Sunday 22 November 2020
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Home Liturgy for Sunday 22nd November Sunday before Advent Christ the King
( Choir )
Today is the last Sunday before Advent. In days gone by it was known as ‘Stir up Sunday’ because of the collect. The day to get cooking and ‘stir up’ the Christmas pudding!
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today we are also celebrating ‘Christ the King’ 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; 3 For the Lord is the great God, 6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
Hymn: Rejoice the Lord is King
When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.
O King enthroned on high, filling the earth with your glory: holy is your name, Lord God almighty. In our sinfulness we cry to you to take our guilt away, and to cleanse our lips to speak your word, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the God of all healing and forgiveness draw us to himself and cleanse us from all our sins, that we may behold the glory of his Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Christ the King 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 1st Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
Hymn: My Jesus, My Saviour, Lord there is none like you
2nd Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Reflection – Rev Margaret Cranston:
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Though he was divine, he did not cling to equality with God, but made himself nothing. Taking the form of a slave, he was born in human likeness. He humbled himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has raised him on high, and given him the name above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Hymn: Beauty for Brokenness
Intercessions by Bridget Kettle Lord Jesus Christ , as we pray to you, our King and Shepherd, may we feel your love and protection. Meanwhile we constantly offer you our praise and thanksgiving. Lord, in your mercy – hear our prayer
Loving God, as the Coronavirus crisis continues, when so many worldwide are suffering, we pray for our nation and our world. We ask that our leaders in this country and those around the world are given wisdom and the ability to manage the pandemic whilst balancing this with so many other pressing needs and demands.
We ask that all our health workers may have the strength, rest and protection they need to keep well and to keep going. We give thanks for the abilities you have given scientists with the news this week of successful vaccine trials. May the results of other trials be equally successful and give hope to us all for the ending of the pandemic. Meanwhile we ask for patience as you lead us through these parched and difficult days to the fresh springs of joy and comfort that we find in Jesus Christ our Lord. Lord, in your mercy – hear our prayer
Lord Jesus let us remember and pray for other world problems, which only increase the difficulties in managing the pandemic – thinking of all those affected by war and natural disasters, and refugees. May they all experience your love and receive the help they need. Also, let us not forget the increasing effect of climate change which disproportionately affects the poorer regions of the world, and help us, with your loving guidance to make the changes needed to reverse this. Lord, in your mercy – hear our prayer
Father God, as once again we are unable to meet in person, we pray for the Church, especially for our churches in the Taw Mission Community, for Steve our Priest in charge, Caroline, Margaret, Colin, David and Mike. We pray for your continuing guidance to our ministers and PCCs as we work to keep in touch with our communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. We pray that we will be able to meet in church over the Christmas period and for the online services being planned over this period. We continue to pray that the time when we can safely come near to each other is closer, but meanwhile, we give thanks for the modern communications which are allowing us to keep in touch with each other. Lord, in your mercy – hear our prayer
Loving Shepherd, we pray for our local communities - for our friends and families, our children, young people and their teachers, for those working in dangerous situations or have lost their jobs and for the elderly, isolated and vulnerable, and their carers. We pray we may feel the protection of your arms around us and the comfort of your loving presence, and that will be able to meet our families and loved ones at Christmas. Lord, in your mercy – hear our prayer
Father God, we bring to you those we know who are ill or suffering in any way – we ask for their healing with restoration of body, mind and spirit. We also pray for all health professionals as they face such a difficult time this autumn and winter, that services for conditions other than Covid can continue to keep going, and that the Health Service is not completely overwhelmed. Lord, in your mercy – hear our prayer
Father God, we remember in your presence all those who have died, particularly those we have known and loved. Thank you for them, and thank you for your promise of eternal life and peace. May those of us left behind be comforted by knowing this. Lord, in your mercy – hear our prayer
Loving God, you know us and all that we are facing. Please draw near to each one of us and bring us your peace and comfort. Fill us with your Spirit that we may be bearers of your grace and hope to others. Merciful Father – Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn: Christ triumphant, Ever reigning
Closing Prayer Almighty God, who raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to your right hand on high: may we know your resurrection power in our daily lives and look with hope to that day when we shall see you face to face and share in your glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: one God, now and for ever. Amen
Hymns chosen by Margaret Greenslade Future services We remind everyone that due to further Coronavirus restrictions, services in all our churches are suspended until Sunday 6th December.
Marwood Church will be open for private prayer on Thursdays between 10.00am and 12.00 noon.
A Call to Prayer The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called on us all to make the month of November a month of prayer for our nation. We encourage everyone regardless of church background to pray as we continue to work through this difficult time. An open letter from the Archbishops as well as prayer resources are available here. We have been asked to pray daily (at 6.00pm if possible) throughout November. As a reminder of this call, a church bell will be rung on Thursday evenings in Heanton and West Down.
Prayer for the coming week 23rd - 29th November Lord Jesus Christ,
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