The Day of Pentecost
Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’
John 20.21,22
Welcome to this written service which offers today’s readings, hymns and prayers to allow worship from home.
Recent sermons can be found here.
We start by remembering Ukraine with this prayer:
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
God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Opening Hymn
Hymn 138 – Come holy Ghost our souls inspire
The Readings
The Psalm
The Anthem
Listen sweet dove – Grayston Ives
The Intercessions
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.
On this platinum jubilee weekend, we give thanks for the service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her 70 years of devoted steadfast and exemplary service. We pray for all in authority throughout the world that they might be inspired by her wisdom and leadership to govern justly and with humanity.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
O God, the creator and preserver of all,
we pray for people in every kind of need;
make your ways known on earth,
your saving health among all nations
We pray for all those caught up in conflict that they might find empathy, generosity, and kindness. Grant them understanding to help find pathways to peace.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
We pray for Robert and David our bishops, for Bruce and all who minister in this place. In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and in our diocesan prayer diary we give thanks for our fellowship with the German Protestant churches.
We pray for the good estate of your universal Church;
guide and govern us by your good Spirit,
that all who profess and call themselves Christians
may be led into the way of truth,
and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace and in righteousness of life
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
We commend to your fatherly goodness
all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed,
in mind, body or estate;
comfort and relieve them in their need,
give them patience in their sufferings,
and bring good out of all their afflictions.
In a moment of silence, we put before you those on our chaplaincy prayer list and anyone known to us personally.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
We remember those who have gone before us
in the peace of Christ,
and we give you praise for all your faithful ones,
with whom we rejoice in the communion of saints
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
All this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake.
The Closing Hymn
Hymn 431: O Thou who camest from above
Closing Prayers
Faithful God,
who fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending us your Holy Spirit
and opening to every race and nation
the way of life eternal:
open our lips by your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts and minds.
Amen.
