A Common Easter
I am hoping, as part of marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the vast majority of Christians will (again) from now on celebrate a common date of Easter.
2025
Lent 1 2025
God of the desert,
Jesus was led by the Spirit
to fast forty days in the wilderness
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin;
give us grace to observe the disciplines of Lent;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer,
who is alive with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Amen.
Ash Wednesday & Lent 2025
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all 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 your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Ash Wednesday & Lent 2025 Read More »
Transfiguration Before Lent 2025
Transfiguring God,
before the passion of your beloved Son
you revealed his glory on the holy mountain;
grant that we who by faith behold the light of his face
may be strengthened to bear the cross,
and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory;
through the same Jesus Christ
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
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2 March 2025 Ordinary 8
Grant, O God,
that the course of this world may be directed by your peaceful governance,
and that your church may be joyful as,
in confidence and serenity,
we serve your purpose;
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
2 March 2025 Ordinary 8 Read More »
Themefication
Searching for a theme or overlaying a service with a theme can be damaging. We can abandon allowing the scriptures to say what their real meaning is about and we can leave out readings that do not fit our constricting theme.
23 February 2025 Ordinary 7
Grant, O God,
that with our hearts contemplating all that is good and true
we may please you by word and deed in the way we live;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
23 February 2025 Ordinary 7 Read More »
Classic Collects for a Contemporary Context
A Book of Prayers in Common – Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Anglicans, and others have a shared collect tradition that few are aware of. Sunday by Sunday, they regularly pray essentially the same prayer on the same day. After 12 years, here is my reworking of the year’s worth of such prayers – use them prayerfully, and feedback any improvements.
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