Fourth Sunday of Lent

 

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.

First reading:  1 Samuel 1: 20 – 28

So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,^[a] saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

²¹ When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow,²² Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”^[b]

²³ “Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lordmake good his^[c] word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

²⁴ After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull,^[d] an ephah^[e] of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lordat Shiloh. ²⁵ When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, ²⁶ and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the Lordhas granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

 

Second reading:  Colossians 3: 12 – 17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdomthrough psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Intercession

In our prayers on this third Sunday in Lent, we remember how Jesus was tempted  in his journey through the wilderness, and how he triumphed over all.                                                                                           We are reminded of the difficult journeys in life encountered by so many people in the world.                                                                                                            Lord God our Father, we pray that in their different times of need, they may see their way ahead, and find the strength to overcome whatever problems they face.

Lord, in your mercy – Hear our prayer

We pray for the worldwide church, that it may renew and reinvigorate its mission in the world during this time of Lent; for unity of the Church in a divided and hurting world; for its leaders and church communities that they may hear and act upon God’s word to them.

Lord, in your mercy – Hear our prayer

God of peace, we pray for the world, that there may be peace and healing of its people and nations; for our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine, the Holy Land, and in all countries where there is oppression and conflict; be with them in their fear, confusion, uncertainty and loss; for Global Leaders in the difficult decisions that they have to make and for the work of the United Nations

Lord, in your mercy – Hear our prayer

 

Living God, we pray for each of us on our Lenten Journey that we may find time in our lives to be still and listen for God’s call to each one of us. Help us to play our part in the life of the church throughout the world; through our prayers and by our gifts of money and service during this season of Lent and beyond. Give courage to those who find it hard to follow you. Give us a fresh vision that leads to action and strengthen us to serve you in the places where we live.

Lord, in your mercy – Hear our prayer

We pray for people who are frightened because they are ill. Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering. We pray especially for those who have no one to help them, that in their loneliness they may know that you are with them.

Lord, in your mercy – Hear our prayer

Merciful God, we pray for those saddened by the death of a loved one. We pray that as they journey in this part of their life, that the challenges of Lent and the assurances of Easter will bring to them new strength and new purpose. Give them your comfort as they mourn and turn their darkness into light.

We commend to your everlasting love and care those who have died praying that will rest eternal in the light of Christ. We remember especially…

Lord, in your mercy – Hear our prayer

God of life, help us to see this time of Lent as an opportunity to develop our discipleship and discipline and as your Son Jesus showed us how to reject temptation, fill us with grace to be faithful to his example in this Lenten season and the years ahead. Help us to draw closer to you this Lent, in our prayers and in our actions.

Merciful Father – accept these prayers, for the sake of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen 

 

This year all Parishes are required to renew their electoral roll – which means everyone needs to complete a form even if they are already on the electoral roll.

Anyone who lives in the parish and / or attends worship regularly, is baptised and is 16+ can join the electoral roll and is eligible to vote at the annual general meeting.

Electoral roll forms are available at the back of church. 

Please hand completed forms to one of the Wardens or Revd. Toby.

Thank you