SATURDAY MORNING PRAYER WELCOME TO YOUR CHURCH Together

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

WELCOME TO OUR SATURDAY 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)

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

HYMN/SONGS Traditional Hymn: ‘The Lord is in his holy temple’ Modern Song: ‘Ancient of days’

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!

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 21

The king is glad, O LORD, because you gave him strength; he rejoices because you made him victorious. 2 You have given him his heart's desire; you have answered his request.

3 You came to him with great blessings and set a crown of gold on his head. 4 He asked for life, and you gave it, a long and lasting life.

5 His glory is great because of your help; you have given him fame and majesty. 6 Your blessings are with him forever, and your presence fills him with joy.

7 The king trusts in the LORD Almighty; and because of the LORD's constant love he will always be secure. 8 The king will capture all his enemies; he will capture everyone who hates him. 9 He will destroy them like a blazing fire when he appears.

The LORD will devour them in his anger, and fire will consume them. 10 None of their descendants will survive; the king will kill them all.

11 They make their plans, and plot against him, but they will not succeed. 12 He will shoot his arrows at them and make them turn and run. 13 We praise you, LORD, for your great strength! We will sing and praise your power.

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.

Crown us, O God, but with humility, and robe us with compassion, that, as you call us into the kingdom of your Son, we may strive to overcome all evil by the power of good and so walk gently on earth with you, our God, for ever. Amen.

NT READING (News International Reader Version)

31 What should we say then? Since God is on our side, who can be against us? 32 God did not spare his own Son. He gave him up for us all. Then won’t he also freely give us everything else? 33 Who can bring any charge against God’s chosen ones? God makes us right with himself. 34 Then who can sentence us to death? No one. Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also praying for us. He died. More than that, he was raised to life. (Romans 8. 31 -34)

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)

For all who are struggling with broken relationships.

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

(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 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: ‘Holy Spirit, truth divine’ Modern Song: ‘Holy Spirit, living breath of God’

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