Worship at Home
Sunday School Display of Easter flowers
Seventh Sunday of Easter 21st May 2023
The Gathering
Hymn
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Lord of glory be with you.
and also with you.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
From Easter to Ascension:
Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed for us. Let us therefore rejoice by putting away all malice and evil and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart.
From Ascension to Pentecost:
The Spirit of the Lord fills the world and knows our every word and deed.
Let us then open ourselves to the Lord and confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT
After a period of silent prayer, the Collect is said
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.
The Liturgy of the Word
FIRST READING
Acts of the Apostles 1:6-14
At the end of each reading the reader will say
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM
Psalm 68
Refrain: Sing to God, sing praises to his name.
1 Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered; ♦
let those that hate him flee before him.
2 As the smoke vanishes, so may they vanish away; ♦
as wax melts at the fire,
so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; ♦
let them make merry with gladness.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
exalt him who rides on the clouds. ♦
The Lord is his name; rejoice before him.
5 Father of the fatherless, defender of widows, ♦
God in his holy habitation!
6 God gives the solitary a home
and brings forth prisoners to songs of welcome, ♦
but the rebellious inhabit a burning desert. [R]
7 O God, when you went forth before your people, ♦
when you marched through the wilderness,
8 The earth shook and the heavens dropped down rain,
at the presence of God, the Lord of Sinai, ♦
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You sent down a gracious rain, O God; ♦
you refreshed your inheritance when it was weary.
10 Your people came to dwell there; ♦
in your goodness, O God, you provide for the poor. [R]
11 The Lord gave the word;
great was the company of women who bore the tidings: ♦
‘Kings and their armies they flee, they flee!’
and women at home are dividing the spoil.
12 Though you stayed among the sheepfolds, ♦
see now a dove’s wings covered with silver
and its feathers with green gold.
13 When the Almighty scattered the kings, ♦
it was like snowflakes falling on Zalmon. [R]
14 You mighty mountain, great mountain of Bashan! ♦
You towering mountain, great mountain of Bashan!
15 Why look with envy, you towering mountains,
at the mount which God has desired for his dwelling, ♦
the place where the Lord will dwell for ever?
16 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
even thousands upon thousands; ♦
the Lord is among them, the Lord of Sinai in holy power.
17 You have gone up on high and led captivity captive; ♦
you have received tribute,
even from those who rebelled,
that you may reign as Lord and God. [R]
18 Blessed be the Lord who bears our burdens day by day, ♦
for God is our salvation.
19 God is for us the God of our salvation; ♦
God is the Lord who can deliver from death.
20 God will smite the head of his enemies, ♦
the hairy scalp of those who walk in wickedness.
21 The Lord has said, ‘From the heights of Bashan, ♦
from the depths of the sea will I bring them back,
22 ‘Till you dip your foot in blood ♦
and the tongue of your dogs has a taste of your enemies.’ [R]
23 We see your solemn processions, O God, ♦
your processions into the sanctuary, my God and my King.
24 The singers go before, the musicians follow after, ♦
in the midst of maidens playing on timbrels.
25 In your companies, bless your God; ♦
bless the Lord, you that are of the fount of Israel.
26 At the head there is Benjamin, least of the tribes,
the princes of Judah in joyful company, ♦
the princes of Zebulun and Naphtali. [R]
27 Send forth your strength, O God; ♦
establish, O God, what you have wrought in us.
28 For your temple’s sake in Jerusalem ♦
kings shall bring their gifts to you.
29 Drive back with your word the wild beast of the reeds, ♦
the herd of the bull-like, the brutish hordes.
30 Trample down those who lust after silver; ♦
scatter the peoples that delight in war.
31 Vessels of bronze shall be brought from Egypt; ♦
Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God. [R]
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; ♦
make music in praise of the Lord;
33 He rides on the ancient heaven of heavens ♦
and sends forth his voice, a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God, whose splendour is over Israel, ♦
whose power is above the clouds.
35 How terrible is God in his holy sanctuary, ♦
the God of Israel, who gives power and strength to his people!
Blessed be God.
Refrain: Sing to God, sing praises to his name2-.
SECOND READING
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Hymn
GOSPEL READING
Alleluia, alleluia. Give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia. Give praise to His name.
Alleluia, alleluia. Give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia. Give praise to His name.
God has proclaimed the just reward:
'Life for us all, alleluia!'.
Alleluia, alleluia. Give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia. Give praise to His name.
The Lord be with you.
and also with you.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
John 14:15-21
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Alleluia, alleluia. Give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia. Give praise to His name.
SERMON
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Brothers and sisters, we stand to affirm the faith handed down to us through the apostles.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty.
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to he dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
There following response may be used
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
In our prayer this week we pray for:
God’s church throughout the world, especially for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for proclaiming the truth of the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Peace and provision in the world especially in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Sudan.
For those we know who do not yet know Jesus as Lord, especially our family members.
For our young people especially those sitting exams in this season that God would give them peace, calm and good recall.
For healing for Roz, Ronnie, Sue, Artie, Tim, Betty, Tracy, Joyce, Chris, Christopher, Piotr, Moira, Jemma and Beth.
For comfort for the bereaved as we remember those who have died recently, among them Jayne Verity and those whose anniversary falls at this time, among them: Robert Appleton, Celia England, George Hunter, Mervyn Burgess, Kathleen Waite.
At the end of the prayers
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
THE PEACE
From Easter to Ascension:
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, “Peace be with you.” Then they were glad when the saw the Lord.
The peace of the risen Christ be always with you
and also with you. Alleluia.
From Ascension to Pentecost:
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.
If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you. Alleluia.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Why not text a friend with the words "peace be with you."
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
HYMN
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
The Lord be with you
and also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
From Easter to Ascension:
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
almighty and eternal Father,
and in these days
to celebrate with joyful hearts
the memory of your of Easter wonderful works.
For by the mystery of his passion
Jesus Christ, your risen Son,
has conquered the powers of death and hell
and restored in men and women the image of your glory.
He has placed them once more in paradise
and opened to them the gate of life eternal.
And so, in the joy of this Passover,
earth and heaven resound with gladness,
while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation
sing for ever the hymn of your glory:
From Ascension to Pentecost:
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For he is our great high priest who has entered once for all into the heavenly sanctuary, evermore to pour upon your Church the grace and comfort of you Holy Spirit.
He is the one who has gone before us,
who calls us to be united in prayer
as were his disciples in the upper room
while they awaited his promised gift,
the life-giving Spirit of Pentecost.
Therefore all creation yearns with eager longing
as angels and archangels sing the endless hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness;
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.
Jesus Christ is Lord
Lord, by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.
And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross,
his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world;
rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension,
and looking for his coming in glory,
we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.
As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
we bring before you this bread and this cup
and we thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup,
so that we, in the company of Edmund and all the saints,
may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord;
by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share one bread.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace.
GIVING OF COMMUNION
Alleluia. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Silence is kept. The post-communion prayer is said.
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.
Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen.
THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
From Easter to Ascension:
God, who through the resurrection
of our Lord Jesus Christ
has given us the victory,
give you joy and peace in your faith;
and the blessing…
From Ascension to Pentecost:
The Spirit of truth lead you into all truth,
give you grace to confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
and strengthen you to proclaim the word and words of God;
and the blessing…
… of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Hymn
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing