Mothering Sunday and the Fourth Sunday in Lent
This Fourth Sunday in Lent we also celebrate Mothering Sunday. This day allows us to thank God for the love of our mothers – for many it may be a time to remember those who have passed or are far away. Join us for this written service with prayers, today’s readings and music.
A Mothering Sunday Prayer
Thank you, God, for the love of our mothers and the joy of family life. Thank you for their care and concern, for the joy and pain they have shared with us. Be with those who miss their mothers, through loss or distance, and comfort those who struggle to become mothers. Let your love be there, in all our homes, to strengthen us and bring happiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Opening Hymn 336
Hymn 336 – Angel voices ever singing
The Readings
1 Samuel 16: 1-13
Ephesians 5: 8-14
John 9: 1-41
The Psalm
The Anthem
Magnificat of the Short Service – Orlando Gibbons
Hymn 185
Intercessions
Loving God,
Thank you for mums and children
and for all the joy of family life.
Be with those who are grieving because they have no mother;
Be close to those who are struggling because they have no children;
Be near to those who are sad because they are far apart from those they love.
Let your love be present in every home,
And help your church to have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of all who come.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Father God, on this Mothering Sunday we give thanks for family life, especially the sacrificial love of mothers, grandmothers, aunties and godmothers. We bring before you new mothers and those due to give birth; those who have longed to be a mother and feel excluded at this time; those who miss their mother whether through death or through a broken relationship; for mothers whose children have gone missing or who have died; for charities and organisations who help mothers in crisis; for adoption agencies and local authorities making difficult decisions about the welfare of mothers and children; for refugees fleeing war and oppression with young children and for those who have left children behind. We especially pray for all those for whom today is a difficult day, for whom the concept of ‘mother’ is painful. We ask that your Spirit will nurture, comfort, heal and bless, bringing wholeness to all who need it.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
God of Mercy, we pray for all in our community who care for the sick and elderly in their homes, in hospital, hospice or in the many care and residential homes. Bring healing to those who are in constant pain, those on long waiting lists and those waiting for results of investigations. Be with those who are in mental anguish and cannot see a way forward and those who feel they have no where to turn for help. Strengthen all families who are living under stress and shine your love into homes where no human love is found. In a moment of quiet we bring to your loving care those who are in any kind of need……..
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Dear Lord, we remember those who are now with you in heaven, whether recently or as an anniversary falls at this time. We thank you for the memories and photographs we have of our loved ones, especially our mothers and grandmothers. May we treasure them always and remember their care and kindness. May they, and all who have died, know peace and fulfilment in your eternal home.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Merciful father, accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Closing Hymn 186
Closing Prayers
Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, scatter the darkness from before your path, and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory; 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.
