Sign of the Cross

Greeting  

May the grace and mercy of Jesus, our high priest,
be always with you.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

The Letter to the Hebrews – our 2nd Reading today – tells us that in Jesus we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. He can understand our struggles, so let us approach him with confidence. (pause)

Lord, you teach us never to lord it over our brothers and sisters:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, you are gentle and merciful,
sympathizing with our human weakness:
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, you came among us not to be served but to serve.
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Most glorious God,
in Jesus you show us that your will is to save.
Grant to us, your people,
the boldness to desire a place in your kingdom,
the courage to drink the cup of suffering,
and the grace to discover in service of others
a taste of the glory you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

P       The letter to the Hebrews encourages us to be confident
         in approaching the throne of grace.
         We turn to our God, then, asking what we need
         for ourselves, our church and our world.

           With confidence we pray:

CM    Lord, let all the nations praise you.
           (Please repeat)

1. That the faith of the Church may become for the world the unfailing sign of God's ability to bring life out of death and hope out of despair, we pray:
   We pray:
   
2. That leaders of churches and civil governments may exercise the kind of authority that results from humble, generous service,
   We pray:
   
3. That we may persevere as disciples of Jesus,
   living according to his teaching
   and proclaiming gospel values
   even when this leads to rejection and condemnation.
   We pray:
4. That those who are sick may realize that their suffering, undertaken in union with Christ, may be turned into a great blessing,
   We pray:
   

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P    Lord God, we bring our hopes and desires before you,
      and ask you to grant what we have asked for
      in the name of your Son Jesus, the eternal priest,
      who lives for ever and ever. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, look upon the face of Christ your Son,
who gave himself up as a ransom for all,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
your name may be great among the nations
and one sacrifice may be offered to your glory.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

We pray to the Father in the words of Jesus,
the one who was tempted
and who shared our human weakness:
Our Father ..

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and keep us from the temptation
to seek positions of honor or power
and from our tendency to exclude others
from what we consider to be ours by right and privilege.
Open our hearts to all peoples and cultures
so that they too can come to accept the Lordship
of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
"Whoever wishes to become great among you
must be your servant".
Look not on our sins of pride
but on our efforts to serve the weak and the marginalized.
Grant us the peace of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
By putting others before ourselves, we can bring peace to the world.
So let us share a sign of peace with one another.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P     This bread which we break is the bread of life.
        It is the sign of Christ's body
        offered in sacrifice.
        "For he has come not to be served
        but to serve and give his life in ransom for the many"
       
A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

Behold Jesus, the Suffering Servant,
who was offered as a ransom for all.
Happy are we who are called to his banquet.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion

Lord God,
let our sharing at this table make us holy;
and grant that through your Church,
all nations may receive with joy
the salvation gained on the cross by your only Son,
who, with the Holy Spirit,
lives with you forever and ever. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May the Father's kindness be with you.
AMEN
May the compassion of Jesus comfort you.
AMEN
May the love of the Spirit protect you.
AMEN.
And may the blessing of our gracious God,
+ Father, Son and the Holy Spirit,
come down upon you today
and remain with you for ever.
AMEN.

Dismissal     

Seeking to follow Jesus, our high priest,
who came not to be served but to serve,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.