FRIDAY EVENING PRAYER WELCOME TO YOUR CHURCH Together

FRIDAY EVENING PRAYER WELCOME TO YOUR CHURCH Together: Growing, Caring, Sharing in God’s Love

WELCOME TO OUR FRIDAY EVENING PRAYER after Ascension Day. This Power. Point presentation will give you all you need to celebrate at home this service. For the Song/Hymn, just click on the titles, and the weblink will open it directly in your computer. Watch the video in full screen, then come back to this presentation. You have the choice between a modern song or a traditional hymn. The Psalm can be read by two people or two groups of people if you want. You may start by lighting a candle now.

(Time of quiet to be in presence of the Lord)

Lord, your throne has been established from of old. All You are from everlasting. Alleluia!

HYMN/SONGS Trad. Hymn: ‘Alleluia, sing to Jesus’ Modern Song: ‘To him who sits on the throne’

Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. All to you be glory and praise for ever!

From the darkness of death, you have raised your Christ. All to the right hand of your majesty on high.

The pioneer of our faith, his passion accomplished: All has opened for us the way to heaven and sends on us the promised Spirit.

May we be ready to follow the Way: All and so be brought to the glory of his presence where songs of triumph for ever sound.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: All Blessed be God for ever!

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

All As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us, to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise, now and for ever. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD Living and Powerful

PSALM (Good News Version) Psalm 145

I will proclaim your greatness, my God and king; I will thank you forever and ever. 2 Every day I will thank you; I will praise you forever and ever. 3 The LORD is great and is to be highly praised; his greatness is beyond understanding.

4 What you have done will be praised from one generation to the next; they will proclaim your mighty acts. 5 They will speak of your glory and majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. 6 People will speak of your mighty deeds, and I will proclaim your greatness.

7 They will tell about all your goodness and sing about your kindness. 8 The LORD is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant love. 9 He is good to everyone and has compassion on all he made.

10 All your creatures, LORD, will praise you, and all your people will give you thanks. 11 They will speak of the glory of your royal power and tell of your might, 12 so that everyone will know your mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of your kingdom. 13 Your rule is eternal, and you are king forever.

The LORD is faithful to his promises; he is merciful in all his acts. 14 He helps those who are in trouble; he lifts those who have fallen. 15 All living things look hopefully to you, and you give them food when they need it. 16 You give them enough and satisfy the needs of all.

17 The LORD is righteous in all he does, merciful in all his acts. 18 He is near to those who call to him, who call to him with sincerity. 19 He supplies the needs of those who honour him; he hears their cries and saves them. 20 He protects everyone who loves him, but he will destroy the wicked. 21 I will always praise the LORD; let all his creatures praise his holy name forever.

Glory to the Father, by the Son, in the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

King of the universe, you show the bright glory of your reign in acts of mercy and enduring love; raise the spirits of the downcast and restore those who have fallen away, that we may sing for ever of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

NT READING (News International Reader Version)

31 Now Jesus is Prince and Saviour. God has proved this by giving Jesus a place of honour with him. He did it to turn Israel away from their sins and forgive them. 32 We are telling people about these things. And so is the Holy Spirit. God has given the Spirit to those who obey him. ” (Acts 5. 31 -32)

When you send forth your Spirit, we are created: All you renew the face of the earth. The Spirit of the Father who raised Christ Jesus from the dead: All gives life to the people of God.

The Spirit himself bears witness that we are children of God: All and if God’s children, then heirs of God. The Spirit leads us and enables us to cry: ‘Abba, Father’: All When you send forth your Spirit, we are created; you renew the face of the earth.

PRAYERS FOR THE WORLD (Present to the Lord all your prayers, for yourself, your loved ones, and the whole world)

For the earth, for productivity and fruitful harvests, and those cultivating the lands.

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer: that our 5 be woken up to all that they have already received from God in their lives, and all that he offers them in Christ, and that they might praise him.

(We offer ourselves to the Lord)

All 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 LORD’S PRAYER Looking for the coming of the Kingdom, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray with confidence:

(Modern Version) 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. And 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. (Traditional Version) 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. 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.

HYMN/SONGS Trad. Hymn: ‘Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest’ Modern Song: ‘Come Holy Spirit’

SENDING OUT May Christ who has opened the kingdom of heaven, bring us to reign with him in glory: All Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia: All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Some material in the service is © The Archbishops’ Council 2000, 2002, 2006