Prayer on a Page
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Book of Common Prayer alternative
Full service with hymn and reflection below
Sunday 3rd May
4th Sunday of Easter
Preparation
Christ is the life that knows no end.
Christ is the love that burns within.
Christ is the peace that floods the world.
Alleluia: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Hymn
In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;
and safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?Wherever he may guide me, no want shall turn me back;
my Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, his sight is never dim,
he knows the way he taketh, and I will walk with him.Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen;
bright skies will soon be o'er me, where the dark clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free,
my Saviour has my treasure, and he will walk with me.Anna Laetitia Waring
Silent prayer
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.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Reflection (pdf) also available in Audio
Prayers 
Conclusion
May Christ the good shepherd
enfold us with love,
fill us with peace,
and lead us in hope,
to the end of our days.
Additional Worship Song
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
he makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
his goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in You alone,
and I will trust in You alone,
for Your endless mercy follows me,
your goodness will lead me home.
He guides my ways in righteousness,
and he anoints my head with oil,
and my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.
And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
for you are with me, and your rod and staff
are the comfort I need to know.
Stuart Townend Copyright
© 1996 Thankyou Music CCL 43729
Acts 2.42-47
Many were baptized and were added to the community. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; ♦︎
therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures ♦︎
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He shall refresh my soul ♦︎
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; ♦︎
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me; ♦︎
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life, ♦︎
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Common Worship psalter is © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000.
Common Worship texts are available at https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources
John 10.1-10
Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
Penitence
We pray to our most merciful Father.
We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
Lord, have mercy.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
Christ, have mercy.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done.
Lord, have mercy.
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
Restore thou them that are penitent;
according to thy promises declared unto mankind
in Christ Jesu our Lord.
Intercession
We pray to Jesus who is present with us to eternity.
Jesus, light of the world, bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations.
Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, bread of life, give food to the hungry and nourish us all with your word.
Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, our way, our truth, our life, be with us and all who follow you in the way. Deepen our appreciation of your truth and fill us with your life.
Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep, recover the straggler, bind up the injured, strengthen the sick and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures.
Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, the resurrection and the life, we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you: Raise us with them to eternal life.
Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us;
accept our prayers, and be with us always.
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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. |