Theme: ‘I don’t know what to choose’
Preparation
Opening
Opening Hymn: Sometimes a light surprises
Opening Prayer
Lord God of all that has been,
all that is and all that will be,
we have all been born and one day we all will die,
but today is a day when all of us are here,
here to worship and praise you.
Accept, O God,
all that we bring and all that we offer,
in the name of Christ.
Amen.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
We praise you, Lord, for all that you are,
for the creation that is yours,
for its beauty and wonder, its diversity and richness.
We praise you for your presence and comfort
that swaddle us in your purity and enrich us with your abundance.
We praise you for your steadfastness
that perseveres with us, faltering disciples and failing followers.
We praise you that, day by day, you amaze and enrich us
and reveal yourself in new and unexpected ways.
We praise you that you are the same yesterday,
today and for ever – and yet forever new.
O Lord our God, you are indeed,
from the depth of our being,
highly to be praised.
Amen.
Readings
Response: Alleluya! Alleluia! We will praise the name of the Lord
New Testament Reading: St Paul’s Letter to the church in Philippi 1.21-30
Paul explains his personal struggles to the Philippians. He says that their struggles are like his. He wants to appear encouraging and commends them for their approach to life in the faith.
Reflection:
- When was the last time you struggled to make a choice ?
- How might it be helpful to know that Paul struggled with choices like we do ?
Gospel: Matthew 20.1-16
Audio reflection: based on the gospel:
Prayer
Prayers of Intercession:
Response after each bidding: God, be with them.
Eternal, ever-living, ever-present God,
in the struggles and joys of this day, we pray:
for those who are overburdened, weighed down, demoralised,
fearful or desolate because of what life has thrown at them… R
For those engulfed in pain and anguish, facing illness and death…R
For those troubled in mind and spirit, who find no peace or calm…R
For those alone and lonely, without friend or comfort…R
For those frightened and bewildered, who see no direction
or purpose in their lives…R
Eternal, ever-living God,
bless them all in this and every hour,
in this and every step of life’s journey.
Amen.
Collect for Trinity15:
Lord God defend your church from all false teaching and give to your people knowledge of your truth that we may enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The ‘Our Father’
We draw all our prayers together in the words of –
Our Father who art in heaven…
…for ever and ever. Amen.
Affirmation of Faith:
Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life,
the one for whom we exist?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature,
died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God
and makes Christ known in the world?
We 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.
Amen.
A sending out prayer
Lord, give us a way to go,
a path to follow,
a purpose to fulfil
and meaning to our deeds.
Amen.
Closing Hymn: He sat to watch o’er customs paid
Organ Voluntary: