Today's service
Whilst regular worship has been cancelled due to the coronavirus, the Benefice is publishing daily services for worshippers to use at home. Services for previous days can be accessed below by clicking on the links.
Monday 30th March
A SERVICE OF PRAYER FOR THE MORNING
We unite as part of the family of God, separated by distance but united in common accord.
Before you pray, you might like to light a candle and use the following words.
Give thanks to the Father, who has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and made us partakers in the inheritance of the saints in light.
We light this candle as a reminder that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. A light no darkness can quench
The candle is lit,
I weave a silence on to my lips
I weave a silence into my mind
I weave a silence within my heart
I close my ears to distractions
I close my eyes to attractions
I close my heart to temptations
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept.
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.
Psalm 30
A reading Hebrews 11:17-31
A reflection
In Hebrews 11 the words ‘by faith’ occur 18 times and it would be easy to be overwhelmed by the great acts of faith of the likes of Abraham and Moses. We could say, ‘oh it was all right for them, they were the great leaders, people of immense faith and obedience’. But we know that the bible tells a story of people who also had failings. They didn’t start of as great men and women of faith. It was cultivated by the discipline of prayer and walking with God.
When asked for a definition of faith one great preacher said, ‘believing God’. Chapter 11 of the letter to the Hebrews is a catalogue of men and women of faith. But it is more than a list of great people and their lives. It is a call to us to be the men and women who in our generation, walk with God by faith wherever we are.
The list of the heroes of the Hebrew faith would have little meaning for many of us were it not for the truth written in Hebrews 13:8, that ’Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever’ And that same Jesus has promised ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you.’ There are times when it might be hard to grasp that truth, but in the days of darkness we hold on to the words of Jesus that we understood in the easier times.
The letter to the Hebrews is one continuous exhortation to Christians to live out the faith in trying times. It is a letter for our times, that we, shaped by relationship with God and our experience of Him at work in our life may know that God is faithful.
Prayers
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that 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.
Prayer for the day
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through 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
Almighty and everlasting God,
we thank you that you have brought us safely
to the beginning of this day.
Keep us from falling into sin
or running into danger,
order us in all our doings
and guide us to do always
what is righteous in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.
Remember those who are ill, who are isolated and lonely
Pray for those who are caring for loved ones, and for those in the medical professionals and carers
Pray for all in national and local government and the voluntary sector who are seeking to support individuals and our communities at this time
For those who have volunteered to support others during this crisis
For those who are close to death
For our homes and families and all whom we love
God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Christian community
We are not people of fear: we are people of courage. We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety. We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity. We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs For as long as it takes wherever you call us.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and for evermore. Amen.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000.
‘I weave a silence’ is from David Adam ‘Edge of Glory’
A SHORT SERVICE OF PRAYER FOR LATER IN THE DAY
We unite as part of the family of God, separated by distance but united in common accord.
Before you pray, you might like to light a candle and use the following words.
Give thanks to the Father, who has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and made us partakers in the inheritance of the saints in light.
We light this candle as a reminder that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. A light no darkness can quench
The candle is lit,
I weave a silence on to my lips
I weave a silence into my mind
I weave a silence within my heart
I close my ears to distractions
I close my eyes to attractions
I close my heart to temptations
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Blessed be you, Father and creator of all things. We thank you for the gift of this day now passing, and we join with all heaven and earth in worship and praise
Glory to the Father who has created us.
Glory to the Son who has redeemed us.
Glory to the Spirit who has empowered us.
Psalm 26
A reading John 11:28-44
Prayers
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that 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.
Prayer for the day
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through 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
A prayer for Lent
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through 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.
Give thanks for those people you have spoken to today, either in person or via email
Remember those who are ill, who are isolated and lonely
Pray for those who are caring for loved ones, and for those in the medical professionals and carers
Remember the leaders of the world as they seek to battle this pandemic
For all who are anxious about their work or lack of it and who face financial issues
For all our emergency services
Some prayers
You might want to use one or more of these prayers
The evening prayer
Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray, and in your mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself, and keep me in your care.
God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
For the Christian community
We are not people of fear: we are people of courage. We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety. We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity. We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs For as long as it takes wherever you call us.
Our Orebeck Benefice Pilgrim’s Prayer
Open our hearts to your love, Father God, as we journey with you;
Renew us each day, as we dwell in your presence.
Encourage us when we feel downtrodden,
Bring us comfort when we are sad.
Enliven us so that we may always be ready to serve You, and
Care for others in the strength of God’s love.
Kindle, we pray, all that works towards the coming of your kingdom. Amen
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and for evermore. Amen.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000.
‘I weave a silence’ is from David Adam ‘Edge of Glory
Previous Daily Services
Click on the links below