The Third Sunday after Trinity
We welcome will who wish to worship with us using this written service, It includes the prayers, Bible readings and music for today. Let us open with a prayer from the Sixth Century BC which still holds true today:
If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbours.
If there is to be peace between neighbours,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart. Amen.
(Lao-Tse – 6th Century BCE)
.
Opening Hymn 439
Praise to the Holiest in the height
.
The Collect
Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; 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.
.
The Readings
Genesis 21: 8-21
Romans 6: 1b-11
Matthew 10: 24-39
.
The Anthem
.
Hymn 400
Light of the minds that know him
.
The Intercessions
Holy God, you have given us your only Son to be for us, both a sacrifice for sin, and an example of Godly life; Give us the grace to thankfully receive this wonderful gift, and to always strive ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Everlasting God, We pray for the Church, both here in Haarlem and throughout the world, and all who call themselves Christians, that they may go forward in unity and strength. Help us to respect the beliefs of others even if we do not share them, to celebrate what we have in common and to accept our differences. Guide us all in our ministries as we live each day.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Creator God, we pray for people in parts of the world where life is precarious, whether through disaster, poverty, disease, or war. We pray that the time may be hastened when there is peace on earth and goodwill between all people. Especially we pray for our precious world; help us to be good stewards so that we can pass it on in good order to the generations yet to come.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Father God, we pray today for our friends, our families and our Christian community, that united by our common baptism we may always welcome the newcomer, the stranger and all who are vulnerable. Help us always to follow Jesus’ words and advice on hospitality and generous giving and realise that accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Gracious God, We pray for all who suffer in body, mind or spirit and for those who care for them. We pray for the sick; for those who mourn; for those without faith, hope or love. We especially pray for those known to us who we now name in our hearts in a moment of silence.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Merciful God, we remember before God those who have died and those who are bereaved by their passing. We give back to you, Lord, those whom you gave to us. Your son taught us that life is eternal and that love cannot die. So death is only a horizon, and a horizon is only the limit of our sight. Open our eyes to see more clearly, and draw us closer to you, so that we may know we are nearer to our loved ones, who are with you.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Faithful God in the week that lies before us may we reflect your love in our families, our church and our community and in doing so, show everyone we meet that we are followers of Christ with a true desire to draw them into our Christian faith.
Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; 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.
.
Hymn 76
Take up thy cross, the Saviour said
.
Closing Prayers
Eternal God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:
grant us to walk in his way,
to rejoice in his truth,
and to share his risen life;
who is alive and reigns, 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.
