GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out A Service of the Word

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Opening Prayers This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Come, God, and fill us with wonder. with longing for justice, and vision for peace. Come, God of joyfulness, God of glory: come to your people today. Words of welcome. A hymn or song may be used.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Prayers of Penitence Let us admit to God the sin that conflicts our joyfulness. Silence God, you long for justice, while we look for ease. Lord have mercy. You long for flourishing, while we stop at survival. Christ have mercy. You long for joyfulness, while we settle for amusement. Lord have mercy.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Gloria or another song of praise may be sung.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out The Collect God of justice and mercy, you are unceasingly at work revealing what is hidden, showing beauty in weakness, and giving honour to those we might exclude or ignore; fill us with your compassion and give us joy in your service that we may share and give your life and light; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Responsory Lord Jesus Christ, lover of all: Trail wide the hem of your garment, bring healing, bring peace.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55:6-13 Silence Lord Jesus Christ, lover of all: Trail wide the hem of your garment, bring healing, bring peace.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out The Magnificat is said or sung. R. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my saviour. 1.He has looked with favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations shall call me blessed. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my saviour. 2.The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name. He has mercy on those who fear him from generation to generation. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my saviour.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out 3.He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit Casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my saviour. 4. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my saviour.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out 5.The promise made to our ancestors to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my saviour. If the Magnificat is said, a hymn may follow

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out New Testament Reading: Luke 8:42b-48 Silence Lord Jesus Christ, lover of all: Trail wide the hem of your garment, bring healing, bring peace.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out The Address A hymn or song may be used.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out With all who are coming to Christ this day, let us affirm our faith in God. Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist? We believe and trust in him. Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again? We believe and trust in him.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world? We believe and trust in him. This is the faith of the church. This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Prayers of Intercession Prayers are offered for the church, the world, the local community, and those who suffer.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out The Lord’s Prayer Trusting in God’s presence with us now, as our Saviour has taught us, so we pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is 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 forever. Amen.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out 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.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Prayers of Thanksgiving Let us thank God for his goodness, and give our joyful praise. Father, we praise you through Jesus Christ, your Word and wisdom. Through him, you spoke us into being, with him, you overturned our lives, in him, we see your joy and your delight. God, most Holy One, we sing our joyful praise.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Father, we praise you for your persistent will for justice: for visions of salvation and the prophets’ daring dreams. God, most Holy One, we sing our joyful praise. Father, we praise you for drawing near us in salvation: for the touch of your garment, and your endless power to heal. God, most Holy One, we sing our joyful praise. Father, we praise you for calling us to service: as co-creators, dreamers, healers; sharing always in your love. God, most Holy One we sing our joyful praise.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Hymn: Joyful, joyful, we adore thee God of glory, Lord of love. Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out All your works with joy surround thee, earth and heaven reflect your rays, stars and angels sing around thee, centre of unbroken praise: field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, well-spring of the joy of living, ocean-death of happy rest. Though the Father, Christ our brother: all who live in love are thine. Teach us how to love each other lift us to the joy divine.

GatheringThe WordThe PrayersSending Out Closing Prayers In every time, and every place, God calls a people as his own. We have heard God’s word, and are joyful in his service. May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the blessing of God Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us and remain with us always. Amen. Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God.