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Service Sheet

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17th of March – Lent 5 – Click here to download a pdf copy

Welcome to St. Alban’s

17th of March – Lent 5

Before the children leave for Children’s Church we pray together….

 

Dear God, this church is a family.

Help us to learn together, to worship together,

to share together and to pray together.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

OPENING HYMN Caroline Maria Noel (1817-1877)

At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,

every tongue confess him King of glory now:

’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,

who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

 

2  At his voice creation sprang at once to sight,

all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,

thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,

all the heavenly orders, in their great array.

 

3  Humbled for a season, to receive a name

from the lips of sinners unto whom he came,

faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,

brought it back victorious, when from death he passed.

 

4  In your hearts enthrone him; There let him subdue

All that is not holy, All that is not true;

Crown him as your captain, In temptation’s hour

Let his will enfold you in its light and power.

 

5  Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again,

with his Father’s glory, with his angel train;

for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,

and our hearts confess him King of glory now.

We are gathered together as one body

† In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

The Lord be with you.  

And also with you.

 

CONFESSION

 

God our Father, we come to you in sorrow for our sins.

 

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,

we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,

in what we have thought,

in what we have said and done,

through ignorance, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

 

We have wounded your love,

and marred your image in us.

We are sorry and ashamed, and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us,

forgive us all that is past;

and lead us out from darkness

to walk as children of light.

Amen.

 

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

†pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Amen.

 

THE COLLECT (The special prayer of the day)

Gracious Father,

you gave up your Son

out of love for the world:

lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,

that we may know eternal peace

through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Please sit

 

READINGS FROM SCRIPTURE

 

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31.31–34

New Testament: Hebrews 5.5–10

 

After each reading: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

GRADUAL HYMN Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

 

1  When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of Glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

 

2  Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

save in the death of Christ my God:

all the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

 

3  See from is head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down:

did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown?

 

4  Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were an offering far too small;

love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all!

 

THE GOSPEL

 

We stand for the Gospel reading and sing…

Hear us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have sinned against thee.

 

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

 

John 12.20–33

 

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

 

THE SERMON

 

 

THE NICENE CREED Please stand if you are able

 

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;

he was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

and was made man.

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.

 

 

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

 

RESPONSE: Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

 

At the end of the prayers we say together:

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

THE PEACE 

 

We meet in the name of Christ and we share his peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

 

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

 

OFFERTORY HYMN Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

 

1  And can it be that I should gain

an interest in the Saviour’s blood?

Died he for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be

that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? (repeat)

 

2  ’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies:

who can explore his strange design?

In vain the first-born seraph tries

to sound the depths of love divine!

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,

let angel minds inquire no more. (repeat)

 

3  He left his Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite his grace;

emptied himself of all but love,

and bled for Adam’s helpless race.

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;

for, O my God, it found out me. (repeat)

 

4  Long my imprisoned spirit lay

fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

my chains fell off, my heart was free;

I rose, went forth, and followed thee. (repeat)

 

5  No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in him, is mine!

Alive in him, my living Head,

and clothed in righteousness divine.

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

and claim the crown, through Christ my own. (repeat)

 

THE PREPARATION OF THE TABLE         

 

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made.

It will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God forever.

 

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands.

It will become for us the cup of salvation.

Blessed be God forever.

 

THE EUCHARIST

 

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

 

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise.

 

It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise,

almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus Christ your Son.

For in these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance

that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline

we may grow in grace and learn to be your people once again.

 

Through fasting, prayer and acts of service

you bring us back to your generous heart.

 

Through study of your holy word you open our eyes

to your presence in the world and free our hands

to welcome others into the radiant splendour of your love.

 

As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast

with joyful hearts and minds

we bless you for your mercy and join with saints and angels

for ever praising you and singing:

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.

New People’s Mass, A Gregory Murray © 1975, 1987 McCrimmon Publishing Co Ltd.

 

We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

 

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

Do this in remembrance of me.

 

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again, he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

 

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.

 

Great is the mystery of faith.

Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.

 

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Alban and all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

 

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

As our Saviour taught us so we 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.

 

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ

Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

 

Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

New People’s Mass, A Gregory Murray © 1975, 1987 McCrimmon Publishing Co Ltd

 

Draw near with faith.

Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ

which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you.

Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you,

and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

 

All baptised Christians who receive communion in their own churches are welcome to receive communion. Any member of the congregation may receive a blessing.

 

COMMUNION HYMN Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871)

 

1  Just as I am without one plea

but that thy blood was shed for me,

and that thou bid’st me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come.

 

2  Just as I am, though tossed about

with many a conflict, many a doubt,

fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come.

 

3  Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

sight, riches, healing of the mind,

yea, all I need in thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come.

 

4  Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,

because thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come.

 

5  Just as I am, thy love unknown

has broken every barrier down;

now to be thine, yea, thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come.

 

6  Just as I am, of that free love

the breadth, length, depth and height to prove,

here for a season, then above,

O Lamb of God, I come.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us

that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters

we do also for you:

give us the will to be the servant of others

as you were the servant of all,

and gave up your life and died for us,

but are alive and reign, now and for ever.

Amen.

 

Almighty God,

we thank you for feeding us

with the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through Him we offer you our souls and bodies

to be a living sacrifice.

Send us out in the power of your Spirit

to live and work to your praise and glory.

Amen.

 

 

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

 

The love of the Lord Jesus draw you to himself,

the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen you in his service,

the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts.

And the blessing….

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.

 

CLOSING HYMN  Traditional

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 

1  The light that shines is the light of love –

lights the darkness from above.

It shines on me and it shines on you,

and shows what the power of love can do.

 

I’ll shine my light both far and near,

Shine my light both bright and clear.

Every dark corner in this land

I’m gonna let my little light shine. This little light…

 

2  On Monday, he gave me the gift of love;

Tuesday, peace came from above.

Wednesday told me to have more faith;

Thursday gave me a little more grace.

 

Friday, told me to watch and pray

Saturday, told me just what to say,

on Sunday gave me the power divine

to let my little light shine. This little light…

 Common worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is © The Archbishop’s Council 2000.  Common Worship: Additional Eucharistic Prayers, material from which is reproduced above, is copyright © The Archbishop’s Council 2012. Calamus Licence Number 95 CCL Licence Number 078543

Our Prayer for Vision & Leadership

Lord, we come before you with grateful hearts for the tremendous talent within our church.

We are a body filled with gifts yet we sometimes lose sight of why

we were so richly blessed in the first place.

Forgive us when we fail to heed Your calling in our lives, or as a community.

Despite our forgetful nature, we know you love us dearly and want us to partner with you:

not as servants, but as your children.

Bring us a renewed vision of ourselves from your perspective.

Help us to embrace your love so that we may share it with others.

Guide us as we look to the future

of this Parish of Gossops Green and Bewbush.

Grant us a renewed vision

as we seek you in your word.

Give us dreams that make us come alive because we are doing

what you created us to do.

Let our joy overflow from the vision of the future you give us.

Let us honour you with our work,

with our families and with our lives. Amen