Liturgy and Prayers - Sunday, 8 November 2020 – Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year A (Third Last Sunday of the Church Year).

Liturgy in one document: Pentecost 23A Liturgy in One Document

Opening sentence

Choose this day whom you will serve,
but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.  
(Josh 24:15 NRSV)

OR
Let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.  (Amos 5:24 NRSV)

OR
The Lord himself, with a cry of command,
with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet,
will descend from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.  (1 Thess 4:16 NRSV)

OR
At midnight there comes a shout:
Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!  
(cf Matt 25:6 NRSV)

Prayer of the day - (Collect):

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia, alleluia.
Keep awake therefore,
for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matt 24:42 NRSV)
Alleluia.

Prayer after the Gospel

This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for promising to return as the heavenly bridegroom.
Make us always watchful and ready.
Amen.

Offering Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for all your gifts,
and for giving us the privilege of serving you.
Help us to be alert and ready for your coming,
serving you faithfully and doing your will.
Amen.

Prayer of the Church

Prayer points

• You may wish to add the following prayer point into the Prayer of the Church for this Sunday:

  Heavenly Father, bring healing and comfort for people around the world suffering from Coronavirus COVID-19. Speed their recovery and slow the spread of the virus. We thank you for the efforts of all those involved in treating, testing and caring for patients, and ask your protection over them as they go about their work. Give wisdom to governments around the world as they manage this outbreak. We ask for your peace when we are tempted to panic or become anxious about this disease. Help us to place our trust in you, knowing that our life is safely hidden in you and that you are the Lord of all creation. Enable us to show your love to others, sharing the hope we have in you, praying and caring for the sick and needy as best we can in the name of Christ. Amen.

  Prayers for Victoria

  On behalf of the people of Victoria and other areas facing outbreaks:

  • Jesus, be with the people of Victoria as they struggle with strict lock-down measures. We pray that these measures will help bring an end to the suffering of many. Bring comfort and relief to all those who are struggling with sudden changes to their lives, and protect all essential service workers.
  • Lord, we pray for the families of all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones. Envelope them in your love, and draw them close to you in their pain and loss.
  • Father God, protect all your children in [insert name/s of areas affected]. Help officials to locate and contain the outbreak, and restore health to those afflicted with coronavirus.

  For those in Victoria, and other areas facing outbreaks:

  • Heavenly Father, we flee to you in this time of crisis, seeking your protection and comfort. Grant us peace and calm in the midst of this storm, Lord, and help us to place our trust in you.
  • Lord God, thank you for health care workers and all those who place themselves in harm’s way to provide for our daily needs. Protect them as they go about their duties and give them rest and relief from the strain they carry.

• The Lutheran World Federation has released the following prayer documents:

  Intercessory Prayer in the midst of the spread of COVID-19

  Intercessory Prayer in exceptional times

   

Additional Prayer Points

LCA International Mission

Services with Holy Communion:

Dismissal

Go in peace, watching and waiting for the Lord’s coming.
Thanks be to God. 

OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

Liturgical Resources