Some thoughts on home worship for TRINITY 4

This week's bell ringing is Stedman Doubles from at Abson, Gloucestershire. We don't very often get a team to ring Stedman at Haughton on a Sunday Morning, but we do manage it some practice nights. (Click here to see the bells on Dove's Guide)

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

HYMN: “I danced in the morning”

Pray the Collect of the day. 

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy increase and multiply upon us your mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal, grant this, heavenly Father for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen.

Read the Epistle from Romans chapter 7 verses 15-25

Read the Gospel from St. Matthew chapter 11 verses 16-30 (verses 20-24 optional!)

Hymn: “Happy are they, they that love God”

Offer some Prayers

(These prayer suggestions are based on a Church Times cartoon by Dave Walker and on the Beatitudes from St. Matthew Chapter verses 2-11)

Blessed are those who stay indoors, for they have protected others

Blessed are the unemployed and the self employed, for their need of God is great

Blessed are the corner shopkeepers, for they are the purveyors of scarce things

Blessed are the delivery drivers and postal workers for they are bringers of essential things

Blessed are the checkout workers, for they have patience in the face of frustration

Blessed are the refuse collectors, for they see God despite mountains of waste

Blessed are those who are alone for they are children of God and with him will not be alone

Blessed are the bereaved, for whom the worst has happened they shall be comforted

Blesses are all during this time who have pure hearts, all who still hunger and thirst for justice; all who work for peace and who show mercy. May you know comfort, may you know calm and may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen 

And 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 pour 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 and the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

A prayer for those who doubt

Most merciful God, we pray for those who doubt your love; for those who find it difficult to believe or to pray; for those who have lost the faith they once had. May the Holy Spirit enlighten their minds and lead them into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 HYMN: “Forth in thy name, O Lord I go”

The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Jesus Christ establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith. Amen

GEOFF SMITH