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  • 7. Prayers in preparation for the ministry of God’s Word

    Since listening to the reading of Scripture and its exposition in preaching is such an important part of our gathering, we need to pray for God to give us attention, understanding, and the ability to obey.  The following prayers could provide a helpful introduction to this part of the service.  The prayer at 7.5 could also be used as a prayer of dedication at the end of a service or after the ministry of the word.

    7.1       Gracious Lord, you have caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, encouraged and supported by your holy Word, we may embrace and always hold fast the joyful hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book (modified)

    7.2       Thank you Father for making yourself known to us, showing us the way of salvation through faith in your Son.  We ask you now to teach us through your word, so that we may be ready to serve you, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

    Sunday Services

    7.3       We thank you heavenly Father, for inspiring all Scripture by the Holy Spirit.  Help us by your Spirit so to hear your holy word that we may be equipped for every good work, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    Sunday Services (modified)

    7.4       Heavenly Father, give us faith to receive your word, understanding to know what it means, and the will to put it into practice; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book

    7.5     Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word.  May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths, and strength to our lives.  Take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. An Australian Prayer Book

    7.6       Lord make your word our rule, your Spirit our teacher, and your glory our supreme concern, for the sake of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

  • Assurances of forgiveness

    It is essential to follow a corporate confession of sin with some assurance of forgiveness, remembering the basis of that forgiveness in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an important moment for proclaiming gospel promises and offering hope to those with guilty consciences. It should not be a mere formality. Scripture verses, declarations of forgiveness, and prayers for renewal of life and obedience can be included, together with suitable songs. The numbers here correspond with those in section 5, so that 6.1 is the form of assurance that was written to follow the confession at 5.1, and so on. In some cases, new compositions have been paired with familiar confessions.

    6.1 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has no pleasure in the death of sinners,
    but would rather they should turn from their wickedness and live.
    He has given authority to his ministers to declare to his people when they repent
    the forgiveness of their sins.
    God pardons and absolves all who truly repent and believe his holy gospel.
    So we ask him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit,
    that what we do now may please him
    and that the rest of our life may be pure and holy,
    so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    The Book of Common Prayer (revised)

    6.2

    God pardons those who humbly repent and truly believe the gospel.
    Since Jesus died for us, we have peace with God,
    to whom be praise and honour for ever. Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book (modified).

    6.3

    Almighty God our heavenly father,
    who of his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins
    to all who with hearty repentance and true faith turn to him:
    have mercy on you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins;
    confirm and strengthen you in all goodness;
    and keep you in eternal life;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book

    6.4

    Almighty God,
    who has promised forgiveness of sins to all who turn to him in faith:
    pardon you and set you free from all your sins,
    strengthen you to do his will,
    and keep you in eternal life;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book

    6.5

    God is slow to anger and full of compassion.
    He forgives all who humbly repent and trust in his Son as Saviour and Lord.
    There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

    Cf. Exodus 34:6-7; Romans 8:1

    6.6

    Our God fulfils his promises and is true to his word.
    We have confessed our sins.
    God has forgiven us,
    because Christ died for us. Amen.

    Sunday Services

    6.7

    Our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us
    to redeem us from all wickedness
    and to purify for himself are people that are his very own,
    eager to do what is good.
    Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! Amen.

    Cf. Titus 2:13-14; 2 Cor. 9:15

    6.8

    May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins,
    and restore us in his image,
    to the praise and glory of his name,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Common Worship

    6.9

    May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son
    and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.

    Common Worship

    6.10

    Merciful Lord,
    grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve you with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book

  • Questions and answers for candidates and sponsors

    Whether candidates are able to respond for themselves, or parents and godparents respond on behalf of infants, the demands should be the same: a renunciation of evil, an expression of belief in God as Trinity (preparing for baptism in the name of the Trinity), and a promise to be a faithful disciple. In modern versions, the questions and answers are generally more extensive. Additionally, in the case of infants, modern versions have tended to add questions to parents and godparents about their own faith and their willingness to sponsor and support the children. In 3.2 the congregation joins with the sponsors in confessing the faith into which the person is being baptised. 3.3 provides the same pattern of responses for those able to answer for themselves. 3.4 combines elements of 3.1 and 3.2 in a more simplified form. This version makes following Jesus more explicitly the context in which to obey God’s commands. 3.5 is a version of 3.4 for candidates able to answer for themselves. 3.6 expands the questions and answers and asks the congregation to support the candidates in their response to Christ. It also offers the Baptismal Creed in an interrogative form.

    3.1

    Are you yourself a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of his church, sincerely believing the promises of God?
    I am.
    Are you willing to sponsor this child, answering for him now, and accepting responsibility for his Christian upbringing?
    I am willing.

    I ask you now to answer in the name of this child:
    Do you renounce the devil and all his works,
    the empty display and false values of the world,
    and the sinful desires of the flesh,
    so that you will not follow nor be led by them?
    I renounce them all.
    Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth?
    Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord?
    And that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
    born of the virgin Mary;
    that he suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried;
    that he went down to the place of the dead,
    and also rose again the third day?
    That he ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty,
    and from there shall come to judge the living and the dead?
    And do you believe in the Holy Spirit;
    the holy catholic church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting?
    All this I firmly believe.
    Will you keep God’s holy will and commandments, and serve him faithfully throughout your life?
    With his help I intend to do so.

    An Australian Prayer Book (Order 1 [Infants])

    3.2

    Those who bring young children to be baptised must declare, on behalf of the children, allegiance to Christ and rejection of all that is evil: the devil and all his works, the empty display and false values of the world, and the sinful desires of the flesh.
    Therefore I ask you to answer on behalf of this child,
    Do you turn to Christ?
    I turn to Christ.
    Do you repent of your sins?
    I repent of my sins.
    Do you renounce evil?
    I renounce evil.
    Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, and lead you in the light of Christ to his everlasting kingdom. Amen.

    This child has been brought for baptism. Let us all now profess the faith into which he is to be baptised and in which he is to be brought up.

    I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth;
    and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
    born of the virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell.
    The third day he rose again from the dead.
    He ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit;
    the holy catholic church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.

    I now ask you to answer in the name of this child,
    Do you profess this faith?
    I do.
    Do you ask for baptism in this faith?
    I do.
    Will you, with God’s help, strive to keep his holy will and commandments
    and serve him faithfully throughout your life?
    I will.

    An Australian Prayer Book (Order 2 [Infants])

    3.3

    Those who are to be baptised [and confirmed] must declare their allegiance to Christ and their rejection of all that is evil: the devil and all his works, the empty display and false values of the world, and the sinful desires of the flesh.
    Therefore I ask you,
    Do you turn to Christ?
    I turn to Christ.
    Do you repent of your sins?
    I repent of my sins.
    Do you renounce evil?
    I renounce evil.
    Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, and lead you in the light of Christ to his everlasting kingdom. Amen.

    You have come here to be baptised [and confirmed]. You must now profess the faith into which you are to be baptised, as we all confess together:
    I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth;
    and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
    born of the virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell.
    The third day he rose again from the dead.
    He ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit;
    the holy catholic church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.
    I now ask you
    Do you profess this faith?
    I do.
    Will you, with God’s help, strive to keep his holy will and commandments
    and serve him faithfully throughout your life?
    I will.
    Do you ask for baptism in the faith you have professed?
    I do.

    An Australian Prayer Book (Order 2 [Adults] modified)

    3.4

    Are you yourself a follower of Jesus Christ, trusting the gracious promises of God?
    I am.
    Are you willing to sponsor these children, answering for them now and accepting responsibility for their Christian upbringing in the life of the Church?
    I am willing.
    I ask you now to answer in the name of these children:
    Do you turn away from your sins, the Devil and all evil?
    I turn away from them all.
    Do you turn to Christ?
    I turn to Christ.

    These children have been brought for baptism. Let us all profess the faith into which they are to be baptised and nurtured.
    I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
    I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
    who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, died, and was buried;
    he descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
    from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.
    I ask you now to answer in the name of these children.
    Do you profess this faith?
    I do.
    Will you follow Jesus faithfully, and obey his commands throughout your life?
    With his help, I intend to do so.

    Sunday Services

    3.5

    Those who present themselves for baptism must declare their allegiance to Christ and their rejection of all that is evil. So I ask:
    Do you turn away from your sins, the Devil and all evil?
    I turn away from them all.
    Do you turn to Christ?
    I turn to Christ.

    You have come here to be baptised. You must now profess the faith into which you are to be baptised, as we all confess together:
    I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
    I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
    who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, died, and was buried;
    he descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
    from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.
    I ask you now
    Do you profess this faith?
    I do.
    Will you follow Jesus faithfully, and obey his commands throughout your life?
    With his help, I intend to do so.

    Sunday Services (modified)

    3.6

    I invite the sponsors of these persons to present them for baptism.
    We present name(s) to be baptised.
    Will you accept the responsibilities placed upon you in bringing name/this child for baptism?
    I will.
    Are you willing to answer on behalf of name/this child?
    I am.
    By your prayers and example, by your friendship and love, will you encourage name/this child in the life and faith of the Christian community?
    I will, with God’s help.

    Before God and this congregation, you must affirm that you turn to Christ and reject all that is evil:
    Do you turn to Christ?
    I turn to Christ.
    Do you repent of your sins?
    I repent of my sins.
    Do you reject selfish living, and all that is false and unjust?
    I reject them all.
    Do you renounce Satan and all evil?
    I renounce all that is evil.
    Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, and lead you in the light of Christ to his everlasting kingdom. Amen.

    Will you each, by God’s grace, strive to live as a disciple of Christ, loving God with your whole heart, and your neighbour as yourself, until your life’s end?
    I will, with God’s help.

    You have heard these our brothers and sisters respond to Christ.
    Will you support them in this calling?
    We will.

    I now ask you now to affirm as yours the faith of the Church.
    Do you believe in God the Father?
    I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
    Do you believe in God the Son?
    I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
    who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, died, and was buried;
    he descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
    from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
    Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
    I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.
    This is the faith of the Church.
    This is our faith:
    We believe in one God:
    Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

    A Prayer Book for Australia

  • Confessions

    Confession (SS)

  • Creeds

    Apostles Creed

    Confession (SS)

  • General confessions

    Various forms of confession are possible, including prayers said together, prayers said by the leader alone on behalf of the congregation, responsive prayers with pauses for reflection, and scriptural passages shared together. A confession of sin, whether said together or shared in a responsive form, should allow those present to acknowledge the seriousness of their sin and express genuine repentance. At the same time, it should indicate that the character of God and the saving work of the Lord Jesus are the basis for seeking forgiveness and the grace to change. If possible, a declaration of forgiveness or absolution should be chosen which reflects the language, length and theme of the confession. Suggestions are made at section 6 to assist in this choice.

    5.1 Almighty and most merciful Father,
    we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
    We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
    We have offended against your holy laws.
    We have left undone what we ought to have done,
    and we have done what we ought not to have done,
    and there is no health in us.
    Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us:
    restore those who are penitent,
    according to your promises declared to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.
    And grant, merciful Father, for his sake,
    That we may live a godly, righteous, and obedient life,
    to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

    The Book of Common Prayer (modified)

    5.2

    Most merciful God,
    we humbly admit that we need your help.
    We confess that we have wandered from your way:
    we have done wrong, and we have failed to do what is right.
    You alone can save us.
    Have mercy on us:
    wipe out our sins and teach us to forgive others.
    Bring forth in us the fruit of the Spirit
    that we may live as disciples of Christ.
    This we ask in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book

    5.3

    Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    maker of all things, judge of all people,
    we acknowledge with shame the sins we have committed,
    by thought, word and deed, against your divine majesty,
    provoking most justly your wrath and indignation against us.
    We earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for all our misdoings.
    Have mercy on us, most merciful Father.
    For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake
    forgive us all that is past,
    and grant that from this time forward
    we may serve and please you in newness of life,
    to the honour and glory of your name,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book

    5.4

    Merciful God,
    our maker and our judge,
    we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed:
    we have not loved you with our whole heart,
    we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves:
    we repent, and are sorry for all our sins.
    Father, forgive us.
    Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    An Australian Prayer Book

    5.5

    Heavenly Father,
    we praise you for adopting us as your children
    and making us heirs of eternal life.
    In your mercy you have washed us from our sins
    and made us clean in your sight.
    Yet we still fail to love you as we should
    and serve you as we ought.
    Forgive us our sins and renew us by your grace,
    that we may continue to grow as members of Christ,
    in whom alone is our salvation. Amen.

    Sunday Services

    5.6

    Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
    you are merciful and kind,
    but we have gone our own way,
    not loving you as we ought,
    nor loving our neighbours as ourselves.
    We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed
    and in what we have failed to do.
    We deserve your condemnation.
    Father, forgive us.
    Help us to love you and our neighbour,
    and to live for your honour and glory;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Sunday Services (modified)

    5.7

    Heavenly Father,
    you have loved us with an everlasting love,
    but we have gone our own way,
    and rejected your will for our lives.
    We are sorry for our sins and turn away from them.
    For the sake of your Son who died for us,
    forgive us, cleanse us, and change us.
    By your Holy Spirit, enable us to live for you,
    and to please you in every way;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Sunday Services (modified)

    5.8

    (Come let us return to the Lord and say:)
    Lord our God,
    in our sin we have avoided your call.
    Our love for you is like a morning cloud,
    like the dew that goes early away.
    Have mercy on us;
    deliver us from judgement;
    bind up our wounds and revive us;
    in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Common Worship (cf. Hosea 6)

    5.9

    (Let us admit to God the sin which always confronts us.)
    Lord God,
    we have sinned against you;
    we have done evil in your sight.
    We are sorry and repent.
    Have mercy on us according to your love.
    Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
    Renew a right spirit within us
    and restore us to the joy of your salvation,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Common Worship (cf. Psalm 51)

    5.10

    Gracious God, we have come to see that our lives fall far short of your glory.
    Have mercy and forgive us.
    You have given your Son for us, and poured out your Spirit, yet we fail to return your love with all our heart.
    Have mercy and change us.
    Too often we are selfish and proud, ignoring you and neglecting others.
    Have mercy and cleanse us.
    When we do not truly trust and obey you, we are overwhelmed by self-pity, fear and worry.
    Have mercy and deliver us.
    In Christ we are given a sure hope and secure love, yet we follow the false hopes and desires of this world.
    Have mercy and renew us.
    Father, through the redeeming death of your Son, by your Spirit, and through your word,
    enable us to follow you with joy.
    All this we ask, confident of your faithfulness and love. Amen.

    Sunday Services (modified)

  • Invitations to confess sins

    Whether the confession of sin is to take place at the beginning or later in the service, it should be preceded by a brief time of preparation. This may involve the recital of biblical texts, a brief exhortation, or a song pointing to the need for confession and highlighting God’s provision for our forgiveness. Attention can be drawn to particular words in the confession about to be used, so that all may reflect on the significance of what they will say together. If the beginning of a service has been characterised by praise, an appropriate bridge to confession should be provided. Alternatively, a call to confess sins may be directly linked with the general introductions in section 1 and provide a penitential opening to the service, as in the traditional Prayer Book exhortation (4.1). Whatever the pattern, appropriate sentences or brief exhortations should highlight the need to confess our sin and be assured of God’s forgiveness, as we approach him together. There should be a pause for reflection between the invitation and the confession. Biblical texts can be used before or after the exhortations. If there is need to respond to a sermon with penitence, the confessions and assurances in sections 5 and 6 can be used at that point in the service.

    4.1 Dear friends, the Scriptures urge us to acknowledge our sins,
    and not to conceal them in the presence of God our heavenly Father,
    but to confess them with a penitent and obedient heart,
    so that we may be forgiven through his boundless goodness and mercy.
    We ought always humbly to admit our sins before God,
    but chiefly when we meet together
    to give thanks for the benefits we have received at his hands,
    to offer the praise that is due to him,
    to hear his holy word,
    and to ask what is necessary for the body as well as the soul.
    Therefore, let us draw near to the throne of our gracious God,
    and pray together.

    An Australian Prayer Book
    4.2

    We are the people of God,
    but Scripture reminds us that we still sin.
    We need to confess our failures,
    knowing that the Lord Jesus intercedes for us with the Father,
    who freely forgives us, through his infinite goodness and mercy.
    So let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and pray together.

    Sunday Services
    4.3

    The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.
    As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith,
    we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy.

    New Patterns for Worship
    4.4

    When the Lord comes,
    He will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness,
    and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
    Therefore, in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.

    New Patterns for Worship
    4.5

    Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God,
    though we have rebelled against him.
    Let us then renounce our wilfulness and seek his mercy
    by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

    New Patterns for Worship
    4.6

    Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,
    so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;
    by his wounds we have been healed.
    So let us acknowledge our failure and disobedience,
    and return to the Lord with penitence and faith.

    Cf. 1 Peter 2:24-25
    4.7

    God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
    If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in the darkness,
    we lie and do not practise the truth.
    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
    we have fellowship with one another,
    and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
    So let us confess our sins to God,
    knowing that he is faithful and just,
    to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

    Cf. 1 John 1:5-6, 9 ESV
    4.8 Biblical texts which may be used to move us to repentance include the following:.

    Psalm 32 1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

    Psalm 51 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

    Psalm 143 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

    Isaiah 1 18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

    Isaiah 55 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

    Ezekiel 18 27 But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life.

    Ezekiel 18 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

    Daniel 9 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.

    Joel 2 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

    Matthew 2237 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

    Mark 1 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

    Luke 15 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

    Acts 3 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

    Acts 17 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

    Titus 2 13 while we wait for the blessed hope– the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

    1 John 3 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

  • Opening prayers and praises

    An opening prayer or act of praise is a significant opportunity to express our desire to encounter God together. There may be specific things for which to thank God, but mostly we will want to pray for him to be honoured in our gathering and for our faith, hope and love to be increased as we minister to one another in his name. After a simple greeting, these or other prayers and praises may introduce a service. They may also be included later at section 7, after the confession of sin and assurance of forgiveness. As well as inviting us to praise God, they seek his help in hearing and responding to his word appropriately. The first four may be used responsively or by the leader alone.

    3.1 Open our lips, O Lord,
    and we shall declare your praise.
    Give us the joy of your saving help,
    and sustain us with your life-giving Spirit.

    Cf. Psalms 51:15, 12

    3.2

    Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
    Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

    Psalm 96:2-3

    3.3

    To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honour and glory and power,
    for ever and ever! A    men

    Revelation 5:13

    3.4

    Great and marvellous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
    Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.
    Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
    For you alone are holy.
    All nations will come and worship before you
    For your righteous acts have been revealed.

    Revelation 15:3-4

    3.5

    God our Father,
    we pray that the message of your Son
    will dwell richly among us,
    as we teach and admonish one another
    with the wisdom you give,
    and sing with thankfulness in our hearts to you.
    And whatever we do, in word or deed,
    may it be done
    in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
    and for his glory. Amen.

    Cf. Colossians 3:16-17

    3.6

    Faithful one, whose word is life,
    come with saving power
    to free our praise,
    inspire our prayer
    and shape our lives
    for the kingdom of your Son,
    Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    New Patterns for Worship

    3.7

    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.

    An Australian Prayer Book
    3.8 Almighty God,
    nothing is hidden from you,
    not even the secrets of our hearts.
    By your Holy Spirit,
    purify our deepest thoughts,
    so that we may truly love you
    and bring honour to your name,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Sunday Services

  • Seasonal Sentences

    These or other sentences may used after one of the greetings or introductions listed above. They can also be used on their own to proclaim the seasonal significance of what is to follow in prayers, praises, and the ministry of the word.

    2.1

    Advent

    Rom 13 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.

    Rev 22 12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

    2.2

    Christmas

    Isa 9 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    Luke 2 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

    2.3

    Epiphany

    Mal 1 11 My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.

    Matt 28 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

    2.4

    Lent

    Ps 51 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

    Mark 1 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

    2.5

    Good Friday

    Rom 5 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

    1Pet 2 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

    2.6

    Easter

    1Cor 5 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast– as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

    1Pet 1 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

    2.7

    Ascension

    Phil 2 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Heb 4 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are– yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

    2.8

    Pentecost

    Acts 2 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

    Rom 5 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

    2.9

    Trinity

    Titus 3 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour,

    Rev 4 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

     

  • Greetings and other introductions

    Churches have different ways of making clear that a service is about to start. Ordinary greetings such as ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Welcome’ make people feel comfortable and link what we do with everyday human encounters. But biblically-based prayers (such as 1.1 – 1.2), or reminders of our purpose in meeting together (such as 1.4 – 1.7), focus our attention on God and what we might expect from him. God has called us together and we should acknowledge that from the beginning, in the way we speak to him or speak about him. A well-chosen hymn or song may also fulfil some of these introductory functions.

    Introductions 1.4 and 1.5 can be extended to give a seasonal or thematic emphasis, or lead straight to an invitation to confess sins (see section 4). There may be special events in the life of the congregation to be noted. But, above all, it is important to focus attention on God and the prospect of listening to his word and responding with prayer and praise. We have not come together merely to have fellowship with one another or to encourage one another, but to meet with God.

     

    1.1 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
    be with you
    and also with you.

    Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14
    1.2 Grace, mercy and peace,
    from God our Father
    and the Lord Jesus Christ,
    be with you
    and also with you.

    Cf. 1 Timothy 1:2
    1.3 (In the Easter season)
    Christ is risen!
    He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
    1.4 (Friends in Christ)
    We have come together to meet with God,
    to express our fellowship in the Lord Jesus,
    and to take our part in the building of his church.
    We will praise and thank him for his
    goodness towards us,
    hear from his holy word,
    and pray for the world, and for ourselves.
    (Especially today . . .)

    Experimental Sunday Services (modified)
    1.5 We have come together in the name of Christ,
    to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
    to hear and receive God’s holy word,
    to pray for the needs of the world,
    and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
    that by the power of the Holy Spirit
    we may give ourselves to the service of God.
    (Especially today . . .)

    Common Worship
    1.6 We meet in the presence of God,
    who knows our needs,
    hears our cries,
    feels our pain,
    and heals our wounds.

    Common Worship
    1.7 Since we believe that Jesus our Saviour
    has ascended into heaven,
    and opened the way into God’s presence for us.
    let us draw near with a sincere heart
    in full assurance of faith;
    let us hold fast to the hope we profess;
    and let us consider how we may spur one another on
    to love and good deeds.

    Cf. Hebrews 10:19-25