Sunday, May 5, 2019

Proper Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (12 May 2019)

Propers for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (RCL Easter 4C)

Acts 9.36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7.9-17; John 10.22-30

Collect of the Day


O God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do your will, and work in us that which is well-pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [1]
or
O God of peace, you brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep. By the blood of your eternal covenant, make us complete in everything good so that  we may do your will, and work among us all that is well-pleasing in your sight, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. [2]
or
Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of the flock: teach us to hear your voice and to follow your command, so that all your people may be gathered into one flock, to the glory of God, the Shepherd of Israel.  Amen.  [3]
or
Eternal God, from whose gentle hands none can snatch us away: give us faith to believe that we are known and loved with a passion strong enough to bring the whole world back to you; through Jesus Christ, who is one with you,  the Source of life.  Amen.  [3]
or
Safe in your hand, O God, is the flock you shepherd through Jesus your Son.  Lead us always to the living waters where you promise respite and refreshment, so that we may be counted among those who know and follow you.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen. [4]
or
God of comfort and compassion, through Jesus, your Son, you lead us to the water of life and the table of your bounty.  May we who have received the tender love of our Good Shepherd be strengthened by your grace to care for your flock.  Amen.  [6]

Prayer over the Gifts


God of loving care, you spread before us the table of life, and give us the cup of salvation to drink. Keep us always in the fold of your Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our shepherd.  Amen.  [1]
or
Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth.  Day by day you shower us with blessings.  As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Saviourand Lord.  Amen.  [2]

Proper Preface of Easter


Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true paschal lamb who has taken away the sin of the world.  By his death he destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he was won for us eternal life.  Therefore, joining our voices with the hole company of heaven, we sing our joyful hymn of praise to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]
or
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin, who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life.  And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:  [2a]

Prayer after Communion


God of steadfast love, watch over the Church redeemed by the blood of your Son.  May we who share in these holy mysteries come safely to your eternal kingdom, where there is one flock and one shepherd.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.  Amen. [1]
or
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people.  Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, so thatwe may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.  Amen.  [2]

Easter Blessings


I
May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing.  Amen. 

May God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever.  Amen. 

May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance.  Amen. 

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever.  Amen.   [7]

II
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.  Amen.  [7]

 

Sources


[1]       The Book of Alternative Services 1985
[2]       Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006
[2a]     Evangelical Lutheran Worship:  Leaders Desk Edition 2006
[3]       Trial Use Collects for Years A, B & C and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion 2016
[4]       Opening Prayers:  Collects in Contemporary Language 1997, 1999, 2001
[5]       Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009
[6]       Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002
[7]       The Book of Occasional Services2018

N.B.  When a word or phrase appears is italicized in a liturgical text, it is an alteration made by the Ven. Richard Geoffrey Leggett to the original text.

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