We cannot meet in person – but we can still pray, sing, and listen to God’s Word – together in Jesus.

This short service should take about half an hour to run through. If you are with someone, please read the prayers and liturgy together. If you are on your own, I encourage you to read those parts out loud anyway.

There are two songs on video (with the words included), a video featuring the reading and a sermon, and some notices as well.

Enjoy!

Opening

Close your eyes and pause for a moment – gather yourself in God’s presence.
Speak these words out loud:

Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

Psalm 51.15 (NIV)

Now we sing together:

Confession

Spend a few moments in quiet, bringing to mind all you need to say sorry to God for – things done and things left undone, things said and things left unsaid, attitudes and actions that come not from the light but from the darkness.

Speak out loud this challenge and promise from 1 John:

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1.8-9 (NIV)

Father, thank you for giving us Jesus
and forgiving us in him.
Amen.

Collect (Mothering Sunday)

God of love,
passionate and strong,
tender and careful:
watch over us and hold us
all the days of our life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Bible Reading & Sermon

This video contains today’s Bible reading from Ephesians 5 and a short sermon from Ben – the text of the passage and the sermon are available here.

Prayers

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form.

Today we are praying for
Roger Myring, JoAnne Griffin, and Joyce Madeley

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves, and buy only what they need.

Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
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.

Notices

This week’s news sheet can be downloaded here.

Closing

Our closing hymn is Crown him with many crowns, from the Royal Albert Hall:

Speak out loud these closing prayers:

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.

Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6

May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.