HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER VIGIL

HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE
Priest; "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
Congregation; "And also with you."

Priest; "Let us remember the sufferings of our Saviour this night."
Congregation; "Let us never forget the price He had paid for our deliverance."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foha_fUFRQk

ENTRANCE HYMN
Here at Your table

You who are humble, You who are gentle,
breath taking beauty, life giving touch.
We who are empty, we who are hungry,
frail and unworthy, needing so much.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.

Here where You serve us, 
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.

You who are humble, You who are gentle,
breath taking beauty, life giving touch.
We who are empty, we who are hungry,
frail and unworthy, needing so much.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.

Here where You serve us, 
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.

Here where You serve us, 
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.

Holy is He, and great is His glory,
Holy is He, and worthy of our praise.
I stand in His presence amazed,
And crown Him with worship and praise!
Holy is He, Holy is He,
Holy is He.

Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.

CONFESSION AND PARDON
Priest; "My brothers and sister, Christ shows us His love by becoming a humble servant.
Let us draw near to God and confess our sin in the truth of God's Spirit."

Congregation; "Most merciful God, 
we confess that often our spirit has not been that of Christ.
Where we have failed to love one another as He loves us,
where we have pledged loyalty to Him with our lips
and then betrayed, deserted or denied Him.
Forgive us, we pray;
and by Your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trial;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

SCRIPTURE LESSON

Matthew Chapter 26, verses 17 to 75

The Last Supper

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God:Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty Oneand coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

Peter Disowns Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Words of comfort; "On this holy night, we walk alongside Jesus as we remember the unbelievable victory He won over satan in securing our freedom from the tyranny of sin.
The events of this Holy Week Thursday continue to reverberate over the world.

Let us confess our shortcomings to the Lord, and ask pardon for our sins. We remember how Jesus accepted the cup of suffering in reparation for the sins of the world. 
  Only in the world to come will we truly realize the awesome scale of spiritual victory our Heavenly Warrior Prince won for us.

We remember how Jesus humbly prayed before the Father, sweating in fear of the impending events to the point of hematidrosis. 
  Jesus was in so much terror and distress that capillary sweat gland blood vessels ruptured, exuding  blood. 
  Yet He accepted the cup of suffering that He so feared. 
  Jesus overcame His fear for sheer love of us, and pity of our fate if He did not confront satan's plans through the events of Holy Week.

The disciples, exhausted from the labor of walking from town to town and ministry, slept the sleep of the overextended. 
   They did not realize the enormity of events which were moving forward and would soon embroil them in grief, remorse and sorrow. 
  The aftermath of the heat of the day, together with recent stress, worry and the supper wine combined and they slept. 
  Leaving the Son of God to sweat His fear out all alone.

Until the Father sent a special friend, one of the Angels in Heaven Who had always known how to speak to Jesus to bring comfort, wisdom and counsel. 
  We do not know the name of the Angel - not on this side of eternity, at any rate - but we have cause to be deeply thankful to this holy being. 
  He brought great comfort to a grown man who was so distraught that He wept.

At the Supper Jesus had instituted the Eucharist, the holy sacrament which infuses God's Divine Life into our human beings. 
  Do we realize what an incredible gift this is? And freely given! 
  Tonight, let us thank the Saviour for the supreme gift of His entire being, love and purification of our inner selves which the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ effects in us at communion. 

Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, humbly serving them. 
  Let us always remember that the Lord and Master of the Universe, the most keen Intellect that has ever been, with a Mensa scale that is unmeasurable, is not arrogant and proud. 
  He is so humble that He wiped the sweat and dust from calloused feet. 
  Let us likewise love to serve and assist all we meet, in the same humble spirit.

Tonight is the night we REMEMBER. We thank, praise, honor and worship the Lord our God Who brought us out of the Egypt of our banishment, and brought us back to the road which leads to Him.

What  a great destiny is ours! All we need do is accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, repent our sins, and try to lead good lives. 
  The sacraments help to nourish and comfort us on our journey as we each carry our own personal cross on life's road, ready to lay it down when the time comes and we joyfully enter heaven."

HOLY EUCHARIST
Priest; "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take all of you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you."
Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life."

Priest; 'At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation.'

[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer]. 

LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; 'Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us.'
Priest and Congregation;
'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 sins,
As we forgive those who sin 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.'

PRAYER
Priest; 'Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ. We stay at Your Son's side tonight, as we ponder the mysteries of redemption. Our songs, prayer and thanks, the bowing down of our hearts before You are the ways we can show our gratitude for the immeasurable gift You gave us in Your Son.'
Congregation; 'Amen.'

Priest; 'And may the blessing of Almighty God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.

NOW WE SPEND TIME IN PRAYER AS 

WE REMEMBER THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS ON THIS HOLY NIGHT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkivkORaeJA

HYMN
Stay with me
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . 2x

Stay here, and keep watch with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray.

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . 6 x

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Not to give in to temptation.

The spirit is eager,
but the flesh is weak. . . 

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . .

My heart is nearly broken
with sorrow,
Remain here with Me,
Stay awake and pray. . .

Father, if it is possible,
let this Cup pass Me by. . .
Father, if it can not pass Me by
Without I drinking it. . .
Thy Will be done.

Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . Repeat

With thanks to Youtube

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS HOLDING ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL; HOLY THURSDAY. WHY NOT JOIN US?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goR5FO1vge8

It was an amazing night. The Master shared supper with the disciples, instituting the divine sacrament which transfuses divine life into those who eat and drink of the mystery. 
  Before the meal, He had humbly washed the feet of His disciples, showing that the heart of His message is loving service to our brothers and sisters.

Jesus wanted to run away from the dreadful fate which awaited Him. 
  Satan was not going to take Christ's challenge for rulership of all humanity lightly. 
  Every indignity which could be visited upon the breakable human body was to be visited upon the Anointed Messiah.
  And then Jesus was going to die - horribly, stripped naked, His modesty exposed to jeers and taunts. 

The deceased Son of God would be placed into a tomb, into the death from which no-one - save Lazarus, the son of the widowed mother at Nain and the little daughter of Jairus had returned.

Tonight we walk together with Jesus, remembering the little things that so endear Him to us. 
  His care for our people - His saving us from the terrible consequences of the Fall - His love for Mary His mother.

We remember how Jesus owned His emotions, telling the Father He did not want to drink from this final cup of suffering. Who would?
  And yet - when the Father told Him it was necessary for our salvation - He did. 

What a great King we have. 
Good Shepherd Church is holding all night prayer vigil in honor of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the great sacrifices He made to save us and set us free.
We remember, too, all who have suffered and died in the persecuted Church.
We pray for those most in need of God's mercy.
We pray, too, the Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion. [1]

WHY NOT JOIN US IN 

ALL NIGHT PRAYER?

Pray the Holy Rosary

http://www.comepraytherosary.org/

Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion

https://prolifeaction.org/event/wotc/

With thanks to youtube,  comepraytherosary.org and prolifeaction.org

PALM SUNDAY SERVICE

PALM SUNDAY IS THE FINAL SUNDAY OF LENT, BEGINS HOLY WEEK, AND CELEBRATES THE TRIUMPHANT ARRIVAL OF CHRIST IN JERUSALEM, DAYS BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED.
  Today we remember and honor the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. As the crowds rejoiced at the coming of the Son of David, and waved palm fronds in exultation; so do we.

If you do not have a palm frond for this service, why then, place your loving heart down before the Lord, the King, in respect.

GREETING
Priest; 'Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel!'
Congregation; 'Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!'

CALL TO WORSHIP
Priest; 'The Lord be with you'
Congregation; 'And also with you.'
Together; 'This day Jesus entered the holy city of Jerusalem, and was proclaimed King
by those who spread their garments and palm branches along His way.'

ENTRANCE HYMN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axMtARvgc18

Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!

Rejoice, daughters of Zion,
In the One Who brings great joy
Sing praise, children of Judah
for the Lord is close at hand.

Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!

Rejoice, all who are thirsty
For the streams of living joy!
Sing praise, children of Judah
for the Lord is close at  hand.

Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!

Rejoice, all who are longing
To behold the Face of God!
Sing praise, children of Judah
For the Lord is close at hand.

Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!

Reading
Luke Chapter 19, verses 28 to 48

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Jesus at the Temple

45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

WORDS OF COMFORT
"Jesus rode over cloaks and palms to the stone walls of Jerusalem. He breached the gate, and entered the Temple.
There, in God's house, he made the point that purity of worship is within the heart, the soul, the mind - not in financial bartering and transaction.
We cannot buy holiness - even with the very best of intentions.
  There is no doubt that there were good people within Jerusalem. More than likely, many of those 
selling within the Temple were themselves ordinary people, doing what is needed to make a living, to survive.
  Yet Jesus needed to make the point that we don't need an intermediary between ourselves and God.
  We can come directly to God, as He has broken down the wall between us.
  We can confess shyly within our God's embrace, as Jesus has renewed the bond between our Heavenly Father and ourselves.
  We can tell God our every thought, cry every tear, laugh every joy, and ask every question.

Jesus came to restore our relationship, and to heal us of our inmost need to balance what is sacred in terms of money.

Jesus came to set us free.

What is holding you back today? What tether keeps you to the ground, holding you back from flying free within your spirit? Is it financial worry, stresses and strains? Is it unbearable debt? Is is addiction? Is it bad temper? Is it anger against God? Is it addiction to multiple relationships without commitment or true love for the other? Is it a past, grievous sin?

Whatever holds you back, know that Jesus has beaten the moneylenders from your door. He has freed you from the need to face that unpayable spiritual debt that stared humanity in the face.

Rejoice in the joy of the Lord, wave your palm, and rest in God's embrace.
We are redeemed!"

PRAYER
Priest; 'Almighty and everliving God, in Your tender love for the human race You sent Your Son, our beloved Jesus Christ to take upon Himself our nature, and to suffer death on the cross. He showed us true holiness within His Life, true humility in His acceptance of the cup of suffering.
Most of all, Jesus showed us the heart of God's love. He killed no one. He undertook no violence. He spoke of love, taught forgiveness, healed. As He was dying in agony on the cross, He prayed forgiveness for his executioners. Tradition tells us that as the soldier Longinus speared Christ's side, the water and blood which came forth struck him in the eyes. Longinus had been going blind for some time, and he was instantly healed. He cried out 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'

Such courage Jesus showed. Such inspiration for our lives. Such love, forgiveness, mercy and beauty. Help us, Lord, each in our own way, to reflect the Son of David within our lives. Amen.'
Congregation; 'We rejoice in the Messiah, the Son of David. Hosanna!'

Priest; 'We pray for all who have died, all who suffer, all who are lonely.'
Congregation; 'We pray for our brothers and sisters, Lord. Visit us in our need.'

HOLY EUCHARIST
Priest; 'As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take, all of you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you." '
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.'

Priest; 'At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, you are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation.'

[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer].

LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; 'Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us,'
Priest and Congregation; 
'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 sins,
As we forgive those who sin 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.'

PRAYER
Priest; 'Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ. We rejoice in the coming of our Messiah to Jerusalem. Help us to reflect the power of discipleship in our daily lives. Help us to become like the Son of David, kindly in our hearts, pure in our lives, devoted in our worship and heart. Amen.'
Congregation; 'Amen.'

Priest; 'And may the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.

FINAL HYMN
DULCIS CHRISTE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtL83QgCtSk

Latin text

Dulcis Christe, o bone Deus,

O amor meus, o vita mea,

O salus mea, o gloria mea

Tu es Creator, Tu es Salvator mundi.

Te volo, Te quaero,

Te adoro, o dulcis Amor

Te adoro, o care Jesu.

English translation

O sweet Christ, O gracious God

O my love, O my life,

O my salvation, O my glory,

You are Creator, You are Saviour of the world.

I yearn for You, I need You,

I adore You, O sweet Love,

I adore You, O dear Jesus.

With thanks to youtube

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS HOLDING ALL NIGHT VIGIL OF PRAYER. WHY NOT JOIN US?

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS HOLDING ALL NIGHT VIGIL OF PRAYER. WHY NOT JOIN US?
We pray for

• the people of Syria
• for David Daleiden
• for your special intentions

CHAPEL FOR LENT AND PASSIONTIDE

THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Priest: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Hymn: When I survey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vZtxF92rwQ

When I survey the wondrous Cross,
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain, I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God,
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His Blood.

See from His Head, His Hands, His Feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down,
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small,
Love so amazing, so Divine,
Demands my soul - my life, my all.

Priest; Our Lord Jesus Christ said: 'The first commandment is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."

Congregation; "Amen. Lord have mercy."

Priest; "Let us pray.
Lord, You are steadfast in Your love,
and infinite in Your mercy;
You welcome sinners
and invite them to be Your guests.
We confess our sins,
trusting in You to forgive us."

Here we pray.

Priest; "We have yielded to temptation and sinned;
Lord, have mercy."
Congregation; "Lord, have mercy."

Priest; "We have turned from our neighbours in their need:
Christ, have mercy."
Congregation; "Christ, have mercy."

Priest; "We have resisted Your word in our hearts.
Lord, have mercy."
Congregation; "Lord have mercy."

Priest; "May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins, and keep us in eternal life, Amen."

Reading;

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Apostles' Creed;
"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 by 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 again,
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and 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."


Words of Comfort;
"Jesus knows our every sorrow, our every fear, every solitary tear. He has walked our pathways, and taken upon Himself our troubles.
  Often we feel alone. We may experience misunderstanding, painful rejection from those we trust and love.
  We may experience false accusation, the ending of a love, abandonment by another.
  We may experience the grief of loss, the pain of remorse.

Let us turn to Jesus. He is the one who never betrays us, never leaves us, never stops caring for us and loving us.
  He undertook a death so awful that our hurts and disappointments seem less painful when measured against that great cup of suffering.
  Don't ever feel abandoned or uncared for. Though people around us may not always support us in the way we would appreciate, He always will.
  Depend on Him. Trust in Him. Never stop believing in Him.
  Remember that all things will turn out well in heaven. We know this because - confusing as this world may seem at times - nothing is random. 
  His grace floods every situation, every difficulty, every cross.
  And no matter how hopeless, how misunderstood, how unjust, our situation at the end will be brought to a peaceful close in heaven.
  Offer up your sufferings in reparation to God for all the sin within our world. Then be at peace."

Prayers;
Let us pray for the Church of God throughout the world.
Let us pray for persecuted Christians.
Let us pray for the powerless, for victims of famine and war.
Let us pray for the afflicted and sorrowful.
Let us remember before God all those who have passed away.
Amen.

The Lord's Supper;
Priest; "Holy and gracious God,
we give you thanks and priase
that in the fullness of time
you gave your only Son
to share our human nature
and to be tempted in every way as we are,
yet without sin.

When the hour came,
and loving His own to the end,
Jesus sat with them at supper, 
took bread, gave thanks, broke it,
and gave it to His disciples, saying,
'Take and eat.
This is My Body given for you.
Do this in remembrance of Me.'

In the same way, after supper,
He took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it to them, saying,
'Drink from it all of you.
This is My Blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many,
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, whenever you drink it,
in remembrance of Me."

Priest: "The bread we break is a sharing in the Body of Christ."
Congregation: "Christ is the Bread of Life."

Priest; "The cup we take is a sharing in the Blood of Christ."
Congregation; "Christ is the true Vine."

Communion;
Priest; "The Body of Christ keep you in eternal life."
Congregant; "Amen."

Priest; "The Blood of Christ keep you in eternal life."
Congregant; "Amen."

Prayer;
Priest; "Gracious God,
we thank You that You have nourished us
with the bread of life
and with the cup of salvation.
May we who have received this sacrament
be strengthened in Your service."
Congregation; "Amen."

The Lord's Prayer;
Priest; "We pray together the prayer that Jesus gave us;"
Congregation; "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."
Congregation; "Amen."

Blessing;
Priest; "The God of all grace
Who has called us to eternal glory in Christ
confirm and strengthen us forever."
Congregation; "Amen."

Hymn: O Love that will not let me go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cBp3rLDdlA

O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest on my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee,
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's glow its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to hide from thee,
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red,
Life that shall endless be.


With thanks to youtube