FRIDAY MORNING PRAYER WELCOME TO YOUR CHURCH Together

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

WELCOME TO OUR FRIDAY MORNING 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)

Send your Holy Spirit upon us: All and clothe us with power from on high. Alleluia!

HYMN/SONGS Traditional Hymn: ‘Jesus the very thought of thee’ Modern Song: ‘Amen’

Blessed are you, Creator God. All to you be praise and glory for ever!

As your Spirit moved over the face of the waters, bringing light and life to your creation: All pour out your Spirit on us today.

May we walk as children of light: All and by your grace reveal your presence.

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

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind.

All 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. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD Living and Powerful

PSALM (Good News Version) Psalm 28

O LORD, my defender, I call to you. Listen to my cry! If you do not answer me, I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead. 2 Hear me when I cry to you for help, when I lift my hands toward your holy Temple.

3 Do not condemn me with the wicked, with those who do evil— those words are friendly, but who have hatred in their hearts.

4 Punish them for what they have done, for the evil they have committed. Punish them for all their deeds; give them what they deserve!

5 They take no notice of what the LORD has done or of what he has made; so he will punish them and destroy them forever.

6 Give praise to the LORD; he has heard my cry for help. 7 The LORD protects and defends me; I trust in him. He gives me help and makes me glad; I praise him with joyful songs.

8 The LORD protects his people; he defends and saves his chosen king. 9 Save your people, LORD, and bless those who are yours. Be their shepherd, and take care of them 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.

Hear, Shepherd of your people, forgive us our sins and, in a world of pretences, make us true in heart and mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

NT READING (News International Reader Version)

15 If you say or do things that harm one another, watch out! You could end up destroying one another. 16 So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your desires controlled by sin want you to do. 17 The desires controlled by sin do not want what the Spirit delights in. And the Spirit does not want what the desires controlled by sin delight in. The two are at war with each other. That’s why you are not supposed to do whatever you want. (Galatians 5. 15 -17)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people: All and kindle in us the fire of your love. All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God and fellow-heirs with Christ: All Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people.

Renew the face of your creation, Lord, pouring on us the gifts of your Spirit: All and kindle in us the fire of your love. For the creation waits with eager longing for the glorious liberty of the children of God: All Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people, and kindle in us the fire of your love.

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

That our lives reveal to the world the love of Jesus.

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer: Pray for yourself and those others the Lord sends to help show your 5 their route home to God, that they would know the loving father running to greet them.

(We offer ourselves to the Lord)

All Come, O Spirit of God, and make within us your dwelling place and home. May our darkness be dispelled by your light, and our troubles calmed by your peace; may all evil be redeemed by your love, all pain transformed through the suffering of Christ, and all dying glorified in his risen life. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Being made one by the power of the Spirit, 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: ‘Now Holy Spirit, come, descend’ Modern Song: ‘Welcome Holy Spirit’

SENDING OUT May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love: 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