Sunday 16th May 2021
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Home Liturgy for Sunday 16 May Sunday after Ascension day
(Choir tap picture)
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father be with you.
This is the day that the Lord has made Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An introduction to the Ascension from Luke’s Gospel Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Hymn: The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns
We ask for God’s forgiveness
Christ has gone up on high, leading captivity captive and bringing gifts for men. As we prepare ourselves to meet him here in the courts of heaven let us call to mind our many failures and sins.
Lord Jesus, you suffered a cruel death on the cross for our redemption, yet we have forgotten your pain and stayed in the realm of the evil you defeated. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you were raised from death to bring us new life, yet we have preferred the comfort of the familiar, and the empty promises of a sinful world. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have ascended to your Father and our Father, your God and our God; plead there at the right hand of God for our forgiveness and entry into the fullness of his presence. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins and restore us in his image to the praise and glory of his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Meditation of James – one of Jesus disciples
We thought we’d lost him. After everything we’d been through we thought we’d lost him. And it was dreadful. It had been terrible enough the first time – watching helplessly from the shadows as he was crucified, as he was cut down from the cross, as they laid him in the tomb. We’d believed it was all over – the end of a wonderful adventure – and we were devastated, inconsolable. Only then he came back. Astonishingly, incredibly, he came back! And we were together once more, almost like in the old days, life suddenly magical again, even more than it had been before. Until he left us – by our sides one minute, gone the next! We couldn’t work it out at all, just stood there, gazing at the clouds, tears streaming down our faces. He’d left us to face the world alone, abandoned us when we needed him most. Why? How could he do it? That’s what we kept on asking. But then a strange feeling came over us. I can’t explain it; it was almost like a voice from heaven. And when we looked at each other again we somehow knew he hadn’t gone, not really. Even though we wouldn’t see him again, even though we wouldn’t be able to talk with him as we used to, we knew he was there with us; there in Jerusalem, there in Galilee, there in Judea and Samaria, there in all the world, wherever we might choose to go. And we knew he would be with us every moment, every day, constantly by our side, even in death itself, waiting to receive us and welcome us home. We thought we’d lost him, and for a moment it was dreadful. But the fact was we had to lose him before we could really find him.
Collect for the Sunday after Ascension Day Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father.Amen
Hymn: All Heaven Declares
1st Reading: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
2nd Reading: John 17:6-19
Reflection – Rev Steve Painting or Listen to Steve
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; afterwards he appeared to his followers, and to all the apostles: this we have received, and this we believe. Amen.
Hymn: Before the Throne of God
Prayers of Intercession - Marion Evans
Almighty and everlasting God, we come before you now in prayer with praise and thanksgiving.
You set the stars in space and gave symmetry to snowflakes, gave life to the butterfly and designed primroses to sit in mossy banks. Your glory is beyond our imagination, and yet you desire to live in our hearts. We praise you and we worship you, for you are a great and loving God.
We thank you for your faithfulness and long-suffering patience with us, but most of all, dear Father we thank you that you loved us so much that you sent your son, Jesus, our Saviour, to rescue us. He, by his example and teachings, showed us your infinite love and compassion. He taught us to see how you wanted us to share that love with all around us. Help us we pray, guide us and strengthen us, that we too may share in this work to your praise and glory.
We pray for the leaders of all nations and their governments. Give them wisdom and mercy that justice may prevail.
We pray for all areas besieged by the pandemic, especially places where they are overwhelmed, and where healthcare and resources are depleted. We earnestly pray that you open the hearts and minds of all those countries who could help and that they send vaccines and aid urgently.
We remember all the Aid organisations and the Aid workers who willingly risk their lives to bring help and comfort to the helpless, the sick and the dying. We give thanks for the wonderful work Tearfund does in bringing your Word to many parts of the world, as well as practical help they offer. Bless the work that they do and protect them wherever they may be.
We pray for the church family throughout the world that there may be unity and concord. We pray for our own church leaders and PCCs within the North Taw Mission. Lord we pray for wisdom to make decisions which will seek to advance the gospel throughout our churches using the talents and resources which you have graciously given us.
We pray for our communities… For all those confined to their homes, for those separated from their families. For those without employment, for those without a source of income, for those in fear of losing their homes, for the homeless. For those in education, for children, especially our local schools, for young people anxious about examinations, a place at university For those at university struggling with lockdown, for young people seeking employment.
Lord be with all in their time of need. Help them and give them comfort and grace to withstand all their difficulties.
We pray for all key workers… For all medical staff and hospital workers, care workers, for medical researchers, for social workers, for teachers in schools, colleges and universities. For farmers and food producers, delivery and shop workers, and transport workers. For cleaners and utility workers.
We thank you for them and ask that they are blessed for what they do for us.
For the sick.. We pray for those affected with covid 19, for those with other illnesses and conditions which leave then vulnerable, both physical and mental and needing medical attention. In a moment of silence we lift up to you Lord, those known to us who are in need of your healing.
Lord, we trust in you because your love is constant. Bring them comfort, healing and peace which only you can give. Gracious God, we ask that you 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: Crown Him With Many Crowns
Closing Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, remind us of all that you are and equip us to live to your glory, until the day when we kneel in your presence and join in the worship of heaven, to the glory of your name. Amen
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005 Song Choice: Sharon Evans
In our Churches next week – Sunday 23rd May – Pentecost Marwood – Holy Communion 9.30am West Down – Holy Communion 9.30am Heanton – Holy Communion 11.00am followed by APCM
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