A Service of Holy Communion

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Prepared at Diocesan Office8 Gladstone Street, Gladstone

By The Venerable Gael Johannsen

February 2018

Material used in this service, where not otherwise acknowledged, is from A Prayer Book for Australia

This Service is approved by The Bishop of Willochrafor use on Mothering Sunday 2018

and may not be used for another occasion

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WHAT IS MOTHERING SUNDAY?

The fourth Sunday in Lent is called Mothering Sunday. There are traditions associated with Mothering Sunday in England which date back as long ago as the 16th century. It is told that this was the day when people were encouraged to return to worship in their ‘mother church’ where they had been baptised. People who usually attended the local parish church, would make a longer journey to the ‘mother church’ or cathedral of the Diocese. Girls in domestic service would bake to show their mothers their new skills in the form of a gift, traditionally a simnel cake. On this day many girls who were in service were allowed time off from domestic chores to visit their mothers and their family. Apprentices also would return to their homes, often stopping to pick a posy of wildflowers for their mother.

Today Mothering Sunday is a day when Christians choose to use the occasion to think about all things which concern motherhood. We give thanks for the Church as Mother; for the obedience and love of Mary, the mother of Jesus; we remember that God cares for us like a mother and last but not least we give thanks for our own mothers. Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Lent and it is a time of special for thanksgiving. It is the one day of joy in Lent, when people are allowed a time off from the penitential season. It is also known as Mid-Lent Sunday, Refreshment Sunday or Laetare Sunday. The Latin Laetare means rejoice. www.thisischurch.uk

Traditional simnel cakes and chrysanthemum posy

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Gathering. A lamp is placed symbolically in the sanctuary

A Hymn may be sung when the ministers enter or after the greeting

Bless the Lord who forgives all our sinsWhose mercy endures forever

The Lord be with youAnd also with you.

SentenceThe Son of Man must be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

InvocationCome, Mother God,come as an enfolding nurturing presence,come as steadfast love to hold usCome, Mother God,come as an enabling strengthening force,come as tough love to let us goCome, Mother God,come as friend and comforterhealing our woundswalking our way,come as wounded healer to make us whole Kathy Galloway, Pattern of our Days

Call to WorshipGod of the past who has fathered and mothered usWE ARE HERE TO THANK YOUGod of the future who is always ahead of usWE ARE HERE TO TRUST YOUGod of the present here in the midst of usWE ARE HERE TO PRAISE YOUGod of life beyond us within us

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WE REJOICE IN YOUR GLORIOUS LOVE Kathy Galloway, Pattern of our Days

The Lighting of the Fourth Candle of Lent

Reader 1: Today we read that Jesus is the light that came into a world of darkness. St Paul tells us that those who lived in this darkness were dead through trespass and sin. But God, in his great love, made us alive together with Christ. Our symbol today is a lamp, reminding us that now we live in his light and have eternal life.

Reader 2: We have been born into a world of sin. We try to do the right thing, but at times we fail, and temptation seems to win. At other times, we seem to drown in our failures, believing nothing good can come from us. We forget that God has called us to repent, and that God remembers our sins no more.

Reader 1: We light this candle as a symbol of our trust in Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, when we repent and turn back to God.

Loving God, help us to turn back to your light when we stray into the darkness. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, help us to repent from where we have gone wrong and trust in the path that you call us to walk. Amen.

(written by Carol Penner and downloaded at www.pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au )

The ConfessionCompassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled and wandered far off. Let us then ask for mercy, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

We are often slow to follow the example of Christ.Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.We often fail to be known as Christ’s disciples.Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.We often fail to walk the way of the cross.

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Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy. (New Patterns for Worship, Church of England)

AbsolutionPrayer of the Day

Everlasting Godin whom we live and move and have our being,you have made us for yourself,and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you:give us purity of heart and strength of purpose,that no selfish passion may hinder usfrom knowing your will,no weakness prevent us from doing it;that in your light we may see light,and in your service find perfect freedom;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Ministry of the Word

A reading from the book of Numbers,Chapter 21 beginning at Verse 4

4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5 The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” 6 Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

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[NRSV Exodus 21:4-9]

Hear the word of the Lord, thanks be to God

Psalm 107:1-3,17-22 [page 337 APBA]

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good:for his loving mercy is for ever.

2 Let the Lord's redeemed say so:whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

3 And gathered in from every land,from the east and from the west:

from the north and from the south.17 Fools were far gone in transgression:

and because of their sins were afflicted.18 They sickened at any food:

and had come to the gates of death.19 Then they cried to the Lord in their distress:

and he took them out of their trouble.20 He sent his word and healed them:

and saved their life from the Pit.21 Let them thank the Lord for his goodness:

and for the wonders that he doesfor the children of Adam;

22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving:and tell what he has done with shouts of joy.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians,Chapter 2 beginning at Verse 1

1 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with

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which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Hear the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

Gradual Hymn

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John,Chapter 3 beginning at Verse 14 Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.

14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord, praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

The Sermon

Affirmation of Faith for Mothering SundayWe believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God,

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who was born of the promise to a virgin named Mary.We believe in the love Mary gave her Son, that caused her to follow him in his ministry and stand by his cross as he died.

We believe in the love of all mothers, and its importance in the lives of the children they bear.It is stronger than steel, softer than down, And more resilient than a green sapling on the hillside.It closes wounds, melts disappointments, and enables the weakest child to stand tall and straightin the fields of adversity.We believe that this love, even at its best, is only the shadow love of God, a dark reflection of all that we expect of him in this life and the next.We believe that one of the most beautiful sights in the world is a mother who lets this greater love flow through her to her child, blessing the world with the tenderness of her touch and the tears of her joy.Thank God for mothers, and thank mothers for helpingus understand God!

(Anonymous – Published on Church of Ireland’s Resources for Mothering Sunday)

The Prayers of the People

These Biddings should be supplemented with locally appropriate prayers

We give thanks for the Church, our mother, who brought us to birth in the family of Christ, through the waters of baptism. We pray that all Christians will hear again God’s call to mother those in need, and bring them home to God.Lord, in your mercy.Hear our prayer.

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We pray for all those in authority in our nation and in our world. May they learn from the example of Jesus Christ that true power is the power to feed the poor and the hungry, to make a home for the homeless and to offer hospitality to the broken-hearted.Lord, in your mercy.Hear our prayer.We pray for our own community. May we see each other as brothers and sisters, called to sit at God’s family table together. Let us work together for that great day when God comes again to restore heaven and earth.Lord, in your mercy.Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who suffer today, in mind, body or spirit. In particular, we pray for those who have lost a motherly presence, and for those who have never known a mother’s love. May they find consolation in God, the one in whom every family on earth finds its home.Lord, in your mercy.Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for all who have loved us and nurtured us in faith. May we be bold to share what we have received.Lord, in your mercy.Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for all those who have gone before us into the many mansions of the Father’s home. May we learn from them to trust God’s care and provision for us, all the days of our life and into our death.Lord, in your mercy.Hear our prayer. (St Mellitus Liturgy for Mothering Sunday)

Introduction to the Offertory: After we have shared the peace of Christ,We will be invited to place our offerings in the bowl/plate that you see……. (name location)God calls us to be generousnot when all the bills are paid

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not when we have everything we neednot when we see our way clear.God calls us to be generous now,in this present moment,trusting in God who is our Provider.

Offertory Prayer: God of grace, financially, we are sometimes in the dark.We don’t always know how much money we have,or how secure our resources are,or even what expenses we will have in the future.We choose to give our money to you with light hearts,gifting boldly and cheerfully,knowing that our security lies in your grace,and not in our bank accounts.Accept these gifts from our hands,for the work of your church. Amen.(written by Rev’d Mindi Wenton-Mitchell and downloaded at ManyVoices.org)

The Greeting of Peace We are the body of Christ

His Spirit is with usThe peace of the Lord be always with you

And also with you.

The greeting of peace is passed within the congregation. Offerings are placed in the bowl. All return to their seats.

The Offertory Hymn

During the offertory hymn the simnel cake may be brought to the altar.

Blessing of the Simnel CakeAlmighty God, giver of all joy,

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receive at our hands this cake, that it may be a symbol to us of our communion with you and with one another; as its flour was once scattered over our land as wheat and now is one, so let us be one in anticipation of your gift of the new Jerusalem, which, as your redeemed people, is our joy, our hope, our destiny and our home. Hear us, O Lord, through Jesus Christ your Son, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power;the glory, the splendour and the majesty;for everything on heaven and earth is yours.All things come from you, and of your own do we give you. Common Worship

The Great 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

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere, mighty Creator, everliving God.We give you thanks and praise for your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who by the power of your Spirit was born of Mary and lived as one of us.He was tempted in every way as we are, yet he did not sin.By his death on the cross and rising to new life, he offered the one true sacrifice for sin and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil,

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and to walk in the way of his love.Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven,we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,Heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.Merciful God, we thank you for these gifts of your creation, this bread and wine, and we pray that by your Word and Holy Spirit,we who eat and drink them may be partakers of Christ's body and blood.

On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread;and when he had given you thanks he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,'Take, eat. This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'After supper, he took the cup, and again giving you thankshe gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Drink from this, all of you.This is my blood of the new covenant shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'

Christ has died.Christ is risen.Christ will come again.

Therefore we do as our Saviour has commanded: proclaiming his offering of himself

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made once for all upon the cross, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again, we celebrate, with this bread and this cup, his one perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

Renew us by your Holy Spirit, unite us in the body of your Son, and bring us with all your people into the joy of your eternal kingdom;through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father, in songs of never-ending praise:Blessing and honour and glory and powerare yours for ever and ever. Amen.

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray,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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yoursnow and for ever. Amen.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

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[The gifts of God for the people of God.] Come let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Communion is administered

The following activities (all ages) may take place after people have taken communion

Posies of flowers and simnel cake may be distributed as people leave the communion area.A cross is placed at one side of the church, with a sandbox and tapers at the foot of the cross. People may light a candle at this point -

In thanksgiving for those who have mothered them. As a symbol of those they have failed to mother or who have failed to

mother them. As a symbol of those who have experienced disappointment in

relation to their mother or being a mother.

Hymn or Song maybe sung during distribution of flowers and cake and lighting of candles

The Sending Out of God’s People

God of mercy, may we who have shared this holy meal know your forgiveness in our lives, bring and your reconciliation to others, and be a sign of your wholeness in this broken world.

Most Loving God, you send us into the world you love.Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage in the power of your Spirit.

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Blessing and laughter and loving be yoursthe love of a great Mother Godwho names youand holds youwhile the earth turns and the flowers growthis daythis nightthis momentand forever. Amen. Kathy Galloway, Pattern of our Days

Go in peace, to love and serve the LordIn the name of Christ. Amen.

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