The Methodist Church in Britain



Beyond Exile: A service to celebrate a return to public worshipThis liturgy has been prepared for use when churches begin to able to gather again physically following the lockdown of 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic. In this time, church life has been dramatically affected in many ways. As congregations begin to gather again in person there will be much to process and reflect on. This liturgy aims to assist in that process. This liturgy has accompanying planning notes, which contain up-to-date information about how current guidance and restrictions apply to the conduct of this service, for example on singing which in many places will not be possible. Please read them carefully when preparing to hold this service and make sure to comply?with all necessary precautions and safeguards.Call to Worship – Psalm 100It may be appropriate for the leader of worship and some or all of the congregation to gather at the entrance of the church for the Call to Worship and then to take their places during the hymn or song that follows.Make a joyful noise to the?Lord, all the earth.????Worship the?Lord?with gladness;???come into his presence with singing.?Know that the?Lord?is God.???It is he that made us, and we are his;???we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.?Enter his gates with thanksgiving,???and his courts with praise.???Give thanks to him, bless his name.?For the?Lord?is good;???his steadfast love endures for ever,???and his faithfulness to all generations.A musical itemfor example a recording of StF298 ‘Christ the Lord is risen today’, StF309 ‘See what a morning’ or some instrumental music could playedPrayer of ApproachGracious God, you are our host and guest.We gather today, in your house,knowing that you are with us.As you have welcomed us,help us to be a welcoming community.Send your Spirit to blow through our worshipas a breeze blows through the open windowsof a long-closed house.AmenPrayer of PraiseGod of creation, Source of all beingthe heavens declare your gloryand the earth is your handiwork.For the diverse beauty of all you have made;we offer you our praise.God of salvation, Eternal Word,you came amongst your people,and made yourself vulnerable to the risky business of human living.we offer you our praise.God of life, Holy Spirit,you move in the church and in the world,calling the least and the lostinto a deeper fellowship of love.we offer you our praise.God of all grace,Accept our praise, and help us to live as your people in the world.Amen.ConfessionLet us confess our sins,trusting in God’s mercy and forgiveness.Silence is kept.For those times when we have lost sight of your love,despairing for ourselves and the worldHeal us, God, and grant us a new beginning.For those times when we have lost perspective,putting our own concerns before the needs of your world.Heal us, God, and grant us a new beginning.For those times when we have taken for grantedthe gifts that you have given to us.Heal us, God, and grant us a new beginning.For those times when we have chosen to ignore injustice,and neglected those in need.Heal us, God, and grant us a new beginning.Declaration of forgivenessGod has heard our confession,loves us still and, through Christ,offers healing and a new beginning.Hear then, Christ’s gracious words:“Your sins are forgiven.”Amen. Thanks be to God.CollectThe Collect of the day or one of the following:The first prayer is especially appropriate at a celebration of Holy Communion.God of life and love,your Son made himself known to his disciplesin the breaking of the bread.Open our eyes that we may see him in his redeeming work;who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen.Loving God, you built your church, the body of Christ, as living stones.As we gather in your house today,help us to remember that we are your church in every place.Unite us in your Son, and send us out in the power of your Spirit,to witness in your world. AmenA musical itemfor example a recording of StF41 ‘Blessed be your name’, StF643 ‘When, O God, our faith is tested’, StF644 ‘When our confidence is shaken’ or some instrumental music could playedOld Testament Reading The Old Testament lesson for the day or:Genesis 9.12-17 – God’s rainbow covenantMarking Loss – a litany of lamentWe thought we knew how the world was meant to be.Day followed night, every week had a Sundayand that was the day for church.How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?We thought we knew how the world was meant to be.We made our plans, held our meetings,kept the roof on the church and the show on the road.How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?We thought we knew how the world was meant to be.We would see colleagues, friends and loved ones again, and we would embrace, laugh and share stories as we always have.How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?And now, we know something new.We know that the world is not ours to control,and that our plans are confounded by the smallest microbe.God is teaching us a new song, for a new land.And now, we know something new.We know that church is not committees, agendas and buildings,it is us, in homes, streets, hospitals throughout the world.God is teaching us a new song, for a new land.And now, we know something new.We only have today with those we love, today is the dayto say, ‘I love you’, to mend an argument, to hold on tight.God is teaching us a new song, for a new land.SilenceAn action - invite people to write or draw on a pre-prepared rainbow (or similar symbol of hope), the name of someone or something that has been lost during the lockdown. For some this will be a loved one, for others a job, a business, a longed-for visit or holiday, and some may reflect on losses for the church, play groups and other activities that have folded and are unlikely to restart. Invite people to bring their symbol forward and pin or stick it to a board. Reflective music could be played during this activity, for example StF783 ‘Ubi Caritas’. PrayerIn the face of so much loss,we turn to you, Loving God,praying for comfort and strength.We hold before you the precious losses that we have named today.Be with us in the days ahead, as we try to make sense of a new way of living.In the face of so much fear,we turn to you, Loving God,praying for hope and confidence.We are your people, gifted with the assurance of your love.Be with us in the days ahead, as we work out how to serve this present age.In the face of so much need,we thank you, loving God,for all who have given their skill, time and commitment,to care for those who have been ill, vulnerable and isolated.Be with us in the days ahead, that we might share your love with all.Loving God,hear our prayers and fill us with your Spirit,that we might be your people in the world.AmenPsalm The Psalm for the day or:Psalm 84, 111 or 122EpistleThe Epistle for the day or:Acts 16.25-34 Paul and Silas released from prisonGospel The Gospel for the day or: John 20.19-29 Jesus appears to his disciplesor any of the resurrection texts.SermonIn case it is helpful, some optional preaching notes have been provided separately.Prayers of IntercessionGracious God,You care for all that you have made,hear us now as we offer our prayers in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.For all creation, we pray,remembering places degraded by human selfishness.Forests disappeared, rivers dried up, planes flooded and rising sea levels.Today we pray for…God of grace, Hear our prayer.For all in authority, we pray,remembering those who bear the heavy weight of responsibility.We think of those whose decisions affect many lives,in our villages, towns and cities,in our counties and in our countries.We pray that they may have wisdom, strength and humility.Today we pray for…God of grace,Hear our prayer.For all your church, we pray,remembering the body of Christ throughout the world.As we give thanks that we are free to worship here today,we remember those who cannot gather, among them those who live with ongoing restrictions and those who know the danger of persecution.We know that many churches will struggle to continue, following these months of closure and we pray for wisdom and discernment as we work out how to be your church in the future.Today we pray for…God of grace, Hear our prayer.For all in need, we pray,remembering those who are ill in homes and in hospital.We give thanks for the NHS, for all health and social care professionals, cleaners and caterers and so many others who help to bring healing and comfort.We give thanks for volunteers and all who serve their neighbours, offering care.We pray that those who give their time and skill to serve others might be protected and be given your peace and strength.Today we pray for…God of grace, Hear our prayer.For all who grieve, we pray,remembering those who have not been able to mourn in the way that they would wish,and those who have not been able to say goodbye.We hold before you all who have died,remembering that each person is made in your image.Help us to remember that you are the God of resurrection and in you we find hope and new life.Today we pray for…God of grace, Hear our prayer.All our prayers, spoken and unspoken, we offer to God,in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. PeacePlease see the planning notes for guidance relating to the Peace.The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said: ‘Peace be with you!’Then they were glad when the saw the Lord.The peace of the risen Christ be always with you.And also with you.If Holy Communion is not to be celebrated, the service continues with the alternative conclusion below (p PAGEREF NonHC \h 12).A musical itemfor example a recording of StF585 ‘God whose love is all around us’, StF586 ‘Here is bread, here is wine’ or some instrumental music could playedThe offerings of the people are presented. Bread and wine are brought to the table (or if already on the table are uncovered). The presiding minister takes the bread and wine and prepares them for use.The ThanksgivingYou might want to use the Thanksgiving for the Easter Season (MWB p. 169), for Pentecost and Times of Renewal (MWB p. 179), or the following:All stand. The presiding minister leads the great prayer of thanksgiving:The Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise.In the beginning of all that is, You, God, in relationship, three in one,formed a diverse and complex creation. You created us in your image,one part of the story of your love for all that you have made.Through the teachers and prophets of old,matriarchs and patriarchs,the story of your love was told, offered, and written.Your people have not always understood the story,or lived as those who know that they are loved.We have turned away from the truth, ignoring you, damaging the earth and hurting our neighbours.You, continued to love us and so, at great cost,sent Jesus Christ into the world,to teach us again what it means to live in your way.Through Christ’s life, death and resurrection,we can know for ourselves, the story of love, faith and salvation.Through your gift of the Holy Spirit, sent in your Son’s name, you continue to lead us into truth and give us power to tell your story throughout the world.And so, with all the messengers of heaven, we join in the ancient song:Holy, holy, holy Lord,God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessèd is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.On the night before he died,Jesus took bread and gave you thanks.He broke it and gave it to his friends, saying,‘Take this and eat it. this is my body, given for you.Do this to remember me.’After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine,gave thanks and gave it to his friends, saying,‘Drink this, all of you.This is my blood of the new covenant,poured out for all peoplefor the forgiveness of sins.Do this in remembrance of me.’And so, God of love, we remember that Jesus died and rose again to make all things new, and we proclaim the mystery of faith:Dying, you destroyed our death,Rising, you restored our life.Lord Jesus, come in glory.Through him, accept us as a living sacrifice,a people for your praise.Send your Holy Spiritthat these gifts of bread and winemay be for us the body and blood of Christ.Unite us as his body, that we might offer his love to the world in mission and service,until, joining the whole company of heaven, we are brought into the presence of your eternal glory,through Jesus Christ, your Son.Through him, with him, and in him,in the power of the Holy Spirit,we celebrate again the story of your loveand offer our service and praise.?To you be glory for ever and ever. AmenLord’s PrayerEITHERWe say together the prayerthat Jesus gave us:Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your Name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those whosin against us.Save us from the time of trialand deliver us from evil.For the kingdom,the power and the glory are yours,now and for ever.Amen. ORAs our Saviour taught his disciples, we pray: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 whotrespass 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 Breaking of the BreadThe presiding minister breaks the bread in the sight of the people saying:The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.Christ is the Bread of Life.The presiding minister lifts the cup saying:The cup we take is a sharing in the blood of Christ.Christ is the True Vine.Silence, all seated or kneeling.The Sharing of the Bread and WineThe presiding minister, those assisting with the distribution, and the people receive, according to local custom. The presiding minister may say these or other words of invitation:Jesus is the Lamb of Godwho takes away the sin of the world.Happy are those who are called to his supper.Receive the body of Christ which was given for youand the blood of Christ which was shed for you,and feed on him in your hearts,by faith with thanksgiving.Words such as the following are said during the distribution: The body of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen. The blood of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen. During the distribution there may be appropriate music. The elements that remain are covered with a white cloth.PrayersLet us prayLoving God,as we have shared your holy gifts,join us again in the bonds of unityand strengthen us for service,that we might witness to your loveand serve you all our days.In Christ’s name. Amen.A musical itemfor example a recording of StF77 ‘Give thanks to the Lord’, StF81 ‘Now thank we all our God’, StF345 ‘And can it be’ or some instrumental music could playedBlessing and DismissalThe blessing of God,the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,be among you/us and remain with you/us always. AmenWe go into the worldto walk in God’s light,to rejoice in God’s loveand to reflect God’s glory. Amen.When Holy Communion is not celebrated:A musical itemfor example a recording of StF109 ‘In the darkness of the still night’, StF647 ‘God grant us words to speak’ or some instrumental music could playedThe offerings of the people are presented.Prayer of ThanksgivingCreator God, source of all life,you formed a diverse and complex creation. You created us in your image;we are part of the story of your love for all that you have made.Receive our thanks and praise.Through the teachers and prophets of old,the story of your love was told.We have not always followed your way of love;yet, you continue to care for us.At great cost, you sent Jesus Christ into the world,to teach us again what it means to live in your way.Receive our thanks and praise.Through Christ’s life, death and resurrection,we can know for ourselves, the story of love, faith and salvation.Through your gift of the Holy Spirit, you continue to lead us into truth and give us power to tell your story throughout the world.Receive our thanks and praise.As we give thanks for the story of your love,strengthen us for serviceand accept our praise. In the name of Christ. Amen.Lord’s PrayerEITHERWe say together the prayerthat Jesus gave us:Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your Name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those whosin against us.Save us from the time of trialand deliver us from evil.For the kingdom,the power and the glory are yours,now and for ever.Amen. ORAs our Saviour taught his disciples, we pray: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 whotrespass 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.A musical itemfor example a recording of StF77 ‘Give thanks to the Lord’, StF81 ‘Now thank we all our God’, StF345 ‘And can it be’ or some instrumental music could playedBlessing and DismissalThe blessing of God,the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,be among you/us and remain with you/us always. AmenWe go into the worldto walk in God’s light,to rejoice in God’s loveand to reflect God’s glory. Amen. ................
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