St Edmund of Canterbury, Hayes

Worship at Home for the second sunday of Lent

16th March 2025

The Gathering

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Grace mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

and also with you.

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE

This form of the Commandments is used

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this:

‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

There is no other commandment greater than these.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Amen.  Lord have mercy.

The minister gives an invitation to confession and either of the following forms is used.

(Until the fifth Sunday in Lent)

The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart God will not despise.

Let us come to the Lord, who is full of compassion,

and acknowledge our transgressions in penitence and faith.

(Fifth Sunday in Lent until Wednesday of Holy Week)

God shows his love for us in that,

while we were sinners, Christ died for us. 

Let us then show our love for him

by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,

we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,

in what we have thought,

in what we have said and done,

and in the good we have not done,

through ignorance, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We have wounded your love,

and marred your image in us.

We are sorry and ashamed,

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, who died for us,

forgive us all that it past;

and lead us out of darkness

to walk as children of light.  Amen.

Or with penitential sentences the Kyrie Eleison may be used:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

ABSOLUTION

The almighty and merciful Lord grant you pardon and forgiveness of all your sins,

time for amendment of life,

and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

THE COLLECT

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words “Let us pray”

Almighty God,

you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,

that they may return to the way of righteousness:

grant to all those who are admitted

into the fellowship of Christ’s religion,

that they may reject those things

that are contrary to their profession,

and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

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

READINGS

Old Testament Reading: 

Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18

At the end of each reading the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 27

1    The Lord is my light and my salvation;

    whom then shall I fear?  ♦

The Lord is the strength of my life;

    of whom then shall I be afraid?

2    When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,

    came upon me to eat up my flesh,  ♦

they stumbled and fell.

3    Though a host encamp against me,

    my heart shall not be afraid,  ♦

and though there rise up war against me,

    yet will I put my trust in him.

4    One thing have I asked of the Lord

    and that alone I seek:  ♦

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

5    To behold the fair beauty of the Lord  ♦

and to seek his will in his temple.

6    For in the day of trouble

    he shall hide me in his shelter;  ♦

in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me

    and set me high upon a rock.

7    And now shall he lift up my head  ♦

above my enemies round about me;

8    Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation

    with great gladness;  ♦

I will sing and make music to the Lord.

9  Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call;  ♦

have mercy upon me and answer me.

10  My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face.’  ♦

Your face, Lord, will I seek.

11  Hide not your face from me,  ♦

nor cast your servant away in displeasure.

12  You have been my helper;  ♦

leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

13  Though my father and my mother forsake me,  ♦

the Lord will take me up.

14  Teach me your way, O Lord;  ♦

lead me on a level path,

    because of those who lie in wait for me.

15  Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries,  ♦

for false witnesses have risen up against me,

    and those who breathe out violence.

16  I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord  ♦

in the land of the living.

17  Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and he shall comfort your heart;  ♦

wait patiently for the Lord.

New Testament Reading: 

Philippians 3:17 - 4:1

A HYMN may be sung before the Gospel

GOSPEL READING

The Gospel Acclamation is said

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory

(Until the fifth Sunday in Lent)

The Lord is a great God. O that today you would listen to his voice.

Harden not your hearts                           cf. Psalm 95: 3,8

(Fifth Sunday in Lent until Wednesday of Holy Week)

Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him

and given him the name that is above every name,

                                                              cf. Philippians 2:8-10

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory

The Lord be with you.

and also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark

Glory to you, O Lord.

Luke 13: 31 - end

At the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

          This week's sermon is by the Rev'd Ken Buckler.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

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.       Philippians 2:6-11

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Let us pray for God's people in every land, especially those places where there is strife and injustice.  We pray for a cease to the invasion of Ukraine, that a just peace will be established.

Let us pray for all bishops and synods, especially pray for Sarah and for Lusa our Bishops.  We pray for the church in Ukraine as they support the victims and the church in Russia that they would speak truth to power.  We pray for the church in the Holy Land that they would build bridges.

Let us continue to pray for our young people that they would grow in faith in Jesus, fulfil his will for their lives and grow into the disciples of Jesus he calls them to be, continuing to pray for those confirmed last week.

Let us pray for all those in positions of governmental power, economic strength and media influence, that God would turn their hearts towards the common good and give them his wisdom, compassion and strength.  

Let us pray for all those who in mind, body or spirit are in need of God's healing and wholeness, for nothing is impossible for God.  Let us pray for Tina, Tracey, Malcolm, Sunni, Henry, Beth, Alexander, Felicity, and Nuresh.

Let us pray for ourselves that we would be moved to grow closer to God through the practice of a holy, life-giving, life-changing Lent.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

THE PEACE

the president says

(Until the fifth Sunday in Lent)

Since we are justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has given us access to his grace.           Romans 5:1

(Fifth Sunday in Lent until Wednesday of Holy Week)

Once we were far off,

but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought

near through the shedding of Christ’s blood,

for he is our peace.                                 Ephesians 2:13-14

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

TAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE

HYMN  

The president takes the gifts of bread and wine and thanks God

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.

(Until the fifth Sunday in Lent)

It is indeed right and good

to give you thanks and praise

almighty God and everlasting Father,

through Jesus Christ your Son.

For in these forty days

you lead us into the desert of repentance

that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline

we may grow in grace

and learn to be your people once again.

Through fasting, prayer and acts of service

you bring us back to your generous heart.

Through study of your holy word

you open our eyes to your presence in the world

and free our hands to welcome others

into the radiant splendour of your love.

As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast

with joyful hearts and minds

we bless you for your mercy

and join with saints and angels

for ever praising you and singing:

(Fifth Sunday in Lent until Wednesday of Holy Week)

It is indeed right and just,

our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

holy Father, almighty and eternal God,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near

the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty.

The power of the life-giving cross

reveals the judgement that has come upon the world

and the triumph of Christ crucified.

he is the victim who dies no more,

the lamb once slain, who lives for ever,

our advocate in heaven to plead our cause,

exalting us there to join with angels and archangels,

for ever praising you and singing:

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

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught:

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

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

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

Jesus is the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.

Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,

but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

HYMNS may be sung during the administration of communion

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Silence is kept. The post-communion prayer is said.

Almighty God,

you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves:

keep us both outwardly in our bodies,

and inwardly in our souls;

that we may be defended from all adversities

which may happen to the body,

and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

All may then say

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 Dismissal

THE BLESSING

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

(Until the fifth Sunday in Lent)

Christ give you grace to grow in holiness,

to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him;

and the blessing…

(Fifth Sunday in Lent until Wednesday of Holy Week)

Christ crucified draw you to himself,

to find in him a sure ground for faith,

a firm support for hope,

and the assurance of sins forgiven;

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.

Thanks be to God.

HYMN

Adapted from Common Worship

Copyright: The Archbishop’s Council 2000