This is a form of prayer you might find helpful to use on Sunday Morning, perhaps at the time you would usually be in Church.  Remember that others in their own homes will be joining with you.  If a household are praying together one person may act as leader and the others join in the sections in bold type. If you're on your own, read all these words aloud. The lines in red type are to help guide you. 

Opening Words

Before you begin you may wish to light a candle, make sure you are sitting comfortably and take a few deep breaths to still yourself. 

Alleluia! Christ is risen!  
He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 

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.

Prayers of Penitence

Take a moment to reflect on your life and our need of God's compassion and mercy.

We have lived by our own strength, and not by the power of your resurrection.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes, as faithless and not believing.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived for this world alone, and doubted our home in heaven.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Lord, hear us and help us.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect

You might like to pause for a moment and consider if there is one thing in particular for which you would to pray, or for which you would like to give thanks, and offer it to God.

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of  righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings

Psalm 23

  The Lord is my shepherd;
   therefore can I lack nothing.
  He makes me lie down in green pastures
   and leads me beside still waters.

   He shall refresh my soul
   and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
  Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
      I will fear no evil;
   for you are with me;
      your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

   You spread a table before me
      in the presence of those who trouble me;
   you have anointed my head with oil
      and my cup shall be full.

   Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
      all the days of my life,
   and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Gospel according to St John 10.1-10

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

This is the Gospel of the Lord  
Praise to you, O Christ!

Reflection

Here is a video of Robert our vicar reading the gospel and giving a reflection

Prayer

Spend a few moments praying for the people you know and love, the needs of the world and for an end to the current Pandemic.

You may like to pray:

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter

Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father's sheep: teach us to hear your voice and to follow your command, that all your people may be gathered into one flock, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

For hospital staff and medical researchers

Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the earth

In the beginning your Spirit swept over the face of the waters, and the oceans of the world proclaim your majesty and glory. May the expanse of the seas and the fury of the waves speak to us of your creative power. In your mercy protect all who work and travel on the sea and preserve the teeming life of coral reef and ocean depth. Amen.

From our Prayer Cycle this week

pray for all residents of Holystone Crescent and Weldon Crescent.

For the sick

Jacqueline Pearson, David Bowers, Sangeetha, Rini, the Philips family, Eric Wright, Alan Trotter, Wilma Doig, Doreen Richardson, Maureen Harper and Dorothy Graham.

For those who have died recently

David Barker, Stephen Saxon and Ted Hind

For those whose year's mind is this week 

James Armstrong, Muriel Smith, Robert Stark, Ruth Rattenbury, James Nicholson, Wilhemina Barry Martin, William John Roe, Thomas Robson and Samuel Cross

The Lord's Prayer

You might like to end your prayers with the Lord's Prayer  

The Conclusion

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.  
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Wishing you peace and all good in this Eastertide!