Service Sheet for today.

St Alban’s Church

Yarrabah

Sunday 22nd March 2020

The Eucharist

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Mothering Sunday

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Hymn Stand

Invocation

In the name of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord be with you. All And also with you.

Sentence of Scripture

As a mother comforts a child so will I comfort you, says the Lord. Isaiah 66.13

INTRODUCTION

For many years the Fourth Sunday in Lent has been observed as Mothering Sunday. The tradition arose from a sentence in St Paul's Letter to the Galatians, in it St Paul writes of "Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all". So, on this day we give thanks to God who gives us New Birth, and for the Church which, like a mother, nurtures us in the life of the Spirit. We also give thanks for our own human mothers, and for all the qualities of mothering, given and received in this congregation.

We pray together

Father of glory, holy and eternal,

look upon us now in power and mercy.

May your strength overcome our weakness,

your radiance transform our blindness,

and your Spirit draw us to that love

shown and offered to us by your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

This version of the Kyries is said

Lord, have mercy,

Christ, have mercy,

Lord, have mercy.

INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled and wandered far off.

A period of Silence

Heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought, word and deed, and have failed to do what we ought to have done.

We are sorry and truly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past and lead us in his way

to walk as children of light. Amen.

The priest pronounces this absolution

Almighty God,

who has promised forgiveness to all

who turn to him in faith:

Pardon you and set you free from all your sins,

Strengthen you in all goodness

and keep you in eternal life,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest standing says the collect for the day

God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in our joys and in our sorrows we may know your presence to bind together and to heal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Sit

The Old Testament Reading or as appointed.

At the conclusion of the reading the reader says,

This is the word of the Lord,

All Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

The New Testament Reading ( other than the Gospels ). At the conclusion of the reading the reader says,

This is the word of the Lord,

All Thanks be to God.

Hymn Stand

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to . . . (chapter. . . verse. . .)

All Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ

At the conclusion of the reading the reader says

This is the Gospel of the Lord,

All Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

The Sermon Sit

A period of reflection

Let us together affirm the faith of the Church: Stand

We believe in one God,

the Father, the almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit

and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified

under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge

the living and the dead

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,

the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son

is worshipped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the

forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen

Let us pray for the world and the church Sit

As we gather together in the presence of our parent God,

let us pray.

Loving Father, we pray

for all who are persecuted for their faith,

and for whom following you brings danger.

We pray for those who are new to faith

and those who no longer walk with you.

We thank you for the example of those

whose faith shines out in their lives.

Silence

We are all your children:

All help us grow in love.

Loving Father, we pray

for those who are forced to leave their homes,

their families or their countries.

We pray for those who, through war and famine

must watch their children die.

We pray for your peace and comfort.

Silence

We are all your children:

All help us grow in love.

Loving Father, we pray

for all the mothering that goes on

in this community and in our school

we pray for those who crave tenderness

and are weary of the struggle to be strong.

Silence

We are all your children:

All help us grow in love

Loving Father,

we pray for all new parents and their babies,

and all giving birth today.

We pray for all who are vulnerable,

that they may be protected from harm.

Silence

We are all your children:

All help us grow in love

Loving Father, there are those here

whose mothers have died,

and are still remembered with great affection.

We pray for those mothers and grandmothers now

rejoicing in all they gave,

and commending them to your protection for ever.

Silence

We are all your children:

All help us grow in love

Loving Father, we give you thanks

for the comfort you provide in all our troubles,

and for the richness of all our relationships.

Merciful Father,

All accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE SACRAMENT

Stand

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

We are the body of Christ.

All His Spirit is with us.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

All And also with you.

Greeting Of Peace

Hymn

( Collection) Stand

The Preparation of the Gifts

All Blessed be God for ever.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.

All And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, faithful God, always and everywhere, for with your only begotten Son and life giving Spirit, you are the one true God from everlasting to everlasting.

At the dawn of time you wrought from nothing a universe of beauty and splendour, bringing light from darkness and order from chaos.

You formed us, male and female, in your image, and endowed us with creative power.

We turned away from you but you did not abandon us. You called us by name and searched us out, making a covenant of mercy, giving the law, and teaching justice by the prophets.

And now we give you thanks because in his earthly childhood you entrusted him to the care of a human family. In Mary and Joseph you give us an example of love and devotion to him, and also a pattern of family life.

And so we praise you, joining with your faithful people of every time and place, singing the eternal song:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he

who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

When the fullness of time was come,

you sent your Son to be born of Mary.

Bright image of your glory,

he learnt obedience to you in all things,

even to death on a cross,

breaking the power of evil,

freeing us from sin, and putting death to flight.

You raised him from death,

exalting him to glory,

and the new day dawned.

On the night he was betrayed

your Son Jesus Christ shared food with his friends,

his companions on the way.

While at table he took bread,

blessed, and broke it,

and giving it to them, said:

'Take, eat; this is my body.'

He took a cup of wine,

and, giving thanks, he gave it to them, and said,

'This is my blood of the covenant,

which is poured out for many.

Do this in remembrance of me.'

(Let us proclaim the mystery of faith :)

All Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Therefore, living God, as we obey his command,

we remember his life of obedience to you,

his suffering and death,

his resurrection and exaltation,

and his promise to be with us for ever.

With this bread and this cup

we celebrate his saving death until he comes.

Accept, we pray, our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,

and send your Holy Spirit upon us and our celebration

that all who eat and drink at this table

may be strengthened by Christ's body and blood

to serve you in the world.

As one body and one holy people,

may we proclaim the everlasting gospel

of Jesus Christ our Lord,

through whom, with whom, and in whom,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory is yours, eternal God, now and for ever.

All Blessing, honour, glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen.

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray.

All 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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

As this broken bread was once many grains, which have been gathered together and made one bread:

All so may your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.

All Lord Jesus Christ,

you draw and welcome us,

emptied of pride and hungry for your grace,

to this your kingdom’s feast.

Nowhere can we find the food

for which our souls cry out,

but here, Lord, at your table.

Invigorate and nourish us, good Lord,

that in this sacrament of your body and blood

your love may meet us

and your life complete us

in the power and glory of your kingdom.

Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.

All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,

but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

All Jesus, Lamb of God;

have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins:

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world:

Lord grant us your peace.

The Priest says

[The gifts of God for the people of God.]

Come let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is then distributed.

A period of reflection.

Communion Hymns.

THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Let us pray Sit

Father of all, you gathered us here around the table of your Son; we have shared this meal with saints and the whole fellowship of the household of God. In that new world where the fullness of your peace will be revealed, gather people of every race, language and way of life to share in the one eternal banquet of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Most loving God,

All you send us into the world you love.

Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage in the power of your spirit.

May the Lord who brought us to birth by his Spirit, strengthen us for the Christian life. Amen.

May the Lord who provides for all our needs sustain us day by day. Amen.

May the Lord whose steadfast love is constant as a mother's care, send us out to live and work for others. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty. the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

Notices and Announcements

Hymn

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:

All In the name of Christ. Amen

A prayer to say to yourself before leaving Church

Father of light and goodness, You enlighten all whom come into the world. Fill our hearts with the light of Your gospel, that our thoughts may please You, and our love be genuine. Amen

Please take this booklet home with you