ST. JOHN'S
ANGLICAN CHURCH
Worship at Home Service for Deliverance from the Coronavirus
The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 12, 2023
Welcome
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them"
MATTHEW 18: 31-46
We continue to be in extraordinary times, but St. John’s is committed to acting with care for each other. Our online worship provides music and prayers which are up-dated weekly. We hope our online worship inspires you and helps you to feel united in spirit as we seek God.
Opening Sentence
Blessed is our Father, Lord of heaven and earth, who has revealed these things to the simple.
John 8:12
Gathering the Community
We gather on this Holy Night to welcome Emmanuel. We have heard the promise of the prophets; We have caught the notes of an angel's song; We have seen a star in the heavens. In the child, Jesus, God has come into our midst, and we have believed! Thanks be to God.
Opening Hymn
'Abide with Me'
Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Almighty and everliving God, whose Son Jesus Christ healed the sick and restored them to wholeness of life, look with compassion on the anguish of the world, and by your power make whole all peoples and nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Hymn
'Lord of All Hopefulness'
The Word of God
Homily
Silence for Reflections
Prayers of the People
Let us pray for the church, for the world and for one another, that all people may feel the love of Christ in their hearts, saying, “Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.”
In these troubling and dangerous times, we pray for peace in the world; for all nations and their leaders, that they may serve their people with justice and love and protect all from violence and persecution. We pray for all people living in danger, especially those living in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
R- Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for churches around the world, that they may be strengthened and seen as beacons of hope during these trying times. We pray for St. John’s and for other churches in the Niagara Diocese as they prepare and hold their annual Vestry meetings to plan for the year ahead.
We pray for Susan, our Bishop, for Fr. Audrius and for all clergy working in these challenging times.
R- Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give thanks for God’s healing in our world as we continue to face the impact of the pandemic and other viruses in our communities, and in other countries. We continue to pray for all medical staff, all essential frontline workers; we pray for all who care for the vulnerable and the displaced. We pray that we will continue to shape our living to protect one another.
This week we pray for people living in Turkey and Syria as they recover from devastating and deadly earthquakes. We pray for rescue and aid workers as they try to enter and help.
R- Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for all who are facing trials and despair- we pray for the homeless, the hungry, the persecuted. We pray for all who have lost loved ones.
R- Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the sick, the dying, the lonely and the isolated. We pray for our friends and for our families, for all who are going through treatment for cancer, for all who are healing after surgery. May they be strengthened and encouraged by God’s love.
Today we pray for our friends and our families, for Muriel (Mike’s aunt), for Miriam, Sandy, Mattagan, Carol, Richard, Helen, Mary, Tom and his brother, Jack.
R- Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Closing Prayer: God of unchanging mercy, look with compassion upon all who suffer. Be present to them in the power of your healing love; give them health, comfort and hope and help us to be your hands and feet in the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us –
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. Amen.
Diocese of Niagara Prayer (Corona Virus)
Loving God, whose peace passes all our understanding; as we face this present pandemic, and experience fear and anxiety, may we hear your voice, bringing calm to the storms of our time.
Strengthen those who work to limit the spread of infection, and those who seek to care for the sick, and keep us mindful of those most vulnerable.
May we shape our living to protect one another, and may our changing habits, practices and sacrifices, be for the greater love of our community and all your people. Amen
Doxology
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen
Blessing
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace to shine with the light of Christ!