The First Sunday after Trinity

Welcome to our written service for the First Sunday after Trinity.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Amen.

from St Patrick’s Breastplate

 

All are very welcome to use this written service for home worship. Here you can find the readings for today, prayers and intercessions, a sung psalm, hymns and an anthem. Should you wish to listen to our sermons, you can find recent sermons here.

 

Let us remember 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

O God,
the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers
and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without you,
grant us the help of your grace,
that in the keeping of your commandments
we may please you both in will and deed;
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. Amen.

 

 

Opening Hymn

 

The Readings

1 Kings 19: 1-4 (5-7) 8-15a
Galatians 3:23-end
Luke 8: 26-39

The Psalm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62AJaVzgsDU

 

 

The Anthem

 

The Intercessions

Gracious Heavenly Father, as we reflect on our festal Choral Evensong and celebratory reception of last Sunday, we give you heartfelt thanks for our chaplain and for the opportunity these events gave us to reach out to the surrounding community and beyond. As we come before you today with our intercessions, help us to be mindful of our calling. Grant that we may seek your guidance in all we strive to do and that we may live our lives according to the example set by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray again to you for peace. Amongst other conflicts, as we focus on the war in Ukraine, we beg you for a cessation of hostilities. Grant, for the relief of all concerned, an end to the destruction and suffering that this conflict has brought to so many people. We sincerely ask that through peace its divisive and economic consequences across the world will also be eliminated.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We humbly ask you, Lord, to uphold our Heads of State and to guide our political leaders as they struggle to cope with the impacts of inflation, and food and energy prices on their populations. Give them clear-sighted understanding of the circumstances of the most vulnerable in their communities so that they may devise policies to generate support and economic relief throughout this difficult, uncertain period.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Creator God, we thank you for the beauty of our planet, especially visible in the season of spring. Help us to remain aware of the human impacts that lead to climate change and to work together in stewardship to alleviate further damage. Grant that we may contribute to sustainability in its many facets and so develop our awareness of community and interdependence on each other.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord, armed conflicts, and both man-made and natural disasters displace millions of people. We thank you for the many who have dedicated themselves to supporting the resultant refugees, and who are working to re-build their lives. Help us to better understand the mental and economic distress of displacement that we may increasingly commit to supporting work designed to improve refugee reception, relief and re-integration.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Bless our bishops and clergy in their leadership and pastoral roles. Today, we join with others in our diocesan prayers for our chaplain in Moscow, regarding the difficult position in which he must now operate, both for his congregation and in his role as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Russian Orthodox Patriarch. Grant to him strength and discernment, together with a clear sense of your presence as he works through his sensitive tasks.
With the diocese we also ask you for safe refuge and protection for fellow Christians suffering persecution across the world.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Merciful Lord Jesus, look upon our members, their families, and friends who are ill, or in any form of physical or mental distress, (remembering especially ……). On their behalf we ask for your comfort, healing and relief, and a strong reassurance of your presence with them.
Grant everlasting rest to all who have passed from this mortal life and give comfort to their bereaved families and friends.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Finally Heavenly Father, help us in a silent moment to again reflect on our own faith journeys and how they relate to our problems, relationships, hopes and fears. Grant us the support, wisdom, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit that, in laying our cares before you, we may face the future with confidence whatever the coming times may bring.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers which we offer in the name of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

The Closing Hymn

 

Closing Prayers

Almighty and eternal God,
you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:
hold us firm in this faith,
that we may know you in all your ways
and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,
who are three Persons yet one God,
now and for ever.

 

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.
Amen.

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