Worship Resources 17th May 2020
Lectionary readings
Psalm 66:8-20; John 14:15-21
Hymns and Songs
Baptist Hymn Book 63 O Worship the King
BHB 574 Go tell everyone
BHB 306 Christ Triumphant
Call to Worship
Make a joyful noise to God all the earth,
Sing out the praises of God.
Come all you people and know the joy of the Lord,
The love of God is greater than the tongue can tell!
Bless the Lord all you people, bless his Holy Name!
We praise, and worship, and honour, and glorify Your name O Lord!
— from Lectionary Sermons Archives
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, Creator of all that is, In you we live and move and have our being.
You have placed us on earth and sustained our being through the produce of the land and the cleanness of the air we breathe.
You have made us for each other to tend and care for the weak and ensure a just sharing of the earth’s resources.
But we are part of a proud and hard-hearted people who hoard what the earth provides and seem loathe to share the fruits of our labours, who live for today, with little thought for tomorrow, who are afraid to let pain and suffering affect us.
Incarnate God, you know us fully. In your grace you offer us forgiveness even before we have the chance to articulate our sorrow. You embrace us in all our sinfulness and in doing so give us the chance to start again to learn from the example you have given us in Jesus, who chose the way of the Cross that all might know the depth of your love for all you have made.
Spirit of God open our hearts and minds that we may grasp your forgiveness, and forgiven seek to forgive others and to live a life of reconciling love modelled on the example of Jesus Christ who taught us all to pray
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.
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.
~ adapted from the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday from the Very Rev. Dr. Sheilagh Kesting.
Prayers for others
Mindful of the scripture we have just read and that we have a heavenly Father who never forsakes us we pray today for children and their families. Because children are always especially vulnerable in times of crisis.
We pray for children exposed to the coronavirus and pray for their health and protection!
We pray that Children will not go hungry. For those in the poorest counties of the world. For those we support through Global interaction and Baptist World Aid. We pray for an alleviation to the threat of hunger especially for vulnerable families who have lost what little income they had due to lockdown. May children receive the nourishment they need.
We pray for Children’s safety. That you O God would protect children who are not safe in their homes, who experience violence and abuse at the hands of someone in the household. Shield and protect the most vulnerable children.
We pray for children with other vulnerabilities. For children in refugee camps, children living with disability and chronic illness, and those in child marriages or exploitation. Enable them to receive the care they need.
And as we seek to support the education of two children we know and care for, Daniel and Grace , we pray for children’s education everywhere. Pray that children continue learning, even when not at school. Keep children and teachers safe during this coronavirus pandemic. Especially be with those families living in poverty who are not set up for remote learning.
We thank you O God you love all children and don’t forsake them. And as we pray we ask use us as advocates for their needs and that our prayers and support make a difference to children everywhere
Amen.
Benediction
Listen to the promise Jesus makes:
I will never abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
Even though the world will not be able to see me,
I will never vanish from your sight.
And since I live, you will also live.
Go from here in the knowledge
that you do not go alone:
the power and presence of God goes with you.
Praise be to God!