The Fourth Sunday before Advent
God of glory, touch our lips with the fire of your Spirit, that we with all creation may rejoice to sing your praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.All are welcome to use this written service for home worship and prayer on the Fourth Sunday before Advent. Amen.
This service includes the readings for today, prayers and intercessions, a psalm, hymns and an anthem. Should you wish to listen to our sermons, you can find a selection of sermons here.
Let us pray 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
Almighty and eternal God, you have kindled the flame of love in the hearts of the saints: grant to us the same faith and power of love, that, as we rejoice in their triumphs, we may be sustained by their example and fellowship; 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
Hymn 414: O for a closer walk with God
The Readings
Ephesians 1: 11-end
Luke 6: 20-31
The Anthem
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The Anthem
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace – Samuel S. Wesley
Psalm
The Intercessions
Heavenly Father, we come before You in Your House, as part of Your world-wide Church, seeking Your comforting and healing presence. In these times when everything around us is changing, we turn to You, Who change not, and pray for Your strength and guidance as we witness the awesome developments in the world.
Give us the wisdom and faith to believe Your promise through Solomon that “they that put their trust in You shall understand the truth”. Give us that understanding.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world, for all in authority, give them to realise the responsibility they have as stewards of that authority. In particular we pray for the dictators of the major powers, that they exercise that awesome power with responsibility and above all love.
At this time we pray for Rishi Sunak, newly elected prime minister of the U.K., its first non-Christian premier. Bring him to faith in You, that he may guide the country back to Christian paths. Strengthen King Charles in his faith, to continue in open witness to You as did his mother Queen Elizabeth.
Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the millions, billions, in distress at this time,
– for those suffering from the atrocities being perpetrated in the Ukraine and the many other war-zones in the world;
– for those imprisoned and tortured in the repressed areas in the world;
– for all sick and suffering; the mentally ill, the lonely, and the bereaved;
We pray for 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.
We pray for the souls of the faithful departed this life in the faith of Christ,
may they rest in Your peace and awake to a joyful resurrection
when Christ shall return in power;
Pour out Your Holy Spirit on all the baptised O God, stimulate in us the looking for our Lord’s return, and our preparedness for Him when He appears.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen
Closing Hymn
Concluding Prayers
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace. ”
(Numbers 6: 24-26)
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.
