The Parishes of Clent and Hagley
Holy Communion - 21 April - Easter 4
St John’s
Call to Worship and Opening Prayers
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Let us come and worship as sheep of one fold.
Let us come as those who are welcoming and accepting;
as those who are called and
united by the love of the Good Shepherd.
Let us come and be shaped, challenged and changed;
For Jesus is our rod and our staff,
our hope and our salvation, today and always.
As a flock looks to its shepherd,
so we look to you, risen Jesus.
Gather us lovingly within your fold,
and speak to us now through our worship.
Amen.
As we come before you today –
lead us, Lord; you are our shepherd.
As we seek you in our prayers and praising –
guide us, Lord; you are our shepherd.
As we follow you through rough and smooth –
save us, Lord; you are our shepherd.
Amen.
Opening Hymn AM 83 Love’s redeeming work is done
Asking for God’s forgiveness
Good Shepherd, remembering your promise of forgiveness,
we come before you in penitence.
You offer us abundant life, yet we ask for more.
We are sorry for our ingratitude.
Forgive us and renew us.
You offer us security and sanctuary,
yet we seek our own way – despite the risks.
We are sorry for our arrogance.
Forgive us and renew us.
You offer us guidance and direction,
yet we ignore you and take our own way.
We are sorry that we think we know best.
Forgive us and renew us.
Good Shepherd,
you lay down your life for your sheep.
Your arms once stretched out upon a cross
now close in embrace as we return;
enfolded, may we know the fullness of your love,
and that we are forgiven.
Amen.
Praise and Thanksgiving
We adore you, Good Shepherd;
always there, always watchful.
Your fold is the space you hold for us,
where we know we are loved.
Although dangers surround us,
and in foolishness we may stray, you have our back.
So many sheep, yet you know us all by name.
We adore you, Good Shepherd.
Amen.
We thank you, Lord, our Good Shepherd,
that even when we go through the valley of darkness
you are with us.
Even when we forget you, you do not forget us.
Even when we are divided among ourselves
you remind us of our oneness in you.
Even when we are undeserving
you hold nothing back.
We give you thanks with one voice and we praise you.
Amen.
Giving glory to God
Glory be to God in heaven,
and to all on earth, his peace;
Lord and Father, King in glory,
gifts of praise in us release,
so our worship and thanksgiving
from our hearts will never cease
Christ on earth, sent by the Father
to redeem, renew, restore;
risen Lamb, in glory seated,
hear our prayers, Lord, we implore.
Now to Father, Son, and Spirit
be all glory evermore.
A Collect
Risen Christ,
faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:
teach us to hear your voice
and to follow your command,
that all your people may be gathered into one flock,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
First Reading Acts 4.5-12
Second Reading 1 John 3. 16-end
Gradual Hymn AM 126 The king of love my shepherd is
A Gospel Reading John 10.11-18
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
Glory to you, O Lord.
At end:
This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ.
A Reflection
An Affirmation of Faith
Let us affirm our faith in God:
We believe and trust in God the Father,
who made all things.
We believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ,
who redeemed the world.
We believe and trust in his Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God.
We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Circle us “Intercessions
Celtic imagery appeals to many people today.
One Celtic image that is used well in prayers is that of being circled by the loving, protective presence of God.
Circle us, Lord.
Circle your Church . . .
Circle us, Lord,
Keep light within; keep darkness out.
Circle us, Lord.
Circle our world . . .
Circle us, Lord.
Keep hope within; keep despair out.
Circle us, Lord.
Circle our families . . .
Circle them, Lord.
Keep love within; keep danger out.
Circle us, Lord.
Circle those who are unwell . . .
Circle them, Lord.
Keep peace within; keep fear out.
Circle us, Lord.
Circle our hearts and our lives . . .
Circle us, Lord
and never let us slip
outside the enchantment of your grace. Amen.
The Peace
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples
and said, ‘Peace be with you.’
Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
We convey an expression of peace to one another.
Offertory Hymn NH 116 Hail, thou once despised Jesus
Prayers at the preparation of the table
Lord Jesus, you gave everything for us.
With these our gifts,
we offer you all that we have, and are, and will be,
praying that you will reach out through us
so that others may come to share in your risen life.
Amen.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this bread to set before you,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this wine to set before you,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become for us the cup of salvation.
Blessed be God for ever.
The Eucharistic Prayer and Communion
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
almighty and eternal Father,
and in these days of Easter
to celebrate with joyful hearts
the memory of your wonderful works.
For by the mystery of his passion
Jesus Christ, your risen Son,
has conquered the powers of death and hell
and restored in men and women the image of your glory.
He has placed them once more in paradise
and opened to them the gate of life eternal.
And so, in the joy of this Passover,
earth and heaven resound with gladness,
while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation
sing for ever the hymn of your glory:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.
Holy is the Lord God almighty!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.
Holy is the Lord God almighty!
Who was and is, and is to come;
holy, holy, holy is the Lord.
Blessed, blessed, blest is he who comes,
Blest is he who comes in the Lord’s name.
Blessed, blessed, blest is he who comes,
blest is he who comes in the Lord’s name.
Hosanna in the heights of heav’n.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.
Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness;
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit,
and according to your holy will,
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins;
do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Jesus Christ is Lord;
Lord, by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.
And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross
his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world;
rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension,
and looking for his coming in glory,
we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.
As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
we bring before you this bread and this cup
and we thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
Send the Holy Spirit on your people
and gather into one in your kingdom
all who share this one bread and one cup,
so that we, in the company of (N and) all the saints,
may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord;
by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be yours,
almighty Father, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
‘I am the bread which has come down from heaven’,
says the Lord.
Give us this bread for ever.
Agnus Dei - Betty Pulkingham
Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
grant us peace.
The Invitation
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Everyone is invited to receive communion or a blessing
Communion Hymn NH 34 Broken for me
Closing Prayers and Blessing
Christ the Good Shepherd,
you call us into your fold.
May we accept with gratitude all that you have done for us;
may we be known as your people and your servants in our world;
may we accept the challenge to call others,
in your name.
Amen.
Father of all,
We give you thanks and praise,
that when we were still far off
you met us in your Son and brought us home.
Dying and living, he declared your love,
gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.
May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;
we who drink his cup bring life to others;
we whom the spirit lights give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
God the Father,
by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead,
strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Closing Hymn AM 192 Praise, my soul, the king of heaven
Dismissal
When we feel like frightened sheep,
Good Shepherd, protect us.
When we feel lonely and unloved,
Good Shepherd, call out our name.
Today, and every day,
Good Shepherd, watch over us. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.
In the name of Christ. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Please stand for the Eucharistic Prayer if you can - but if you would rather sit, then please do so.
Some material included in this service is copyright:
© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000
Some material is Copyright
© Roots for Churches Limited
Hymns and songs are reproduced under CCLI no. 742099