Passion Sunday 2020
This page contains all of the resources for our Sunday act of worship. You are encouraged to join us at 9:30am if you are from Widford or Wareside or 11am if you are from Hunsdon because these are the normal times of the services in these villages. However, if you are unable to make this, please follow in your own time. Our use of common resources means that, though we are separated, we can nonetheless worship together.
Sentence of Scripture
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
(Psalm 46:1-2a)
Prayer of Preparation
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hymn
Collect for Passion Sunday
Gracious Father,
you gave up your Son
out of love for the world:
lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,
that we may know eternal peace
through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayers of Penitence
John writes:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:8-9)
Let us admit to God the sin that always confronts us.
Lord God,
we have sinned against you;
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing
and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us
and restore us to the joy of your salvation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
(cf. Psalm 51)
Hear the words of comfort our Saviour Christ says to all who truly turn to him:
God so loved the world
that he gave his only-begotten Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life.
(John 3.16)
Hear what Saint Paul says:
This saying is true and worthy of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
(1 Timothy 1.15)
First Bible Reading
Hymn
Second Bible Reading
Creed
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself
and was obedient to death,
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
(cf. Philippians 2.6-11)
Sermon
Prayers
Today’s prayers have been written by Revd Barbara Ebeling.
Remembering chiefly those who are suffering from coronavirus, and those who are struggling to care for them:
We pray for those who are suffering today throughout the world, especially those struck down with coronavirus. Bring them healing and comfort in their hour of need, and that they may be restored to health. May they know the comfort of your Holy Spirit at this time.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope.
As you wept for Lazarus, we pray for all those who weep today, especially for those whose loved ones have been wrenched unexpectedly from them.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope.
We pray for those isolated in their own homes. Help us to seek them out, so that no one is left uncared for.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope.
We pray for all the people who are caring for those who are sick, especially those coming to the end of their lives: nurses, doctors, carers, all NHS staff, chaplains, pastors and undertakers. Give them strength, courage, empathy and love as they walk with those who weep.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope.
We pray for all scientists trying to kill this virus; for all politicians and those trying to implement the scientists’ instructions for the common good: for everyone working to keep our food supplies and other essential services running.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope.
In a time of world uncertainty bring us closer to other nations, that we may see, at last, that working together is better than fighting and war.
Lord, weep with us and bring fresh hope.
We pray for your church and for our own community. Renew our strength, our hope, our vision to be your arms in the world. Comfort us as we comfort others, strong in the knowledge that you have conquered suffering and death when you opened your arms to us on the cross.
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
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.
Hymn
Blessing
Christ crucified draw you to himself,
to find in Him a sure ground for faith,
a firm support for hope,
and the assurance of sins forgiven;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be among you now
and remain with you always.
Amen
Epilogue
Some material in this service is from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) and is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council. cf. www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship