HEAVEN CHRISTS PROMISES WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER Together Growing

HEAVEN, CHRIST’S PROMISES WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER Together: Growing, Caring, Sharing in God’s Love

WELCOME TO OUR WEDNESDAY EVENING SERVICE. This Power. Point presentation will give you all you need to celebrate at home this service. For the Song, just click on the title, and the weblink will open it directly in your computer. Watch the video in full screen, then come back to this presentation. The Psalm can be read by two people or two groups of people if you want. You may start by lighting a candle.

Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power and might: All be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

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

O God, make speed to save us, All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Your faithful servants bless you, All they make known the glory of your kingdom.

SONG ‘Hallelujah, we will sing’

There is a time for everything, and season for every activity under the heavens: All a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.

A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build: All a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, All and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

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 The book of the promises

PSALM Psalm 63 (Good News Version)

1 O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you.

2 Let me see you in the sanctuary; let me see how mighty and glorious you are. 3 Your constant love is better than life itself, and so I will praise you.

4 I will give you thanks as long as I live; I will raise my hands to you in prayer. 5 My soul will feast and be satisfied, and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.

6 As I lie in bed, I remember you; all night long I think of you, 7 because you have always been my help. In the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. 8 I cling to you, and your hand keeps me safe.

9 Those who are trying to kill me will go down into the world of the dead. 10 They will be killed in battle, and their bodies eaten by wolves.

11 Because God gives him victory, the king will rejoice. Those who make promises in God's name will praise him, but the mouths of liars will be shut.

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. Or: Glory 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. Amen.

To you, we come, radiant Lord, the goal of all our desiring, beyond all earthly beauty; gentle protector, strong deliverer, in the night you are our confidence; from first light be our joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

READING (News International Reader Version) Follow a Reading Plan of your choice: https: //www. biblegateway. com/reading-plans/ or read the verses on the next slide.

13 Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider that I have taken hold of the goal yet. But here is the one thing I do. I forget what is behind me. I push hard toward what is ahead of me. 14 I push myself forward toward the goal to win the prize. God has appointed me to win it. The heavenly prize is Christ Jesus himself. 15 So all of us who are grown up in the faith should see things this way (…) 20 We are citizens of heaven. And we can hardly wait for a Saviour from there. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He has the power to bring everything under his control. By his power he will change our earthly bodies. They will become like his glorious body. (Philippians 3. 13 -15 a, 20 -21; NIr. V)

Lord, you let your servant depart in peace All according to your word. People have to die once: All and after that face judgement. Glory to the Father, by the Son, in the Holy Spirit: All Lord, you let your servant depart in peace, according to your word.

PRAYERS FOR THE WORLD -For the people met during the day and their needs -For the Church and her mission

That with the martyrs, we may be faithful to Christ even to death, and be ready to suffer for the truth’s sake.

(We offer ourselves to the Lord)

All God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bring us to the dwelling which your Son is preparing for all who love you. Give us each day to live in life eternal. Let our citizenship be in heaven with the whole company of the redeemed and with countless angels, praising, worshipping and adoring him who sits upon the throne for ever and ever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER As our Saviour taught us, so we pray with confidence:

(Modern Version) (Traditional 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. 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.

SONG ‘Song of heaven’

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

Let us bless the Lord. All Thanks be to God.

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