Welcome to our service for the 16th August 2020. This continues our thematic series of Hope in despair and is based on Lamentations 5 and is entitled ” A desperate longing”. The service is designed to be used in conjunction with the service sheet sent by email but which is also available to download here 24. HOPE IN DESPAIR (5) A Desperate Longing (16.08.2020)
The service is available to watch on YouTube and can be seen by following this link see online service.
Song before the service
Call to worship
`You, O LORD, reign for ever; your throne endures from generation to generation’ (Lamentation 5:19).
Opening prayer and confession
O Lord our God, grant us the grace to desire you with our whole heart, so that desiring you, we may seek and find you, and so finding you, we may love you, and so loving you, may hate those sins which separate us from you, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(After St. Anselm)
Lord God, we have sinned against you and done evil in your sight. We turn away in sorrow. In your mercy forgive us and cleanse us. Renew a right spirit within us and restore to us to joy of your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Opening song
As the deer pants for the water
Book review: Under the Thorn tree – Richard Bewes
Reading: Lamentations 5: 1 – 2, 15 – 22
Remember, Lord, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace.
2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners.
15 Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! 17 Because of this our hearts are faint; because of these things our eyes grow dim 18 for Mount Zion, which lies desolate,
with jackals prowling over it. 19 You, Lord, reign for ever; your throne endures from generation to generation. 20 Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?
21 Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old 22 unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Reflection: HOPE IN DESPAIR (5) – A desperate longing
Song
Prayers
Gracious God, you bring hope when hope seems lost, you breathe new life in places of grief and devastation. We pray for the people of Beirut and wider Lebanon following the disastrous explosion. Comfort all who have lost family and friends, homes and livelihoods, those who’ve lost trust and hope.
O Lord, hear my prayer
As we pray for Lebanon, we pray for a new government for that nation, one that will uphold values of justice, mercy and love. We pray this for all governments, including our own. During this coronavirus crisis, give them wisdom beyond their own earthly wisdom. Lord, may governments be servants of their countries, giving leadership with humility.
O Lord, hear my prayer
Gracious God, we pray for all who have received or will receive exam results at this time. We do especially remember Keziah and Reuben as they await their results this coming Thursday.
O Lord, hear my prayer
Lord, we pray for our community of Bowthorpe and our city of Norwich. Grant us a vision to see what can be achieved when we share the gospel and our lives with others. Increase our sense of purpose, that we may be aware of where and how you want us to serve you. Help us to walk in the light of your presence and to answer your daily call to follow you.
O Lord, hear my prayer
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.
Closing song
Lord of the church, we pray for our renewing
Closing prayer and blessing
Lord, keep us in your grace that we may desire you more and more and be examples of hope to all we meet; for your glory’s sake. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you and all whom you love, now and for ever. Amen
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.