Worship from Home | St. John's Church

Worship at Home Service for Deliverance from the Coronavirus

Third Sunday of Easter

April 18, 2021

Welcome

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them"

MATTHEW 18: 31-46

These are extraordinary times. Though we are unable to gather together for worship this morning due to the precautions surrounding COVID-19, we still have an opportunity to worship at home, and as we each do so, we do so together, united in spirit as we seek God together.

Gathering Hymn

'Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks to the Risen Lord'

Gathering the Community

Alleluia! Christ is Risen

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

May his grace and peace be with you.

May he fill our hearts with joy.

Gloria

Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter

O God,

Your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Hymn

'We Walk by Faith'

Gospel

Luke 24: 36b-48

Homily

Silence for Reflections

Prayers of the People

In joy and hope let us pray on this 3rd Sunday of Easter, giving thanks to the source of all life, saying, “God of love, hear our prayer.”

Let us pray for the church, that it may stand fast during these difficult times, in the one faith to which it has been called.

We pray for our Bishop, Susan Bell, for Fr. Audrius and for all clergy leaders working in these difficult times.

R- God of love, hear our prayer

We pray for peace in our world among all human families and nations, that hatred, greed and violence may cease. We pray for all who are victims of oppression, especially for the people of Myanmar, Burma. We pray that wisdom will prevail and that enduring peace will come.

R- God of love, hear our prayer

We pray for the world as it battles this pandemic; we pray for scientists and health care workers, that they may be strengthened for their service and be given wisdom in their decisions.

R- God of love, hear our prayer

We pray for the sick, the suffering and the dying. We pray for all who are mourning the loss of loved ones. We pray especially today for the Royal family who are gathered to mourn the loss of Prince Philip. May they know the warm embrace of God’s love and compassion. We pray for all who are facing challenges, and today we pray especially for Dorothy, Joan, Eric, Betty, Iona, Gerry and her son, Tim.

R- God of love, hear our prayer

Closing Prayer:

Creator God, we thank you for all of creation. We ask your forgiveness where we have failed to be wise stewards of this earth. Grant us your grace that we may tread lightly upon it and cherish its resources. May we learn to live in harmony, safety and just sharing of resources among all so that we achieve the kingdom of God. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Life of

The Duke of Edinburgh

God of eternal life and love

we give thanks today for the life and witness of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,

for his service in pursuit of peace as a naval officer,

for his service to the Queen as a wise counsellor and companion,

for his commitment in marriage for over seventy years in witness to

mutual respect and love,

for his commitment to nurturing family and guiding with wisdom their

growth and development,

for his encouragement of young people around the world

to skill development, physical health, adventure,

and service through the Duke of Edinburgh Award,

for his care and advocacy for all of creation

for a life lived selflessly in service to others.

We remember with thanksgiving and commit him into Your keeping this

day in the sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

We give thanks for the long and fruitful life of Prince Philip and we

pray for Queen Elizabeth and her family.

Holy God,

Be with the Queen and her family at this difficult time. Be their

light and comfort in the days ahead. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

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

Sending Forth

Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of Christ's resurrection.

Thanks be to God, Alleluia!