COMMON WORSHIP - MORNING PRAYER

The following is prepared for your daily use until such time as Services are resumed 

You may wish to light a candle and have some reflective music in the background.

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.
God is close to those who trust in him.

Nahum 1.7

Opening Sentences
O Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.

Pause for reflection as you offer the day to God.

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.

Bible Reading
You may say Psalm 23 or another psalm such as Psalms 16 or 139.

Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; ♦︎
therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures ♦︎
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He shall refresh my soul ♦︎
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; ♦︎
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me; ♦︎
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life, ♦︎
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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. 

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CHILD FRIENDLY WORSHIP FOR PALM SUNDAY

Please do join with the rest of our church in praying at home at 10am on Sundays.

Notes
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem but also sets the scene for the events of the Passion to come later this week. Today is an occasion of solemn joy.

You may wish to prepare for Sunday Morning Prayer by lighting a candle, and you might also wish to have some wine and bread to hand (though this is optional). If you would rather use a different drink, given the present circumstances, I don’t suppose God will mind!

You might find it helpful at key points in our worship (especially as we are not meeting together) to cross yourself, to remind yourself of God’s presence with us. To do this, hold your thumb and first two fingertips together (forming a triangle shape of the trinity), then first touch your forehead, then your belt buckle, then your left shoulder, and then your right. The points of the service where one might cross oneself are marked with a “+”. 

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PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP AT HOME

Please do join with the rest of our church in praying at home at 10am on Sundays.

Notes
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem but also sets the scene for the events of the Passion to come later this week. Today is an occasion of solemn joy.

You may wish to prepare for Sunday Morning Prayer by lighting a candle, and you might also wish to have some wine and bread to hand (though this is optional). If you would rather use a different drink, given the present circumstances, I don’t suppose God will mind!

You might find it helpful at key points in our worship (especially as we are not meeting together) to cross yourself, to remind yourself of God’s presence with us. To do this, hold your thumb and first two fingertips together (forming a triangle shape of the trinity), then first touch your forehead, then your belt buckle, then your left shoulder, and then your right. The points of the service where one might cross oneself are marked with a “+”. 

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PRAYER RESOURCES

The following prayer is suggested for your use whilst the present crisis continues:

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

This prayer and others can be found on the Church of England website

A message to the people of the Diocese of Gloucester from Bishop Rachel regarding COVID-19

6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification .. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from .. the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first … But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory

The wedding at Cana: John 2:1-11

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