This week's Order of Service
Morning service for 23 January 2022, 10.30 am including Church Meeting led by Revd Mike Perrott
Opening prayer (we pray together):
Just as we are, Lord, we gather in your presence. Help us to be the body of Christ in this place; to stand together with our neighbours; to bring the good news to the poor; to help set the oppressed free. In your strength and in your name, we pray.
Hymn: This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made
(during which the Bible, the prayer book and the Offertory are brought forward)
Prayers & Offertory Prayer including:
Lord of the Church, we recognise that you have given each one of us a part to play in your body. We thank you that you believe in us and have a vision for your Church. Strengthen us where we are weak, guard us where we are strong, give us humility where we are proud, and in your patient love continue to call us to serve you. Give us grace to grow in faith that we might step into new situations with joy. Give us courage to use our gifts that others may hear the good news of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We pray the Lord’s Prayer together
We share the Grace
New Testament reading:1 Corinthians 12.12-31a
Music item by Kirsty
Reflection summary
In today’s reading we have a strong and human picture of the ideal church as Paul sees it, parts of a body all working together in Christ, all equally valuable, all interdependent, all relying on God and all one in the Spirit. How does this image inform our thinking and discussion during Church Meeting on future allocation of ministers and our vision for the future?
Hymn: The church is wherever God’s people are praising
Intercessions including (response in bold):
We thank you, loving God, that in one Spirit you have baptised us all into one body, that of your Son. We pray for all who are members of the body of Christ and seek to serve you here and, during this week of Prayer for Christian unity, the world over.
For those who feel insignificant and lack confidence, yet are willing to serve where you call, loving God, we thank you: give them your strength, we pray.
For those who seek to make a difference in the community, caring for people in need, loving God, we thank you: give them your strength.
For those who work in schools and colleges, staff, pupils and students seeking to witness to your way of love, loving God, we thank you: give them your strength, we pray.
For all who give time and energy to provide for the needs of your church in this place in so many ways, who lead activities in person or virtually; for our acts of worship, for all who care for the practical needs of the church and the proclamation of the good news in our community, loving God, we thank you: give them your strength, we pray.
For all those who have responded to your call with courage and obedience, especially in places where Christians are persecuted, loving God, we thank you: give them your strength, we pray.
Creator God, we ask you to set your children free from all that holds us back that we may truly be one body, strong in love and purpose to show Christ's reconciling love to all people everywhere.
Silent prayer for the world, the church and for those known to us we are concerned about and with whom we celebrate .
Church meeting
Hymn: The church of Christ in every age (sung to Herongate)
Closing Prayer: We pray together:
God, you call us to be the body of Christ in this place. Side by side, hand in hand, help us to stand together, to stand with our neighbours, to break free from all that holds us back from making the world as you want it to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen
The Blessing