WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S

All are welcome to join me in taking communion.
There are no exceptions.

The order of service is posted beneath the audio file so that you can join in with the service. The words in bold type are the ones we say together.

If you want to physically partake of communion you will require a small piece of bread and a small amount of drink (preferably made from grapes and containing alcohol). You eat the bread after I say “The body of Christ,” and drink the wine after I say “The blood of Christ.” How you view the nature of this part of the service is completely up to you.

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MP3 File

INTRODUCTION

"Chosen One" - Jody Glenham

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

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

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.

CONFESSION

We are called to follow Jesus.

We follow the devices and desires of our own hearts.

Lord, have mercy.

The Lord spreads a table in our sight.

We feed on the unnourishing pleasures of this world.

Christ, have mercy.

The Lord clothes us in robes of righteousness.

We discard them and wear instead clothing of our own design.

Lord have mercy.

"Holy, Holy, Holy"  - Undercover

COLLECT

"Psalm 23 " - Kerri Lee Smith

FIRST READING

"Wedding Feast of the Lamb" - Kate Miner

Alleluia, alleluia.            

"He brought me to the banqueting house,

and his intention towards me was love."

Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

We believe in God the Father, 

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son, 

who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, 

who strengthens us with power from on high.

We believe in God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS 

"Wedding" - Midge Ure

THE PEACE

"Come, risen Lord" - The Norwich Cathedral Choir

Come, risen Lord, and deign to be our guest;
nay, let us be thy guests; the feast is thine;
thyself at thine own board make manifest
in thine own Sacrament of Bread and Wine.

We meet, as in that upper room they met;
thou at the table, blessing, yet dost stand:
"This is my Body"; so thou givest yet:
faith still receives the cup as from thy hand.

One body, we, one Body who partake,
one Church united in communion blest;
one Name we bear, one Bread of life we break,
with all thy saints on earth and saints at rest.

One with each other, Lord, for one in thee,
who art one Savior and one living Head;
then open though our eyes, that we may see;
be known to us in breaking of the Bread.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFT

The Lord is here.

God's Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Eternal God…

…we take up the song of your praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord!  God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! 
We ask that your Holy Spirit…

… beyond all words can hold.

Great is the mystery of faith. 

Christ has died,

Christ is risen,

Christ will come again.

Therefore, in our eating and drinking…

…Mother of blessings, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace.

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

Most merciful Lord,  your love compels us to come in. Our hands were unclean, our hearts were unprepared;  we were not fit  even to eat the crumbs from under your table. But you, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious body and blood of your Son, that he may live in us and we in him; and that we, with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in your kingdom. Amen.

The body of Christ.

The blood of Christ.

"The Call" - Regina Spektor

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

"Thy Hand, O God, has guided" - The St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir

Thy hand, O God, has guided
thy flock, from age to age;the wondrous tale is written,
full clear, on every page;
Our fathers owned thy goodness,
and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness;
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy heralds brought glad tidings
to greatest as to least,
they bade men rise, and hasten
to share the great King's feast;
and this was all their teaching,
in every deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Through many a day of darkness,
through many a scene of strife,
the faithful few fought bravely,
to guard the nation's life.
Their gospel of redemption,
sin pardoned, man restored,
was all in this enfolded:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

And we, shall we be faithless?
shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
shall we evade the conflict,
and cast away our crown?
Not so: in God's deep counsels
some better thing is stored;
we will maintain, unflinching,
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy mercy will not fail us,
nor leave thy work undone;
with thy right hand to help us,
thy victory shall be won;
and then, by men and angels,
thy name shall be adored,
and this shall be their anthem:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

THE BLESSING

My sisters and brothers, go in the peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

"Many Are Called" - Judy Mowatt

CREDITS:

Service from "Common Worship" (Church of England) 

compiled by Jonathan Hagger

Kyries and sermon by Jonathan Hagger

Intercessions by Raymond Chapman

Eucharistic prayer by Steven Shakespeare

Readings from the N.R.S.V.