Here you can find resources for our liturgy to pray at home or wherever you are.
The readings for today and some of the prayers of our liturgy are on the downloadable pew sheet.
The angel said to the women:
Whom are you seeking?
Jesus of Nazareth, who died and was buried.
Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, but has been raised from the dead. So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell the disciples.
Alleluia, Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed, alleluia.
In church, there is a procession around the building, while we sing Jesus Christ is risen today
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
Almighty God,
who, through your Son, Jesus Christ,
have overcome death and opened the gates of eternal life:
grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of his resurrection,
may be raised from the death of sin
by your life-giving Spirit;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
In church, we sing the hymn Paschal Feast! Upon the cross
We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one substance with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and was made human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son,
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
God is love and we are God’s children, there is no room for fear in love.
We love because God loved us first. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Silence
God our Father, we confess to you
and to our fellow members in the Body of Christ
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry.
Forgive us our sins,
and deliver us from the power of evil.
For the sake of your Son who died for us,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
God, who is both power and love,
forgive us and free us from our sins,
heal and strengthen us by the Holy Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.
We meet in Christ's name.
Let us share his peace.
In church, we continue with the Liturgy of the Sacrament
Let us present our offerings to the Lord.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory,
the splendour and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come from you, and of your own we give you.
Please join in the prayer Jesus himself taught us:
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the name of Christ. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia.
Sunday 24th April
Easter 2
Readings:
Acts 5.27-32
Revelation 1.4-8
John 20.19-31
online resources will be available on this website
Tuesday 26th April
Wellsprings: Praying through Lectio Divina
You might also be interested in how best to help people in crisis in Ukraine. The College of Bishops have highlighted these two organisations:
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal:
https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Among the DEC partners are Christian Aid, the British Red Cross, and Tearfund. The UK Government has pledged to match donations from the public to the DEC fund, pound-for-pound, up to £20 million.
The UK for UNHCR:
https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/where-help-is-needed/ukraine-situation/
Here you can find resources for our liturgy to pray at home or wherever you are.
The readings for today and some of the prayers of our liturgy are on the downloadable pew sheet.
The Easter fire and Blessing of the Paschal Candle
We hear the story of salvation and journey from darkness to light
The renewal of Baptismal Vows and the first Eucharist of Easter
At church, we gather outside (weather permitting). All stand and face the Easter fire.
Dear friends in Christ, let us begin our solemn Vigil. On this most holy night when our Saviour Jesus Christ passed from death to life, we gather, with all the Church throughout the world, to watch and pray. This is the Passover of Jesus Christ. Through light and word, through water, bread and wine, let us celebrate the new life that Christ shares with us.
The President blesses the fire:
Almighty God, who gloriously raised your only-begotten Son from the dead: sanctify this fire, that it may be a sign of life and hope; may we, who celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, be set aflame with love, and renewed in faith, so that we may shine as a light in the world, and glorify you in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The President traces a cross in the Paschal candle, Alpha and Omega, and the numerals of the current year, saying,
Christ yesterday and today,
the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega,
all time belongs to him,
and all ages;
to him be glory and power,
through every age and for ever.
Amen.
Incense studs are inserted into the Paschal Candle as these words are said:
By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard and keep us. Amen.
The Paschal Candle is lit from the Easter fire. The President says:
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
Carried aloft, the Paschal Candle leads the congregation into the church.
At the door: The light of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
The clergy and servers light their candles from the Paschal Candle.
The Paschal Candle leads the congregation to the centre of the Nave.
The light of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
The candles of the congregation are lit from the Paschal Candle. The Paschal Candle leads the congregation to where its stand has been prepared:
The light of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
The Paschal Candle is placed on its stand.
The Exultet is sung (see pew sheet for the text)
As we await the risen Christ,
let us hear the record of God's saving deeds in history,
recalling how he saved his people in ages past
and in the fullness of time sent his Son to be our Redeemer;
and let us pray that through this Easter celebration
God may bring to perfection in each of us the saving work he has begun.
See the pew sheet for the six Old Testament readings with their psalms, canticle and prayers
In church, the candles of the altar are lit and Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is sung by all, during which bells are rung
O God,
who made this most holy night to shine
with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection:
stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption given to us in baptism;
that, being renewed both in body and mind,
we may worship you in sincerity and truth;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
In church, we sing the hymn Blest be the everlasting God (after 1 Peter 1.3-5) as the president and servers lead the procession to the font, where we all assemble
Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whose great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope:
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
The Baptismal Prayer is said (see the pew sheet)
Holding lighted candles, we renew our promise of baptismal faith
The president sprinkles all with holy water as a symbol of our renewed baptismal vows.
May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit,
and has bestowed on us forgiveness of all our sins,
guard us by his grace, and grant us,
when our earthly course is ended, resurrection to eternal life,
through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, ‘Peace be with you.’
Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.
We meet in Christ's name.
Let us share his peace.
In church, we continue with the Liturgy of the Sacrament
Let us present our offerings to the Lord.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory,
the splendour and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come from you, and of your own we give you.
Please join in the prayer Jesus himself taught us:
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
Lord, you have nourished us with the Easter sacrament:
fill us with the spirit of your love, and unite us in faith;
that we may be witnesses to the resurrection
and show your glory to all the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.
In the name of Christ, alleluia, alleluia.
Easter Day
online resources will be available on this website
You might also be interested in how best to help people in crisis in Ukraine. The College of Bishops have highlighted these two organisations:
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal:
https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Among the DEC partners are Christian Aid, the British Red Cross, and Tearfund. The UK Government has pledged to match donations from the public to the DEC fund, pound-for-pound, up to £20 million.
The UK for UNHCR:
https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/where-help-is-needed/ukraine-situation/
Thank you for joining us on Good Friday as we continue our journey through the Easter Triduum
Here you can find resources for our liturgy to pray at home or wherever you are.
The readings for today and some of the prayers of our liturgy are on the downloadable pew sheet.
Our service features the Passion Gospel according to John, the Sung Reproaches
and the Solemn Intercessions set for this day.
In church, we start the service in silence.
The presiding priest prostrates on the floor as a sign of humility in the sight of Christ’s passion
as we keep a time of silent prayer.
You may want to have a cross ready as you worship as a reminder
of the power and message of this day and this liturgy.
Almighty God,
look graciously, we pray, on this your family,
for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed
and given into the hands of sinners,
and to suffer death upon the cross;
who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Please join in saying the text, pausing shortly at the *asterisk
Refrain: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *
and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *
by night as well, but I find no rest.
Yet you are the Holy One, *
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
Our forefathers put their trust in you; *
they trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried out to you and were delivered; *
they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *
scorned by all and despised by the people.
All who see me laugh me to scorn; *
they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
‘He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; *
let him rescue him, if he delights in him.’
Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *
and kept me safe upon my mother's breast.
I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *
you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb.
Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *
and there is none to help.
Many young bulls encircle me; *
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
They open wide their jaws at me, *
like a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; *
my heart within my breast is melting wax.
My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *
and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me; *
they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me; *
they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.
Be not far away, O Lord; *
you are my strength; hasten to help me.
Save me from the sword, *
my life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth, *
my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.
Refrain: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
In the Liturgy of Good Friday, a simple wooden cross is brought among those assembled for worship for veneration and meditation.
Traditionally, the Reproaches are sung at this moment and solemn intercessions are offered as we assemble at the foot of the cross.
This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Ssaviour of the world.
Come, let us worship.
We reflect on the readings we have heard and meditate on presence of the cross in our midst as the Reproaches are sung. You can join in singing the following antiphons.
I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Saviour to the cross.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
For forty years I led you safely through the desert,
I fed you with manna from heaven, and brought you to a land of plenty,
but you led your Saviour to the Cross.
What more could I have done for you?
I planted you as my fairest vine, but you yielded only bitterness:
When I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink,
and you pierced your Saviour with a lance.
Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
For your sake I scourged your captors and their first-born sons,
but you brought your scourges down on me.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you from slavery to freedom and drowned your captors in the sea,
but you handed me over to your high priests.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I opened the sea before you,
but you opened my side with a spear.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to Pilate’s court.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I bore you up with manna in the desert,
but you struck me down and scoured me.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you saving water from the rock,
but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
For I struck down the kings of Canaan,
but you struck me with a reed.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you a royal sceptre,
but you gave me a crown of thorns.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I raised you to the height of majesty,
but you have raised me high on a cross.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ taught us that what we do for others we do also for him:
give us the will to be the servant of others as he was the servant of all,
who gave up his life and died for us;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
In church, we sit or kneel as we make our prayer at the foot of the cross,
adapted from one of the most ancient litanies of the Church
See the pew sheet for the text.
The Intercessions conclude with this prayer:
Eternal God of unchanging power and light:
look with mercy on your whole creation;
and bring to completion your saving work,
so that the whole world may see
the fallen lifted up, the old made new,
and all things brought to perfection
by him through whom all things were made,
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Please join in the prayer Jesus himself taught us:
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
In church, we sing the hymn See Christ was wounded for our sake
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Send down your abundant blessing, Lord,
upon your people who have devoutly recalled the death of your Son
in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
Grant them pardon; bring them comfort.
May their faith grow stronger and their eternal salvation be assured.
We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen.
The service ends in silence.
Holy Saturday
We start with the Easter fire & Blessing of the Paschal Candle as we hear the story of salvation and journey from darkness to light
With the renewal of Baptismal Vows & the first Eucharist of Easter
Easter Day
online resources will be available on this website
You might also be interested in how best to help people in crisis in Ukraine. The College of Bishops have highlighted these two organisations:
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal:
https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Among the DEC partners are Christian Aid, the British Red Cross, and Tearfund. The UK Government has pledged to match donations from the public to the DEC fund, pound-for-pound, up to £20 million.
The UK for UNHCR:
https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/where-help-is-needed/ukraine-situation/
Here you can find resources for our liturgy to pray at home or wherever you are.
The readings for today and some of the prayers of our liturgy are on the downloadable pew sheet.
We recall the Last Supper and the Washing of the Disciples' Feet
and watch with Christ in the Garden
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
O God, your Son Jesus Christ
has left us this meal of bread and wine
in which we share his body and his blood.
May we who celebrate this sign of his great love
show in our lives the fruits of his redemption;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
please join in saying the text, pausing shortly at the *asterisk
Refrain: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ.
I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
How shall I repay the Lord *
for all the good things he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will fulfil my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord *
is the death of his servants.
O Lord, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will fulfil my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all his people.
In the courts of the Lord's house, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Refrain: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ.
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ taught us that what we do for others we do also for him:
give us the will to be the servant of others as he was the servant of all,
who gave up his life and died for us;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you.
We meet in Christ's name.
Let us share his peace.
In church, we continue with the Liturgy of the Sacrament
Let us present our offerings to the Lord.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory,
the splendour and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come from you, and of your own we give you.
Please join in the prayer Jesus himself taught us:
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
Almighty God, source of all love,
whose only-begotten son,
on the night of his betrayal,
gave his disciples a new commandment,
to love one another as he loved them:
write this commandment in our hearts;
and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all,
who gave his life and died for us, yet is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
After Communion, the remaining communion bread is carried in procession into the memorial chapel, where an altar of repose has been set up to symbolise Christ’s time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The servers return to the sanctuary to remove ornaments and strip the altar while Psalm 22 is read:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *
and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *
by night as well, but I find no rest.
Yet you are the Holy One, *
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
Our forefathers put their trust in you; *
they trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried out to you and were delivered; *
they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *
scorned by all and despised by the people.
All who see me laugh me to scorn; *
they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
‘He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; *
let him rescue him, if he delights in him.’
Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *
and kept me safe upon my mother's breast.
I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *
you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb.
Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *
and there is none to help.
Many young bulls encircle me; *
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
They open wide their jaws at me, *
like a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; *
my heart within my breast is melting wax.
My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *
and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me; *
they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me; *
they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.
Be not far away, O Lord; *
you are my strength; hasten to help me.
Save me from the sword, *
my life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth, *
my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.
I will declare your name to my brethren; *
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.
Praise the Lord, you that fear him; *
stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel; all you of Jacob's line, give glory.
For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;
neither does he hide his face from them; *
but when they cry to him he hears them.
My praise is of him in the great assembly; *
I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: *
‘May your heart live for ever!’
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, *
and all the families of the nations shall bow before him .
For kingship belongs to the Lord; *
he rules over the nations.
To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; *
all who go down to the dust fall before him.
My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; *
they shall be known as the Lord's for ever.
They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn *
the saving deeds that he has done.
In the church, we assemble near the Memorial Chapel, as the Gospel of the Watch is read near the altar of repose.
Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ [[43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’
You might like to join us in staying for a time of silent prayer. We’ll watch until midnight.
Good Friday
We hear the Passion Gospel and meditate on the cross as we hear the Reproaches and pray the ancient solemn intercessions for Good Friday
Holy Saturday
We start with the Easter fire & Blessing of the Paschal Candle
as we hear the story of salvation and journey from darkness to light
With the renewal of Baptismal Vows & the first Eucharist of Easter
Easter Day
online resources will be available on this website
You might also be interested in how best to help people in crisis in Ukraine. The College of Bishops have highlighted these two organisations:
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal:
https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Among the DEC partners are Christian Aid, the British Red Cross, and Tearfund. The UK Government has pledged to match donations from the public to the DEC fund, pound-for-pound, up to £20 million.
The UK for UNHCR:
https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/where-help-is-needed/ukraine-situation/
