United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors
Third Sunday before Advent
This service is live in church, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online. Now most of the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.
However, below are the day’s readings plus the intercessions for reference, as there will not appear on screen.
First reading: Hebrews 9: 24 – 28
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Second reading: Mark 1: 14 – 20
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Intercessions
Dear Father God, we welcome you this day.
You promised through your Son Jesus Christ to hear us when we pray in faith.
We pray for the witness of the Church, especially in places where the Christian faith is ignored, forgotten, or repressed.
Strengthen all your clergy and all your Church in the service of Christ.
We pray for Toby and his family.
We pray for Sarah, Linda, Elaine, Peter, Les and Sue and their families as they support Toby and our church communities.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We meet as a family in your presence, heavenly Father.
We meet as brothers and sisters in Christ,
accepting the responsibility that this places upon us –
to love one another as you have loved us.
We meet as your lights in this dark world,
and pray that through our words and our lives
others might be drawn into your family,
and accept you as their Saviour and Lord.
You are the same God who wants all people
to be drawn to your love and grace,
to know forgiveness and the joy of Salvation.
Let us put aside all that hinders and join together in prayer.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for all who suffer and are not cared for, or whom care cannot reach.
We pray for those who have no choice but to face hunger and homelessness.
We pray for refugees from war and violence whom no one wants to befriend.
We pray for all who have grown hopeless and weary.
May your beloved son, Jesus Christ, the example of living compassion, be an inspiration to us all in our care for others.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for our community and for those who lead it.
Help us to make it a place where everyone can flourish.
Bless and guide Elizabeth our Queen.
Give wisdom to all in authority.
Direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and peace.
Do all this so that we may honour one another and seek the common good.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those whom we love.
We thank you for those people who sustain us by their love and forgiveness.
Make us alert to each other’s needs and quick to serve and encourage one another.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are sick and for those who are lonely.
We pray for those who are anxious and for those who are in pain.
We commend them all to your loving care.
We pray for the dying.
In the last days may their time be lived out with dignity and peace.
Watch over all who love and care for them and support them through the community of faith.
We pray for those who have been bereaved.
Comfort all whose hearts are broken.
Bring us with all those who have died in the faith of Christ to share the joy of heaven with all the saints.
According to your promises, grant us with them a share in your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We give you thanks for the loving example of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Grant us the strength and wisdom to serve and follow Him this day and always.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and all Christian people to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Acknowledgements to Andrew Gregg, National Director of Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland
