The Fourth Sunday of Easter

Welcome to our written service this Fourth Sunday of Easter with today’s readings, prayers and music to enable worship from home. Recent sermons can be found here.

 

We open our service today 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 Prayer

Risen Christ,
faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:
teach us to hear your voice
and to follow your command,
that all your people may be gathered into one flock,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Opening Hymn

NEH 369 – Happy are they, they that love God

 

The Readings

Acts 9: 36-43
Revelation 7: 9-17
John 10: 22-30

The Anthem

Brother James’ Air – Gordon Jacob

The Intercessions

Let us pray to our God, upon whom be blessing and glory and wisdom, and thanksgiving and honour, and power and might, for ever and ever!

Holy God, we pray for the Church, that isolated and persecuted churches may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter. Help us to make your Church a place of refuge, a haven where all may be offered sanctuary. We do not seek a hiding place from the outside world but rather to draw strength, together as members of the Body of Christ, from your presence amongst us. Then, refreshed and fortified, give us grace to return to our larger communities and share the good news of hope.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Everlasting God, we pray for the leaders of our nations and all those who work to make us safe and guard our freedoms: the freedom of speech, the freedom to worship, the freedom from want and the freedom from fear. We pray that those whom we trust with this responsibility may not abuse this trust. We pray for those who have lost freedom and are living in fear especially in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Lord, grant wisdom to the world leaders to bring about peace.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Father God, on Dutch Mother’s Day, we give thanks for our mothers and those who have fulfilled this role in our lives. We pray for all those who shape the minds of the young and impressionable. We pray for teachers, broadcasters and all those who use social media to interact with others. Lord, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices. May we be open to hearing your voice.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Loving God, sustain us we pray by the power of your Spirit and grant that in the midst of all life’s varied changes, we may never be separated from you.
We ask you to strengthen us, so that we in turn may be your presence to those in need. Comfort us all with your protecting presence, goodness and love.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Let us take time for our own prayers

Merciful Father, Accept these prayers, For the sake of your Son, Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Closing Hymn

NEH463 – Thine for ever! God of Love

Closing Prayers

Merciful Father,
you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd,
and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again:
keep us always under his protection,
and give us grace to follow in his steps;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

May the risen Christ give us his peace.

Alleluia.  Amen.