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vocsunword

A Service of the Word for Vocations Sunday

‘Come follow me and be my witnesses’

In Matthew 28.18-20 Jesus gives his disciples the great commission, ‘All aughority in heaven and earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.’  Some doubted but others worshipped and followed him.

The Greeting

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.


Hymn: O love that wilt not let me go


The Gathering

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And put a new and right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence,
And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
And sustain in me a willing spirit.

O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth will declare your praise.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden;
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Hymn: Will you come and follow me


Penitence

Christ calls us to share the heavenly banquet of his love with all the saints in heaven. 
Knowing our unworthiness and sin, let us ask from him both mercy and forgiveness.

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. 
We have not loved you with our whole heart. 
We have not loved our neighbour a ourselves. 
In your mercy, forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God.
Amen.

May God who loved the world so much
that he sent his Son to be our Saviour,
forgive us our sin and make us worthy to serve him in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Hymn:  Just as I am


Collect

Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God,
who gave your disciples grace truly to believe and to preach your word;
grant that we may love your word,
faithfully listen for your call
and discern our roles;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

The liturgy of the word

Reading: Romans 12.3-13

This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God


Hymn: Brother, sister, let me serve you


Gospel: John 1.35-46

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening; you have the words of eternal life. 
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.

After the gospel

This is the gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ.

The sermon

Affirmation of faith

Let us affirm our faith in God:
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 had of the Father,
And he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
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.


Hymn: Lord, for the years


The Prayers

As we meet before you, Father God, we ask you to hear and answer the prayers of your people:

May we listen carefully for your call.  We ask for courage and wisdom to share your peace in a world that is torn by enmity, religious intolerance, and racial prejudice.

Loving Father,
Let us humbly do your will

Once we have heard and discerned your call may we receive courage to stand up for what is right and protect the weak and helpless, within communities and work places where relationships have broken down….

Loving Father,
Let us humbly do your will

We pray for our bishops… for all who teach the Christian faith, and for the life of the church.  Strengthen and encourage those whose faith is being sorely tested, as they reach out to respond to your call in whatever capacity you ask of them. May they express your compassion and love, give them empathy and peace as they ministry to those in distress.

Loving Father,
Let us humbly do your will

The Lord’s Prayer


Hymn: Lift high the cross


Concluding prayers

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve,
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labour and not to seek reward,
Save that of knowing that we do you will.
Amen

(St Ignatius of Loyola)

Blessing and dismissal

May God give us grace to follow his saints in faith and hope and love;
and may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.  Amen.