The Fifth Sunday of Lent
This Fifth Sunday of Lent we join in worship with readings, prayers and music. All are welcome to use this written service for home worship.
We open with a prayer for peace as war and unrest affects so many lives today.
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; 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.
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Opening Hymn 393:
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
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The Collect for today:
Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Readings
Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Romans 8: 1-11
John 11: 1-41
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Hymn 294
Just as I am, without one plea
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Anthem
Verily, verily, I say unto you – Thomas Tallis
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The Intercessions
Let us pray:
Holy God we meet together in your name to bring before you prayers
For your people and your world.
Everlasting God we pray for the world-wide Anglican church,
For our bishops Robert and David, for our host bishop Dirk.
We thank you for the ministry of our chaplain Bruce
And we pray for guidance for our activities and events
So that we may grow in love and grace as a community.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Gracious God we pray for those in authority:
For King Willem Alexander and King Charles
For the English and Dutch governments
For solutions to the many challenges.
For stability in Europe.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Merciful God we pray for world peace:
For the victims of the war in Ukraine.
For those who fight to defend their homes, land and way of life.
For those who have had to flee to other countries to find safety.
For those who have lost loved ones.
Grant wisdom to the world leaders to bring about peace.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Almighty God we pray for areas where there are natural disasters
For those left to deal with the devastation in Turkey and Syria.
For people who suffer, people who mourn,
For people who are struggling to rebuild their lives in the rubble.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Loving God we pray for hospitals and hospices,
For residential and nursing homes.
For doctors, nurses and carers.
We pray for those suffering in body, mind or spirit,
For the lonely and the bereaved…..
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
In a moment of quiet, let us pray for ourselves and those on our hearts …
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
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Hymn 445
Closing Prayers
Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do also for you: give us the will to be the servant of others as you were the servant of all, and gave up your life and died for us, but are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
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.
