February 25, 2018 - Lent 2

The Gathering of the Community

A Penitential Order

All stand. The celebrant greets the community.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,

be with you all.

            And also with you.

Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

            His mercy endures for ever.

Almighty God,

to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession and Absolution

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted. Let us confess our sins remembering before God the times when we have fallen from temptation into sin.

Silence is kept.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

The celebrant stands and says,

Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: Forever

The Collect of the Day

Almighty God, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross, give us faith to perceive his glory, that being strengthened by his grace we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Psalm 22:22-30

Romans 4:13-25

Hymn: The Wonderful Cross

The Holy Gospel; Mark 8:31-38

Sermon

An Affirmation of Faith

Let us declare our faith

in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; afterwards he appeared to his followers, and to all the apostles: this we have received, and this we believe. Amen.

cf 1 Corinthians 15.3-7

The Prayers of the Community

We pray to the Lord for courage to give up other things and to give ourselves to him this Lent.

Give your Church the courage to give up her preoccupation with herself and to give more time to your mission in the world.

[The Cycle of Prayer]

May the blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus bring forgiveness to your people and help us to face the cost of proclaiming salvation. Lord, meet us in the silence,

     give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give your world the courage to give up war, bitterness and hatred, and to seek peace.

[We pray for …]

May the shoulders of the risen Jesus, once scourged by soldiers, bear the burden of political and military conflict in our world. Lord, meet us in the silence,

     give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to give up quarrels, strife and jealousy in our families, neighbourhoods and communities.

[We pray for …]

May the presence of the risen Jesus, his body once broken and now made whole, bring peace and direction as we live with one another. Lord, meet us in the silence,

     give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to give up our selfishness as we live for others, and to give time, care and comfort to the sick.

[We pray for …]

May the wounded hands of Jesus bring his healing touch, and the light of his presence fill their rooms. Lord, meet us in the silence,

     give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to give up our fear of death and to rejoice with those who have died in faith.

[Especially we hold … in our minds.]

May the feet of the risen Lord Jesus, once nailed to the cross, walk alongside the dying and bereaved in their agony, and walk with us and all your Church through death to the gate of glory. Lord, meet us in the silence,

     give us strength and hear our prayer,

     here and in eternity. Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist

Hymn: This Is the Day (P85)

The Prayer over the Gifts

God of wisdom, may the light of the eternal Word, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, guide us to your glory. We ask this in his name. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving

See the Book of Alternative Services at 10:00 a.m.,

and the Book of Common Prayer at 8:00 a.m.

The responses will be said.

The Lord’s Prayer (said)

The Breaking of the Bread (Lent and Holy Week)

We break this bread,

Communion in Christ’s body once broken.

Let your Church be the wheat

which bears its fruit in dying.

If we have died with him,

we shall live with him;

if we hold firm,

we shall reign with him.

Lamb of God

Hymns-during-communion at 10:00 a.m.

- Amazing Grace (Chains)

- 61: As We Gather At Your Table

- Jesus, You Are Changing Me (P120)

The Sending Forth of the Community

Hymn 179: Tree of Life (V 2, 6c )

The Prayer after Communion

Creator of heaven and earth, we thank you for these holy mysteries, which bring us now a share in the life to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A doxology

Faithful God,

may we who share this banquet
glory in the cross

of our Lord Jesus Christ,
our salvation, life and hope,
who reigns as Lord

now and for ever. Amen.

Blessing

May the God of mercy transform you by his grace, and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Hymn: There Is Joy in the Lord

The Scattering (Mark 4:20)

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.