Gathering Prayer

Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
And also with you.

Lenten Introduction

Brothers and sisters in Christ, since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting.

By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of Jesus     Christ, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word.

Gathering Hymn:

Trisagion

Chorus
Holy God 
Holy and mighty
Holy Immortal One
Have mercy have mercy on us 

Ending
Have mercy have mercy
Have mercy
Have mercy have mercy
On us

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our brokenness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Liturgy of the Word 

The First Lesson: Isaiah 58.1-12

58 ‘Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
    Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
    and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 “Why have we fasted,” they say,
    “and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?”
‘Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
    and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife,
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?
6 ‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter –
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: here am I.
‘If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God

PSALM 51

Read RESPONSIVELY at the FULL verse

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Saviour,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

Gospel Hymn

In Tenderness

Verse 1
In tenderness He sought me
Weary and sick with sin
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again
While angels in His presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang

Chorus
Oh the love that sought me
Oh the blood that bought me
Oh the grace that brought me 
to the fold of God
Grace that brought me to the fold of God

Verse 2
He died for me while I was sinning
Needy and poor and blind
He whispered to assure me
I've found thee thou art Mine
I'd never heard a sweeter voice
It made my aching heart rejoice

Chorus
Oh the love that sought me
Oh the blood that bought me
Oh the grace that brought me 
to the fold of God
Grace that brought me to the fold of God

Verse 3
Upon His grace I'll daily ponder
And sing anew His praise
With all adoring wonder
His blessings I retrace
It seems as if eternal days
Are far too short to sing His praise

Chorus
Oh the love that sought me
Oh the blood that bought me
Oh the grace that brought me 
to the fold of God
Grace that brought me to the fold of God

The Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Giving to the needy
6 ‘Be careful not to practise your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 ‘So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 ‘And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Fasting
16 ‘When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in heaven
19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

SERMON

Litany of Penitence

The congregation is invited to sit or kneel

God the Father,
Have mercy on us

God the Son
Have mercy on us

God the Spirit
Have mercy on us

Trinity of Love
Have mercy on us.

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, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Lord have mercy.

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Lord have mercy.

We confess to you, Lord all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy and impatience of our lives. 
Lord have mercy.

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people.
Lord have mercy.

Our anger at our own frustration and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves.
Lord have mercy.

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts and our dishonesty in daily life and work.
Lord have mercy.

Our negligence in prayer and worship and our failure to commend the faith that is in us.
Lord have mercy.

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done, for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty.
Accept our repentance, Lord. 

For all false judgements, for uncharitable thoughts towards our neighbours and for our prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from us.
Accept our repentance, Lord. 

For our waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who come after us.
Accept our repentance, Lord. 

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us.
Favourably hear us, for your mercy is great.

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
that we may show your glory in the world.

By the Cross and passion of your Son our Lord, 
bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

Silence is kept, then together:

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.

Invitation to the Ashes

Instructions on how to receive the Ashes.

The Imposition of Ashes

After all who desire ashes have received them, the celebrant leads the congregation in the conclusion of the confession, all kneeling.

Accomplish in us, O God,
the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory
in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son, our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints
to the joy of his resurrection.

Almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you all your sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit
keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Offertory Hymn 

Now and at the Hour

Oh Spirit of God
Speak Your peace, speak Your peace
Oh Spirit of God
Speak Your peace, speak Your peace

Now and at the hour of our death
Amen, amen
Now and at the hour of our death
Amen, amen

Oh merciful God
Forgive us, forgive us 
Oh merciful God
Forgive us, forgive us

For all the things 
we have done and left undone
For all the things 
we have done and left undone

Oh Son of God
Rescue us, rescue us
Oh Son of God
Rescue us, rescue us

Now and at the hour of our death
Amen, amen
Now and at the hour of our death
Amen, amen

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Merciful God, turn us from sin to faithfulness, and from disobedience to love, and prepare us to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you  now and for ever. Amen

Eucharistic Prayer 

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

…Therefore with angels and archangels
we raise our voices in joyful praise
to proclaim the glory of your name.

Holy, holy, Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, 
hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, 
hosanna in the highest.

…Therefore, Father, according to his command,
we remember his death
we proclaim his resurrection
we await his coming in glory

…by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father,
now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

The Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread,
Communion in Christ’s body once broken.

Let your Church be the wheat
which bears its fruit in dying.
If we have died with him,
we shall live with him;
if we hold firm,
we shall reign with him.

Invitation to the Lord's Table

Jesus is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

Communion Hymn 

Promise of Life

Verse 1
I’m going to Heaven
I’m lost in Your love
I know I should try to wait till I die
But I can’t help but go on up now
I’m going to Heaven
I’m lost in Your love
I know I should try to wait till I die
But I can’t help but go on up now

Chorus
Your promise of life
It hovers over my soul
And makes the colors unfold
I’m deep in Your love
Your promise of life
It covers over the world
And makes the dust turn to gold
And we bleed Your blood
We bleed Your blood

Verse 2
I’m going to hell now
To get what is lost
I know that they say
What we pay what we pay
But I think You already paid it
I’m going to hell now
To get what is lost
I know that they say
What we pay what we pay
But I think You already paid it

Chorus
Your promise of life
It hovers over my soul
And makes the colors unfold
I’m deep in Your love
Your promise of life
It covers over the world
And makes the dust turn to gold
And we bleed Your blood
We bleed Your blood

Prayer after Communion

This is love, not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son.

He is the sacrifice for our sins,
that we might live through him.

If God loves us so much
we ought to love one another.

If we love one another
God lives in us.

cf 1 John 4.12

God of compassion, through your Son Jesus Christ you reconciled your people to yourself. Following his example of prayer and fasting, may we obey you with willing hearts and serve one another in holy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Dismissal Gospel: Luke 15.4-7

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 
according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.

Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

The Blessing

May God the Father, who does not despise the broken spirit, give you a contrite heart
All: Amen

May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, heal you by his wounds.
All: Amen

May the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth, speak to you words of pardon and peace. 
All: Amen

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
All: Amen

Closing Hymn

Tethered to the Cross

Verse 1
Tho winds of change blow bitter
I will not fear the winter
My faith won't bend or wither
I'm tethered to the cross

Verse 2
Should wanderlust entice me
His compass true will guide me
Back where his love will hide me
I'm tethered to the cross

Chorus
Here and now and age to age
My grateful song will be the same
Thank you thank you I've been saved
I'm tethered to the cross

Verse 3
When troubles roll like breakers
So full of dread and dangers
My victory's in the Saviour
I'm tethered to the cross

Verse 4
Tomorrow looms uncertain
With untold joy and burdens
I'll walk with strength and fervour
I'm tethered to the cross

Chorus
Here and now and age to age
My grateful song will be the same
Thank you thank you I've been saved
I'm tethered to the cross

Verse 5
When through the valley's shadowed
I fight my final battle
I'll rise in Christ unshackled
Tethered to the cross

Chorus 2
Hallelujah oh my soul
He will not ever let me go
Hell may rage but it will hold
I'm tethered to the cross

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Psalm 95.7–8

The Celebrant reads the closing sentence and then leaves silently. The congregation is invited to remain in silent prayer and then leave in silence.

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