Opening Responses

Reader  

At our Baptism, water was poured over our heads:
ALL AND WE WERE NAMED
AND BECAME CHILDREN OF GOD.
 
Reader We were anointed with the chrism of salvation:
ALL  

AND DRAWN INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST,
PRIEST, PROPHET AND KING.
 

Reader   We were clothed in a white garment:
ALL AN OUTWARD SIGN OF OUR CHRISTIAN DIGNITY –
A DIGNITY TO BE BROUGHT UNSTAINED
INTO THE EVERLASTING LIGHT OF HEAVEN.
 
Reader We were given a lighted candle:
ALL SO THAT WE MIGHT WALK ALWAYS
AS CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT –
KEEPING THE FLAME OF FAITH ALIVE
UNTIL THE DAY COMES
WHEN WE WILL GO OUT TO MEET OUR LORD.
 
Reader We gather as baptised people,
aware that we have not always lived up to the great grace of baptism.
We come to acknowledge our weakness and frailty –
but also to affirm our trust in the tenderness and compassion
of the God who called us into being
and who has our name written on the palm of his hand.
ALL AMEN.
 
Scripture Reading Suggested readings: Isaiah 43: 1-5; Matthew 10: 26-31
   
Closing Responses

Reader

In the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
ALL IT IS THE LORD WHO FORGIVES ALL OUR GUILT
AND HEALS EVERY ONE OF OUR ILLS.
IT IS THE LORD WHO BUYS BACK OUR LIVES FROM THE GRAVE:
WHO CROWNS US IN TENDEREST LOVE. 
 
Reader It is the Lord who has chosen us as his people.
ALL IT IS THE LORD WHO HAS CALLED US OUT OF DARKNESS
INTO HIS OWN WONDERFUL LIGHT.
A PEOPLE CLAIMED BY CHRIST AS HIS OWN.
 
Reader  It is the Lord who gives his life for our redemption:
whose sacrifice bought our salvation.
ALL (IN THIS WEEK –
THE HOLIEST IN OUR YEAR –
WE WILL FOLLOW JESUS’ STEPS INTO THE GARDEN –
THROUGH HIS NIGHT OF TORTURE –
TO THE FOOT OF THE CROSS.)*
IN SORROW WE (WILL) CONTEMPLATE
THE SUFFERING OF OUR LORD.
IN JOY WE (WILL) RECALL HIS VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH –
AND RENEW OUR PROMISES TO LIVE AS BAPTISED PEOPLE –
IN CHRIST
AND FOR THE WORLD.

* If used in/ at the beginning of Holy Week
 

Reader And may God bless our journey with the Lord
ALL THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
   
Reader  And until we meet again
ALL MAY GOD HOLD US IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.
AMEN.

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