Reflection
Zoom Service May 21st
Leader God has gone up with a shout,
All the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. (Psalm 47:5)
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
All and also with you.
PRAISING AND THANKING GOD
Leader The night is passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind
A large candle is lit:
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence , O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever.
All Amen
Leader Blessed are you, the God of our ancestors,
All Worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Leader Blessed is your holy and glorious name,
All Worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Leader Blessed are you, in your holy and glorious temple,
All Worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Leader Blessed are you who look into the depths,
All Worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Leader Blessed are you, enthroned on the cherubim,
All Worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Leader Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
All Worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Leader Blessed are you in the heights of heaven,
All Worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
TIME TO SAY SORRY
Leader What’s beautiful about the Christian story is that God loved us before we came to the realisation that we’re not perfect or righteous in our own strength, and before we turned to accept His love. So let us say sorry for all the things that we have done wrong in our lives and separate us from God’s love
All Sometimes we have been unkind to others. (Pause)
Forgive us and help us to understand.
Sometimes we want to keep all the best things for ourselves. (Pause)
Forgive us and help us to share.
Sometimes we have not been truthful. (Pause)
Forgive us and give us honesty.
Sometimes we have done things which were wrong (Pause)
Forgive us and change our hearts.
Sometimes we just can’t be bothered or we don’t care. (Pause)
Forgive us and help us see things differently.
Leader Loving God, we are sorry for the times when we have not loved others as You love us. Thank You that, before we thought of confessing, You so lovingly had forgiven us. May this love found in Your forgiveness transform our lives.
All Amen.
FIRST READING (Acts 1: 6 - 14)
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
Leader Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
All I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Leader Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
All 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 the 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.
Leader Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
All 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.
SECOND READING (John 17: 1 - 11)
TALK
THE PEACE
Leader Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. If you love me, rejoice, because I am going to my Father’. Alleluia.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All And also with you, Alleluia, Alleluia
TIME FOR OUR PRAYERS
Followed by…
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.
PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
Leader As we wait in silence,
All make us ready for your coming Spirit.
Leader As we listen to your word,
All make us ready for your coming Spirit.
Leader As we worship you in majesty,
All make us ready for your coming Spirit.
Leader As we long for your refreshing,
All make us ready for your coming Spirit.
Leader As we long for your renewing,
All make us ready for your coming Spirit.
Leader As we long for your equipping,
All make us ready for your coming Spirit.
Leader As we long for your empowering,
All make us ready for your coming Spirit.
Leader Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful; in these days of challenge, make us stronger in You; in these days of emptiness, take possession of us; in these days of waiting, open our hearts to the mystery of Your cross, and the blessing ………
NOTICES
Dismissal Reading (Acts of the Apostles 1.12,13a,14)
Leader Then the disciples returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying. They were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Leader Waiting expectantly for the promised Holy Spirit,
go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.