A Service of Word and Prayer
Welcome to this digital liturgy. Whether you’re on a phone, or in a web browser, you can easily follow along by scrolling down the page. A downloadable version of the liturgy is available here, and here are some notes for leaders.
The Invocation
If you wish, open with a song/s.
The leader says
E te whānau / My brothers and sisters,
our help is in the name of the eternal God,
who is making the heavens and the earth.
Eternal Spirit,
flow through our being and open our lips,
that our mouths may proclaim your praise.
Silence
Let us worship the God of love.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Psalm of Praise
Share this extract of Psalm 119 (89-96) together - perhaps take turns to read a verse each.
Dear God, your eternal word of love
endures for ever in the universe.
Your trust stands fast from one generation to another.
You have laid the foundations of the earth, and it abides.
In fulfilment of your purpose it continues to this very day,
for all things serve you.
If my delight had not been in your wisdom,
I should have perished in my trouble.
I shall never forget your truths,
for with them you have given me life.
I belong to you: save me;
for I have sought your counsel.
The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me,
but I will meditate on your law.
I see that all things come to an end,
but your commandment is exceeding broad.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
We encourage you to share prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude.
We conclude our prayers with the following:
Christ is the good shepherd
who knows and cares for every one of the sheep
in different folds.
In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile;
in Christ there is no discrimination
of gender, class or race.
In Christ the poor are blessed,
the simple receive truth hidden from the wise.
Alleluia!
God of justice and compassion,
you give us a work to do
and a baptism of suffering and resurrection.
From you comes power to give to others
the care we have ourselves received
so that we, and all who love your world,
may live in harmony and trust.
The Readings
We encourage you to use the Gospel reading from the Lectionary for today. Feel free to add in other readings as you wish.
An online version of the Lectionary can be found right here
You may wish to take turns reading portions of the Scripture with your group.
Teaching and Reflection
Your local Parish may have provided some resources such as a printed sermon or video content for today. You can read or play this now, and then enter a short time of discussion based on the following questions:
What stood out for you in today's scripture and reflection?
In the context of our present reality, what is God calling you to do?
Prayers of Intercession
The leader prays
Lord have mercy.
E te Ariki kia aroha mai.
Kyrie eleison.
Christ have mercy.
E te Karaiti kia aroha mai.
Christe eleison.
Lord have mercy.
E te Ariki kia aroha mai.
Kyrie eleison.
We encourage you to enter a time of prayer for our world, our communities
and for each other, concluding with one of the following prayers:
1.
O God of many names,
lover of all peoples;
we pray for peace
in our hearts and homes,
in our nations and our world;
the peace of your will,
the peace of our need.
Dear Christ, our friend and our guide,
pioneer through the shadow of death,
passing through darkness to make it light,
be our companion that we may fear no evil,
and bring us to life and to glory.
O God of peace and justice,
of holiness and love;
knit us together in mind and flesh,
in feeling and in spirit,
and make us one,
ready for that great day;
the fulfilment of all our hopes,
and the glory of Jesus Christ.
Keep us in the spirit of joy and
simplicity and mercy.
Bless us and those you have entrusted to us,
in and through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
2.
Let us be at peace within ourselves.
Silence
Let us accept that we are profoundly loved
and need never be afraid.
Silence
Let us be aware of the source of being
that is common to us all
and to all living creatures.
Silence
Let us be filled with the presence of the great compassion
towards ourselves and towards all living beings.
Silence
Realising that we are all nourished
from the same source of life,
may we so live that others be not deprived
of air, food, water, shelter, or the chance to live.
Silence
Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be
a cause of suffering to one another.
Silence
With humility let us pray for the establishment
of peace in our hearts and on earth.
Silence
May God kindle in us
the fire of love
to bring us alive
and give warmth to the world.
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart,
our world, our universe.
The Lord’s Prayer
As Christ teaches us we pray
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.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the
glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Kua ākona nei tātou e tō tātou Ariki,
ka īnoi tātou
E tō mātou Matua i te rangi
Kia tapu tōu Ingoa.
Kia tae mai tōu rangatiratanga.
Kia meatia tāu e pai ai
ki runga ki te whenua,
kia rite anō ki tō te rangi.
Hōmai ki a mātou āianei
he taro mā mātou mō tēnei rā.
Murua ō mātou hara,
Me mātou hoki e muru nei
i ō te hunga e hara ana kia mātou.
Āua hoki mātou e kawea kia whakawaia;
Engari whakaorangia mātou i te kino:
Nōu hoki te rangatiratanga, te kaha,
me te korōria,
Āke ake ake. Āmine.
The Blessing
The leader shares a common blessing
May the Creator
bless us and keep us;
may the beloved companion face us
and have mercy upon us;
may the eternal Spirit’s countenance
be turned to us and give us peace;
may the Three in One bless us.
The service concludes
The divine Spirit dwells in us.
Kia noho te Wairua o te Runga Rawa ki a tātou.
Thanks be to God.
Whakamoemititia a Ihowā.
Looking Outwards
As you conclude your time together, we encourage you to discuss together any local needs you have identified in your group or wider neighbourhood, and what your response to those might be.
