Dear friends,
I hope you are keeping well and find the resources below an encouragement in the riches of grace we have in Jesus Christ our Lord. As ever if you need assistance with any practical needs or errands, I am happy to arrange and coordinate people with offers of help, so please get in touch. If you’re new with us, you can sign up for email updates here.
It was lovely to see many faces for 'coffee time' after the service last week. This Sunday you are also invited to join us again via Zoom. Do get in touch if you would like details.
With my warmest greetings in Christ,
Steve
Welcome & Preparation
Hymn
All people that on earth do dwell.
Confession
Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us. Let us therefore rejoice by putting away all malice and evil and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart. (1 Cor 5:7-8)
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have wandered and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things that we ought to have done; and we have done those things that we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us sinners. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may live a disciplined, righteous and godly life, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Word of God
Please read our first reading from Acts 2:42-47.
Creed
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; afterwards he appeared to his followers, and to all the apostles: this we have received, and this we believe. Amen.
(from 1 Corinthians 15.3-7)
Reflection
Please turn to 1 Peter 2:4-10.
Hymn
This song rejoices in God’s work to build us together into Christ our sure foundation.
Prayers
Heavenly Father, our ever-present help in trouble, our fortress and our God: calm the anxious fears of all who turn to you; give strength and healing to those who are sick, and courage and skill to those who care for them; grant wisdom and clarity to those in authority; and humble us all to call upon you that we may be saved not only in this life, but also for that which is to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Please continue with your own prayers and the Lord’s Prayer.
Conclusion
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:6)
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hymn
Lets sing of Jesus. As Peter quotes the LORD saying, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (1 Peter 2:6)