Pentecost – Whit Sunday
We welcome you to this written service for Pentecost – Whit Sunday. It’s the fiftieth day after Easter when the Holy Spirit came with tongues of fire and touched the Apostles, helping them to preach with confidence.
We open with a prayer for peace in our world :
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: on this Day of Pentecost, 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 342
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The Collect
God, who as at this time taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, 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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Hymn 138
Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
The Readings
Acts 2: 1-21
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20: 19-23
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The Psalm
The Anthem
Holy Spirit, truth divine – Andrew Carter
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Hymn 137
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The Intercessions
As we are gathered together here in hope and in faith, we ask you to minister to our needs. Send the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of your faithful people and kindle in them the fire of your love.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
We pray for our church leaders, that they will be guided in their ministry by the influence of the Holy Spirit and that the Church, in the power of the Spirit, may make the Gospel understandable to people of every race, language, and culture. That the Holy Spirit of Peace may unite and reconcile the peoples and nations of the earth, bringing an end to war, hatred, and discrimination.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
We pray for our own church family, that each of us will be open to the opportunities to give of our individual talents enabling each of us to flourish as a witness to the “One Body” of the church. We pray that our newly baptized brother and sister may develop more fully their response to all the gifts which the Spirit bestows for the service of the Body of Christ in the church.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
We pray for all those who have died: give them a place at your banquet in heaven. May the Holy Spirit, who purifies us of sin and raises the dead, bring all our departed loved ones into the fullness of your presence.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Everlasting God, on this Day of Pentecost, we rejoice in the wonderful gift of your Spirit. Send it again into our hearts, into our lives, and into our world.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Hymn 362
Glorious things of thee are spoken
Closing Prayers
Faithful God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal: open our lips by your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
We warmly welcome you to use this written service to help guide your home worship. You will find today’s Bible Readings, prayers and music for today, the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
We start with a prayer for peace, for hope in the world.
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 NEH 338
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The Collect
O God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, 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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The Readings
Acts 1: 6-14
1 Peter 4: 12-14; 5:6-11
John 17: 1-11
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The Psalm
Psalm 93
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The Anthem
The Lord ascendeth up on high – Michael Praetorius
Hymn NEH 296
Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
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Closing Prayers
Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
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.
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Final Hymn NEH 140
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We welcome you to this written service for those worshipping form home or not able to join us in church. This written service offers the prayers, readings and music for today, the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
In God’s world, we pray for peace and to love one another, as we have been taught. We therefore pray:
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.
The Collect
Risen Christ, by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples: help your Church to obey your command and draw the nations to the fire of your love, to the glory of God the Father.
Opening Hymn 106
Come ye faithful, raise the strain
The Readings
1st Lesson: Acts 17: 22-31
2nd Lesson: 1 Peter 3: 13-end
Gospel: John 14: 15 – 21
Hymn 139
The Anthem
Hymn 265
Lord of beauty, Thine the splendour
God our Father, whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life: may we thirst for you, the spring of life and source of goodness, through him 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.
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The latest dates and information, here in our notice sheet.
All, are welcome to share in this written service for worshipping at home this Fifth Sunday of Easter. Here you can find today’s readings, prayers and music.
We open with a prayer for peace, for areas in the world, especially Sudan and Ukraine, where war and unrest are affecting so many people.
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.
Opening Hymn NEH 103
Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to heav’n and voices raise
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The Collect
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Readings
Acts 7: 54-end
1 Peter 2: 2-10
John 14: 1-14
The Anthem
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The Intercessions
Gracious Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the teachings in the scriptures and the assurances we have been given through their words. Grant that as we come before you with our intercessions our hearts and minds may remain open to their teachings. May their words act as an inspiration and channel through which we conduct our daily lives.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
When we contemplate our world, we see the darkness of war and the shadows of conflict disrupting extensive regions of our human communities. We think of Ukraine, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Tigray, and many other areas. The images of destruction and suffering compel us to pray to you urgently for peace. Grant, we humbly beseech you, the cessation of violence, and a willingness to engage in dialog that builds bridges across divides, restoring trust and mutual respect.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
We pray for the victims of man-made and natural disasters. Help us, therefore, to remain mindful of the plight of refugees and inspire us with the willingness to respond to their needs.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Bless and guide our Heads of State, Willem Alexander and Charles, and their queens, Maxima and Camilla.
On this special weekend when we have witnessed the UK monarch, Charles, take an oath at his coronation to be the servant of his people, imbue him with the strength and wisdom to fulfill this promise throughout the duration of his reign.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
We pray for our bishops, Robert and David, and their diocesan clergy. Support in them the commitment and determination to provide spiritual leadership and guidance throughout the widespread communities that compose our diocese.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Today, we ask for your blessing on the members and activities of the Greek Orthodox Church and its relationship with the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Patriarch of Athens and all Greece.
In our diocesan prayer cycle, we also ask your guidance for our Diocesan Ministry Team in their work to find and develop new ordinands, as well as to promote ministry of the laity.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Lord, we lift up before you our Priest, Bruce. We thank you for his ministry and pray that he may continue to lead us towards fresh growth in numbers, and an extended outreach to the surrounding community in Haarlem.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Look in mercy upon the sick and infirm in our community. Grant healing and comfort, with a strong assurance of your presence within us. Once again, we lift up before you the many on our prayer list, (especially…………), beseeching you to minister to their specific and personal health and welfare needs.
For those that have departed from this mortal life, grant eternal rest (…..) and bring comfort to the grieving families and friends they leave behind.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
As we close these intercessions, help us to reflect again on the instruction in St. Peter’s First Letter, which invites us to long for pure, spiritual milk that we may grow (1 Peter 2.2)
Merciful Father, accept these prayers which we offer in the name of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Closing Hymn 401
Light’s abode, celestial Salem
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.
Merciful Father,
you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd,
and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again:
keep us always under his protection,
and give us grace to follow in his steps;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
Join us for prayers, read today’s Bible Readings and enjoy the hymns, psalm and anthem for today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. As today is an Evensong in church, the music in this written service also includes the Canticles.
On this beautiful sunny day, we take a moment to think of those suffering through war and unrest. Let us pray for a moment…
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.
Opening Hymn 374
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
The Collect for Today
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Canticles: Gibbons Short Service
The Readings
The Psalm
The Anthem
Hymn 457
The King of Love my shepherd is
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The Intercessions
I give you a new commandment: love one another, as I have loved you, says the Lord, alleluia.
Let us pray to God the Father, who raised Jesus to life and exalted him at his own right hand. Lord protect your people through the glory of Christ
Our Father in heaven, We pray today for our new King Charles III. Grant him your peace as he commits himself again to your service. Give him strength and perseverance as he promises to serve us all as King. May he know you are walking with him day by day.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Reveal the riches of our hidden life in Christ, enable us to see the signs of the new heaven and the new earth.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Through the exaltation of Christ send your Spirit into the Church, make us a sign of unity for the whole human family.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Through the exaltation of your Son raise up the sorrowful, set prisoners free, heal the sick; may the whole world rejoice in your wonderful gifts.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
You nourished the faithful departed with Christ’s body and blood, let them share in his glory on the day of resurrection.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
Hymn 463
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Closing Prayers
Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
We come together in worship sharing prayers, Bible readings and music this Third Sunday of Easter. All are welcome to join in home worship with this written service.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid. – John 14.27
We open with a prayer for Peace in this troubled world and think of those suffering. We especially pray for Sudan and Ukraine.
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.
Opening Hymn
Hymn 345 – christ is the king o friends rejoice
The Collect
Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Bible Readings
Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
1 Peter 1: 16-end
Luke 24: 13-35
The Anthem
O for a closer walk with God – Charles V. Stanford
Hymn 400
Light of the minds that know him
The Intercessions
Holy God, as we gather together to hear your word, to sing your praise walk with us as individuals and as the Church on our Road to Emmaus. Open our eyes, as you did with Jesus’ companions, to the reality and truth of the resurrection. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Everlasting God, we pray for the worldwide Anglican Church, for our Bishop Robert, our host Bishop Dirk and our Chaplain Bruce. Bless all those who preach the Gospel, bringing light to those in darkness and words of love to those in need of comfort. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, we thank you for the beauty and wonders of your creation. So often we see the evidence of poor stewardship in our surroundings, and it is easy to forget that the world belongs to you. Help us to recognise your presence in our modern world and help us to use more wisely the resources of the earth. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we thank you for the gift of your Son, our Saviour, who walks with us on our life’s journey. We pray for all who travel with us in our family, among our friends and within this community. We pray for a deepening awareness of our need for one another and of your image in the hearts of everyone we meet.Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we pray for those we know who are going through a time of suffering and pain in mind, body or spirit. Help us to be aware of one another’s needs and to respond in such a way that we may care for them with words and deeds on the road of recovery. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Faithful God, as we go out into your world, we thank you for walking alongside us wherever we travel. May see you as a constant companion and friend.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Closing Hymn 119
Closing Prayers
God our Father, whose Son, the light unfailing, has come from heaven to deliver the world from the darkness of ignorance:let these holy mysteries open the eyes of our understanding that we may know the way of life, and walk in it without stumbling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Join us for today’s prayers, music and Bible Readings this Second Sunday of Easter.
We start with a Prayer for Peace, hoping for a safer world without conflict or pain caused by unrest and war:
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.
Opening Hymn 105
Christ the Lord is risen again
The Collect for Today
Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father. Amen.
The Readings
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
1 Peter 1: 3-9
John 20: 19-end
The Psalm
The Anthem
This joyful Eastertide – Charles Wood
Hymn 103
Alleluya! Alleluya! Hearts to heaven and voices raise
The Intercessions
Hymn 361
Forth in the peace of Christ we go
Closing Prayers
Lord God our Father, through our Saviour Jesus Christ you have assured your children of eternal life and in baptism have made us one with him: deliver us from the death of sin and raise us to new life in your love, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.