Worship for Sunday 

14th February 2021

Next Sunday before Lent

Organ Prelude:

 Velkommen igen, Guds engle små - Jazz prelude on church organ played by Mads Granum : Organist at Lindevang Church in Frederiksberg, Denmark  Piano , Keyboard, Church Organ, Composer and Arranger http://madsgranum.dk

Hymn:

Christ Whose Glory fills the skies  by Charles Wesley  to the Tune Ratisbon sung by the Waltham St Lawrence Virtual Voices

We bless your holy name

Prayers of Confession

Together we pray: 

Most merciful God, 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

we confess that we have sinned 

in thought, word and deed. 

We have not loved you with our whole heart. 

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. 

In your mercy 

forgive what we have been, 

help us to amend what we are, 

and direct what we shall be; 

that we may do justly, 

love mercy, 

and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. 

 Almighty God, 

who forgives all who truly repent, 

have mercy upon us, 

pardon and deliver us from all our sins, 

confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, 

and keep us in life eternal; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Lord's Prayer 

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.

The Apostles Creed

we say together 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

The Word of God 

Old Testament:  2 Kings 2, 1-12; 

New Testament:   2 Corinthians 4, 3-6: 

Gospel:   Mark 9, 2-9

Homily for First Sunday before Lent

by John Mothersdale, Lay Reader

Prayer for Church Growth

God of Mission 

Who alone brings growth to your Church,

Send your Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning,

Wisdom to our actions, and power to our witness.

Help our church to grow in numbers, In spiritual commitment to you,

And in service to our local community,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Intercessions (Prayers for Others)

Let us pray for the Church and the World and let us thank God for his goodness, 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,  you promised through Jesus Christ your Son, to hear us, when we pray in faith:

Lord God, we bring before you the nations of the world and their peoples.

Look mercifully on your people in the countries of Myanmar and Russia, as their governments exercise authoritarian control.

Give comfort and aid  to the people of India where a  devastating flash flood in the northern state of Uttarakhand killed at least 32 people and trapped workers in underground tunnels. More than 170 people are still missing. Strengthen the resolve of the rescue workers to  reach those who are trapped in underground tunnels. Comfort those who have lost loved ones

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

Let us remember before God all those who are suffering throughout the world from the effects of the Covid-19 Coronanvirus. May the new administration under  in the United States of America under President Biden get to grips with the pandemic that  has caused so much illness and loss of life.

Lord God, we thank you that through all our efforts, the effects of the pandemic are now declining in our country. However, we pray for those who  even now are in hospital fighting for their lives.

Be with the families and loved ones of those who have died, comfort their sorrow.

Be with all those working in Vaccination centres, whether trained medical staff or volunteers. 

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for those who are close to us in Rastrick and who might be in need of a word of love and hope. In particular we pray for those who are living  or working on Rastrick Common, Sunnydale Avenue, Bowling Alley, Bowling Alley Terrace, and Bowling Alley Court.  We also pray for the children from our schools studying at home, their hard-pressed parents and their teachers.

As they all take a break for the half-term holiday, may they enjoy their freedom from studying and  take the opportunity that more 'playing out' time goes them.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for those in our Care homes in Rastrick or at home. We pray for those  who are lonely, and those who have seen their world collapse during the Corona virus restrictions and who not know which way to turn. Lift their spirits and bless those who are helping them in any way.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for those who are ill and known to us by name................  May your healing grace rest upon them and bring them back to good health.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We remember those who have recently died and are now with you. In particular we remember..

Doris Wild and Margaret Beal. 

We thank you for their service to your church and to Christ over the years and pray that you will comfort their families and friends.  

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

We pray for the Revd Michelle Petch, as she  moves to Rastrick and  takes up her post as our Vicar in a few days time. May her calling prove fruitful  and may she be blessed in all she does in your name.

Lord in Your Mercy - Hear our Prayer

And finally a prayer for ourselves:

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.

 We bring all these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour,

Amen. 

Hymn:

Love Divine.All Loves excelling - Charles Wesley

 Tune-  Blaenwern

sung by Keswick live

Our service ends with the Grace, as we say together:

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and the Love of God, 

and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 

be with us all evermore. Amen. 

Notices:

If you have not seen a copy of our Weekly Newsletter, you can find it on our Newsletter webpage

Organ Postlude

Lad det klinge sødt i sky - Jazz Organ

Mads Granum plays the Danish hymn "Lad det klinge sødt i sky" in his own jazz version December 2011 at Lindevang Kirke, Copenhagen.