SATURDAY EVENING PRAYER WELCOME TO YOUR CHURCH Together

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

WELCOME TO OUR SATURDAY 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)

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

HYMN/SONGS Trad. Hymn: ‘The Lord is King! Lift up your voice’ Modern Song: ‘Jesus is the Name we honour’

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: All to you be glory and praise for ever!

Raised to your right hand on high: All the ascended Christ shows the prints of love, and pour on us the gifts of grace.

As your Spirit renew the face of the earth: All may we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit and reveal your glory in all the world.

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 48

The LORD is great and is to be highly praised in the city of our God, on his sacred hill. 2 Zion, the mountain of God, is high and beautiful; the city of the great king brings joy to all the world. 3 God has shown that there is safety with him inside the fortresses of the city.

4 The kings gathered together and came to attack Mount Zion. 5 But when they saw it, they were amazed; they were afraid and ran away. 6 There they were seized with fear and anguish, like a woman about to bear a child, 7 like ships tossing in a furious storm.

8 We have heard what God has done, and now we have seen it in the city of our God, the LORD Almighty; he will keep the city safe forever.

9 Inside your Temple, O God, we think of your constant love. 10 You are praised by people everywhere, and your fame extends over all the earth.

You rule with justice; 11 let the people of Zion be glad! You give right judgments; let there be joy in the cities of Judah!

12 People of God, walk around Zion and count the towers; 13 take notice of the walls and examine the fortresses, so that you may tell the next generation: 14 “This God is our God forever and ever; he will lead us for all time to come. ”

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.

Father of lights, raise us with Christ to your eternal city, that, with kings and nations, we may wait in the midst of your temple and see your glory for ever and ever. Amen.

NT READING (News International Reader Version)

15 I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus. I have also heard about your love for all God’s people. That is why 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I always remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the glorious Father. I keep asking him to give you the wisdom and understanding that come from the Holy Spirit. I want you to know God better. 18 I pray that you may understand more clearly. Then you will know the hope God has chosen you to receive. You will know that what God will give his holy people is rich and glorious. 19 And you will know God’s great power. It can’t be compared with anything else. His power works for us who believe. (Ephesians 1. 15 -19)

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)

That we may always serve God with joy.

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer: Pray for the Holy Spirit to put on your heart the desires of heaven for your 5.

(We offer ourselves to the Lord)

All Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit, you have taught the hearts of your faithful people. Send us the same Spirit that we may enjoy what is right and always rejoice in his consolation. We pray you in Jesus’ Name. 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: ‘Come gracious Spirit’ Modern Song: ‘The power of your love’

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