22.05.2020
Resources for Sunday 24 May, the Seventh Sunday of Easter
Welcome to this week’s Sunday Resources. Where there are two or more praying together, it is suggested that before commencing you decide on who will lead which parts of the service. Please note that words in bold indicate the responses and refrains at various parts of the service and words otherwise said together as a group. In today’s service, the parts to be allocated are: 1. A person to lead the Gathering of God’s People, the Affirmation of Faith and the Dismissal. 2. A person to read or sing the Psalm, Canticle and Hymns. 3. A person to read the Scriptures. 4. A person to lead the Prayers. Where there are less than four people present, roles may be combined. You can find below the full text of the service.
MORNING PRAYER FOR USE ON SUNDAY – 24 MAY 2020
The SEVENTH Sunday OF EASTER
The Gathering of God’s People
THE GREETING
Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
INTRODUCTION
We have come together
in the name of Christ
to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word,
to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
and to pray for the needs of the world,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.
O Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
Let us worship the Lord.
All praise to his name.
Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord,
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the deep waters of death
you brought your people to new birth
by raising your Son to life in triumph.
Through him dark death has been destroyed
and radiant life is everywhere restored.
As you call us out of darkness into his marvellous light
may our lives reflect his glory
and our lips repeat the endless song:
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Hymn of Praise: CH266 “Hail the day that sees him rise”(vs 1–3)
Listen to and sing along with this hymn at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doY0JoZQ96w
Hail the day that sees him rise, alleluia!
to his throne beyond the skies, alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven. Alleluia!
There for him high triumph waits; alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
He has conquered death and sin; alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!
See! the heaven its Lord receives, alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; alleluia!
though returning to his throne, alleluia!
still he calls us all his own. Alleluia!,
Charles Wesley (1707–88) altd.
v. 2 based on Psalm 24: 7–10
PENITENCE
God our Father, we come to you in sorrow for our sins.
For turning away from you,
and ignoring your will for our lives;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For behaving just as we wish,
without thinking of you;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For failing you by what we do,
and think and say;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For letting ourselves be drawn away from you
by temptations in the world about us;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
For living as if we were ashamed to belong to your Son;
Father, forgive us:
save us and help us.
May the God of love
bring us back to himself,
forgive us our sins,
and assure us of his eternal love
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
Your word is a lantern to my feet
and a light upon our path. cf Psalm 119:105
O Lord, your word is everlasting:
it stands firm for ever in the heavens. cf Psalm 119: 89
Let us then receive the word of the Lord:
so may the light of your presence shine into our hearts.
Proclaiming and Receiving the Word
The reading below may be read, or an audio version listened to at:
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/acts/1/
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
After the reading silence may be kept.
The Psalm: Psalm 68: 1–10, 32–35 (said)
1 Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered; ♦︎ let those that hate him flee before him. 2 As the smoke vanishes, so may they vanish away; ♦︎ as wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; ♦︎ let them make merry with gladness. 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; exalt him who rides on the clouds. ♦︎ The Lord is his name; rejoice before him. 5 Father of the fatherless, defender of widows, ♦︎ God in his holy habitation! 6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners to songs of welcome, ♦︎ but the rebellious inhabit a burning desert.
7 O God, when you went forth before your people, ♦︎ when you marched through the wilderness,
8 The earth shook and the heavens dropped down rain, at the presence of God, the Lord of Sinai, ♦︎ at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You sent down a gracious rain, O God; ♦︎ you refreshed your inheritance when it was weary. 10 Your people came to dwell there; ♦︎ in your goodness, O God, you provide for the poor. 32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; ♦︎ make music in praise of the Lord; 33 He rides on the ancient heaven of heavens ♦︎ and sends forth his voice, a mighty voice. 34 Ascribe power to God, whose splendour is over Israel, ♦︎ whose power is above the clouds. 35 How terrible is God in his holy sanctuary, ♦︎ the God of Israel, who gives power and strength to his people! Blessed be God.
Glory to the Father, and | to the | Son, ♦︎
and | to the | Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be|ginning, is | now, ♦︎
and shall be for | ever. | A|men.
The Second Reading: 1 Peter 4: 12–14; 5: 6–11
The reading below may be read, or an audio version listened to at:
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/1-peter/4/ and
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/1-peter/5/
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
After the reading silence may be kept.
Hymn before the Gospel: CH285“The head that once was crowned with thorns”
Listen to and sing along with this hymn at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g_ryz_A848
The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty victor’s brow.
The highest place that heaven affords
is his, is his by right,
the King of kings, and Lord of lords,
and heaven’s eternal Light:
The joy of all who dwell above,
the joy of all below,
to whom he manifests his love,
and grants his name to know.
To them the cross, with all its shame,
with all its grace, is given;
their name an everlasting name,
their joy the joy of heaven.
They suffer with the Lord below,
they reign with him above,
their profit and their joy to know
the mystery of his love.
The Cross he bore is life and health,
though shame and death to him;
his people’s hope, his people’s wealth,
their everlasting theme.
Thomas Kelly (1769–1854)
based on Revelation 17: 14; 19: 12, 16
The reading below may be read, or an audio version listened to at:
https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/john/17/
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
After the reading silence may be kept.
THE SERMON
Revd Cathy Hallissey has prepared a sermon podcast which you may listen to at:
https://www.dublinandglendaloughsermons.com/sermons/jesus-prayer-for-us-cathy-hallissey
COLLECT OF THE WORD
O God,
whose Son, Jesus, prayed for his disciples,
and sent them into the world
to proclaim the coming of your kingdom:
by your Holy Spirit,
hold the Church in unity,
and keep it faithful to your word,
so that, breaking bread together,
we may be one with Christ in faith and love and service,
now and for ever. Amen.
The Response to God’s Word
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world?
I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed mankind?
I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit who gives life to the people of God?
I believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church.
This is our faith.
we believe and trust in One God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Hymn of Faith: Thanks & Praise 136 “Spirit of holiness, wisdom and faithfulness”(vs. 1 and 2)
Listen to and sing along with this hymn at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-QNMJsks74
Spirit of holiness, wisdom and faithfulness,
wind of the Lord, blowing strongly and free:
strength of our serving and joy of our worshipping –
Spirit of God, bring your fulness to me!
You came to interpret and teach us effectively
all that the Saviour has spoken and done;
to glorify Jesus is all your activity –
promise and gift of the Father and Son:
You came with your gifts to supply all our poverty,
pouring your love on the church in her need;
you came with your fruit for our growth to maturity,
richly refreshing the souls that you feed:
Christopher Idle (b. 1938)
“THY KINGDOM COME” PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. What started in 2016 as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer in the period between the Ascension and Pentecost.
Let us pray.
Through Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lift up our hearts to the heavenly places
and inspire us to serve you as a royal priesthood:
Hear our prayer.
Let all peoples acknowledge your kingdom
and grant on earth the blessing of peace:
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit
and renew your Church with power from on high:
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
May peace abound and righteousness flourish,
that we may vanquish injustice and wrong: R
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Help us to proclaim the good news of salvation,
and grant us the needful gifts of your grace:
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Let us commend the world, for which Christ prays,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
Mercifully give us faith to know
that, as he promised,
he abides with us on earth to the end of time;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
PRAYERS ABOUT THE CURRENT CRISIS
Lord, help us to remember the prayer of St Teresa of Ávila:
“Let nothing disturb you,
nothing frighten you,
all things are passing,
God is unchanging.
Patience gains all;
nothing is lacking to those who have God:
God alone is sufficient.” Amen.
Most Merciful and Triune God,
We come to you in our weakness.
We come to you in our fear.
We come to you with trust.
For you alone are our hope.
We place before you the disease present in our world.
We turn to you in our time of need.
Bring wisdom to doctors.
Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Protect those who are most at risk.
Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
Welcome those who have died into Your Eternal Home.
Stabilize our communities.
Unite us in our compassion.
Remove all fear from our hearts.
Fill us with confidence in your care. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Closing Hymn:CH635 “Be thou my guardian and my guide”
Listen to and sing along with this hymn at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuirBAKHc5g
Be thou my guardian and my guide,
and hear me when I call;
let not my slippery footsteps slide,
and hold me lest I fall.
The world, the flesh, and Satan dwell
around the path I tread;
O save me from the snares of hell,
thou quickener of the dead.
And if I tempted am to sin,
and outward things are strong,
do thou, O Lord, keep watch within,
and save my soul from wrong.
Still let me ever watch and pray,
and feel that I am frail;
that if the tempter cross my way,
then may he not prevail.
Isaac Williams (1802–1865) altd.
based on Psalm 17
Going out as God’s People
A THANKSGIVING
Blessed are you, Holy God,
creator, redeemer and life–giver;
you have spoken the world into being
and filled it with wonder and beauty.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for people of every language and culture
and for the rich variety you give to life.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for Jesus Christ our Saviour,
truly divine and truly human,
living and dying for us,
and going before us into heaven.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Holy God,
for your Spirit, the fire of love burning in our hearts,
bringing us to faith, and calling us to holiness
in the Church and in the world.
For every blessing we have received
we give you thanks and praise.
THE DISMISSAL
Let us say together:
We go into the world
to walk in God’s light,
to rejoice in God’s love
and to reflect God’s glory.
BLESSING
The almighty and merciful Lord,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us.
Amen.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Other Resources are:
1. The text of today’s service may be downloaded here.
2. Due to the current public health situation, Christ Church Cathedral remains closed to the public until further notice. It continues to hold Ireland, our healthcare workers, our leaders, those suffering from coronavirus, and the world in its prayers. Its worship takes place via webcam.
The Sunday Eucharist is at 11.00.
The Dean conducts daily prayer Monday–Friday:
Morning Prayer 10.00
Evening Prayer 17.00
Would you like to send in a prayer? Prayers may be emailed to abigail@christchurch.ie and as many as can be will be included in the daily prayers.
The webcam may be accessed at:
https://christchurchcathedral.ie/worship/video-stream-1/
4. Canon Patrick Comerford has produced a blog commenting on the Sunday readings which may be found at:
https://cmelimerick. blogspot.com/2020/05/readings–hymns–and–sermon–ideas–for_18.html
5. Fr Kieran O’Mahony, a former ecumenical Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin also produces a weekly written commentary and an audio of his notes. These may be found at:
https://www.tarsus.ie/resources/000-PDFs/Easter-7A20-Sunday.pdf and
https://soundcloud.com/user-679942596/easter-7a20-sunday
6. At 11.10am on RTE1 there is a Service of Worship for Aldersgate Sunday, when Methodists remember the conversion experience of John Wesley. The Service is led by the Rev Dr Julian Hamilton, Trinity College Dublin.
RTE News Now will have a Service of Sunday Worship at 2pm with details to follow.