ST. GEORGE'S DAY SERVICE

Opening Acclamations

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised:

there is no end to his greatness.

One generation shall praise your works to another:

and shall declare your power.

All your works praise you, Lord:

and your faithful servants bless you.

They make known the glory of your kingdom:

and speak of your power.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord:

let everyone bless his holy name for ever and ever.

St. George: Introductory Talk

Prayer

God of hosts, who so kindled the flame of love in the heart of your servant George that he bore witness to the risen Lord by his life and by his death: give us the same faith and power of love that we who rejoice in his triumphs may come to share with him the fullness of the resurrection; 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.

"O when the saints go marching in..."

Bible reading :

James 1:22-8,12.

Talk

"We are marching in the light of God..."

PRAYERS

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.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.

We pray for strength to follow Jesus, saying: Saviour, we hear your call:

help us to follow.

Jesus said: 'If one of you wants to be great, you must be everyone's servant.'

Saviour, we hear your call:

help us to follow.

Jesus said: 'Unless you change and become humble like little children, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.'

Saviour, we hear your call:

help us to follow.

Jesus said: 'Happy are the humble;

they will receive what God has promised.'

Saviour, we hear your call:

help us to follow.

Jesus said: 'Be merciful as your Father is merciful; love your enemies and do good to them.'

Saviour, we hear your call:

help us to follow.

Jesus said: 'Love one another, as I love you; there is no greater love than this, to lay down your life for your friends.' Saviour, we hear your call:

help us to follow.

Jesus said: 'Go to people everywhere and make them my followers, and I will be with you always, to the end of time.' Saviour, we hear your call:

help us to follow.

God of mercy:

you know us and love us

and hear our prayer:

keep us in the eternal friendship of Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

"When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old..."

The Blessing

May the Father from whom every family in earth and heaven receives its name strengthen you with his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; and the blessing …