and the sunlit uplands of a new spring.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Lord, we give you heartfelt thanks for the widespread outpouring of aid and support for the Ukrainian people that has erupted in recent weeks. It gives a reassurance that, despite the many areas of darkness in our current age, there remains active in our society a massive groundswell of love and goodwill. Grant that we too in our own community may be inspired to find ways to give practical help to these, our European neighbours, and to others in distress.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We give thanks for your guidance in the difficult and demanding work of Malcolm Rogers, our chaplain in Moscow, and in his role as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Patriarch of Moscow. With our Diocese today, Lord, we pray for the hierarchy and people of the Russian Orthodox Church. We pray for their welfare and that they may be led to reconsider their decision to support their country’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine with all the suffering that this has incurred.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We also pray for our persecuted sisters and brothers in many circumstances throughout the world. Grant them refuge and relief from their torment, and comfort through the inner sustenance of your peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, so often on our journey through life we encounter illness, suffering and distress. We ask for your healing power for family, friends and others known to us who are ill. Grant hope, patience and an enduring sense of your presence with them. We also commend to you all for whom we have been asked to pray through our chaplaincy prayer list (and especially for…………………………………………….).
Lead into your eternal keeping the souls of those recently departed this life in your faith, (remembering ………………….. who died recently).
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

And now, Lord, we pray for your guidance and support at the time of our chaplaincy Annual General Meeting. We thank you for giving us continuity through many years. We pray that under the fresh leadership of our chaplain, Bruce, we may continue to grow our future vision. Grant us ways and means to serve the community of Haarlem and beyond, in the cultural, social, but above all, spiritual spheres that compose and sustain their lives.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

As we shortly move towards our chaplaincy meeting, help us to reflect briefly on our relationships with each other in your name, and on how we can work to further complement each other in exemplifying the Gospel message of peace and love.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ

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The Anthem

Let my complaint come before thee – Adrian Batten

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The Lord’s Prayer

Trusting in the compassion of God,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

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.

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Final Hymn

397 – Let us, with gladsome mind

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Closing Prayers

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to seek for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will.
Amen.

Ignatius of Loyola (1556) 

 

Merciful Lord,
grant your people grace to withstand the temptations
of the world, the flesh and the devil,
and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.