Fourth Sunday of Lent – Mothering Sunday
Welcome to our written service this Fourth Sunday of Lent. This Sunday is also Mothering Sunday and we can take a moment to give thanks to mothers, grandmothers and all the women who have made a difference in our lives, given us love and helped us on our way.
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
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Opening Hymn
NEH 457 – The King of Love my Shepherd is
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Opening Collect
Merciful Lord,
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ’s sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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A Prayer for Mothering Sunday
Thank you God for the love of our mothers:
thank you God for their care and concern;
thank you God for the joys they have shared with us;
thank you God for the pains they have borne for us;
thank you God for all that they give us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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The Readings
Joshua 5: 9-12
2 Corinthians 5: 14-21
Luke 15: 11-32
The Anthem
The anthem is: View me, Lord – Richard Lloyd
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The Intercessions
God our Heavenly Father, Who alone can bring order out of chaos, we continue to pray for our deeply troubled world, struggling to understand what is happening and where it is going, as it is confronted by enormous practical problems from all sides, a world experiencing social and political instability, climate change and chaos everywhere.
We pray for all in positions of authority, governments, organisations, that they may somehow be guided by You at this time of their great need for love, understanding and compassion;
As we are continuously reminded of the hatred in the world, the aggression and bitterness of men with the power of arms, we wonder too at the love shown by so many in all walks of life towards the helpless victims, and we thank You for them. These are times of intense battle between love and hate.
We pray especially for the Church at this time, struggling to hold onto and understand its calling as the spiritual bride of Your dear Son, struggling to survive in an increasingly materialistic and outwardly alien world, struggling too with the temptations of compromise.
Inspire, guide and strengthen its ministers, and all who confess Your name, to trust in You to keep afloat in today’s violent and stormy seas.
We pray too for the many throughout the world who are suffering for their faith, give them great fortitude and courage to remain true to their faith in You.
And give Bruce and us in this our small but remarkably placed Chaplaincy to know what You would have us do, to witness to our faith, towards You our Heavenly Father, and towards those around us.
As we witnessed at our AGM last Sunday the will and the energies are very present in our midst, guide us to keep focussed on You and Your laws, that these energies may be directed as You inspire and direct, to gather the great harvest that You have prepared.
Fill us with the hope and expectation of Your Son’s return in power, that we may be ready for anything that You would have us do.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for all in distress at this time,
for the millions suffering in so many ways throughout the world; of refugees fleeing from oppressive regimes;
For all sick and suffering, the depressed, the bereaved, and those struggling with their faith;
we pray particularly for those of our own congregation, for those on our Chaplaincy Prayer List;
and for those for whom we personally wish to pray …..
Comfort, O God, all in distress, relieve them from their suffering if it be Your will,
and lift them up in Your everlasting arms;
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, You have promised to provide light in the darkness for those who trust in You:
Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what You would have us do,
the humility to listen to Your Holy Spirit, and Your light to guide our footsteps that we may not stumble;
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Final Hymn
NEH368 – Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer
Closing Prayers
Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you;
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead,
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us;
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness,
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us. Amen.
Anselm (1109)
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)
May God bless us and show us compassion and mercy.
Amen.
