Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others
Leader: God of justice, mercy & truth, we gather in your presence, aware of it in your creation,
All: Remind us of your constant love & power to change & challenge our lives.
Leader: God of justice, mercy & truth, we gather in your
presence, we are aware of injustice & imbalance in our world,
All: Stir us to work for greater justice & balance.
Leader: God of justice, mercy & truth, we gather in your presence, aware that in our own lives – individual & in
community with others – we fall short too often, often we are out of kilter.
All: Give us, Lord, a new heart; recreate your spirit within us.
We will listen to ‘Give us, Lord, a new heart’ from ‘Restless is the Heart’ CD – please join in the refrain if you wish.
(Refrain) Give us. Lord, a new heart;
Recreate your spirit within us.
I will cleanse you in living waters,
I will wash away your sin.
I will put a new spirit in you, & you shall live, shall live.
(Refrain)
I will implant my law deep within you,
I will write it on your hearts,
I will be your God & you shall be my people. (Refrain)
For all your faults, I will grant forgiveness,
Nevermore will I remember your sins. (Refrain)
Please say the psalm as indicated.
All: Those who were sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
Side 1: When God takes us home from our exile, we shall
wake from our nightmare & live again. Bars of iron
will be shattered: we shall walk free from gulag &
ghetto, from dungeon & tower.
All: Home at last, contented & grateful.
Side 2: We shall sing & laugh for joy, echoed by birdsong &
breeze of the spring. The land itself will rejoice in
God, the whole world will give praise for the
wonders we have seen.
All: Home at last, contented & grateful.
Side1: Lead us home, renew our hope, bring us to life, like
impossible rivers in the cursed & barren desert.
We go on our way sadly, with tears sowing seeds
that will die, we shall return with joy, with gladness
bearing our sheaves.
All: Home at last, contented & grateful.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to
the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now
and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
All: Those who were sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
We will listen to a sung version of psalm 126 (127), (Talbot ‘Hiding Place’ Tr 4.)
Unless the Lord build the house, in vain do the labourers build.
Unless the Lord guard our city in the night
In vain does the watchman keep vigil.(Refrain)
Come to Him, a living stone, rejected by men,
But approved, nonetheless, and precious in God’s sight.
Your cornerstone is Jesus. (Refrain)
You too are living stones built as a temple of the Spirit.
With apostles and prophets as the sure foundation
With Jesus as the cornerstone.(Refrain)
If you build your house on the sand,
The rainstorms can wash you away.
If you build your house solid on the rock,
Your house will stand forever.
Unless the Lord build the house in vain do the labourers build.
Reading (Deut.4.) followed by time for personal reflection.
Pay attention: I’m teaching you the rules and regulations that God commanded me, so that you may live by them in the land you are entering to take up ownership. Keep them. Practice them. You’ll become wise and understanding. When people hear and see what’s going on, they’ll say, “What a great nation! So wise, so understanding! We’ve never seen anything like it.”
Yes. What other great nation has gods that are intimate with them the way God, our God, is with us, always ready to listen to us? And what other great nation has rules and regulations as good and fair as this that I’m setting before you today?
Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget anything of what you’ve seen. Don’t let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren.
Please sing the Magnificat & antiphon as indicated.
Cantors: The person who keeps the commandments of God & teaches them to others
Will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven.
Side 1: My being proclaims your greatness,
And my spirit finds joy in you, God my Saviour;
Side 2: For you have looked upon me, your servant, in my lowliness:
All ages to come shall call me blessed.
Side 1: God, you who are mighty, have done great things for me:
Holy is your name.
Side 2: Your mercy is from age to age
Towards those who fear you.
Side 1: You have shown might with your arm,
And confused the proud in their inmost thoughts.
Side 2: You have deposed the mighty from their thrones,
And raised the lowly to high places.
Side 1: The hungry you have given every good thing,
While the rich you have sent away empty.
Side 2: You have upheld Israel, your servant,
Ever mindful of your mercy-
Side 1: Even as you promised our ancestors,
Promised Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants for ever.
All: Give praise to the Father Almighty,
To his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
To the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,
Both now and for ever, Amen.
All: The person who keeps the commandments of God
& teaches them to others
Will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven.
Intercessions:
Reader: O Lord, you are our God – may we constantly remember this & not let other things get in the way, … silence …… in praise,
All: We claim you as our God & Creator.
Reader: Come to those who are sick, weak, lonely, … silence …in praise
All: We claim you as our God & Creator.
Reader: Help us as we try to live in the spirit of Lent, …… silence …..in praise,
All: We claim you as our God & Creator.
Reader: There is much violence in your world. Help us bring your spirit of peace. ……… silence ………… in praise,
All: We claim you as our God & Creator.
Reader: We pray for people who have died today and for those who will die tonight.
We also remember those whose anniversaries occur tomorrow, especially:
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father….
Leader: Schooled by our lenten observance, Lord, & nourished on your word, may we give you whole-hearted service through denying ourselves & giving ourselves to others, & through our prayer become one in heart & mind with you. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
We will conclude Evening Prayer with a sung blessing –
(Fire of Love tr.6.)
May the Lord bless you
May the Lord protect you and guide you,
May his strength uphold you, his light shine upon you,
His peace surround you, his love enfold you.
May the Lord bless you, the Lord bless you, the Lord bless you.