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)

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

HYMN/SONGS Trad. Hymn: ‘The head that once was crowned with thorns’ Modern Song: ‘Crown Him’

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 85

LORD, you have been merciful to your land; you have made Israel prosperous again. 2 You have forgiven your people's sins and pardoned all their wrongs. 3 You stopped being angry with them and held back your furious rage.

4 Bring us back, O God our saviour, and stop being displeased with us! 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will your anger never cease?

6 Make us strong again, and we, your people, will praise you. 7 Show us your constant love, O LORD, and give us your saving help.

8 I am listening to what the LORD God is saying; he promises peace to us, his own people, if we do not go back to our foolish ways. 9 Surely he is ready to save those who honour him, and his saving presence will remain in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace. 11 Human loyalty will reach up from the earth, and God's righteousness will look down from heaven.

12 The Lord will make us prosperous, and our land will produce rich harvests. 13 Righteousness will go before the Lord and prepare the path for him.

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.

Most Holy God, when we come to you fearing that truth condemns us, show us that truth is one with love in your Word made flesh, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

NT READING (News International Reader Version)

God seated Christ at his right hand in his heavenly kingdom. 21 There he sits far above all who rule and have authority. He also sits far above all powers and kings. He is above every name that is appealed to in this world and in the world to come. 22 God placed all things under Christ’s rule. He appointed him to be ruler over everything for the church. 23 The church is Christ’s body and is filled by Christ. He fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1. 20 b-23)

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 60 millions people who are facing extreme poverty in the world due to the pandemic.

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer: that our 5 may recognise the goodness of God in their lives, and that they may turn to God in gratitude and trust.

(We offer ourselves to the Lord)

All O King enthroned on high, Comforter and Spirit of truth, you that are in all places and fill all things, the treasury of blessings and the giver of life, come and dwell with us, cleanse us from every stain and save our souls, O gracious one. 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: ‘O for a heart to praise my God’ Modern Song: ‘I surrender all (Casting Crowns)’

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