Bishop David has asked if a simple form of prayer and some resource suggestions could be made available for the 14 ‘prayer stops’ that punctuate his ‘Pilgrimage’ to the Service of Welcome, 1-3 January 2003. There are three Morning Prayers, two Eucharists and nine times of informal prayer. I am assuming the worship leaders will use standard material for the major occasions but hope some of the following may be of help - either as they stand or adapted.
                                                                                                                                                         John Burniston – Rite Aid

Collects and Prayers:

Lord of history, to whom a thousand years are as a day: renew us by your Holy Spirit, that, while we have life and breath, we may serve you with courage and hope; through the grace of your Son, our Savour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God in Trinity, Creator, Saviour, giver of life and truth: draw us into your holy life through the birth of Emmanuel and reveal the possibilities within us so that we may reach the fullness of Christ’s own humanity. We make our prayer through Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Ever-living God, whose glory was revealed in the Word made flesh; may we, who have seen such splendour in the coming of our Son, be true witnesses to your self-giving love in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Loving God, you entrusted your Son to the care of Mary and Joseph so that he might know the trials and joys that touch the life of every family. Make us grateful for the blessings you give and by closeness to your word may we be clothed in gentleness and patience and be united in love. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in the Church. Look with mercy and favour on David your servant, now called to be bishop of this Diocese. Maintain him in truth and renew him in holiness, that by word and good example he may faithfully serve you, to the glory of your name and the benefit of your Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Almighty God, you have given your Holy Spirit to the Church that he may lead us into all truth. Bless with his grace and presence your servant David, now called to be bishop of Bradford. Keep him steadfast in faith and abounding in love, that he may reveal your glory and prepare the way of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, you called your Church to witness that in Christ you were reconciling the world to yourself: help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be reconciled to you through him who died for us and rose again and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings:
In addition to the readings set for the day, the following may be found helpful:

OT
Numbers 27: 15-end
Proverbs 4: 1-9
Ezekiel 34: 11-16
Isaiah 61: 1-3a
Isaiah 61: 10- 62: 5
Ecclesiasticus 39: 1-10

Psalms and Canticles  (references are from Common Worship, Daily Prayer)

Prayers of intercession:

  In faith we pray to God, who is more ready to hear than we are to ask.

We pray for the whole Church of God, that rejoicing in our richness and variety, we may seek peace and unity and be constantly renewed for mission and service…

Let us pray for Bishop David and for the family of churches that make up our Diocese, that rejoicing in our common heritage, we may strengthen each other and be built up in love…

Let us pray for the life of the world, that rejoicing in our common humanity we may reject the ways of war and conflict and work together for justice and peace…

Let us rejoice in the communion of saints, that, strengthened by their faithful example, we may follow the way of Christ and live to God’s praise and glory…

Give us wisdom, Lord, to know your will, and courage to do it. May our words declare your love and may our compassion give substance to our words; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Unlooked for, Christ comes.

To shepherds, watching their sheep through the long, dark night, he comes with the glory of the angels’ song and in the humility of the manger.   Silence.

Loving God, we pray for tour community … In the midst of our everyday lives, surprise us with glimpses of the glorious, humble love at the heart of all existence.

Lord, come to your people
            In your mercy, set us free.  
 
            Searched for, Christ comes.

            To the wise and powerful, star-led to Bethlehem, seeking a king,
            He comes, child of Mary, crowned with meekness, worthy of every gift.  Silence.

Loving God, we pray for the leaders of the world …  Guide them with your light to the true wisdom of justice and peace, of freedom and respect for every human life.

            Lord, come to your people
            In your mercy, set us free.  

            Longed for, Christ comes.

To Anna and Simeon, whose days are lived in faithful expectation, he comes. A new life to the old, a living prophecy of hope.  Silence.

Loving God, we pray for the Church, here and throughout the world … Unite us by your Spirit, and make us faithful witnesses to the hope we have in you.

            Lord, come to your people
            In your mercy, set us free.  

            Prayed for, Christ comes.

To men and women, girls and boys, crying out in darkness, pain and loneliness, he comes, baptised, as one with us, our Saviour, healer and friend.  Silence.

Loving God, we pray for those whose lives are hard and painful or whose existence is sorrowful, bitter or empty … in their need, may they know your healing touch, reaching out to comfort, strengthen and restore.

            Lord, come to your people
            In your mercy, set us free.  

            Unlooked for and searched for,
            Longed for and prayed for,
            Loving God, you come to us now
            As you have come to your people in every age.
            We thank you for all who have reflected the light of Christ.
            Help us to follow their example
And bring us, with them, to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Proper Prefaces for Eucharistic Prayers:
Short -

And now we give you thanks because Christ came
not to be served but to serve,
            and to give his life as a ransom for many.
He calls his faithful servants to lead your holy people in love,
nourishing them by your word and sacraments. Therefore…

Extended -

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere,
almighty creator, ever-living God.
For in the calling of David James to be bishop among your people,
you have provided a shepherd to make visible
the ministry of Jesus Christ among us,
to bring home the lost, restore the sinner
and give dignity to the despised.
In the darkness of this passing age
You have called him to be a light in the world,
that your people may journey with confidence
towards the city of eternal light
where your faithful ones are united in faith and love.
As we rejoice and glorify your holy name,
confident in the blessing that you have bestowed upon us,
grant that we who welcome our new pastor and friend
may continue to be caught up 
in the love of the God we cannot see.

Therefore with all the angels of heaven
we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name
and sing our joyful hymn of praise:
 

Other material:

John Donne:

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening, into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no cloud nor sun, no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light, no noise nor silence, but one equal music, no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession, no foes nor friends, but one equal communion and identity, no ends or beginnings, but one equal eternity, [in the habitations of thy glory and dominion, world without end. Amen]

Keep us, Lord, so awake in the duties of our callings, that we may thus sleep in thy peace, and wake in thy glory, and change that infallibility which thou affordest us here, to an actual and undeterminable possession of that kingdom which thy Son
our Saviour Christ Jesus hath purchased for us, with the inestimable price of his incorruptible blood. Amen

(John Donne from a sermon preached at Whitehall, 29 February, 1628 on Acts 7.60)

“PILGRIMAGE”
a short service for the journey

PREPARATION

God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us.
That your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Give to us, O Lord, pure and upright hearts,
that your servants may walk before you
in the way that is perfect;
lead us to our heavenly home
by single steps of humble service
and deeds of loving kindness
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAISE

A song or hymn may be sung

THE WORD OF GOD

A Bible Reading may be followed by a psalm or canticle and a period of silence

RESPONSE

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You mark out my journeys and my resting places;

you are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue
that you, Lord, have not already discovered.

You surround me on every side;

you lay your hand upon me.
Search me out, O God, and know my heart;
try me and examine my thoughts.

See if there is any wickedness in me

and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

THE PRAYERS

To us a child is born, to us a Son is given;
Let us pray for the people Christ came to save:

That this day may be holy, good and joyful
We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may offer you our worship and our work
We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may walk before you in righteousness and peace:
We pray to you, O Lord.

That in the pleasures and pains of life,
we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:
We pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit,
In union with David our bishop and all who will accompany us today,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
We pray to you, O Lord.

Free prayer may be offered and silence kept

Let us commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God.

One or more Collects may be said, and the prayers end with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Conclusion

May the love of the Word made flesh enfold us,
his joy fill our lives,
his peace be in our hearts;
And his blessing be with us
now and always.  Amen.

A final song may be sung.

Rite Aid
January 2003