OPENING DOXOOGIES
(1) Every blessing: Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Eph 1:3-4)
(2) Adoption and grace: Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for in love he predestined us for
adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to
the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
(Eph 1:5-6)
(3) Redemption and the cross: Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for in him we have redemption through
his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his
grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known]
to us the mystery of his will. (Eph 1:7-9)
(4) The gospel and the Spirit: Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for in him, when we heard the word of
truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the
promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until
we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:13-14)
(5)
Resurrection: Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy,
he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled,
and unfading, kept in heaven for us, who by God's power are being guarded
through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
(6) Salvation: Though you have not seen him, you
love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with
joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your
faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
(7) Messiah and prophets: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has
visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in
the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets
from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all
who hate us. (Lk 1:68-71)
(8) Covenant and Abraham: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has shown
his mercy promised to our fathers and remembered his holy covenant, the oath
that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from
the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and
righteousness before him all our days. (Lk 1:72-75)
(9) Salvation and death: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has
granted the knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their
sins, because of his tender mercy, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on
high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to
guide our feet into the way of peace. (Lk 1:77-79)
(10) Mighty God: Our souls
magnify you O Lord, our spirits rejoice in you our God and Saviour, for you are
mighty and have done great things for us. Holy is his name. (Lk 1:46, 49)
(11) Mercy to families: Our souls
magnify you O Lord, our spirits rejoice in you our God and Saviour, for your
mercy is for those who fear you from generation to generation. (Lk 1:50)
(12) The proud and humble: Our souls
magnify you O Lord, our spirits rejoice in you our God and Saviour, for you
have shown strength with your arm; you have scattered the proud in the thoughts
of their hearts; you have brought down the mighty from their thrones and
exalted those of humble estate; you have filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich you have sent away empty. (Lk 1:51-53)
(13) Israel and Abraham: Our souls
magnify you O Lord, our spirits rejoice in you our God and Saviour, for you
have helped your servant Israel, in remembrance of your mercy, as you spoke to
our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. (Lk 1:54-55)
(14) Glory to God: 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. ('Gloria Patri' - said or sung since at least the 6th
century)
REVELATION PRAISE
(1) God: Holy,
holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! (Rev 4:8)
(2) God as creator: Worthy are you our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor
and power, for you brought this day into being, and by your will all things
existed and were created. (Rev 4:11)
(3) Christ’s death: Worthy are you, O Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and
blessing. For by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and
language and people and nation. And you have made us a kingdom and priests to
our God, and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev 5:9-10)
(4) Father and Son: To him who sits on the throne and to
the Lamb, be blessing and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Rev 5:13-14)
(5) Salvation through Father and Son:
Salvation belongs to
our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! And so may blessing and glory
and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to you
forever and ever!
Amen. (Revelation 7:10-12)
(6) Fearing and worshipping God: Great and amazing are your deeds, O
Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will
not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All
nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
(Revelation 15:3-4)
(7) Rejoicing in marriage to Christ: Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give
him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself
ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given
her to wear. (Revelation 19:6-8)
CALLS TO WORSHIP
Smaller
sections can be used, marked out by //
(1) The majesty of God:
Praise the Lord, O my soul; Praise the Lord! O Lord my God, how great you
are; Robed in majesty and splendour. Praise the Lord, O my soul; Praise the
Lord! (from Ps 104)
(2) God as powerful: Sing to
God, O kingdoms of the earth. Sing praise to the Lord! To him who rides the
ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice. // Proclaim the power of
God, whose majesty is over Israel. The God if Israel gives power and strength
to his people. Praise the Lord! (from Ps 68:32-35)
(3) God’s character: Sing to the
Lord a new song play skilfully and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is
right and true and all his work is faithfulness. The Lord loves righteousness and
justice his endless love fills the earth. By the word of the Lord the universe
was formed his breath created the moon and stars. (from Ps 33)
(4) God as Creator: Shout for
joy to the Lord, all the earth; worship the Lord with gladness; come before him
with joyful songs: the Lord is God - it is he who made us and we are his; we
are his people, the sheep of his pasture. // Enter God’s gates with
thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his
holy name; the Lord is good - his love endures for ever, his faithfulness
through all generations. (from Ps 100)
(5) God keeping covenant love: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
sing praises to the Lord. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; proclaim his
mighty power! Praise the Lord! // We stand up and praise you, Lord our God, for
you are from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, exalted
above all honour and praise. // You alone are the Lord. You made all things.
You give life to everything; and all heaven worships you. Because you are
righteous, you never abandon your people; but keep your covenant of love. (from Neh 9v5-8)
(6) God as Creator and
Saviour: Come let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us should aloud to the Rock of
our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with
music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. //
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before our Maker; for he is our
God and we are the flock under his care. (from Ps 95:1-7)
(7)
God as Judge: Let all the peoples praise you, O God; Let the
nations be glad and sing for joy. For you judge the peoples with equity. And
guide the nations upon the earth. (from Ps 67)
(8) God as our help: Our help is in the name of the Lord who made both heaven and
earth. He is our Rock and we shall not be moved. (from Ps 124 and 62)
(9) Praise God for works:
Praise the Lord, you servants of the Lord: Praise his name
and exalt him for ever! His name be praised, now and forever: From the east to
the west praise the name of the Lord! Sing
to the Lord, all the world for the Lord is a mighty God. // Sing a new song to
the Lord for he has done marvellous things. Proclaim his glory among the
nations, and shout for joy to the Lord our King! (from Ps 98)
(10) A chosen people: We are a
chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God: Let
us declare God’s praises, who calls us out of darkness into his marvellous
light! (from 1 Pet 2)
(11)
Drawing near to God in penitence: Draw near to God and he will draw
near to you; wash your hands and purify your heart: let us humble ourselves
before the Lord, That he may lift us up. (from Jam 4)
(12) God’s help and cleansing: Cast your burden upon the Lord: and
he will sustain you. // Create in us clean hearts, O God: and renew a right
spirit within us. Cast us not away from your presence: and take not your Holy
Spirit from us. Give us the joy of your saving help: and sustain us with your
life-giving Spirit. // Blessed be the Lord day by day: the God of our
salvation, who bears our burdens. (from
Ps 51)
(13)
Delighting in God’s word: Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel
of the wicked. His delight is in the law of the LORD on it he meditates day and
night. (from Ps 1)
(14)
Trusting God: The Lord is my strength and my
shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and
with my song I praise him. (Ps 28:7)
(15) Gods’
grace: Sing the
praises of the Lord, you his
faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing
comes in the morning.
(16) God’s
faithfulness: Your steadfast love O LORD never ceases, your mercies never come to an
end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “You LORD are my
portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in you."
You LORD are good to those who wait for you, to
the soul that seeks you. It is good that I should wait quietly for the
salvation of the LORD. (Lam 3:22-26)
(17) God’s
character: O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty and your
faithfulness surrounds you. The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth. Your
hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Righteousness and justice are the
foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. I will acclaim you to others O LORD my God, and walk in the light of your presence.
I will rejoice in your name all day long; and exult in your righteousness. For you are my glory and strength; by your favour I have been exalted. (Psalm 89:8-17)
(18) God’s
love: It is good to
give thanks to you O Lord, and sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your loving-kindness in the morning
and your faithfulness by night. For you, O
Lord, have made me glad by what you have done.
I will sing for joy at the works of your hands.
How great are your works, O Lord!
(Psalm 92:1-5)
(19) Palm Sunday: See your king comes to you, gentle
and riding on a donkey. HOSANNA. BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE
LORD. Blessed is the King of Israel. HOSANNA. PEACE IN HEAVEN AND GLORY IN THE
HIGHEST. (Mat 21v4, Jn 12v12, Lk 19v38)
OPENING PRAYERS
(1) Call and response: Hear O Israel, the LORD is our God,
the LORD alone. Love the LORD your God, with all your heart and soul and mind
and strength. May the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts,
be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, our Rock and our Redeemer. (Deut 6v5, Ps
19v14).
(2) Opening general prayer: Lord God, we
are here to worship you. Let your love guide us, and your faithfulness lead us.
We come to ask for your forgiveness, to hear your word, to gather round your
table, and to bring you thanksgiving: Receive the praise of your people. Amen (from Ps 26)
(3) Opening prayer of
praise: Praise the Lord, for the heavens declare his glory. Praise the Lord, for
his law revives our souls. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of
our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, our rock and our redeemer. (from
Ps 19)
(4) Opening prayer for
cleansing: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may more perfectly love
you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. (from BCP )
TRUSTWORTHY SAYINGS
(1) Death: …the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in
victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your
sting?” (1 Cor 15v54-55)
(2) Salvation from sin: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full
acceptance…“that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim
1v15)
(3) Leadership: This saying is trustworthy…“If anyone aspires to the office
of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Tim 3v1)
(4) Service: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full
acceptance…“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on
the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who
believe.” (1 Tim 4v9-10)
(5) Endurance and persecution: “The saying is trustworthy… “If we
have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also
reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he
remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Tim 2:11-13)
(6) Sin and salvation: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived
and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and
envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God
our Saviour appeared, he saved us not because of the righteous things we had
done, but because of his mercy. He saved us by the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus
Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might
become heirs having the hope of eternal
life.’ ...This is a trustworthy saying. On these things we insist. (Titus
3v3-8)
INTRODUCING CONFESSION
(1) The
Ten Commandments.
Hear the
commandments
which God has given to his people,
and examine your hearts.
I am the
Lord your God:
You shall
have no other gods but me.
You shall
not make for yourself any idol.
You shall
not dishonour
the name of the Lord your God.
Remember the
Sabbath and keep it holy,
Honour your
father and mother.
You shall
not commit murder.
You shall
not commit adultery.
You shall
not steal.
You shall
not bear false witness
against your neighbour.
You shall
not covet anything which
belongs to your
neighbour.
(2) The
summary of the law.
Our Lord
Jesus Christ said:
The first
commandment is this:
‘Hear O
Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God
with all you heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength.’
The second
is this:
‘Love your
neighbour as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these. On these two
commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(3) Life
in the Spirit.
Let us hear the call of the apostle Paul, to walk by the
Spirit and so not gratify the desires of the sinful nature: ‘The works of the
flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,
divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these. Those who do such
things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. For those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires.’
(4) The
beatitudes.
Let us hear
the Lord’s blessing
on those who
follow him.
Blessed are
the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
Blessed are
those who mourn,
for they shall be
comforted.
Blessed are
the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be
satisfied.
Blessed are
the merciful,
for they shall obtain
mercy.
Blessed are
the pure in heart,
for they shall see
God.
Blessed are
the peacemakers,
for
they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness'
sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(5) Us
and our children.
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the
Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when
you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
CONFESSIONS
(1) Briefest:
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
('Kyrie Eleison' - said or sung since before the 6th century)
Lord, have mercy.
('Kyrie Eleison' - said or sung since before the 6th century)
(2)
Christ the Lamb:
Lamb of God, who
takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins
of the world,
Grant us your peace.
('Agnus Dei' - said or sung since at least the 7th century)
Grant us your peace.
('Agnus Dei' - said or sung since at least the 7th century)
(3) Standard and
Trinitarian:
Most merciful Father, we confess before your awesome majesty,
that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have sinned against you,
in our thoughts, words and actions;
through negligence, through weakness,
and through our own deliberate fault.
According to your great promises to us in Christ,
forgive us and cleanse us.
And for the sake of your pleasure and glory,
renew us by your Holy Spirit,
that we would hate what is wrong
and love what is right,
living a disciplined, humble and godly life,
rejoicing in you our God. Amen.
(4) For children: Father in heaven, against
you we sin, doing bad with every day;
in what we think, in what we do, and in the things we say. But Jesus took our
punishment. In love he bore our sin. Forgive us, change us, give us joy, as we
belong to him. Amen.
(5)
God’s promise: Almighty
God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised
forgiveness of sins to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true
faith turn to you. So have mercy on us, pardon and deliver us
from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us 4n all
goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (BCP )
(6) Relying on God’s promises:
Hear
our prayers, O Lord; give ear to our pleas for mercy, and forgive us our many
sins. Be faithful to your promises. Answer us in your righteousness. Enter not
into judgment with your servants, for no one living is righteous before you. Make
us know the way we should go, for to you we lift up our souls. Let your good
Spirit lead us on level ground, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Psalm 143v1-2, 8, 10)
(7) Psalm 51
and the heart:
Lord God, we
have sinned against you; we have done evil in your sight. We are sorry and turn
from all our wickedness. Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us. Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Psalm 51)
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us. Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Psalm 51)
(8) From a knowledge of God’s wrath:
Gracious God,
We acknowledge that by nature we were objects of wrath, dead in our
transgressions and sins, following the ways of the world, the flesh and the
devil. Yet in your great love, you have made alive all who believe in Christ
Jesus, seating them in the heavenly realms. And so we seek your mercy again
through faith. Forgive us our many sins and renew us by your Spirit, That we
may display the incomparable riches of your grace, and do the good works you
have created us in Christ to do. Amen. (Ephesians 2v1-10)
(9) From
following the world:
Lord God, You are light. In you is no darkness at all.
Yet we confess
that we have walked in darkness, loving the world, following the cravings of
our sinful nature, the lusts of our eyes, and the boasting of what we have and
do. By the blood of Jesus Christ, forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness, that we may overcome the evil one, walk in your light, and enjoy
fellowship with you our Father, and with Jesus your Son. Amen. (1 John 1-2)
(10) From
breaking law and wandering away:
Almighty God,
we have wandered and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed
too much the desires and schemes of our own hearts. We have offended against
your holy laws. We have left undone those things that we ought to have done; and
we have done those things that we ought not to have done; and there is no
health in us. We desire to hate and forsake all sins by which we ever displease
you; and we resolve by the help of your grace to commit them no more. Have
mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, forgive us all that is
past; according to your promises declared to us all in Christ Jesus our Lord. And
grant, for his sake, that we may live a disciplined, righteous and godly life, to
the glory of your holy name. Amen.
(11) General
and for omission:
Almighty God,
long-suffering and of great goodness:
We confess to you, we confess with our whole heart
our neglect and forgetfulness of your commandments,
our wrong doing, thinking, and speaking; the hurts we have done to others, and the good we have left undone. We desire to hate and forsake all sins by which we ever displease you; and we resolve by the help of your grace to commit them no more. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. (Mark 12:30-31, Micah 6:8)
We confess to you, we confess with our whole heart
our neglect and forgetfulness of your commandments,
our wrong doing, thinking, and speaking; the hurts we have done to others, and the good we have left undone. We desire to hate and forsake all sins by which we ever displease you; and we resolve by the help of your grace to commit them no more. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. (Mark 12:30-31, Micah 6:8)
(12) When
deeply convicted:
Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all people, we
acknowledge and confess the grievous sins and wickedness which we have so often
committed by thought, word and deed against your divine majesty, which should
provoke most justly your wrath and indignation against us.
We earnestly repent, and are deeply sorry for these our wrongdoings; the memory of them weighs us down, the burden of them is too great for us to bear.
Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, for your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that from this time onwards we may serve and please you in newness of life, to the honour and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We earnestly repent, and are deeply sorry for these our wrongdoings; the memory of them weighs us down, the burden of them is too great for us to bear.
Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, for your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that from this time onwards we may serve and please you in newness of life, to the honour and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(13) Aware of total inability:
Lord God, eternal and
almighty Father: We acknowledge before your holy majesty that we are poor
sinners, corrupt from conception, prone to do evil, unable of our own power to
do good. We endlessly break your holy commandments. But, with heartfelt sorrow
we repent and turn away from all our offences. Have compassion on us, most
gracious God. Forgive us our sins, and daily grant us the grace of your Holy
Spirit, producing in us the fruits of holiness that we would be pleasing in
your sight. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (John Calvin)
(14) Extensive:
O most great, most just and gracious
God; your eyes are too pure to behold iniquity; but you have promised mercy
through Jesus Christ to all who repent and believe in him. We therefore confess that we have sinned and come short of your glory.
In our baptism you took us into your covenant in which you promise to be our God and we to be your people. But we have not loved you with all our heart,
soul, mind and strength, neglecting to revere your holy name. We have not
sought first your kingdom and righteousness. We have dealt unjustly and
unlovingly with our neighbours. We have not been content with our daily bread,
being troubled about many things and failing to sit at Christ’s feet. In him, You have
revealed your wonderful love to us and offered us pardon and salvation; but we
have made light of it, resisting your Spirit and word, and not turning at your correction. We have run
into temptation and
tolerated what is evil. The sin that we should have hated, we have committed. And
we pile up our transgressions which testify against us. So have mercy upon us,
most merciful Father! You alone are our
hope. As those who are your children, give us the Spirit of your Son that we
may walk according to your wisdom and ways, and be received into your glory, through Jesus Christ our only
Saviour. Amen. (From the Savoy Liturgy: Based on the
Lord’s Prayer)
AFTER CONFESSION
Each could be followed by: “Therefore, according to God’s word, which stands
forever, if you have sincerely repented, you are forgiven your sin.”
(1) Christ’s promise: Reaffirming the promise of the
gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is what is written, that the Christ
should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and
forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.’ (Luke
24:46-47)
(2) Justice and life: God declares through his prophet Ezekial: ‘When a wicked
person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just
and right, he shall save his life.’ (Ezek 18:27)
(3) Brokenness: Speaking by the Spirit, King David reassures us: ‘The
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you
will not despise.’ (Psalm 51:17)
(4) Intercession: Who will
bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is
the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was
raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Rom
8v33-34)
(5) Propitiation: John reassures us that Jesus stands for us in heaven,
declaring that: ‘If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.’
(6) Deep sorrow: Through his prophet Joel, God calls us to himself, saying:
‘Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is
gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he
relents from sending calamity.’ (Joel 2:13)
(7) Disobeying God’s word: By the Spirit Daniel reminds us of our need to repent,
saying: ‘To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness. For we have rebelled
against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his
laws, which he set before us.’ (Dan 9:9-10)
(8) Returning to Father: Through the Prodigal son Jesus assures us of how we
may receive God’s mercy. The son said: ‘I will arise and go to my father, and I
will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your
hired servants." But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.’ (Luke 15:18-20)
(9) Substitution: God declares through his prophet Isaiah that: ‘Christ was
pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. The
punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are
healed.’ (Is 53:5)
(10) Acceptance of sin: God promises us through the apostle John that: ‘If we
say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
(11) The love of God: John reassures us of our salvation writing: ‘God so loved the
world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should
not perish but have eternal life.’
(12) Christ’s purpose of salvation: Paul reminds us of Jesus’ great
purposes, stating: ‘This saying is true and worthy of full acceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’
(13) Reconciled and free from accusation: Paul reminds us of the results of
Christ’s death: ‘We were alienated from God, hostile in our minds and
evil in our deeds. But now Christ has reconciled us to God, to presented us holy
in his sight, blameless, and free from accusation, if we continue in our faith,
steadfast and firm, not moving from the gospel.’ (1:21-23)
WELL KNOWN PRAYERS
(2) Godliness: O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who have safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in today with your mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, nor run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by your governance, to do always that is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for grace - BCP)
(3) Work: O Lord, our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who sees all who dwell upon earth from your throne: We beseech you most sincerely, that by your favour you will watch over us in our daily work, and so replenish us with the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may always incline to your will, and walk in your way. Endue us plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant that we would live long in health and wealth; strengthen us that we may conquer and overcome all our enemies; and finally after this life attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Adapted from the collect for the Queen - BCP)
(4) After prayer: Almighty God, who has given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and does promise that when two or three are gathered together in your Name you will grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. (John Chysostom – AB of Constantinople, 4th century - BCP)
(5) Peace: O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and also that by you we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. (Evening collect - BCP)
(6) Thanksgiving: Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness to us and all mankind. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory. Give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies that our hearts may be sincerely thankful, so that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. (English Prayer Book, from BCP)
(7) Good works: Stir up, we beseech you, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect for last Sunday before advent - BCP)
(8) Humble reliance: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than either we desire or deserve: pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for 12th Sunday after Trinity – Common Worship CW)
(9) Scripture: Blessed Lord, who has caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. (Collect for 2nd Sunday in advent - BCP)
(10) Godliness: Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now ever. Amen. (Collect for advent - BCP)
(11) Longing: Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen. (Collect for 17th Sunday after Trinity - CW)
(12) Suffering: O GOD, who has taught us that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us; Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, you being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen. (Collect for 4th Sunday after Trinity - BCP)
INTERCESSIONS
LITURGICAL SONGS
CLOSING DOXOLOGIES
CLOSING BLESSINGS
INTERCESSIONS
Biblical priorities:
§
Workers for the harvest field
§
Your own congregation and its leaders
§
Local/nation congregations and their
leaders
§
Government and rulers
§
The persecuted, poor, sick and needy
Other themes:
§
Forgiveness of sins and sacrificial
living
§
For retirees, adults, teens, children
§
Being watchful and ready for Christ’s
return
Post sermon prayer: Should be an extended prayer that
prays the message home with respect to your context and further afield.
LITURGICAL SONGS
(1) The
'Magnificat':
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
(Lk 1:46-55)
(2) The
'Benedictus':
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his
people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his Holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,
to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And [John would] be called the prophet of the Most High; for [he would] go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Lk 1:68-79)
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his Holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,
to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And [John would] be called the prophet of the Most High; for [he would] go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Lk 1:68-79)
(3) The 'Nunc
Dimittis':
Lord, you have granted your servant peace,
according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.
(Lk 2:29-32)
(4) Glory in
the highest
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we praise you,
we bless you,
we worship you,
we bless you,
we worship you,
we glorify you,
we give thanks to you for your great glory.
we give thanks to you for your great glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
('Gloria in Excelsis' - said or sung since at least the 4th century)
('Gloria in Excelsis' - said or sung since at least the 4th century)
CLOSING DOXOLOGIES
(1) God’s
wisdom: O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of
God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who
has known the mind of the Lord? Or who
has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in
return? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the
glory forever. Amen. (Rom 11:33-36)
(2) Strength in
the gospel: Now to God who is
able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus
Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for
long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made
known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to
bring about the obedience of faith-to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory forever! Amen. (Rom
16:25-27)
(3) Redemption
by Christ: Now to the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our
sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God
and Father, to him be the glory forever
and ever. Amen. (Gal 1:3-5)
(4) Answers to
prayer: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to
accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Eph 3:20-21)
(5) Meet our
needs: Now to God who will fully satisfy every need of ours
according to his riches in glory in
Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Phil
4:19-20)
(6) To God: To the
King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever
and ever. Amen. (1 Tim 1:17)
(7) Perseverance
and deliverance: Now to the Lord who will rescue us from every evil attack
and save us for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever.
Amen. (2 Tim 4:18)
(8) Service: To him
who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom,
priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and
ever. Amen. (Rev 1:5-6)
CLOSING BLESSINGS
(1)
Perseverance: May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to
the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thess 3:5)
(2) Peace: Now may
the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be
with all of you. (2 Thess 3:16)
(3) Strength and
peace: May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD
bless his people with peace! (Ps 29:11)
(4) Grace and
peace: May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Pet 1:2)
(5) Grace and
peace: The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face
to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon
you, and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26)
(6) Grace, love,
fellowship: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor 3:14)
(7) Joy, peace
and hope: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom
15:13)
(8)
Understanding: May the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, so
that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your
God. (1 Chron 22:12)
(9)
Encouragement: Now may you Lord Jesus Christ and you O God our Father,
who have loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope, through
your grace, encourage our hearts and establish them in every good deed and
word. Amen. (2 Thess 2:16)
(10) Encouragement and unity: May
the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity
among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth
you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:5)
(11) Godliness: May the
God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept
sound and blameless at the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1
Thess 5:23)
(12)
Perseverance: Now may you O God, who are able to keep us from falling,
present us before the presence of your glory blameless and with great joy. And
to you, the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory,
majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.
(Jude 24-25)
(13) Godliness: Now may
our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may
the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.
And may he so strengthen your hearts in
holiness that you may be blameless before our
God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1
Thess 3:11-13)
(14) God to work
through us: Now may the God of
peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the
sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything
good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in
his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
(Heb 13:20-21)
(15)
Understanding: Now may the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart
enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are
the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the
immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the
working of his great power. (Eph 1:17-19)
(16) Peace: The peace
of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the
knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the
blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among
you, and remain with you always. Amen.
(17) Discernment: May our love
abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you
may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless for the day of
Christ, filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of
God. (Phil 1:9-11)