Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Today is the final Sunday of Epiphany, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. In our service today, we remember how Jesus was brought to the Temple by his parents according to the law of Israel. There, he was recognised by Simeon, who declared him to be ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of God’s people Israel.’

First, in our troubled world, we pray for peace and for those affected by war and conflict.

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.

Introit

Prayer for the blessing of light – Malcolm Archer

Opening Hymn

Hymn 408 – Love device, all loves excelling

Opening Collect for Today:

Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh:grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Intercessions

Almighty God as we celebrate the feast of Candlemas today we give thanks for your son Jesus who is the Light of the World and for your call to us to share in that light. We pray that our Church may be a light to those who live in the darkness of unbelief, and reveal to them his love. Hear our prayers of intercession and thanksgiving and show your presence in our daily lives as you make the ordinary very special and the special, extraordinary. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Heavenly Father we pray for all those in authority: King Willem Alexander and King Charles 111. We pray for the European Union and our different governments. Grant them wisdom when dealing with difficult issues that affect our individual lives. We pray for your church worldwide, our bishop Robert and our host bishop Dirk and our chaplain Bruce. We ask for your blessing upon their ministries. On this day from the Prayer Diary of the Diocese in Europe we pray for the Episcopal Church in Europe and Bishop Mark Edington as well as the partnership with ICS. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Creator God, you gave us this world and made us stewards of it. We are a world family who we should care about, despite our differences of race, colour, creed or gender. Too often we are selfish only thinking of ourselves and so we ask you to forgive our selfishness, widen our vision and help us to be the caring people we ought to be. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Father God, we thank you for all who take risks and make sacrifices for others in their daily work, and especially for the men and women who work in our emergency services. Help us to respect and appreciate our fire-service, police and paramedics and bless them with the support of the communities that depend so heavily on them in times of crisis. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Loving God, we pray for all those who are suffering physical, emotional or mental illness. Help them to keep their eyes fixed on you, and give them the courage to face the trials and temptations that may come. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Merciful God, help those of us who are saddened by the loss of a loved one, particularly Regine whose mother died this week and the family and friends of Linda who was on our prayer list for a long time. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

In a moment of quietness, we bring before you our personal prayers.
Gracious God, we thank you for this time together in prayer and as we look forward to the week to come, help us to share your love and light with those around us.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

The Magnificat

Harris in A

Nunc Dimittis

Harris in A

Closing Hymn

Hymn 244 – Glory to the, my God, this night

Closing Prayers

O Lord,
who didst fulfil the hope of Simeon and Anna
that they might live to greet the coming of the Messiah:
grant that we, who have received these inexpressible gifts,
may be prepared to meet Christ Jesus when he shall come
to bring us to eternal life;
for he liveth and reigneth, now and for ever.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

This written service offers today’s readings, prayers and music for those worshipping from home. We welcome those joining us today.

A Prayer for Peace

In this troubled world, we open our written service with a heartfelt prayer for peace:

Opening Hymn

Hymn 374 – How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

The Collect for today

Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; 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 Readings

Isaiah 9: 1-4
1 Corinthians 1: 10-18
Matthew 4: 12-23

Hymn

Hymn 391 – King of Glory, King of Peace

Anthem

Anthem: Beati quorum via – Charles V. Stanford

Intercessions

Heavenly Father, in the short chilly days of winter we look forward to the light and warmth that heralds new life in the Spring. As we contemplate this seasonal miracle uplifting our hearts, inspire us to trust the joyful Gospel news and the transforming miracle that it can bring to the ways in which we live our lives.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Across the entire world we see the hardship and suffering caused by the conflict in the Ukraine, even to those far removed from the battlegrounds. We pray to you again, Lord, for peace. We pray especially for the people of the Ukraine in their time of need. Grant, in your loving kindness, that hostilities may cease and that a time of recovery and restoration may ensue.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

When many are thrust by external circumstances into financial difficulties, Creator God we pray you to guide our Heads of State and their governments to recognize and aid those in direst need. Grant that policies may be developed urgently to ensure that the more vulnerable will not go hungry and that the provision of shelter may become available to all who need it.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the medical and care services in our lands. We thank you for their skill and devotion, especially when working under extreme pressure. Grant that the value of their contributions to our society may be adequately recognized. As our healthcare needs become more complex and extensive, help those in authority to plan for the provision of resources to meet these changing needs.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

In our materialistic and secular world, inspire our Bishops and their clergy to keep feeding us spiritually. Bless their pastoral work and help them to encourage us in our faith pilgrimage through life. In turn, help us to respond to their leadership, by showing both gratitude and support. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray, in our diocesan prayer cycle, for the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Church, and its Bishop, Carlos Lopez-Lozano. We also bring before you the welfare and pastoral needs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
In our Diocesan Office we seek your blessing on our Safeguarding Team, Grace Fagan, Andy Munrow, Bridgett Fenton, and Craig Norman. We also pray for the watchful care of children and vulnerable adults in all our chaplaincies.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

With grateful hearts we give thanks for all the blessings we have received as a congregation. Lord Jesus, look with favour upon our chaplaincy in Haarlem, and upon our hopes and aspirations. Under the leadership of our chaplain, Bruce, inspire us with the vision and wisdom to discern pathways to grow our membership. May we increase our service and witness to the surrounding communities of Haarlem.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We lift up before you any amongst our families and friends who are ill or distressed. Grant healing and comfort, and reassure them with a sense of your presence with them. Once again, we seek your care for those on our prayer list, and for any others for whom ongoing prayer has been requested (especially…………).

Take into your everlasting rest all who have passed from this mortal life (…) and bring comfort to their grieving and bereaved loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

As we close our intercessions, in silence let us take a moment to bring our most personal and pressing requests before God.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers which we offer in the name of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Closing Hymn

Hymn 56 – Songs of thankfulness and praise

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

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 welcome you to enhance your home worship with our written service which offers prayers, today’s readings and music.

Let us Pray

We start by praying for peace in the World, remembering those whose lives are troubled by war and unrest.

Opening Hymn

Hymn 50 – From the eastern mountains

Opening Collect

Eternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole creation to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Readings

Isaiah 49: 1-7
1 Corinthians 1: 1-9
John 1: 29-42

The Psalm

Psalm 40

The Anthem

Anthem: The Journey – Simon Lole

The Intercessions

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.

Father, your glory is revealed to us in your son Jesus Christ, in his life and in his teachings.
We give thanks for the charitable generosity that helped him reveal your glory then and which continues to this day.

We pray for all those involved in the financial administration of your church, remembering that they do so to your greater Glory. Bless their work, and the contributions that support and sustain every place where people gather in your name.

At the same time, Help us, and all people who gather in your name, remember that our purpose is to reveal that Glory to the whole world, not only to each other.
O God, the creator and preserver of all,
we pray for people in every kind of need;
make your ways known on earth,
your saving health among all nations.

We pray for the good estate of the worldwide Church; for Bruce and all who minister in our diocese and within the Anglican communion as well as their congregations.
guide and govern us by your good Spirit,
that all who profess and call themselves Christians
may be led into the way of truth,
and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace and in righteousness of life …

We commend to your fatherly goodness
all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed,
in mind, body or estate;
Particularly remembering those known to us as well as those affected by conflict and strife everywhere.
comfort and relieve them in their need,
give them patience in their sufferings,
and bring good out of all their afflictions …

We remember those who have gone before us
in the peace of Christ,
and we give you praise for all your faithful ones,
with whom we rejoice in the communion of saints …
All this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake

Closing Hymn

Hymn 343 – Bright the vision that delighted

Closing Prayers

Welcome our written service which offers the readings for today, prayers and music. Today we celebrate Epiphany, when the Magi were led by a star to worship the Christ-child. We also celebrate the Baptism of Christ. Epiphany means ‘revelation’. It is the feast on which Jesus is revealed as the One who he truly is. Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus:

Opening Prayers

O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we,
who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
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.

Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; 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 Baptism of Jesus

Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Opening Hymn

Hymn 52 – O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness

The Readings

Isaiah 42: 1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3: 13-17

The Anthem

Anthem: The Three Kings – Peter Cornelius

Hymn

Hymn 47 – As with gladness

The Intercessions

As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends.
Let us release grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed.

Let us keep God in our hearts and to call God’s name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right.

Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none.

May your year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God’s blessings shower upon you and bestow upon each of you a bright, healthy and peaceful new year.

Lord 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.
We also remember today all involved in education as they return to school and university, praying that their efforts will be justly rewarded and that they will achieve their full potential.

(Short Silence)

Lord; in your mercy hear our prayer.

God, we pray for those who face difficulties in their personal lives. We raise before you all who are sick, the bereaved, those with problems in their families, in their relationships, in their neighbourhoods or in their workplace. Give them a patient faith in their troubles and the knowledge that you share their sufferings with them.

(Short Silence)

Lord; in your mercy hear our prayer.

We give thanks for lives well lived and for happy memories. May they find rest in the eternal joy of heaven and may all who mourn their passing find comfort and peace.
(Short Silence)

Lord; in your mercy hear our prayer.

Father, we thank you for making us your children, for feeding us with the spiritual food which satisfies our longings and for the promise that you listen to our supplications and answer our requests.

Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Closing Hymn

Hymn 27 – How brightly shines the Morning Star

Closing Prayers

Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Today is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent when we light the fourth candle in our Advent Wreath.

The fourth candle is the Angel’s Candle representing peace: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ (Luke 2:13–14).

If you are worshiping from home today we welcome you with our written service of prayers, readings and music.

Opening Collect

God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Opening Hymn

Long ago, prophets knew

A Prayer for Advent

The Advent story
of hope and mystery,
anticipation,
preparation,
a kingdom
of this world and the next,
and a king
appearing when we least expect.
Heaven touching earth,
the footsteps of the divine
walking dusty roads
as once they did in Eden,
and a people,
searching for a Saviour,
and walking past
the stable.
Open eyes and hearts,
that this might be
an Advent of hope to the world.

The Readings

Isaiah 7:10-14
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24

The Anthem

Ave Maria – Robert Parsons

The Intercessions

Everlasting God, we share today with Mary and Elizabeth their love and joy as the waiting for the birth of Jesus nears its end. Quieten our hearts and lives so that we can hear your voice amongst the hustle and bustle of everyday life as Christmas approaches.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer

Creator God, we pray for our world leaders; for the Royal Families of Great Britain and the Netherlands; for Heads of State in Europe, The Commonwealth and for the United Nations. We remember before you all those who will spend the Christmas period away from home in conflict in Ukraine, Syria and other parts of the world, praying earnestly for an end to war and terrorism.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer

Father God, we give you thanks for our community leaders and for the way that they make our towns and villages beautiful and bright with lights and decorations at this time of celebration. Help us also to hold in our hearts the less fortunate as we give thanks for the work of the food banks, the hospices, The Red Cross, Unicef, and other charitable groups.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer

Gracious God, we call to mind all those we know who are struggling with life. We especially ask for your comfort and healing for all those who are coping with terminal illness and ask you to be close to those who care for them. We give you thanks for those who have been healed or are in the process of recovery and recuperation.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer

Merciful God, we remember those who have departed this life and thank you for the good that you have worked in their lives. Comfort all whose lives are saddened by the death of a loved one, be with them in their loneliness and help them to know that Jesus born in Bethlehem is the light of the world which no darkness can quench.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer

Son of God, your mysterious coming is beyond our understanding. Help us to serve you in any way that we can, knowing that you are with us day by day, through the joys of Christmas and into the uncertainty of the New Year especially in the light of the ongoing Pandemic.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer

Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Final Hymn

Tell out my soul

Closing Prayers

Heavenly Father,
who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of the promised saviour:
fill us your servants with your grace,
that in all things we may embrace your holy will
and with her rejoice in your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Advent God,
we journey with you,
to Bethlehem’s stable
and a new-born King,
ears attuned
to the song of angels,
eyes alert
for Bethlehem’s star.
Forgive us
if on our journey
if we are distracted
by the tempting offers
of this world.
Keep our hearts aflame
with the hope
of Christmas,
and the promise
of a Saviour. Amen

May the Lord make us ready for his coming in glory.
Amen.

Thanks to www.faithandworship.com for some of our advent prayers.

We welcome you and invite you to join us in prayer with our written service for home worship on the Third Sunday in Advent.

This service includes the readings for today, prayers and intercessions, a psalm, hymns and an anthem.

As we celebrate the joys of advent we also remember those in other part of the world who are suffering at this time.

Let us 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.

Opening Hymn

Hymn 5 – Hark a thrilling voice is sounding

The Collect

God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Readings

Isaiah 35: 1-11
James 5: 7-10
Matthew 11: 1-11

The Anthem

Anthem: A tender shoot – Otto Goldschmitt

The Psalm

Psalm 146

Hymn 468

Through the night of doubt and sorrow

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The Intercessions

Heavenly Father, in Advent we come before you once more with our prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. We give you heartfelt thanks for the wonderful word of the Gospel for this season, with its message of hope and inspiration. In an age of expected instant gratification, grant us the patience described in St. James’s reading for today. May we understand that our prayers may be answered in ways and at times unimagined at the moment of their request.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray for the people of the Ukraine and more widely for peace in the world. We give thanks for the amazing spirit of so many facing hardship and suffering this winter through the operations of an unjust war. During such dark days, may we follow the example of a warden of Christchurch in Kyiv, who despite all the grief gives thanks for ‘many miracles’ in the last months. Help us to accompany our prayers to you for peace with tangible acts of victim and refugee support.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Creator God, we pray to you for help in becoming better stewards of our planet. Deepen our vision so that we may look beyond the needs of the present generation. Just as farmers prepare, sow and nurture for future harvests, help us to take steps in sustainability to ensure that the benefits we enjoy from the fruits of the earth may remain equally accessible for generations to come.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for our Heads of State and our governments. Grant that, in sensing the uncertainty and distress of difficult inflationary times, they may act with sympathy and understanding, particularly for the most vulnerable. Give them the wisdom and resolve to steer our economies towards more just, calmer, and more stable days ahead.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

As true shepherds of your flock, Lord, grant that the work of our diocesan Bishops and their clergy may encourage us spiritually, and keep us faithful to our calling. In their challenging tasks across so many lands and cultures endow them with the inspiration and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to uplift and motivate our chaplaincy congregations.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray, in our diocesan prayer cycle, for the Serbian Orthodox Church, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Patriarch of Serbia. We also bring before you the life and work of the autocephalous churches of Eastern Europe and the Baltic.
Within our diocese we seek your blessing on our Liturgy Officer, Ben Gordon Taylor and Ray Andrews, our Spirituality Advisor.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, we ask for your support and guidance in the life and work of our own chaplaincy, its members, council, choir, and chaplain. We thank you that your hand has guided us to the present day. We thank you for the support from our host Old Catholic congregation and we ask that cooperation with them may flourish and increase. Grant us the vision to grow our spiritual and cultural contributions to our communities, particularly within the City of Haarlem.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Look upon our families and friends who are ill, or in suffering. Give them, we pray, healing and comfort, with a real sense of your presence with them. We specifically commend to your care those on our prayer list, for whom ongoing prayer has been requested (especially…………).
Take into your everlasting rest all who have passed from this mortal life (…), and bring comfort to their grieving and bereaved loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

In this Advent time and the coming Christmas season, in a brief quiet moment, let us remember its life-giving spiritual news and the message of hope and joy we are called upon to reflect towards others.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers which we offer in the name of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Closing Hymn

Hymn 443 – Rejoice the Lord is King

Concluding Prayers

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.

We welcome you and invite you to join us in prayer with our written service for home worship this Second Sunday in Advent.

This written 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 recent sermons here.

Let us start by remembering Ukraine and other countries at war with this prayer:

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 for Today

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Opening Hymn

Hymn 55 – Hail to the Lord’s anointed

The Readings

Isaiah 11: 1-10
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3: 1-12

Hymn

Hymn 500 – Thy Kingdom come! on bended knee

The Anthem

Anthem: How beautiful upon the mountains – John Stainer

The Intercessions

Gracious Heavenly Father, during the season of Advent in which we prepare to celebrate anew the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, grant us thankful hearts for the wonder of this great mystery. As we come before you with our prayers of intercession today, help us to reflect on its prediction by the prophets of old and on its confirmation as the foundation of our faith, recorded in the words of the New Testament. Grant us open hearts and minds to understand its call to us and, by the inspiration of Holy Spirit, the empowerment to make our positive response visible in the way we conduct our lives.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray once more for all who have been impacted by the ravages of war and civil conflict. Speak to the conscience of those with the power to bring an end to ongoing cycles of violence and destruction. In dark days, kindle and revive a fresh spirit of hope that, with renewed resolve, peace may become re-established where war and violence hold sway. May open negotiation illuminate the pathway to resolve disputes between nations and communities.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Loving Father, our countries are experiencing new heights of economic uncertainty and distress. When trusted platforms of support become overloaded and uncertain, grant to our political leaders and governments the skill and wisdom to help with reassuring hand. Give them the insight to bring economic relief and redress, especially where people have neither opportunity nor options to help themselves. Grant also, as our Heads of State endeavour to update their status and roles in an ever-changing world, that they may help to attain social cohesion, justice, and stability, above the turmoil of party politics.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord, we often hear the statement that the future lies in the hands of our young people. In a time of growing mental health problems amongst the young, we pray to you for the welfare of the generation that will succeed us. We ask for your help for the leaders in education and healthcare so that they may discern the values and frameworks needed to ensure health, capability, and maturity in the upcoming generation.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray for the work and witness of our Bishops and clergy. Today, Lord we commend to you the visit of Bishop Robert with the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Ukraine. As the harsh winter weather develops keep us mindful of the urgent needs of Ukrainian citizens and refugees. Grant that as a community we may find practical ways to contribute help and assistance.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We give thanks for our diocesan relations and fellowship with the German Protestant Church. Help us to understand that with them we are called to give witness to the Gospel in a world that is sorely in need of its message of love.
And in our diocesan prayer cycle we also ask your blessing on our Locum Administrator, Emma Biaggi.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, in your earthly life you also experienced sorrow and pain. We pray that you will look upon the members of our chaplaincy and community who are sick and in suffering. We commend them to you for your comfort and healing, particularly…. and all for whom prayer is requested on our chaplaincy prayer list.
Grant everlasting rest to all who have passed from this mortal life (……) and we ask for strength and comfort for their bereaved families and friends.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

As we conclude our requests, let us reflect a moment, using St. Paul’s words for ourselves. ‘May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers which we offer in the name of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Closing Hymn

Hymn 388 – Jesus shall reign, where’er the sun

Concluding Prayers

Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/un5dA3oUKicWe will be streaming our traditional service of Lessons and Carols. Do join us:

LIVESTREAM

Collect for the First Sunday of Advent

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This Sunday next before Advent we celebrate Christ the King:

Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.

I Timothy 6:15-16

We welcome all those worshipping from home who join us in prayer and praise. Here you can find today’s readings, hymns, anthem, psalm and prayers.

Let us start by remembering Ukraine and other countries at war with this prayer:

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The Collect

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Opening Hymn

Hymn 332 – All hail the power of Jesus’ name

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The Readings

Jeremiah 23: 1-6
Colossians 1: 11-20
Luke 23: 33-43

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The Psalm

Psalm 46

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The Anthem

Anthem: Let all mortal flesh keep silence – Edward Bairstow

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Hymn

Hymn 282 – Faithful shepherd feed me

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The Intercessions

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
you promised through your Son Jesus Christ
to hear us when we pray in faith.