Prayer resources

The Season of Lent

 

Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Palm Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LENT 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

• Introduction to the season
• Ash Wednesday Quiet Day details
• Tips for a Quiet Day at home
• Ash Wednesday for the church family at home
• An order for Morning Prayer during Lent
• An order for Evening Prayer during Lent
• An order for Compline (Night Prayer) during Lent
• Resources
• Fasting
• Opportunities to pray together during Lockdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to the Season of Lent

Lent may originally have followed Epiphany, just as Jesus’ sojourn in the wilderness followed immediately on his baptism, but it soon became firmly attached to Easter, as the principal occasion for baptism and for the reconciliation of those who had been excluded from the Church’s fellowship for apostasy or serious faults. This history explains the characteristic notes of Lent – self-examination, penitence, self-denial, study, and preparation for Easter, to which almsgiving has traditionally been added.

Now is the healing time decreed

for sins of heart and word and deed,

when we in humble fear record

the wrong that we have done the Lord.

(Latin, before 12th century)

As the candidates for baptism were instructed in Christian faith, and as penitents prepared themselves, through fasting and penance, to be readmitted to communion, the whole Christian community was invited to join them in the process of study and repentance, the extension of which over forty days would remind them of the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, being tested by Satan.

Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence; from the middle ages it became the custom to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. The calculation of the forty days has varied considerably in Christian history. It is now usual in the West to count them continuously to the end of Holy Week (not including Sundays), so beginning Lent on the sixth Wednesday before Easter, Ash Wednesday. Liturgical dress is the simplest possible. Churches are kept bare of flowers and decoration. Gloria in excelsis is not used. The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare or Refreshment Sunday) was allowed as a day of relief from the rigour of Lent, and the Feast of the Annunciation almost always falls in Lent; these breaks from austerity are the background to the modern observance of Mothering Sunday on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

As Holy Week approaches, the atmosphere of the season darkens; the readings begin to anticipate the story of Christ’s suffering and death, and the reading of the Passion Narrative gave to the Fifth Sunday its name of Passion Sunday. There are many devotional exercises which may be used in Lent and Holy Week outside the set liturgy. The Stations of the Cross, made popular in the West by the Franciscans after they were granted custody of the Christian sites in the Holy Land, are the best known.

 

(Common Worship- Introduction to the Season)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ash Wednesday

Quiet Day at Home

Since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting. By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord.

The Church invites us to observe a holy lent, by self- examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self- denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word.

Mthr Lucy will be observing Ash Wednesday as a quiet day and invites you to use this day in preparation for the observance of a holy lent. If you would like to join in prayer throughout the day the following will be offered on-line or you might like to use the resources in this booklet to pray at these times alone.

 

09:00 Morning Prayer (zoom)

12:00 Midday Prayer (zoom)

17:30 Evening Prayer (zoom)

19:30 The Eucharist for Ash Wednesday (YouTube)

21:00 Compline (zoom)

 

Please contact Mthrlucy.pagham@gmail.com for the zoom link to ALL online Lent provision.

Tips on keeping a quiet day at home:

In the days leading up to the quiet day

• Create for yourself a place for prayer/ spiritual reading- you might like to include a candle (and matches), an icon, cross or image (such as a postcard with a landscape), your Bible and a notebook/ pen. Try to make this a space that is as free as it can be from all other distractions. Somewhere you can sit comfortably without getting too cold.
• Think about one book that you might like to dip in and out of during the day (if you are going to read on a quiet day it is important to think about how this could form/ direct your prayer rather than being something that distracts you from it or tempts you away from prayer for example a novel probably isn’t the right choice for today). You might consider choosing the gospel of the day (Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21 or John 8: 1-11), a psalm (psalm 51 or psalm 38, or others), or a book that speaks to one of the themes of Lent- prayer, penitence, fasting.

The Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer) lean heavily on the following books during this season- why not consider reading one from start to finish throughout the day? Genesis, Jeremiah, John, Galatians and Hebrews.

• Alternatively, on this day there will be short videos from each of our Bishops on the themes of prayer, penitence and fasting shared throughout the day. Perhaps you might like to find a way to use these (although be aware of the penultimate point below, about distractions).
• If you are someone who enjoys arts and crafts, music or other creative outlets you might like to use these in your prayer, perhaps to form some kind of response to your prayer or reading.
• Think about what you would like your pattern of prayer to look like in the day. As noted above there are a number of times to join in corporate prayer throughout the day- do you want to do all of these, a selection or none? Will you keep times of deliberately prayerful silence through the day and for how long- would it help you to set these out at the start of the day? Are there particular things you want to pray on during the day? (You will find hourly prayer intentions for 07:00-18:00 on Ash Wednesday in this booklet, which you might like use to focus your prayer).
• Plan in sometime to spend outside- a chance to take in some fresh air and sunlight. Whether that be wrapping up warm for a cup of tea in your garden, a brisk walk to the beach or a walk around the block.

And on the day:

• At some point during the day you might like to use the liturgy “Ash Wednesday For the Church Family at Home”, included on the next page.
• Switch off all distractions that you can- your mobile/ house phone/ computer so that you are not repeatedly interrupted or tempted to check messages/ emails/ social media. If you’re not able to do this then perhaps consider just switching these off for a couple of hours in the morning/ afternoon.
• Remember, be gentle with yourself during this day- if anything difficult comes up during your prayer or quiet time that you might find it helpful to talk through, please do call Mthr Lucy 01243 941551.

(These tips can be used to turn any day into a quiet day, so if you can’t do this on Ash Wednesday, why not consider setting aside another day or half day during Lent.)

 

 

 

 

Ash Wednesday

For the church family at home

Ash Wednesday is a special day in the Christian Church in which we remember the ways in which we have not got things quite right with God and say sorry for those things in a time of prayerful repentance. It is wonderful that you want to take part in this time of reflection, and you are very welcome to use the following words and actions to help you to mark this day.

 

Before you begin you will need to gather the following items:

• Some paper and a pen
• Something to burn the paper in outside such as a metal baking tin or a barbecue
• Matches or a lighter
• Some vegetable oil (preferably olive)
• A vessel of water in case you need to extinguish the flames quickly

 

Where the text appears in red it is telling you what to do next

Where the text appears in black one person reads aloud on behalf of everyone

Where the text appears in bold black everyone joins in together

 

 

Everyone gathers together and spends a moment in silence before saying the following

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Amen

 

A brief period of silence is kept before the prayer for the day, The Collect, is prayed

 

Holy God,

our lives are laid open before you:

rescue us from the chaos of sin

and through the death of your Son

bring us healing and make us whole

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

We keep a period of silent reflection on our sins, those things we have not got right in our lives and write them down on the paper.

 

If not already outside, everyone moves outdoors, each person places their paper in their metal vessel and a responsible adult carefully sets fire to them.

 

Everyone says together

 

Make our hearts clean, O God;

and renew a right spirit within us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,

we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,

in what we have thought,

in what we have said and done,

through ignorance, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

 

We have wounded your love,

and marred your image in us.

We are sorry and ashamed,

and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

who died for us,

forgive us all that is past;

and lead us out from darkness

to walk as children of light. Amen.

 

You may then like to mark each other with the sign of the cross using the ashes. Mix a little oil with the ashes to make a paste and make the sign of the cross on each other’s foreheads saying

 

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.

After a moment of silence, everyone says together:

May the Lord enrich us with his grace,

and nourish us with his blessing;

the Lord defend us in trouble and keep us from all evil;

the Lord accept our prayers,

and absolve us from our offences,

for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

Amen.

 

#AWOnTheHour- Prayer through the day

The Diocese of Chichester is committed to praying on the hour throughout the day on Ash Wednesday for the following areas of our life:

07:00 – Those providing for our daily needs in our community.

08:00 – The lost, lonely, anxious and afraid.

09:00 – Those who are sick.

10:00 – Our diocese and local parish church.

11:00 – NHS staff and chaplains.

12:00 – The Elderly and local care homes.

13:00 – Families who are struggling to cope at this time.

14:00 – Teachers and school support staff.

15:00 – Our Queen and Government.

16:00 – Our Local authorities and MP.

17:00 – Funeral Directors and The Bereaved.

18:00 – Our Local Prisons (Prisoners and Staff).

 

 

Morning Prayer
Lent

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,

All   according to your judgement give us life.

 

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

In the darkness of our sin,

your light breaks forth like the dawn

and your healing springs up for deliverance.

As we rejoice in the gift of your saving help,

sustain us with your bountiful Spirit

and open our lips to sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

 

a suitable hymn, or A Song of Penitence

1    Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; ♦

according to the abundance of your compassion

blot out my offences.

2    Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness ♦

and cleanse me from my sin.

3    For I acknowledge my faults ♦

and my sin is ever before me.

4    Against you only have I sinned ♦

and done what is evil in your sight,

5    So that you are justified in your sentence ♦

and righteous in your judgement.

6    Cast me not away from your presence ♦

and take not your holy spirit from me.

7    Give me again the joy of your salvation ♦

and sustain me with your gracious spirit;

8    Then shall I teach your ways to the wicked ♦

and sinners shall return to you.

9    Deliver me from my guilt, O God,

the God of my salvation, ♦

and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.

Psalm 51.1–5,12–15

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

 

This opening prayer may be said

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,

so may the light of your presence, O God,

set our hearts on fire with love for you;

now and for ever.

All   Amen.

 

The Word of God

Psalmody

Each day’s psalms can be found later in this booklet.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle. Each day’s readings can be found later in this booklet.

 

Canticle

All   Full of compassion and mercy and love

is God, the Most High, the Almighty.

1    Lord almighty and God of our ancestors, ♦

you who made heaven and earth in all their glory:

2    All things tremble with awe at your presence, ♦

before your great and mighty power.

3    Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy, ♦

for you are God, Most High.

4    You are full of compassion, long-suffering and very merciful, ♦

and you relent at human suffering.

5    O God, according to your great goodness, ♦

you have promised forgiveness for repentance

to those who have sinned against you.

6    The sins I have committed against you ♦

are more in number than the sands of the sea.

7    I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven, ♦

because of the multitude of my iniquities.

8    And now I bend the knee of my heart before you, ♦

imploring your kindness upon me.

9    I have sinned, O God, I have sinned, ♦

and I acknowledge my transgressions.

10  Unworthy as I am, you will save me,  ♦

according to your great mercy.

11  For all the host of heaven sings your praise,  ♦

and your glory is for ever and ever.

Manasseh 1a,2,4,6,7a,b,9a,c,11,12,14b,15b

 

 

 

All  Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Full of compassion and mercy and love,

is God, the Most High, the Almighty.

 

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

All   O my God, in you I trust.

You are the God of my salvation,

All   To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

In you I hope all the day long.

All   O my God, in you I trust.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love,

for they are from everlasting.

All   To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

O my God, in you I trust.

from Psalm 25

Gospel Canticle

The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) is said.

All   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, ♦

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, ♦

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old ♦

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors, ♦

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  ♦

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear, ♦

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, ♦

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation ♦

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God ♦

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  ♦

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68–79

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

 

Prayers

Intercessions are offered

¶    for the day and its tasks

¶    for the world and its needs

¶    for the Church and her life

 

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

 

Silence may be kept.

 

The Collect of the week can be found on the weekly sheet, or the following is said

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer is said

Trusting in the compassion of God,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All  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.

 

The Conclusion

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer

Lent

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us.

All   O Lord, make haste to help us.

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,

All   according to your judgement give us life.

 

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

In the darkness of our sin you have shone in our hearts

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.

Open our eyes to acknowledge your presence,

that freed from the misery of sin and shame

we may grow into your likeness from glory to glory.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

 

This or another suitable hymn is said

Lord Jesus, think on me,

and purge away my sin;

from earthborn passions set me free,

and make me pure within.

 

Lord Jesus, think on me

with many a care opprest;

let me thy loving servant be,

and taste thy promised rest.

 

Lord Jesus, think on me,

nor let me go astray;

through darkness and perplexity

point thou the heavenly way.

 

Lord Jesus, think on me,

that, when the flood is past,

I may the eternal brightness see,

and share thy joy at last.

George the Sinner, tr: A W Chatfield

(Tune: SM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,

so may your mercy come down upon us

to cleanse our hearts

and set us free to sing your praise

now and for ever. All   Amen.

The Word of God

Psalmody

Each day’s psalms can be found later in this booklet.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

 

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

 

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle. The day’s readings can be found later in this booklet.

 

Canticle

A Song of Christ the Servant, or another suitable canticle may be said

Refrain:

All   Christ committed no sin,

no guile was found on his lips.

1    Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, ♦

that you should follow in his steps.

2    He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, ♦

when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.

3    When he suffered, he did not threaten, ♦

but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.

4    Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, ♦

that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

5    By his wounds, you have been healed,

for you were straying like sheep, ♦

but have now returned

to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2.21b–25

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Christ committed no sin,

no guile was found on his lips.

 

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

Make haste to help me,

O Lord of my salvation.

All   Be not far from me, O my God.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All   Forsake me not, O Lord;

be not far from me, O my God.

from Psalm 38

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is said,

Refrain:

All   Come, let us return to the Lord,

for our God will richly pardon.

1    My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; ♦

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2    From this day all generations will call me blessed; ♦

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3    He has mercy on those who fear him, ♦

from generation to generation.

4    He has shown strength with his arm ♦

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5    Casting down the mighty from their thrones ♦

and lifting up the lowly.

6    He has filled the hungry with good things ♦

and sent the rich away empty.

7    He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, ♦

to remember his promise of mercy,

8    The promise made to our ancestors, ♦

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46–55

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All   Come, let us return to the Lord,

for our God will richly pardon.

 

 

 

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered

¶    for peace

¶    for individuals and their needs

 

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

 

Silence may be kept.

 

The Collect of the day week can be found on the weekly sheet, or the following is said

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer is said

Trusting in the compassion of God,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

All  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.

 

The Conclusion

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.

All   Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Prayer (Compline)

Introduction

The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. It is most effective when the ending is indeed an ending, without additions, conversation or noise. If there is an address, or business to be done, it should come first. If the service is in church, those present depart in silence; if at home, they go quietly to bed.

Preparation

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

Amen.

A period of silence follows for reflection on the past day.

We confess to almighty God, before the whole company of heaven and one another, that we have sinned through our own fault, in thought and word and deed, and in what we have failed to do.
Wherefore, we pray almighty God to forgive us our sins and to keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Who has made heaven and earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

 

Psalm 4

1. Answer me when I call, O God, defender of mí cause; * †

you set me free whén I ám hard-pressed;
have mercy on mé and héar my prayer.

2. “You mortals, how long will you dishónour my glóry; *

how long will you worship dumb idols
and run áfter fálse gods?”

3. Know that the Lord does wonders fór the fáithful; *

when I call upon the Lord, hé will héar me.

4. Tremble, thén, and dó not sin; *
   speak to your heart in sílence upón your bed.
5. Offer the appointed sácrifíces *

and put your trúst in thé Lord.

6. Many are saying, “Oh, that we míght see bétter times!” *

Lift up the light of your countenance upón us, Ó Lord.

7. You have put gládness ín my heart, *

more than when grain and wíne and óil increase.

8. I lie down in peace; at ónce I fáll asleep; *
   for only you, Lord, make me dwéll in sáfety.

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 91

1. He who dwells in the shelter óf the Móst High, *

abides under the shadow óf the Almíghty.

2. He shall say to the Lord,
   “You are my refuge ánd my strónghold, *

my God in whóm I pút my trust.”

3. He shall deliver you from the snáre of the húnter *

and from the déadly péstilence.

4. He shall cover you wíth his pínions,
   and you shall find refuge under his wings; *

his faithfulness shall be a shíeld and búckler.

5. You shall not be afraid of any terror bí night, * †

nor of the árrow that flíes by day.

6. Of the plague that stalks in the darkness, *
   nor of the sickness that lays wáste at míd-day.
7. A thousand shall fall at your side
   and ten thousand át your ríght hand, *

but it shall nót come néar you.

8. Your eyes have ónly tó behold *

to see the rewárd of the wícked.

9. Because you have made the Lord your refûge, * †

and the Most High your hábitátion.

10. There shall no evil happen to you, *
    neither shall any plague come néar your dwélling.
11. For he shall give his angels charge ovêr you, * †

to kéep you in áll your ways.

12. They shall bear you in their hands, *

lest you dash your fóot agáinst a stone.

13. You shall tread upon the líon and ádder; *
    you shall trample the young lion and the serpent únder yóur feet.
14. Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will Í delíver him; *

I will protect him, becáuse he knóws my name.

15.  He shall call upon me, and I will answêr him; * †

I am wíth him in tróuble; I will rescue him and bríng him to hónour.

16. With long life will I sátisfý him, * and show him mý salvátion.

 

Psalm 134

1. Behold now, bless the Lord, all you sérvants óf the Lord, *

you that stand by night in the hóuse of thé Lord.

2. Lift up your hands in the holy pláce and bléss the Lord; *

the Lord who made heaven and earth bless you óut of Zíon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scripture Reading

One of the following short lessons or another suitable passage is read

 

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Isaiah 58. 6,7

(or)

You, O Lord, are in the midst of us and we are called by your name; leave us not, O Lord our God.

Jeremiah 14.9

(or)

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in the faith.

1 Peter 5.8, 9

(or)

The servants of the Lamb shall see the face of God, whose name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22.4, 5

 

The following responsory may be said

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

 

Hymn

O Christ, life-giving Day and Light
with brightness overcoming night;
we look to you that we may know
the light and truth which from you flow.

 

All holy Lord, our sure defence,

and guardian of our every sense:

O grant us calm, untroubled sleep,

so may the heart its vigil keep.

 

Protect us with your strong right hand,

that firm in faith we may withstand

and every onslaught of the foe
with trust in you may undergo.

 

Look down on us, O Lord most just,

your creatures fashioned from the dust;

preserve and govern us for good,
the purchase of your precious blood.

 

To God the Father, God the Son,

and God the Spirit, ever One;
to you, O blessed Trinity,
be praise through all eternity. Amen.

Christe qui lux es et dies (Latin, 6th C) tr. Composite

 

Hymn

Before the ending of the day,

Creator of the world, we pray

That you, with steadfast love, would keep

Your watch around us while we sleep.

 

From evil dreams defend our sight,

From fears and terrors of the night;

Tread underfoot our deadly foe

That we no sinful thought may know.

 

O Father, that we ask be done

Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;

And Holy Spirit, by whose breath

Our souls are raised to life from death.

 

 

 

Keep me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

Gospel Canticle

The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) is said or sung

Refrain:

Christ died for us,

so that, whether we wake or sleep,

we might live with him.

 

1    Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:  ♦

your word has been fulfilled.

2    My own eyes have seen the salvation  ♦

which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

3    A light to reveal you to the nations  ♦

and the glory of your people Israel.

Luke 2.29-32

 

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

 

Christ died for us,

so that, whether we wake or sleep,

we might live with him.

Prayers

 

Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God raised him up from the dead and gave him glory;

That our faith and hope might be in God.

 

Father,
we remember before you our relations and friends,

and all for whom we ought to pray;
prosper them with your blessing,
pour out your Spirit upon them,
and guide them in the path of eternal life,
to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Almighty God,

may we, by the prayer and discipline of Lent,

enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings;

that by following in the Way,

we may come to share in the glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Visit this place (our home), O Lord, we pray,

and drive far from it the snares of the enemy;

may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace,

and may your blessing be always upon us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Conclusion

In peace we will lie down and sleep;

for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

 

The almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highly recommended books released for Lent 2021

Candles in the Dark: Faith, hope and love in a time of pandemic (Rowan Williams)

Rooted in Love Lent reflections on life in Christ (Sarah Mullally)

The Lent Book 2021: Thy Will Be Done (Stephen Cherry)

Walking the way of the cross (Stephen Cottrell, Paula Gooder and Philip North)

Ordering books during Lockdown…

both of our local Christian bookshops are continuing to serve our needs either online or via telephone. Do try and support our local bookshops during this time- there is great support on offer whether you know just what you’re after or whether you need a little inspiration!

Living Word Christian Bookshop (Bognor)

Tel: 01243 828223

www.livingwordbooks.co.uk

e-mail: shop@livingwordbooks.co.uk

 

St Olav Christian Bookshop (Chichester)

stolavbookshop@gmail.com

St Olav’s is currently undergoing a refit so there is no telephone number to use at this time. Do keep this in mind for once we are all back out and about supporting local business and go and take a look!

 

Lectionary- Readings and Psalms for Morning and Evening Prayer

Week 1	17/02	18/02	19/02	20/02	21/02	22/02	23/02
Morning	Ps.38; Dan. 9:3-6, 17-19; 1 Tim. 6: 6-19.	Ps. 77; Jer. 2: 14-32; John 4: 1- 26	Ps. 3, 7; Jer. 3: 6- 22; John 4: 27-42.	Ps. 71; Jer. 4: 1-18; John 4: 43- end.	Ps. 77; Exo. 34: 1- 10; Rom. 10: 8-13.	Ps. 10, 11; Jer. 4: 19- end; John 5: 1- 18.	Ps. 44; Jer. 5: 1- 19; John 5: 19- 29.
Evening	Ps. 51; Isa. 1: 10-18; Lk. 15: 11-end	Ps. 74; Gen. 39; Gal. 2: 11-end	Ps. 31; Gen. 40; Gal. 3: 1- 14.	Ps. 73; Gen. 41: 1- 24; Gal. 3: 15- 22.	Ps. 119: 17-32; Gen. 2: 15- 17, 3: 1-7 Rom. 5: 12- 19	Ps 12, 13,14; Gen. 41: 25-45; Gal. 3: 23- 4:7.	Ps. 46, 49; Gen. 41: 46- 42.5; Gal. 4: 8- 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 2	24/02	25/02	26/02	27/02	28/02	01/03	02/03
Morning	Ps. 6, 17; Jer. 5: 20-end; John 5: 30- end	Ps. 42, 43; Jer. 6:9- 21; John 6: 1- 15.	Ps. 22; Jer. 6: 22- end; John 6: 16- 27.	Ps. 59, 63; Jer. 7: 1- 20; John 6: 27- 40.	Ps. 105: 1-6, 37-end; Isaiah 51: 1- 11; Gal. 3: 1- 9, 23- end.	Ps. 26, 32; Jer. 7: 21- end; John 6: 41- 51.	Ps. 50; Jer. 8: 1- 15; John 6: 52- 59.
Evening	Ps. 9, 28; Gen. 42: 6-17; Gal. 4: 21- 5: 1.	Ps. 137, 138, 142; Gen. 42: 18- 28; Gal. 5: 2- 15.	Ps. 54, 55; Gen. 42: 29- end; Gal. 5: 16- end.	Ps. 4, 16; Gen. 43: 1- 15; Gal. 6.	Ps. 135; Gen. 12: 1- 9; Heb. 11: 1-3, 8-16.	Ps.70, 74; Gen. 43: 16- end; Heb. 1.	Ps. 52, 53, 54; Gen. 44: 1- 17; Heb. 2: 1- 9.

 

 

Week 3	03/03	04/03	05/03	06/03	07/03	08/03	09/03
Morning	Ps. 35; Jer. 8: 18- 9:11; John 6: 60- end.	Ps. 34; Jer. 9: 12- 24; John 7: 1- 13.	Ps. 40, 41; Jer. 10: 1- 16; John 7: 14- 24.	Ps. 3, 25; Jer. 10: 17- 24; John 7: 25- 36.	Ps. 18: 1- 25; Jer. 38; Philip. 1: 1-26.	Ps. 5, 7; Jer. 11: 1- 17; John 7: 37- 52.	Ps. 6, 9; Jer. 11: 18- 12:6; John 7: 53- 8: 11.
Evening	Ps. 3, 51; Gen. 44: 18- end; Heb. 2: 10- end.	Ps. 71; Gen. 45: 1- 15; Heb. 3: 1-6.	Ps. 6, 38; Gen. 45: 16- end; Heb. 3: 7- end	Ps. 23, 27; Gen. 46: 1-7, 28-end; Heb. 4: 1- 13.	Ps. 11, 12; Exo. 5: 1- 6:1; Philip. 3: 4- 14.	Ps. 11, 17; Gen. 47: 1- 27; Heb. 4: 14- 5: 10.	Ps. 61, 62, 64; Gen. 47: 28-end of 48; Heb. 5: 11- 6: 12.

 

Week 4	10/03	11/03	12/03	13/03	14/03	15/03	16/03
Morning	Ps. 38; Jer. 13: 1- 11; John 8: 12- 30.	Ps. 56, 57; Jer. 14; John 8: 31- 47.	Ps. 22; Jer. 15: 10- end; John 8: 48- end.	Ps. 31; Jer. 16: 10- 17:4; John 9: 1- 17.	Ps. 27; 1 Sam. 16: 1- 13; John 9: 1- 25.	Ps. 70, 77; Jer. 17: 5- 18; John 9: 18- end.	Ps. 54, 79; Jer. 18: 1- 12; John 10: 1- 10.
Evening	Ps. 36, 39; Gen. 49: 1- 32; Heb. 6: 13- end.	Ps. 59, 60; Gen. 49: 33- end of 50; Heb. 7: 1- 10.	Ps. 69; Exo. 1: 1- 14; Heb. 7: 11- end	Ps. 116, 130; Exo. 1: 22- 2: 10; Heb. 8.	Ps. 107: 1-9; Eph 2: 1- 10; John 3: 14- 21.	Ps 25, 28; Exo 2: 11- 22; Heb. 9: 1- 14.	Ps. 80, 82; Exo. 2: 23- 3: 20; Heb. 9: 15- end.

 

 

 

 

 

Week 5	17/03	18/03	19/03	20/03	21/03	22/03	23/03
Morning	Ps. 63, 90; Jer. 18: 13- end; John 10: 11-21.	Ps. 53, 86; Jer. 19: 1- 13; John 10: 22- end.	Ps. 25, 147: 1- 12, Isa. 11: 1- 10; Matt. 13: 54- end.	Ps. 32; Jer. 20: 7- end; John 11: 17-27.	Ps. 107.1- 22; Exo. 24: 3- 8; Heb. 12: 18- end.	Ps. 73; Jer. 21: 1- 10; John 11: 28- 44.	Ps. 35, 123; Jer. 22: 1-5,13- 19; John 11: 45- end.
Evening	Ps. 52, 91; Exo. 4: 1- 23; Heb. 10:1-18	Ps 94; Exo. 4: 27- 6:1; Heb. 10: 19- 25.	Ps. 1, 112; Gen. 50: 22-end; Matt. 2: 13- end.	Ps. 140, 141, 142; Exo. 7: 8- end; Heb. 11: 1- 16.	Ps. 34; Exo. 7: 8- 24; Rom. 5: 12- end.	Ps. 26, 27; Exo. 8: 1- 19; Heb. 11: 17- 31.	Ps. 61, 64; Exo. 8: 20- end; Heb. 11: 32- 12:2.

 

Week 6	24/03	25/03	26/03	27/03
Morning	Ps. 55, 124; Jer. 22: 20- 23: 8; John 12: 1- 11.	Ps.111, 113; 1 Sam. 2: 1- 10; Rom. 5: 12- end.	Ps. 22, 126; Jer. 24; John 12: 20- 36.	Ps.23, 127; Jer. 25: 1- 14; John 12: 36- end.
Evening	Ps. 85; Wisdom 9: 1- 12; Gal. 4: 1-5.	Ps. 131, 146; Isa 52: 1- 12; Heb. 2: 5- end.	Ps. 31; Exo. 10; Heb. 13: 1- 16.	Ps. 128, 129, 130; Exo. 11; Heb. 13: 17- end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fasting – practical guidance for beginners. Bishop of Horsham, Ruth Bushyager.

There is absolutely nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less than he already does. We do not fast to earn approval from God. However, for centuries, Christians have found that the spiritual discipline of fasting is an important one for their life of prayer and for deepening their relationship with God.  Many Christians fast during the season of Lent. The Council of Nicaea formalised the practice of fasting during Lent nearly 1700 years ago. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday – a particular day of penitence and fasting that is observed by Christians across the world.

Fasting simply involves intentional, planned, self-denial, in order to focus on prayer. Most people associate fasting with a set time of not eating food, but we can practice self-denial in many ways. We can fast from technology and have a day (or longer) set aside with no screen time. We can fast from alcohol or caffeine or treats that we enjoy. We can fast from radio or playing music in order to create a day of silence in our homes.

There are many ways to grow in prayer and to deepen your discipleship, and undertaking food-fasting is only one way. So, if food-fasting is not suitable for you, please do not undertake it. The bible is clear that there are many kinds of people who should not fast, either for a season or at all.

You should not fast from food if

• You are ill or recovering from illness.
• You are infirm / elderly.
• You have an eating disorder or someone you care for has an eating disorder and your fasting may affect them.
• You should never fast from taking medicines that you have been prescribed
• You are pregnant or breast feeding.
• You are a child.
• Your work requires you to maintain energy and focus for your own safety and that of others, for example if your work requires you to operate machinery, make critical decisions, or you are an athlete.
• You have any underlying or chronic health issues that would be made worse by food fasting. If in any doubt consult your doctor before fasting.

 

If you do want to begin a food-fast:

• Plan the day carefully to be a day with low levels of physical activity
• Be sure to stay well hydrated throughout the day. Drink plenty of water at regular intervals.
• Plan whether to begin by simply skipping one meal, for example not eating lunch.
• You may want to skip breakfast and lunch but have a nutritious evening meal after sundown.
• If you are new to fasting you may want to have a reduced food intake rather than to cut out meals entirely. A small breakfast, with a soup lunch may be suitable.
• If you are planning to go without food for the whole day, it is wise to have fruit juice or fruit smoothie to drink as well as water.
• If at any point you feel unwell, you need to respond. Do not fast to the point of becoming faint or unwell or developing a migraine. Light headaches can be  normal, especially for those who normally have high caffeine or sugar levels in their diets.
• For a longer food fast, you may want to practice self-denial by making a dietary change for lent, for example by becoming a vegetarian or pescatarian for a week or a month.
• It is good to share the experience with a Christian friend and to have a point in the day when you pray together.
• Plan when and how your fast will end. Do not end your fast with a large rich meal, but choose food that is simple and nutritious.

Weekly opportunities to pray together during Lent

 

We begin the season of Lent during Lockdown and while our churches are closed for public worship this does not mean that we cannot unite in prayer. The following times of prayer will be offered online, via zoom (link below), however, if you are unable to or you would simply rather not join in via zoom, why not consider using the resources in this booklet and join with us at the same time wherever you happen to be.

 

Monday (from 22^nd February)

09:00  Morning Prayer

17:30 Evening Prayer

 

Tuesday

09:00 Morning Prayer

17:30 Evening Prayer

21:00 Compline

 

Wednesday

17:30 Evening Prayer

 

Thursday

09:00 Morning Prayer

19:00 Stations of the Cross.

 

 

 

 

 

Details for services during Holy Week will follow in March.

Resources for the lent group can be found in Bible study sheets sent out each week form the 21^st February.