Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Leader: Wherever we travel
All: God is on our track.
Leader: Wherever we settle
All: God is in our midst.
Leader: Whatever is ahead of us
All: God will be there ahead of us.
Leader: God’s angels are amongst us
All: To keep us in all our ways.
Our hymn is ‘I watch the Sunrise’,
(John Glynn. May the Lord Bless You. Tr 1)
I watch the sunrise lighting the sky, casting its shadows near.
And on this morning bright though it be, I feel those shadows near me.
Refrain: But you are always close to me following all my ways.
May I be always close to you following all your ways, Lord.
I watch the sunlight shine through the clouds, warming the earth below.
And at the mid-day, life seems to say: “I feel your presence near me.”
For you are always . . .
I watch the sunset fading away, lighting the clouds with sleep.
And as the evening closes its eyes, I feel your presence near me.
For you are always . . .
I watch the moonlight guarding the night, waiting till morning comes.
The air is silent, earth is at rest – only your peace is near me.
For you are always . . .
Please say the first part of the psalm as indicated after saying the antiphon.
All: Give thanks to the Lord, for his great love is without end.
Side 1: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
give thanks to the God of gods,
All: For his love endures forever.
Side 2: Give thanks to the Lord of Lords, who alone has
wrought marvellous works; whose wisdom it was made the skies,
All: For his love endures forever.
Side 1: Who fixed the earth firmly on the seas; it was he who
made the great lights: the sun to rule in the day, the
moon and stars in the night, for his love endures for ever.
All: For his love endures forever.
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: Give thanks to the Lord, for his great love is without end.
Please sing the 2nd part of the psalm as indicated.
Cantors: Great and wonderful are your works,
Lord God Almighty.
Side 1: The first-born of the Egyptians he smote, for his love endures for ever;
He brought Israel out from their midst, for his love endures for ever.
Side 2: Arm outstretched, with power in his hand, for his love endures for ever;
He divided the Red Sea in two, for his love endures for ever.
Side 1: He made Israel pass through the midst, for his love endures for ever;
He flung Pharaoh and his force in the sea, for his love endures for ever.
Side 2: Through the desert his people he led, for his love endures for ever;
Nations in their greatness he struck, for his love endures for ever.
Side 1: Kings in their splendour he slew, for his love endures for ever;
Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his love endures for ever.
Side 2: And Og the King of Bashan, for his love endures for ever;
He let Israel inherit their land, for his love endures for ever.
Side 1: On his servant their land he bestowed, for his love endures for ever;
He remembered us in our distress, for his love endures for ever.
Side 2: And he snatched us away from our foes, for his love endures for ever;
He gives food to all living things for his love endures for ever.
Side 1: To the God of heaven give thanks,
For his love endures for ever.
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: Great and wonderful are your works,
Lord God Almighty.
Reading (Isaiah 65.) followed by a pause for silent reflection. “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people. And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more. “No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! In those days people will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards.
Please sing the Magnificat as indicated.
Cantors: The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live’;
And he & all his household believed.
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 father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live’;
And he & all his household believed.
Intercessions:
Reader: O God, your invitation to grow is before us very especially during Lent ………. silence …….. we pray,
All: Free us from the need to control; deepen our trust in your desire for our good.
Reader: Nothing is impossible for you ………. silence …….. we pray,
All: Let our desires be your own, then grant our requests.
Reader: Bless those who break under the stresses of life ………. silence …….. we pray,
All: Help us & others to be understanding & compassionate.
Reader: We pray for people who have died today & for those who will die tonight.
We also remember those whose anniversaries of death occur tomorrow, remembering especially:
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any further intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father.
Leader: Lord God, you give the world new life by mysteries that are beyond our grasp. May we respond to your gifts with gratitude & a will to make them work for your kingdom. 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.
Leader: May we be blessed this Lent with awareness of good
friends. May we be good friends to ourselves & to
others. May we be able to journey to that place within
our souls where there is great love, feeling &
forgiveness. May Almighty God bless us – the Father
Son and Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.