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Apr 17, 2020

Sunday April 19th Communion Service

Welcome to our Communion Service.

We meet in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen

Alleluia Christ is Risen

He is Risen indeed Alleluia

Hymn: See what a morning - https://youtu.be/-Qlc0UIRkBk

Father God, we come to you because you turn doubt into hope, tears into laughter and fear into fearlessness. We come to you because on this Sunday and on every other day, we can say, ‘Jesus is alive!’ Amen.

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.

Like Mary at the empty tomb,

we fail to grasp the wonder of your presence.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Like the disciples behind locked doors,

we are afraid to be seen as your followers.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Like Thomas in the upper room,

we are slow to believe.

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 life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

Song: King of Kings and Lord of Lords - https://youtu.be/91r2ZVQyZkA

The Collect

Risen Christ,

for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred:

open the doors of our hearts,

that we may seek the good of others

and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace,

to the praise of God the Father. Amen

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

Alleluia alleluia

I am the first and the last, says the Lord

I was dead

And behold I am alive for evermore.

Alleluia

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you O Lord

The Disciples

Jesus’ friends and followers had locked themselves in a quiet room; it was late at night and they were afraid…they had heard the news that Jesus was alive from Mary and the other women but all the same, they were scared. Then Jesus suddenly appears and says

“Peace be with you”

He shows them his scars and breathes the Holy Spirit onto them.

Have a chat with those next to you on the sofa- or here live in the service?

How do you relate to this?

What brings us peace when we’re really frightened?

What did Jesus do that reassured his friends?

Thomas

Poor old Thomas always getting bad press. He’s not be there when Jesus appears to the others – and he’s not about to believe something he hasn’t seen for himself.

What do you think about Thomas’ attitude?

Is he a realist? A sceptic?

What would we need to convince us if we were in that room?

What evidence have we got to help us believe?

Song: Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine - https://youtu.be/yuyf1YQvcwY

Second Reading: Acts 2:22-33

22 “Listen to these words, fellow Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. 23 In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. 24 But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. 25 For David said about him,

‘I saw the Lord before me at all times; he is near me, and I will not be troubled. 26 And so I am filled with gladness, and my words are full of joy. And I, mortal though I am, will rest assured in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead; you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the paths that lead to life, and your presence will fill me with joy.’

29 “My friends, I must speak to you plainly about our famous ancestor King David. He died and was buried, and his grave is here with us to this very day. 30 He was a prophet, and he knew what God had promised him: God had made a vow that he would make one of David's descendants a king, just as David was. 31 David saw what God was going to do in the future, and so he spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah when he said,

‘He was not abandoned in the world of the dead; his body did not rot in the grave.’ 32 God has raised this very Jesus from death, and we are all witnesses to this fact. 33 He has been raised to the right side of God, his Father, and has received from him the Holy Spirit, as he had promised. What you now see and hear is his gift that he has poured out on us.

What a transformation! This account is a few weeks or months later.

What differences do you see in Peter and the others?

  • Frightened to Joy-filled

  • Confused to Convinced

  • Hiding to Sent out

  • Timid to Empowered.

How could the Easter story make a difference to us? What more do we need to be transformed?

As a response to the readings, we declare our faith together.

What we believe

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.

Our Prayers: Led by Margaret

The Peace

The Risen Christ came and stood among

his disciples and said,

Peace be with you.

Then they were glad when they saw the Lord.

Alleluia

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Song: When I Survey the wondrous Cross - https://youtu.be/4_fvFfPqjO4

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.

And now we give you thanks

because through him you have given us eternal life and delivered us from the bondage of sin and the fear of death

into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Father, you made the world and love your creation.

You gave your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour.

His dying and rising have set us free from sin and death.

And so we gladly thank you,

with saints and angels praising you, and saying:

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.

We praise and bless you, loving Father,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and as we obey his command,

send your Holy Spirit,

that broken bread and wine outpoured

may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you.

He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:

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.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,

in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice

made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection

until he comes in glory.

Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life:

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Lord of all life,

help us to work together for that day

when your kingdom comes

and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people,

gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with St Catherine and all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

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.

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Father of all,

we give you thanks and praise,

that when we were still far off

you met us in your Son and brought us home.

Dying and living, he declared your love,

gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.

May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;

we who drink his cup bring life to others;

we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,

so we and all your children shall be free,

and the whole earth live to praise your name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Blessing

God the Father, by whose glory

Christ was raised from the dead,

strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life;

and the blessing of God Almighty

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now

And remain with you always.

Amen

Final Song: Rescuer - https://youtu.be/leh-4fCc5MI

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He has given us new life and hope.

He has raised Jesus from the dead.

God has claimed us as his own.

He has brought us out of darkness.

He has made us light to the world.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Apr 10, 2020

Sunday April 12th - Easter Day Holy Communion



Shout it out loud!


Alleluia! Christ is Risen


Alleluia! He is Risen indeed


We meet in the name of the Father,

and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

We’re going to celebrate the Easter story today- in a different way. We’re going to use colours to remind us of the steps we’ve taken to get to this day. You could try and find all these different colours at home as we go along…




Our first colour is GREEN


We remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey- and how all the crowds cheered and waved their palm branches. They celebrate him as a hero. How they loved him!




Our next colour is ORANGE


This is to remind us of how the mood of the people around Jesus very quickly changed from praise to betrayal and arrest. Jesus met with his disciples, sharing the bread and wine to remember the Passover festival. Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus prayed and the disciples slept, Judas led a large crowd, armed with swords and clubs, to arrest Jesus, who had been betrayed by Judas’ kiss.



Our third colour is PURPLE


Purple is the traditional colour of royalty. This is to remind us of the fact that Jesus is King of all, and of how the soldiers and authorities mocked and humiliated him as he stood before the priests, Pilate the governor and Herod. Let’s remember now.




Our next colour is RED

This is to remind us of the painful death that Jesus went through; how he was forced to carry the cross to the hill of Golgotha; how two thieves were crucified with him, one of whom came to know God on the cross and join Jesus in heaven.


Our next colour is BROWN

This is to remind us of why Jesus died. All of us do wrong things, which get in the way of us being friends with God. Jesus did nothing wrong. His life was perfect. God gave his only Son to defeat sin, as a sacrifice for all our wrongdoing, so that each of us could be friends with God.


Look at your hands and use your hands to say sorry to God:

  • Make a fist - We are sorry for the times we have got angry with other people.

  • Point away from yourself with your index finger - We are sorry for the times we have blamed others and seen things wrong in others without recognising how much is also wrong in us.

  • Close up your hand and hold it close to your chest - We are sorry for the times we have kept things selfishly to ourselves and not been prepared to give to those who need our help.

  • Put your hand over your mouth - We are sorry for the foolish words we have spoken which have hurt other people.

  • Put your hand over your eyes - We are sorry that we have deliberately chosen not to see the good things we could have done to help other people.

  • Put your hand over one ear - We are sorry for the times we have not listened to the cries of those who are poor or who suffer injustice.


Hold out that same hand with an open palm upward, as if you are waiting to receive something.


Jesus says, 'If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest'. So we bring all that we are to Jesus - all our sins and our failure to love. Thank-you that you died for us so that we might be forgiven and start a new life in the power of your Holy Spirit.


Our next colour is BLUE

This is to remind us that it is through the death of Jesus that we are completely forgiven and that each time, when we come before God to say sorry, we have the chance of a new start.


Here the words that God proclaims over us:

May Almighty God

have mercy upon you,

forgive you your sins,

and bring you to everlasting life.

Amen

Collect:

God of glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen


Our next colour is YELLOW.

This is to remind us of the glory of Jesus when he rose from the dead.


Here is the account from Mark’s gospel.

As we look at our colours

GREEN ORANGE PURPLE RED BROWN BLUE YELLOW

I’m reminded of the rainbows that are appearing in our windows everywhere.

We think of Jesus’ sacrifice for us- passing through a dark and sad day on Good Friday; waiting and hoping on Easter Saturday, and finding wonderful news on today Easter Sunday. As a country and in all the world, we are somewhere on that path.

Pain and sadness; waiting and longing for something to change and at the end, there will be wonderful news. The crisis will be over; death is defeated.

As we think about Jesus’ journey and his friends’ journey, though they met Jesus fully alive and never to die again on Easter Sunday, there was much more to come. Some of their next steps were joyful and triumphant; some brought them into further challenges.

But Jesus made an enormous difference.

Now he was there with them by his Spirit.

Now he would never leave them again.

Now whatever happened, even death itself, they knew they would be with him in heaven.

Now nothing could ever separate them from God’s love.

Now, they knew whatever they would go through, Jesus had been there first; Jesus knew pain and death and suffering and it hadn’t beaten him.

As we look at the rainbows in windows and online, I want us to follow that Easter experience.Today – as Jesus is alive again, we know that our future is safe with him- whatever that future maybe.


Song: Lord I lift your name on high https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COQ6cni_TG8


Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43


Our final colour is PINK.

Pink for us to share the Easter story. This is to remind us that Jesus’ friends were so excited at learning Jesus had risen from the dead that the first thing they did was to rush to tell their friends.


We might wonder how we’re going to do that what it feels strange and sad and our lives are on hold. I think those first Christians felt that wonder and excitement but also puzzlement, worry and fear too. Jesus met with them over the following weeks to help them understand. So we can ask him to help us too.

We can be people that are certain that God is with us- even when we stand with those who are facing sadness and loss.

We can encourage people when they feel alone. God is there in difficult times as well as good ones.

We can give hope- there is a way forward from this crisis because Jesus has gone through suffering with us and for us.

And whatever happens here on earth, it’s not the end. Jesus has come back to life and offers a way to heaven.


GREEN is for the palms of praise.

ORANGE is for the swords ablaze.

PURPLE is for the royal robes.

RED is for the death he chose.

BROWN is for the colour of our sin.

BLUE is for cleansing sin through him.

YELLOW is for the risen Christ in glory.

PINK is for us to share the Easter story.


Our Prayers lead by Julie: https://youtu.be/4JH86ovtkvY

The Peace:

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples

and said, ‘Peace be with you.’

Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.




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.

Almighty God, good Father to us all,

your face is turned towards your world.

In love you gave us Jesus your Son

to rescue us from sin and death.

Your Word goes out to call us home

to the city where angels sing your praise.

We join with them in heaven’s song:

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.

Father of all, we give you thanks for every gift that comes from heaven.

To the darkness Jesus came as your light.

With signs of faith and words of hope

he touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean.

This is his story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

The crowds came out to see your Son,

yet at the end they turned on him.

On the night he was betrayed

he came to table with his friends

to celebrate the freedom of your people.

This is his story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus blessed you, Father, for the food;

he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said:

This is my body, given for you all.

Jesus then gave thanks for the wine;

he took the cup, gave it and said:

This is my blood, shed for you all

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in remembrance of me.

This is our story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup

we celebrate the cross

on which he died to set us free.

Defying death he rose again

and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world.

This is our story.

This is our song:

Hosanna in the highest.

Send your Spirit on us now

that by these gifts we may feed on Christ

with opened eyes and hearts on fire.

May we and all who share this food

offer ourselves to live for you

and be welcomed at your feast in heaven

where all creation worships you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

Blessing and honour and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

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.

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Father of all,

we give you thanks and praise,

that when we were still far off

you met us in your Son and brought us home.

Dying and living, he declared your love,

gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.

May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;

we who drink his cup bring life to others;

we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,

so we and all your children shall be free,

and the whole earth live to praise your name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

May Christ,

who out of defeat brings new hope and a new future,

fill you with his new life;

and the blessing of God Almighty Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you nw nd remain with you always

Amen


With the power that raised Jesus from the dead at work within you,

go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Apr 8, 2020

Thursday April 9th Holy Communion Service - Maundy Thursday

Updated: Apr 9, 2020


 

Follow us live at 7pm with Zoom.

Meeting ID: 313 104 587

Password: 020080

 

Before we begin, you could get a bowl, water and a towel so you can wash your hands as part of our prayer activity, later in the service.


We sing together: My Song is love unknown.


The Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit

be with you

and also with you.

Prayers of Penitence

Our Lord Jesus Christ says:

‘Unless I wash you, you have no part in me.’

Have mercy on us, O God,

in your great goodness;

according to the abundance of your compassion

blot out our offences.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Against you only have we sinned

and done what is evil in your sight.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Purge us from our sin and we shall be clean;

wash us and we shall be whiter than snow.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.


May the Father forgive us

by the death of his Son

and strengthen us

to live in the power of the Spirit

all our days.

Amen.


Gloria in Excelsis

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

Let us pray that we may love one another as Christ has loved us.

God our Father,

your Son Jesus Christ was obedient to the end

and drank the cup prepared for him:

may we who share his table

watch with him through the night of suffering and be faithful. Amen.


Readings - 1 Corinthians 11.23-26

23 For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, 24 gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” 25 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is God's new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.”

26 This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Song: Broken for me, Broken for you


Gospel Reading

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:

Love one another as I have loved you.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

John 13.1-17, 31b-35

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.


Sermon

Rather than a formal sermon – take some time to think about the passage we’ve just watched.


  • Where would you be in that room?

  • How would it feel if Jesus washed your feet?

  • What does it mean for us when Jesus tells us to wash one another’s feet?


The Washing of Feet


As we cannot be together to experience foot washing, you might like to take time to wash your own hands now as we listen to Ubi Caritas (Where there is Love and Charity, there is God).


As we do, we’re praying for all those who are loving and serving in our country and round the world in this crisis.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us

that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters

we do also for you:

give us the will to be the servant of others

as you were the servant of all,

and gave up your life and died for us,

but are alive and reign, now and for ever.

Amen.


Prayers of Intercession

In the power of the Spirit let us pray to the Father

through Christ the saviour of the world.

Father,

on this, the night he was betrayed,

your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet.

We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service.

Lord, hear us

and humble us.


On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one.

We pray for the unity of your Church.

Lord, hear us

and unite us.


On this night, he prayed for those who were to believe through his disciples’ message.

We pray for the mission of your Church.

Lord, hear us

and renew our zeal.


On this night, he commanded his disciples to love,

but suffered rejection himself.

We pray for the rejected and unloved.

Lord, hear us

and fill us with your love.


On this night, he reminded his disciples

that if the world hated them it hated him first.

We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith.

Lord, hear us

and give us your peace.


On this night, he accepted the cup of death

and looked forward to the new wine of the kingdom.

We remember those who have died in the peace of Christ.

Lord, hear us

and welcome all your children into paradise.


The Peace

Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.


We sing together: Meekness and Majesty


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.

It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation;

in your love you made us for yourself.

When we turned away

you did not reject us,

but came to meet us in your Son.

You embraced us as your children

and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.


In Christ you shared our life

that we might live in him and he in us.

He opened his arms of love upon the cross

and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.


On the night he was betrayed,

at supper with his friends

he took bread, and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to them, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his body is the bread of life.


At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,

he gave you thanks, and said:

Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his blood is shed for all.


As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,

send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine

may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.

As we eat and drink these holy gifts

make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.


With your whole Church throughout the world

we offer you this sacrifice of praise

and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.


The Lord’s Prayer

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.


Breaking of the Bread

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.


Giving of Communion

Draw near with faith.

Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ

which he gave for you,

and his blood which he shed for you.

Eat and drink

in remembrance that he died for you,

and feed on him in your hearts

by faith with thanksgiving.

The body of Christ, broken for you.

Amen.

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

Amen.


Prayer after Communion

Lord Jesus Christ,

we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament

you have given us the memorial of your passion:

grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries

of your body and blood

that we may know within ourselves

and show forth in our lives

the fruit of your redemption,

for you are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.


The Stripping of the Sanctuary

We are not able to do this as we are not in church. But as we end this service, we can reflect on the psalms of lament


How lonely sits the city that once was full of people!

How like a widow she has become,

she that was great among the nations!

She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks;

among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God.


The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to the festivals;

all her gates are desolate, her priests groan;

her young girls grieve, and her lot is bitter.

Her children have gone away, captives before the foe.

Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?

Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God.


From on high he sent fire; it went deep into my bones;

he spread a net for my feet; he turned me back;

he has left me stunned, faint all day long.

For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears;

for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage;

my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God.


All who pass along the way clap their hands at you;

they hiss and wag their heads at daughter Jerusalem;

‘Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty,

the joy of all the earth?’

The thought of my affliction and homelessness is wormwood and gall.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God.


The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,

‘therefore I will hope in him.’

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God.


It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth,

to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it,

to put one’s mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope),

to give one’s cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.

For the Lord will not reject for ever.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God.


The Dismissal

When the disciples had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus prayed to the Father, ‘If it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me.’ He said to his disciples, ‘How is it that you were not able to keep watch with me for one hour? The hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the power of sinners.’

Christ was obedient unto death. Go in his peace.

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