Simple Sunday Service: Prayers and Reading

The following prayers and Bible passage can be read as part of the Simple Service Online from 10 am, or can be used independently for your own personal time of prayer and reflection. God is with you. 

Time of Confession & Absolution

Most merciful God,

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

we confess that we have sinned

in thought, word and deed.

We have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.

In your mercy

forgive what we have been,

help us to amend what we are,

and direct what we shall be;

that we may do justly,

love mercy,

and walk humbly with you, our God.

Amen.

May God who loved the world so much

that he sent his Son to be our Saviour

forgive us our sins

and make us holy to serve him in the world,

through Jesus Christ our Lord .

Amen.

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

 ‘At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ ‘At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”

⁷ ‘Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.”

⁹ ‘“No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”

¹⁰ ‘But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ ‘Later the others also came. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!”

¹² ‘But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”

¹³ ‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Reflection:

‘Having a lamp without oil, is like having a torch without batteries.’

Consider:

Am I attentive to the truth that Christ will return, and am I prepared?

Am I living out my purpose as a Christian in the lives of people around you?

Prayers of Intercession

Within our darkest night you kindle a flame that never dies away; never dies away.

We light a candle for the people of God Keep us attentive and alert; ready to live out our purpose to grow in faith, to share the hope we find in you and to witness to your love in acts of kindness and hospitality.  Lighten our darkness, Lord we pray: make us ready to greet you.

We light a candle for our friends, family and colleagues. May we encourage one another with life-giving words of hope, and put into action the words that reflect our readiness to serve you, and one another, in love. Lighten our darkness, Lord we pray: make us ready to greet you.

We light a candle for those whose need has become greater in the restrictions. Lord, we know that you rejoice with those who celebrate and share the grief of those who are sorrowing. Make us attentive to the needs of those around us, and attentive to your word of life. Lighten the darkness, Lord we pray: make us ready to greet you.

We light a candle for the places of the world where there is tension, division and conflict. Give these places people with wisdom to seek you, and courage to work for the coming of your kingdom, when justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. : Lighten the darkness, Lord we pray: make us ready to greet you.

We light a candle as we look forward in hope. Teach us to number our days and give us patience to wait with your creation, in eager expectation for the glory that will be revealed. Lighten our darkness, Lord we pray: make us ready to greet you. Amen.

Song of Response: Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace

Chorus

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there is hatred let me bring Your love

Where there's injury grant mercy O Lord

Where there's doubt true faith in You

O Master grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there's despair in life let me bring Your hope

Where there's darkness only light

Where there's sadness ever joy

O Master grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of Your peace

It is pardoning that we are pardoned

In giving of ourselves that we receive

And in dying that we're born to eternal life

Sending Out

Eternal God,

our beginning and our end,

accompany us in this day’s journey.

Dawn on our darkness,

open our eyes to praise you for your creation

and to see the work you set before us today.

Take us and use us

to bring to others the new life you give in Jesus Christ

our Lord.

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

All   Amen.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

New Patterns for Worship, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2002 and published by Church House Publishing.

Prayers taken from Roots on the Web copyright © Copyright 2002-2020, ROOTS for Churches Ltd. All rights reserved

Music:

‘Come Now Is The Time’ - CCLI Song # 2430948, Brian Doerksen, © 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) (Admin. by Integrity Music). For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 3204

‘Refiners Fire’ - CCLI Song # 426298 Brian Doerksen © 1990 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music) Vineyard Songs Canada (Admin. by Integrity Music) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 3204