WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER WELCOME TO YOUR CHURCH Together

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

WELCOME TO OUR WEDNESDAY 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: ‘O worship the King, all glorious above’ Modern Song: ‘Victory belongs to Jesus’

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 46

God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; 3 even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.

4 There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, to the sacred house of the Most High. 5 God is in that city, and it will never be destroyed; at early dawn he will come to its aid. 6 Nations are terrified, kingdoms are shaken; God thunders, and the earth dissolves.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. 8 Come and see what the LORD has done. See what amazing things he has done on earth. 9 He stops wars all over the world; he breaks bows, destroys spears, and sets shields on fire.

10 “Stop fighting, ” he says, “and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme over the world. ” 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

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.

God of Jacob, when the earth shakes and the nations are in uproar, speak, and let the storm be still; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

NT READING (News International Reader Version)

12 Brothers and sisters, we have a duty. Our duty is not to live under the power of sin. 13 If you live under the power of sin, you will die. But by the Spirit’s power you can put to death the sins you commit. Then you will live. 14 Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 The Spirit you received doesn’t make you slaves. Otherwise you would live in fear again. Instead, the Holy Spirit you received made you God’s adopted child. (Romans 8. 12 -15)

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 the Spirit fills us with peace, and keep us confident of God’s love wherever he calls us.

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer: Pray for your 5 that they would know that they never have to face anything alone, but that in their need they would call on God for help.

(We offer ourselves to the Lord)

All Risen Christ, you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven: help us to seek to serve you, that we may join you at the Father’s side, where you reign with the Spirit in glory, now and for ever. 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: ‘Holy Spirit, descend on us’ Modern Song: ‘Breathe on me (Larson)’

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